Additional Information
Job no:
R-0000003254
Position Title:
Director of Weissman Center for Leadership
Faculty or Staff:
Staff
Full Time or Part Time:
Full time
In-Person, Hybrid, or Remote:
In-Person
Minimum Starting Rate of Pay:
$200,000.00 Rate of pay commensurate with experience
Start Date:
07/01/2026
Job Description:
***Mount Holyoke has retained Spencer Stuart to support this search. If you wish to submit your own application materials or nominate someone to serve as the next Director, please send an email with supporting materials to:
MountHolyokeCenterDr@SpencerStuart.com.
Mount Holyoke seeks an experienced, thoughtful, and engaged leader to serve as the next Director of the Weissman Center for Leadership-someone who brings intellectual depth, academic credibility, and vision, along with the ability to lead with clarity and purpose in a highly relational academic environment. The successful candidate will be deeply committed to expanding pathways for students into leadership and public service and to positioning the Weissman Center as a nationally visible hub for leadership, civic engagement, and public impact.
This individual will bring experience leading complex, mission-driven organizations or initiatives-within higher education or in adjacent fields such as public service, government, nonprofits, or policy-oriented institutions-and will be comfortable operating at the intersection of academic life, student development, and external engagement. They will understand the distinctive culture of a liberal arts college and value shared governance, collaboration, and the educational dimension of all aspects of the work.
The Director will be both a strategic thinker and a hands-on leader: someone who can articulate a compelling long-term vision while also engaging meaningfully with students, fostering their development as future leaders and leading by example. The Director will similarly mentor staff and faculty leaders, while also stewarding resources and advancing day-to-day priorities. They will have the confidence and presence to serve as a public-facing ambassador for the Center and the College, building partnerships and visibility at the regional and national levels, while remaining grounded in the lived experience of the Mount Holyoke community.
Above all, the successful candidate will be a trusted and inspiring leader-one who models what leadership should be by listening carefully, building consensus, and bringing people together across differences to advance a shared sense of purpose. They will be motivated by Mount Holyoke's mission as a gender-diverse women's college and energized by the opportunity to help shape the next generation of leaders in public life.
IDEAL EXPERIENCE
Demonstrated leadership experience in higher education, public service, government, nonprofit, or mission-aligned organizations, with responsibility for complex programs, people, and resources.
Possess academic credentials consistent with those of the faculty, including a terminal degree in their field of expertise.
A genuine interest in and aptitude for working with students, bringing a mentorship-oriented, inclusive approach that fosters belonging and leadership development.
A commitment to advancing young adults on their paths toward becoming future leaders-whether that means coming equipped with that experience or possessing a readiness to grow into the role.
A strong understanding of leadership development, experiential learning, and pathways into public service, civic engagement, or social impact.
Established credibility and relationships in public life, policy, government, advocacy, or adjacent fields, with the ability to translate those networks into meaningful opportunities for students and the institution.
Proven ability to elevate an organization's visibility, build external partnerships, and represent an institution credibly with national audiences, funders, and stakeholders.
A collaborative leadership style, with a track record of building trust, aligning diverse constituencies, and fostering strong, values-driven teams.
Comfort operating in environments that require both strategic vision and operational follow through, including budgeting, staffing, and organizational planning.
Ability and interest in engaging directly in the academic life of the institution, including teaching, guest lecturing, or other forms of intellectual contribution.
Intellectual curiosity and openness to learning, with respect for faculty expertise, academic culture, and shared governance.
The judgment, emotional intelligence, and resilience to navigate complexity, competing priorities, and moments of institutional change with steadiness and integrity.
Mtholyoke · Mount Holyoke College - Main Campus