Director, Student Life

The Director, Student Life will lead a world-class, student-centered program that prioritizes student safety, character and leadership development, and holistic well-being. This role fosters an inclusive and dynamic campus culture that strengthens the experience of boarding and day students, supports athletic and academic success, and enhances student and family retention. The Director serves as a key campus leader and advocate, ensuring the Student Life department is a catalyst for transformational student experiences and a contributor to IMG Academy’s strategic vision.

Position Responsibilities

Safeguarding & Risk Management

• Ensure the safety and well-being of all students through proactive safeguarding protocols, training, and ongoing risk audits.
• Partner with Legal, Campus Safety, and other stakeholders to enforce compliance with regulations and emerging best practices.
• Oversee crisis readiness and emergency response plans, including hurricane protocols, supervision coverage, and incident response procedures.

Character & Leadership Development

• Design and scale signature initiatives (e.g., Ascender Ambassadors, mentorship programs, alumni engagement) that develop resilience, integrity, and purpose in student-athletes.
• Align Student Life programming with IMG Academy Character & Leadership curriculum and national frameworks such as Character.org’s 11 Principles .
• Embed leadership development in daily routines, discipline processes, and residential life programming.

Residential Life & Student Experience

• Lead the strategic vision for residential life, fostering a safe and empowering environment that promotes student success, personal growth, and global citizenship.
• Design and oversee co-curricular, cultural, and recreational programs that meet evolving student needs and support positive mental health, belonging, and balance.
• Champion collaboration with Academics, Athletics, and other departments to ensure a seamless and holistic student journey.

Culture, Discipline & Accountability

• Develop and enforce a student code of conduct rooted in accountability, restorative practices, and character development.
• Manage student discipline using a clear, fair, and educational approach that promotes behavioral growth and community standards.
• Collaborate with academic and sport leaders to ensure consistent behavioral expectations across campus.

Staff Leadership & Development

• Recruit, train, and mentor a high-performing Student Life team with strong cultural competence and safeguarding awareness.
• Lead staff onboarding, professional development, recognition programs, and succession planning to build long-term team capacity.
• Model ethical, student-centered leadership aligned with IMG’s values and mission.

Strategic Leadership & Operations

• Serve as a campus-wide advocate for Student Life, positioning the department as a key driver of student satisfaction, retention, and institutional reputation.
• Use data and student feedback to evaluate and improve programming, policies, and engagement strategies.
• Ensure fiscal responsibility and innovation in the use of Student Life resources.
• Stay current with trends in global education, student affairs, and boarding school leadership to ensure IMG Academy remains an industry leader.

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities

Required

• Bachelor’s degree in Education, Leadership, Psychology, or a related field.
• 7–10 years of progressive experience in residential life, student affairs, or boarding school leadership.
• Demonstrated expertise in student safety, crisis management, and well-being.
• Proven experience designing or managing leadership and character development programs.
• Strong interpersonal and communication skills, with the ability to work cross-functionally and collaboratively.

Preferred

• Master’s degree in Education, Student Affairs, Leadership, or related field.
• Experience in elite athletic, international boarding, or globally diverse environments.
• Familiarity with Character.org, NAIS, TABS, ACA, or comparable frameworks.
• Former student-athlete experience.
• Bilingual or cross-cultural background.

Physical Demands & Work Environment

• Ability to lift, move, push, or pull equipment or boxes in excess of 40 lbs.
• Must be able to navigate various campus areas including fields, gyms, and dormitories.
• Willingness to work flexible hours, including nights, weekends, and holidays, as needed.

This is a live-on-campus position.