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.

Remote
caret down
Compensation
caret down
Position Level
caret down
Time Posted
caret down
Industries
caret down
More
1
caret down

$170K - $220K *

Lead a high-performing engineering team focused on delivering AI solutions. Manage cross-functional roles while enhancing software practices. Stay technical to drive implementation and coaching. Promo...

Pennsylvania, USRemote

4 weeks ago

  •   5 - 7 years exp.  •   Finance & Insurance

$175K - $225K *

Lead the charge in shaping strategic program management across a diverse client portfolio. Oversee a team of professionals to ensure excellence in execution, governance, and client engagement while dr...

Boston, MARemote

2 days ago

  •   8 - 10 years exp.  •   Business Services

$150K - $180K *

Drive impactful data strategies and analytics by leading a high-performing team, optimizing decision-making, and enhancing operational efficiency across the organization. Collaborate with stakeholders...

United StatesRemote

1 week ago

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

$200K - $230K *

Join a team that's dedicated to optimizing supply chain processes and enhancing materials management. Lead strategic initiatives to improve efficiency, manage supplier relationships, and drive cross-f...

Downers Grove, ILRemote

2 weeks ago

  •   8 - 10 years exp.  •   Energy & Utilities

$68K - $113K *

Transform policy initiatives by leading cross-divisional efforts to enhance operational excellence. Collaborate with leadership and stakeholders to develop strategic goals and implement impactful prog...

Madison, WIRemote

Yesterday

  •   Less than 5 years exp.  •   Business Services

$110K - $130K *

Execute innovative marketing strategies to enhance client relationships, drive business growth, and manage proposals. Collaborate with teams to deliver impactful presentations and ensure premium growt...

Itasca, ILRemote

Yesterday

  •   5 - 7 years exp.  •   Finance & Insurance

$80K - $95K *

Champion faculty success by developing and delivering innovative professional learning programs. Collaborate with stakeholders to enhance instructional quality and faculty engagement while ensuring al...

United StatesRemote

Reposted 2 days ago

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

$120K - $150K *

Transform the landscape of dental negotiations by leading strategic partnerships with payers, optimizing contracts, and driving revenue growth through data-driven insights and collaborative execution...

United StatesRemote

1 week ago

  •   8 - 10 years exp.  •   Healthcare

$110K - $130K *

Drive your career with a strategic role focused on enhancing project management standards and integrating enterprise initiatives. Collaborate with leaders to improve clarity, prioritization, and execu...

United StatesRemote

3 weeks ago

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

$196K - $210K *

Partner with us to shape the future of semiconductor workforce development by aligning industry needs with educational strategies, fostering partnerships, and leading initiatives that ensure technical...

United StatesRemote

1 week ago

  •   11 - 15 years exp.  •   Manufacturing & Automotive

$150K - $180K *

Empower success as a Director of Professional Services, leading customer implementations and operational excellence for cloud and on-premise solutions. Oversee delivery teams and drive client satisfac...

United StatesRemote

Reposted 4 weeks ago

  •   5 - 7 years exp.  •   Business Services

$115K - $135K *

Shape innovative learning solutions for Medicaid agencies, driving improvements in health and community well-being. Collaborate with diverse teams to develop engaging content and ensure project succes...

United StatesRemote

4 weeks ago

  •   5 - 7 years exp.  •   Legal & Accounting

$140K - $165K *

Elevate project management excellence by leading complex pharmaceutical marketing campaigns, mentoring teams, and ensuring strategic alignment with client objectives while driving operational success...

New York, NYRemote

1 week ago

  •   5 - 7 years exp.  •   Pharmaceuticals & Biotech

$110K - $130K *

Unlock your potential as a strategic leader driving growth in cybersecurity consulting. Engage with executive stakeholders, close complex deals, and leverage a vast partner ecosystem to deliver tailor...

Scottsdale, AZRemote

Yesterday

  •   8 - 10 years exp.  •   Information Technology

$108K - $152K *

Advance collaborative workforce development initiatives across Bay Area colleges, engaging stakeholders to align goals, analyze labor market data, and implement strategies that enhance student outcome...

California, USRemote

2 weeks ago

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

$80K - $95K *

Transform eDiscovery management by driving operational excellence, ensuring timely project delivery, and enhancing workflow efficiency. Collaborate with stakeholders to uphold quality standards and fo...

United StatesRemote

1 week ago

  •   Less than 5 years exp.  •   Legal & Accounting

$120K - $150K *

Unlock potential by originating and managing commercial mortgage and equity investments across Southern California and Las Vegas. Collaborate with a dynamic team to evaluate opportunities and drive st...

Newport Beach, CARemote

1 week ago

  •   5 - 7 years exp.  •   Finance & Insurance

$171K - $321K *

Join a team that's redefining global Learning Services strategy and execution. Lead a multidisciplinary group to modernize digital learning, enhance customer engagement, and drive business growth thro...

RemoteRemote

2 days ago

  •   8 - 10 years exp.  •   Pharmaceuticals & Biotech

$73K - $130K *

Drive the acquisition and usability of clinical data to enhance healthcare outcomes. Collaborate with diverse teams to analyze data gaps, implement integrations, and optimize processes, ensuring timel...

United StatesRemote

3 weeks ago

  •   5 - 7 years exp.  •   Healthcare

$120K - $150K *

Advance federal business growth by leading strategic initiatives, fostering agency relationships, and executing contract opportunities to enhance market positioning and drive success within federal ag...

Indianapolis, INRemote

4 weeks ago

  •   8 - 10 years exp.  •   Manufacturing & Automotive

$160K - $185K *

Unlock your potential by leading a dynamic team to drive channel partnerships, transforming opportunities into revenue-generating relationships across diverse verticals in a fast-growing ecosystem...

United StatesRemote

Yesterday

  •   8 - 10 years exp.  •   Enterprise Technology

$165K - $170K *

Engage as a Senior Director to lead strategic fundraising and enhance relationships with high-capacity donors. Oversee principal gifts, develop innovative initiatives, and collaborate across units to...

Washington DC, USRemote

Reposted 4 weeks ago

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

$100K - $120K *

Partner with us to drive strategic healthcare marketing initiatives. Lead client relationships, oversee peer-to-peer programs, and mentor team members to ensure compliance and achieve results while fo...

United StatesRemote

Reposted 1 week ago

  •   5 - 7 years exp.  •   Pharmaceuticals & Biotech

$100K - $150K *

Unlock your potential by driving revenue growth and managing client relationships in the commercial real estate sector. Engage in business development, account management, and market intelligence to a...

RemoteRemote

3 days ago

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

$169K - $255K *

Shape the future of personalized consumer products by driving strategic partnerships and revenue growth. Lead business development efforts, cultivate relationships, and expand market reach to position...

United StatesRemote

Today

  •   11 - 15 years exp.  •   Retail & Consumer Goods

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.