POSITION DESCRIPTION

• |
• Full Time

The Director of the Counseling Center is the university's strategic leader and subject matter expert on student mental health. Reporting to the Assistant Vice President/Dean of Students, the Director will advance the institution's focus on student mental health and well-being by providing strategic and operational leadership through campus-wide collaboration, innovative leadership, and a solid foundation in their understanding and implementation of clinical excellence in practice. They will provide strategic and innovative leadership that reflects the University's mission and strategic plan in the planning, development, implementation, and continuous assessment and improvement of the counseling center. The Director oversees clinical staff and operations, budgets, and administrative management of the center, educational outreach and collaboration, and ensures the program is accessible, culturally responsive, and sensitive to the needs of the SU community. 

As a member of the student affairs team, the director will partner with colleagues in student affairs and academic affairs to strengthen integrated services and educational outreach in responding to emerging mental health needs and crisis situations on campus by applying current research and counseling practices. This position is part of the University's CARE team and participates in the division's duty rotation. 

The Position Profile for the Counseling Center Director can be viewed at this link. Please review the Position Profile in its entirety prior to applying for additional information on the role, qualifications, procedure for candidacy, and overview of Salisbury University.

Authority and Accountability

The position reports to the Assistant Vice President of Student Affairs/Dean of Students (AVP/DOS). They supervise four clinically licensed counselors, an administrative assistant, and oversee the supervision of up to five graduate interns or assistants. The Counseling Center Director is responsible for the Counseling Center's budget.

ABOUT SALISBURY UNIVERSITY

Salisbury University sets success in motion. As a student-centered, public regional comprehensive University, SU provides a high-quality undergraduate education, along with excellent graduate and certificate programs. Located on Maryland’s Lower Eastern Shore, the friendly campus has a powerful sense of community and “just right size” feel, and our beautiful grounds are a nationally recognized arboretum. At SU, anyone can “Make Tomorrow Yours.” We are known for our:  

• Warm and Friendly Environment  
• Faculty and Staff Who Open Doors for Students  
• Opportunities for Students  
• Affordability and Return on Investment

ENROLLMENT

Over 7,200 students attend SU in the 2024-25 academic year, with over 6,400 undergraduate and 700 graduate students. With a student-to-faculty ratio of 15:1, the University fosters close engagement between students and faculty, and brings together talented students from across campus in collaborative research, professional development, and experiential learning opportunities. Students come from 36 states and 42 foreign countries.

RESOURCES

SU has a sound financial footing, with a Fiscal Year 2026 budget of approximately $227 million. For the 2025-26 academic year, tuition and fees are estimated to be $11,306 for in-state undergraduate students and $22,810 for out-of-state. SU’s Business, Economic, and Community Outreach Network (BEACON) has estimated the University’s regional economic impact at some $600 million.

COMMUNITY

SU is a campus of more than 1,600 staff and 600 full- and part-time faculty. These dedicated and devoted faculty and staff value a culture of collaboration and shared governance, as well as a creative and engaged student population increasingly coming from diverse backgrounds. SU graduates join a growing network of nearly 65,000 alumni worldwide, working for corporations including Amazon, JPMorgan Chase & Co., NASA, Perdue Farms, Under Armour, and the Walt Disney Co., to name just a few. The average salary of recent graduates is $58,000

Salisbury, Maryland

Perfectly located between Atlantic Ocean beaches and the Chesapeake Bay, the City of Salisbury is the largest city on the Eastern Shore of Maryland and the economic and cultural hub of the Delmarva Peninsula. U.S. News & World Report has rated Salisbury among the nation’s top 20 Fastest Growing Cities and Safest Places to Live, and in the top 100 Best Places to Live. Realtor.com has called Salisbury the No. 1 Best College Town for Families.

SU boasts a strong relationship with the city and its leaders, and contributes to an engaged community, fostering an exciting downtown revitalization. The city is home to an arts and entertainment district, the Salisbury Zoo, and City Park, and is surrounded by a region known for its charming small towns and refreshing outdoor activities. The city and campus are close to Ocean City, MD, and two hours from the metropolitan areas of Washington, Baltimore, and Philadelphia.

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS

• Master's degree in counseling, psychology, social work, or related field, and a minimum of five to seven years of experience in clinical health or mental health. 
• Must be licensed to practice in Maryland or able to become licensed in Maryland.
• Minimum of two years' experience supervising clinically licensed staff. 

DESIRED QUALIFICATIONS

• Demonstrated experience managing a university counseling center, including crisis intervention and risk assessment 
• A positive, steady, and solutions-oriented leadership presence that encourages trust, teamwork, and high morale
• Proven ability in navigating complex systems

COMPENSATION

The position is a full-time, exempt state role with comprehensive benefits. The expected starting salary is between $115,000 and $120,000.

Salisbury University offers a generous benefits package that can be reviewed in the Overview of Benefits booklet. 

APPLICATION MATERIALS

To apply, please submit a cover letter and resume through Salisbury University's Online Employment Application System. This is the only way that applications will be accepted. All supporting documents must be uploaded with the online application, as documents sent via email will not be accepted. Additionally, three professional references will be required during the final stages of the hiring process. Candidates will be notified before their references are contacted. 

Priority will be given to applicants who apply by March 17, 2026. However, the position will remain open until filled.

Salisbury University (SU) is an equal opportunity employer and complies with all applicable federal and state laws regarding nondiscrimination. SU is committed to a policy of equal opportunity for all persons and does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, national origin, age, marital status, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, disability, religion, ancestry, political affiliation or veteran status in employment, educational programs and activities, and admissions.