Director, Student Development Jobs

Explore Director, Student Development opportunities for experienced higher education professionals ready to shape programs that help students thrive. These senior leaders support student growth beyond the classroom, guiding initiatives in leadership development, engagement, inclusion, wellness, and campus life. Ladders features vetted professional jobs paying $100,000 or more, including leadership roles at colleges and universities.

What Does a Director of Student Development Do?

A Director of Student Development typically leads teams and programs designed to strengthen students’ academic, personal, and social development. Responsibilities may include setting program strategy, managing budgets, advising student organizations, coordinating leadership and engagement initiatives, and partnering with academic departments and campus services. The specific scope varies by institution and may include student activities, orientation, residential life, or broader student affairs functions.

Skills and Qualifications

Employers commonly seek candidates with a background in higher education, student affairs, counseling, education, or a related field. Senior roles may require a graduate degree and several years of progressively responsible leadership experience. Strong candidates bring people-management skills, sound judgment, program assessment experience, communication skills, and the ability to build collaborative relationships with students, faculty, staff, and community partners.

Career Opportunities and Compensation

Director-level student development positions can offer the opportunity to influence institutional priorities and improve the student experience at scale. Compensation and responsibilities depend on factors such as institution type, location, department size, and role scope. Browse Ladders for vetted Director, Student Development jobs and related higher education leadership positions paying $100,000 or more.

Find Director, Student Development Jobs on Ladders

Search current openings, compare role requirements, and identify opportunities that match your leadership experience. Whether your strengths are student engagement, leadership programming, or strategic student affairs management, Ladders can help you explore senior professional roles aligned with your goals.

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$125K - $150K *

Drive enterprise growth by engaging top health system executives, transforming clinical outcomes through innovative solutions, and building strategic partnerships to expand market presence and adoptio...

United StatesRemote

3 weeks ago

  •   5 - 7 years exp.  •   Healthcare

$148K - $175K *

Lead strategic initiatives and operational excellence across client portfolios, ensuring governance, performance management, and continuous improvement. Drive client satisfaction and financial account...

Chicago, ILRemote

5 days ago

  •   11 - 15 years exp.  •   Real Estate & Construction

$110K - $130K *

Join us to lead strategic outreach initiatives that enhance security protections for governmental entities. Drive customer engagement through education and marketing of Managed Security Services, whil...

Austin, TXRemote

1 week ago

  •   5 - 7 years exp.  •   Information Technology

$100K - $125K *

Lead the charge in developing strategic partnerships and driving revenue growth through consultative sales. This role requires a proven track record in exceeding quotas, fostering relationships, and d...

United StatesRemote

1 week ago

  •   5 - 7 years exp.  •   Education, Government & Non-Profit

$125K - $150K *

Elevate clinical operations by leading teams in scheduling, coordination, and workforce planning. Drive performance through data insights while ensuring efficient processes and resource management as...

Addison, TXRemote

3 days ago

  •   5 - 7 years exp.  •   Healthcare

$179K - $248K *

Lead the charge in operationalizing strategy and driving cross-division initiatives. Collaborate with senior stakeholders to enhance efficiency and client satisfaction in a fast-paced corporate travel...

United StatesRemote

2 weeks ago

  •   8 - 10 years exp.  •   Enterprise Technology

$150K - $175K *

Drive capital improvement projects across a national student housing portfolio, ensuring quality, budget adherence, and minimal disruption. Lead project teams, manage scopes, and deliver high-impact r...

Chicago, ILRemote

1 week ago

  •   8 - 10 years exp.  •   Real Estate & Construction

$77K - $105K *

Create engaging open educational resources by collaborating with faculty and leveraging technology to enhance learning experiences. Drive innovation and accessibility in course design while promoting...

Oregon, USRemote

2 weeks ago

  •   Less than 5 years exp.  •   Education, Government & Non-Profit

$85K - $105K *

Transform virtual resettlement services by leading a national portfolio that enhances access for refugees. Oversee strategy, implementation, and compliance while fostering partnerships and innovative...

United StatesRemote

2 days ago

  •   5 - 7 years exp.  •   Education, Government & Non-Profit

$125K - $150K *

The Regional Director at ModernFi will work closely with the VP of Institution Success and the CRO to enhance client satisfaction and drive product adoption among bank and credit union clients. This r...

New York, NYRemote

Reposted 4 weeks ago

  •   5 - 7 years exp.  •   Finance & Insurance

$125K - $150K *

Champion a robust security program, leading a team to achieve SOC 2 Type 2 attestation while ensuring secure engineering practices across diverse products and cloud environments. Drive compliance, ris...

United StatesRemote

1 week ago

  •   8 - 10 years exp.  •   Education, Government & Non-Profit

$256K - $288K *

Lead the charge in clinical trial oversight and data interpretation, ensuring safety and efficacy of pipeline products through expert collaboration and strategic planning, aligning clinical activities...

Waltham, MARemote

4 weeks ago

  •   5 - 7 years exp.  •   Pharmaceuticals & Biotech

$223K - $313K *

Elevate healthcare outcomes by leading clinical determinations and authorizations. Utilize your medical expertise to ensure compliance with national guidelines while collaborating with diverse teams i...

United StatesRemote

1 week ago

  •   5 - 7 years exp.  •   Healthcare

$150K - $180K *

Champion innovative IT services that enhance campus experiences. Lead strategic initiatives, manage cross-functional teams, and drive operational excellence to support the university's mission in teac...

East Lansing, MIRemote

1 week ago

  •   8 - 10 years exp.  •   Education, Government & Non-Profit

$83K - $104K *

Collaborate effectively with project teams to manage workflows, deliverables, and communications, ensuring high-quality execution across all project phases in commercial and critical environments...

United StatesRemote

Reposted 4 weeks ago

  •   Less than 5 years exp.  •   Technical Services

$140K - $190K *

Join a team that's pioneering maritime awareness solutions by leading commercial sales in diverse sectors. Own the end-to-end sales pipeline, identify target verticals, and shape strategies to drive s...

United StatesRemote

Reposted 2 weeks ago

  •   Less than 5 years exp.  •   Aerospace & Defense

$110K - $130K *

Lead the charge in delivering exceptional client services for high-value accounts. Develop integrated marketing strategies, oversee multidisciplinary teams, and drive account growth while ensuring qua...

Lanham, MDRemote

Reposted 4 days ago

  •   5 - 7 years exp.  •   Media

$135K - $160K *

Champion strategic business growth by managing client relationships, identifying opportunities, and leading negotiations. Collaborate with teams to align initiatives with organizational goals and driv...

Houston, TXRemote

Today

  •   8 - 10 years exp.  •   Manufacturing & Automotive

$110K - $130K *

Champion a high-performing team by leading, coaching, and developing Directors of Admissions. Drive strategic initiatives to enhance patient access and improve admissions processes while ensuring comp...

United StatesRemote

4 days ago

  •   5 - 7 years exp.  •   Hospitals & Medical Centers

$122K - $177K *

Lead coding operations and education initiatives to ensure compliance, accuracy, and optimal reimbursement across the organization. Manage staff training and oversee coding standards while collaborati...

United StatesRemote

5 days ago

  •   8 - 10 years exp.  •   Healthcare

$76K - $115K *

Join a team that's shaping the future of customer education through innovative instructional design. Leverage your expertise to create engaging learning experiences that empower users and drive succes...

United StatesRemote

1 week ago

  •   Less than 5 years exp.  •   Enterprise Technology

$135K - $140K *

Join a team that's shaping the future of cybersecurity by leading strategic resilience initiatives. Drive risk management, incident response, and security architecture while collaborating with senior...

United StatesRemote

Yesterday

  •   11 - 15 years exp.  •   Education, Government & Non-Profit

$110K - $130K *

Join a team that's dedicated to enhancing clinician engagement and development. This role focuses on onboarding, professional growth, and retention strategies for surgical teams, ensuring a high-quali...

Addison, TXRemote

1 week ago

  •   Less than 5 years exp.  •   Healthcare

$70K - $142K *

Lead the charge in enhancing academic operations and faculty performance, ensuring compliance with accreditation standards while fostering student success through strategic curriculum development and...

United StatesRemote

2 weeks ago

  •   Less than 5 years exp.  •   Education, Government & Non-Profit

$170K - $220K *

Tackle production-grade AI software challenges while leading a dynamic engineering team. Drive innovation, team culture, and quality delivery across a modern AI platform, fostering talent and effectiv...

Massachusetts, USRemote

1 month ago

  •   5 - 7 years exp.  •   Finance & Insurance

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

  • What does a Director of Student Development do?question toggle

    A Director of Student Development leads programs and teams that support students’ personal, social, and leadership growth. Depending on the institution, the role may oversee student activities, engagement, leadership initiatives, orientation, or related student affairs services.

  • What qualifications are typically required for Director, Student Development jobs?question toggle

    Requirements vary by employer. Many roles seek relevant higher education or student affairs experience, demonstrated leadership, and strong program-management and communication skills. Some positions require a graduate degree or experience managing teams and budgets.

  • Where do Directors of Student Development work?question toggle

    These professionals most often work at colleges and universities, including public and private institutions. Their responsibilities and department structure vary with the size and mission of the institution.

  • How can I find Director, Student Development jobs paying $100,000 or more?question toggle

    Browse Ladders for vetted professional openings and review each listing for compensation, qualifications, and responsibilities. Salary availability depends on the employer, location, and scope of the role.