Academic Program Director Jobs in Boston, MA (NOW HIRING)

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Newton, MA, US

3 days ago Requisition ID: 1354

William James College is in an exciting period of growth at a time when access to high-quality behavioral healthcare has never been more important. For over 50 years, our faculty and staff have prepared professionals to bring evidence-based mental health care to healthcare systems, community agencies, schools, correctional facilities, businesses, and private practice settings throughout New England and beyond.

Our mission is clear: to advance educational excellence in applied psychology and to develop skilled, compassionate professionals committed to expanding access to behavioral healthcare for individuals and communities who need it most.

As a community grounded in excellence, fairness, and respect for all individuals, William James College fosters leadership, collaboration, and service in an increasingly complex world. We seek professionals who are energized by meaningful work, committed to student success, and motivated to make a lasting impact in the field of behavioral health.

We are building the next generation of behavioral health leaders and are looking for colleagues who want to help shape that future.

As we prepare for the launch of a Rhode Island–based Clinical PsyD program, we are seeking a leader who is excited to help build, innovate, and strengthen the future of clinical psychology education while expanding William James College’s (WJC) impact in New England. The Program Director for the Rhode Island–based Clinical PsyD degree will work closely with the academic and administrative leadership of WJC in Newton, Massachusetts to provide academic and clinical leadership in preparation for an anticipated launch in Fall 2027.

The Director will have day-to-day responsibility for developing curriculum, create alignment with requirements of accrediting bodies, recruit faculty, develop field placements, and implement program strategy. The Director also leads pre-launch program development activities in advance of the 2027 program start.

The Director serves as the senior on-site leader for WJC at the Rhode Island campus, providing academic and operational oversight in coordination with institutional leadership. The Director maintains ongoing teaching responsibilities within the program. The role requires experience with academic program administration, people management, and clinical leadership. A successful candidate will be able to work with the Newton leadership to develop RI area partners for training and clinical service while creating and strengthening pipelines that support growth of the behavioral health workforce.

The Director will have primary responsibility for advancing WJC’s Rhode Island-based initiatives, so that the College may continue to execute its mission in New England.

• Provide on-site academic and operational leadership for the Rhode Island campus, ensuring alignment with WJC academic standards, policies, and operational procedures while coordinating campus functions with Newton offices, including the Registrar, Field Education, Finance, Human Resources, Information Technology, and Academic Affairs


• Ensure effective coordination of academic programming, campus operations, and student experience


• Promote a culture of academic excellence, professionalism, and student success consistent with the mission and values of WJC


• Demonstrated ability to foster a respectful and inclusive campus environment and to work effectively with students, faculty, staff, and community partners from a wide range of backgrounds


• Provide leadership in curriculum planning and program management, including development, revision, implementation, and evaluation


• Develop the campus-based academic program in alignment with the mission of the College and evolving accreditation requirements


• Collaborate with the admissions office to support broad student recruitment efforts consistent with institutional mission and applicable law


• Identify, cultivate, and develop new training sites within department parameters


• Monitor and support internship preparation and placement outcomes in alignment with APPIC and APA expectations


• Collaborate with senior leadership to advance the College’s long‑term vision and strategic priorities, with particular focus on implementing academic and strategic initiatives for the Rhode Island campus and Clinical PsyD program


• Serve as the primary academic leader for the RI‑based Clinical PsyD program, providing on‑site leadership and ensuring alignment with WJC practices


• Represent WJC as the primary institutional leader for the Rhode Island campus, advancing the College’s visibility and partnerships throughout the region

• Demonstrated ability to build strategic partnerships, foster stakeholder relationships, and identify opportunities that strengthen program growth and advance strategic initiatives that expand WJC’s impact in Rhode Island, consistent with the College’s mission


• Partner with faculty and industry leaders to ensure that curriculum remains aligned with current and emerging workforce needs


• Serve as a strategic relationship builder and ambassador for the RI campus, developing practicum pipelines, cultivating referral networks, and strengthening the campus’s presence within the New England behavioral health community, both for the RI‑based Clinical PsyD program and other initiatives in the state

• Oversee and ensure implementation of College policies and procedures, state regulations, and campus‑level risk management within the RI‑based campus and Clinical PsyD program


• Participate in campus‑level financial performance budget planning, enrollment targets, resource allocation, and long‑term sustainability in coordination with Academic Affairs and institutional leadership


• Recruit and support high‑quality faculty and build a sustainable, high‑performing faculty team


• Provide supervision, mentorship, and performance evaluation for program faculty in coordination with Academic Affairs


• Host meetings with students, faculty, and Field staff to develop plans that support student success


• Oversee student academic progress, remediation processes, and professional standards consistent with program policies and accreditation requirements


• Ensure faculty and students adhere to College policies, ethical standards, legal requirements, and accreditation standards


• Participate in accreditation preparation, reporting, and continuous improvement processes consistent with APA Standards of Accreditation


• Oversee program‑level assessment of student learning outcomes, retention trends, internship match rates, and licensure outcomes to support continuous improvement and accreditation compliance


• Maintain active teaching responsibilities


• Participate in institutional governance processes and academic committees as assigned

In close collaboration with the Vice President for Business Development & Strategy:

• Cultivate and maintain strong partnerships with diverse stakeholders in RI, such as field placement sites, government agencies, potential funders, and educational collaborators, to unlock new programmatic opportunities for the College in the State


• Develop and strengthen relationships with RI‑based philanthropic organizations, foundations, corporations, and public agencies to support programming adjacent to the RI‑based Clinical PsyD


• Identify, research, and pursue new revenue opportunities, including grants, contracts, and sponsorships, while taking an active role in maintaining the RI campus budget

• Doctoral Degree in Clinical or Counseling Psychology


• Licensed or license‑eligible clinical psychologist (preferred)


• Prior experience teaching doctoral‑level courses and supervising doctoral students


• Administrative leadership experience in a higher education or related environment


• Minimum five years of full‑time experience in higher education


• Familiarity with American Psychological Association (APA) Standards of Accreditation


• Demonstrated ability to promote team building and collaboration


• Strong interpersonal and leadership skills


• Proven ability to build relationships and credibility across organizational levels, from operational teams to executive leadership

At William James College, we’re committed to supporting you as a whole person—so you can do meaningful work and thrive while doing it. Our total rewards approach is designed to promote your well-being, financial security, and professional growth, with a strong emphasis on flexibility, balance, and long‑term success.

As a nonprofit organization under Section 501(c)(3), your work here may also qualify for the Public Service Loan Forgiveness (PSLF) program—helping you invest in your future while making a meaningful impact.

Compensation Range: $140,000 – $160,000 annually

This range represents the College’s good‑faith estimate of the compensation for this role. Placement within the range will depend on qualifications, experience, and internal equity. Typically, candidates are hired within the lower to mid‑point of the range, with the upper end reserved for individuals who bring significant, directly relevant experience and fully meet or exceed the role’s requirements.

Applications will be reviewed on a rolling basis, and the position will remain open until filled.

At William James College, we are a community grounded in excellence, fairness, and respect for all. We are committed to developing leaders and change agents who can navigate and shape an increasingly complex world, while fostering an inclusive and supportive workplace.

William James College is proud to be an equal opportunity employer. We make all employment decisions based on qualifications, merit, and business needs, in accordance with applicable federal and Massachusetts laws. The College does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, national origin, age, disability, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, religion, veteran status, or any other protected characteristic.

This position is not eligible for employment visa sponsorship now or in the future. Applicants must be authorized to work in the United States at the time of hire and be able to perform the essential functions of the position.

William James College is committed to providing reasonable accommodations to enable qualified individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions of this position, with or without accommodation.