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Bowdoin College

Associate Director, THRIVE

🇺🇸 Brunswick, Maine 🕑 Full-Time 💰 $76K - $79K 💻 Academic Advising 🗓️ September 26th, 2026

Edtech.com's Summary

Bowdoin College is hiring an Associate Director, THRIVE to help lead the college's commitment to student success and belonging for first-generation and limited-income students. Reporting to the Director of THRIVE, the Associate Director provides long-term strategic planning for core THRIVE initiatives, with particular responsibility for the Geoffrey Canada Scholars program and the THRIVE Ambassadors program. The role also partners with faculty and staff to create intentional opportunities for students to explore their academic and career pathways.

Highlights
  • Set long-term strategic direction for the Geoffrey Canada Scholars and THRIVE Ambassadors programs
  • Serve as a senior member of the THRIVE team, translating the Director's long-term vision into sustained, well-run programming
  • Cultivate a welcoming, inclusive space where students build community and access support networks across campus
  • Partner with faculty and staff to create opportunities for students to explore their goals, values, and career pathways
  • Bring a strong background in program management, supervision, and long-term strategic planning
  • Hold a bachelor's degree, with a master's degree preferred
  • Facilitate meetings and events involving students, staff, and families
  • Supervise, train, and mentor student workers, peer leaders, and professional staff
  • Earn a salary in the $75,500-78,500 range, with medical, dental, vision, and a generous retirement plan
  • Receive 20 vacation days, 12 personal/sick days, paid parental leave, and free access to campus fitness facilities

Associate Director, THRIVE Full Description



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Associate Director THRIVE
Please see Special Instructions for more details.
If selected as a finalist, you will be required to submit information for three references, including name, email address, phone number and how you know the reference.
Posting Details
 Posting Details 
Title  | Associate Director THRIVE
Posting Number  | S01578JP
Department  | THRIVE
Job Summary  | Reporting to the Director of THRIVE, the Associate Director will play a central leadership role in advancing Bowdoin College’s commitment to student success, belonging, and for first-generation, limited-income, students. This position provides long-term strategic planning for core THRIVE initiatives, with particular responsibility for the Geoffrey Canada Scholars (GCS) program and the THRIVE Ambassadors program. The Associate Director will serve as a senior member of the THRIVE team, working closely with the Director to translate long-term vision into sustained, well-run programming.

The Associate Director will help cultivate and sustain a welcoming and inclusive physical and intellectual space where students can gather to discuss their experiences, build community, engage in critical reflection, and access support networks across campus. The Associate Director will also work with faculty and staff colleagues to create intentional opportunities for students to explore their goals, values, and academic and career pathways.
COMPENSATION The hiring range for this position is expected to be: $75,500-78,500
BENEFITS AND PERKS A variety of health insurance plans (Medical, Vision, Dental) Generous Retirement Plan – 401(a) and 403(b) Life and Disability Insurance Paid Time Off: 20 days of vacation per calendar year, 12 days of personal/sick time Paid Holidays and Special Days Off: https://www.bowdoin.edu/hr/our-workplace/college-holidays-and-special-days-off.htmlPaid Parental Leave (Available after one year of service) Household access to many of the College’s facilities including the gym and pool Free fitness and wellness classes! And more: https://www.bowdoin.edu/hr/benefits-perks/index.html
Education/Skills Requirements  | Education/Skills Requirements• Bachelor’s degree required; Master’s degree preferred• Strong background in program management, supervision, and long-term strategic planning• Demonstrated knowledge of student development, higher education administration, and equity-focused programming• Excellent written, interpersonal, organizational, and communication skills• Ability to convene and facilitate meetings and events involving students, staff, and families• Demonstrated ability to manage multiple projects and long-term initiatives simultaneously
Experience Requirements and/or Equivalents  | Experience Requirements and/or EquivalentsThe successful candidate will demonstrate many of the following:• A relentless commitment to making higher education accessible and manageable for all students, particularly first-generation and limited-income students. Significant experience in program development, implementation, supervision, and long-term planning• Experience supervising, training, and mentoring student workers, peer leaders, and/or professional staff• Demonstrated success leading complex student success or retention initiatives in higher education or education focused non-profits• Experience designing and implementing academic enrichment or bridge programs, particularly within STEM and/or interdisciplinary/liberal arts contexts• Knowledge of best practices related to persistence, retention, mentoring, and belonging for all students• A commitment to empathy, inclusion, and cultural responsiveness• Highly developed listening, communication, and networking skills• Commitment to thoughtful, timely, intentional, and student-centered interventions and supports• Appreciation for the value and mission of a liberal arts education
Applicants must meet the minimum qualifications in this posting to be considered for hire.
Standard Work Days and Hours  | This is a full-time, year round position (1.0 FTE). This is an exempt level position and requires the time commitment necessary to fulfill all job duties. Some weekends and evenings will be required, and this position is considered non-essential.

We regret that Bowdoin College is unable to provide visa sponsorship for staff positions.

Employment at Bowdoin College is contingent upon satisfactory completion of applicable background checks including but not limited to: criminal records, educational verifications, driving records (when job-related), and/or credit history (when job related).
About Bowdoin  | Bowdoin embraces diversity in all forms, and the College is home to talented students, faculty and staff—with a variety of racial, ethnic, cultural, and socioeconomic backgrounds; religious beliefs; and gender identities, among other factors.

We encourage applications from candidates committed to the support of an inclusive campus community and those who will enrich and contribute to the College’s multifaceted diversity. We value a community in which individuals of all backgrounds are warmly welcomed and encouraged to succeed.

Founded in 1794, Bowdoin has maintained its commitment to the liberal arts for well over 200 years. Bowdoin’s reputation as a preeminent liberal arts college rests on the excellence of its faculty, students, and staff; intimate size; strong sense of community; and connections to the people, history, and natural beauty of Maine.

Bowdoin’s campus is situated in a beautiful natural setting. Located in Brunswick, Maine, a town of approximately 20,000, the College is a short drive from the Maine coast, twenty-five miles from Portland and 120 miles from Boston.
Shift  | N/A
Employment Category  | Full Time Year Round
FTE  | 1.00
Benefits Eligible  | Yes
Pay Type  | Salaried
Background Check Package Requirements  | Faculty/Administrative
Is driving a vehicle (e.g. Bowdoin vehicle or off road vehicle, rental car, personal car) an essential function of this job?  | No
Is a pre-placement physical required for this position?  | No
Posting Date  | 09/18/2026
Applications Accepted Until  |
Open Until Filled  | No
Type of Posting  | Internal/External
Special Instructions to Applicants  | If selected as a finalist, you will be required to submit information for three references, including name, email address, phone number and how you know the reference.
EEO Information  | Bowdoin College complies with applicable provisions of federal and state laws that prohibit unlawful discrimination in employment, admission, or access to its educational or extracurricular programs, activities, or facilities based on race, color, ethnicity, ancestry and national origin, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity and/or expression, age, marital status, place of birth, genetic predisposition, veteran status, or against qualified individuals with physical or mental disabilities on the basis of disability, or any other legally protected statuses.
Supplemental Questions 
Required fields are indicated with an asterisk (*).
  1. * How did you hear about this position? 
    • Indeed.com
    • Chronicle of Higher Education
    • Diverse Issues in Higher Ed 
    • Facebook
    • Glassdoor
    • Google Search
    • HigherEdJobs.com 
    • InsideHigherEd.com
    • LinkedIn 
    • Twitter
    • MANP 
    • Maine Job Link
    • LiveandWorkinMaine.com
    • Employee Referral 
    • Bowdoin College Website
    • Radio Ad
    • TechMaine
    • NCAA 
    • CASE
    • Other
  2.  If you answered Employee Referral or Other, please specify here: 
    (Open Ended Question)
Applicant Documents
Required Documents
  1. Resume / Curriculum Vitae
  2. Cover Letter
Optional Documents


 
Bowdoin College complies with applicable provisions of federal and state laws that prohibit unlawful discrimination in employment, admission, or access to its educational or extracurricular programs, activities, or facilities based on race, color, ethnicity, ancestry and national origin, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity and/or expression, age, marital status, place of birth, genetic predisposition, veteran status, or against qualified individuals with physical or mental disabilities on the basis of disability, or any other legally protected statuses.
 Confidential arrangements will be made if you have a disability or require an accommodation in completing the application or in the interview process. Please notify Human Resources at (207) 725-3837 in advance so all necessary arrangements can be made confidentially.
Staff & Casual contact:
[email protected]

Faculty contact:
[email protected]

(t)207-725-3837
216 Maine Street, Brunswick, ME 04011


 Bowdoin College is a member of the Diversity Hiring Coalition of Maine, and Live and Work in Maine.

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