Position Summary

As we prepare for the launch of a Rhode Island-based Clinical PsyD program, we are seeking a leader who is excited to help build, innovate, and strengthen the future of clinical psychology education while expanding William James College's (WJC) impact in New England. The Program Director for the Rhode Island-based Clinical PsyD degree will work closely with the academic and administrative leadership of WJC in Newton, Massachusetts to provide academic and clinical leadership in preparation for an anticipated launch in Fall 2027.

The Director will have day-to-day responsibility for developing curriculum, create alignment with requirements of accrediting bodies, recruit faculty, develop field placements, and implement program strategy. The Director also leads pre-launch program development activities in advance of the 2027 program start.

The Director serves as the senior on-site leader for WJC at the Rhode Island campus, providing academic and operational oversight in coordination with institutional leadership. The Director maintains ongoing teaching responsibilities within the program. The role requires experience with academic program administration, people management, and clinical leadership. A successful candidate will be able to work with the Newton leadership to develop RI area partners for training and clinical service while creating and strengthening pipelines that support growth of the behavioral health workforce.

The Director will have primary responsibility for advancing WJC's Rhode Island-based initiatives, so that the College may continue to execute its mission in New England.

Essential Functions

Leadership Expectations

Provide on-site academic leadership for the Rhode Island campus, ensuring alignment with WJC academic standards, policies, and procedures while coordinating with Newton offices, including the Registrar, Field Education, Finance, Human Resources, Information Technology, and Academic Affairs

Ensure effective coordination of academic programming and student experience

Promote a culture of academic excellence, professionalism, and student success consistent with the mission and values of WJC

Demonstrated ability to foster a respectful and inclusive campus environment and to work effectively with students, faculty, staff, and community partners from a wide range of backgrounds

Provide leadership in curriculum planning and program management, including development, revision, implementation, and evaluation

Develop the campus-based academic program in alignment with the mission of the College and evolving accreditation requirements

Collaborate with the admissions office to support broad student recruitment efforts consistent with institutional mission and applicable law

Identify, cultivate, and develop new training sites within department parameters

Monitor and support internship preparation and placement outcomes in alignment with APPIC and APA expectations

Collaborate with senior leadership to advance the College's long-term vision and strategic priorities, with particular focus on implementing academic and strategic initiatives for the Rhode Island campus and Clinical PsyD program

Serve as the primary academic leader for the RI-based Clinical PsyD program, providing on-site leadership and ensuring alignment with WJC practices

Represent WJC as the primary institutional leader for the Rhode Island campus, advancing the College's visibility and partnerships throughout the region

Partnership Development and Workforce Alignment

Demonstrated ability to build strategic partnerships, foster stakeholder relationships, and identify opportunities that strengthen program growth and advance strategic initiatives that expand WJC's impact in Rhode Island, consistent with the College's mission

Partner with faculty and industry leaders to ensure that curriculum remains aligned with current and emerging workforce needs

Serve as a strategic relationship builder and ambassador for the RI campus, developing practicum pipelines, cultivating referral networks, and strengthening the campus's presence within the New England behavioral health community, both for the RI-based Clinical PsyD program and other initiatives in the state

General Administrative and Teaching Responsibilities

Oversee and ensure implementation of College policies and procedures, state regulations, and campus-level risk management within the Clinical PsyD program

Participate in campus-level financial performance budget planning, enrollment targets, resource allocation, and long-term sustainability in coordination with Academic Affairs and institutional leadership

Recruit and support high-quality faculty and build a sustainable, high-performing faculty team

Provide supervision, mentorship, and performance evaluation for program faculty in coordination with Academic Affairs

Host meetings with students, faculty, and Field staff to develop plans that support student success

Oversee student academic progress, remediation processes, and professional standards consistent with program policies and accreditation requirements

Ensure faculty and students adhere to College policies, ethical standards, legal requirements, and accreditation standards

Participate in accreditation preparation, reporting, and continuous improvement processes consistent with APA Standards of Accreditation

Oversee program-level assessment of student learning outcomes, retention trends, internship match rates, and licensure outcomes to support continuous improvement and accreditation compliance

Maintain active teaching responsibilities

Participate in institutional governance processes and academic committees as assigned

Education and Experience

Doctoral Degree in Clinical or Counseling Psychology

Licensed or license-eligible clinical psychologist (preferred)

Prior experience teaching doctoral-level courses and supervising doctoral students

Administrative leadership experience in a higher education or related environment

Minimum five years of full-time experience in higher education

Familiarity with American Psychological Association (APA) Standards of Accreditation

Demonstrated ability to promote team building and collaboration

Strong interpersonal and leadership skills

Proven ability to build relationships and credibility across organizational levels, from operational teams to executive leadership

Essential Physical Requirements and Work Environment

The physical requirements described here are representative of those that an employee must meet to successfully perform the essential functions of this position, with or without reasonable accommodation.

Work is primarily performed in an office or academic setting, with some flexibility for remote work.

Regular use of a computer, including typing, reading from a screen, and virtual communication.

Ability to communicate effectively in person, virtually, and in writing.

Ability to remain stationary for extended periods and move throughout campus or external locations as needed.

Occasional travel to Newton campus, partner sites or events may be required.

Ability to facilitate meetings, trainings, and presentations.

Perform other duties as assigned that are consistent with the responsibilities and objectives of the position and the mission of the College.

Compensation Range:

$140,000 - $160,000 annually

This range represents the College's good-faith estimate of the compensation for this role. Placement within the range will depend on qualifications, experience, and internal equity. Typically, candidates are hired within the lower to mid-point of the range, with the upper end reserved for individuals who bring significant, directly relevant experience and fully meet or exceed the role's requirements.

Application Procedure

please visit our Career Center.

Applications will be reviewed on a rolling basis, and the position will remain open until filled.

William James College is an institution and community dedicated to the principles of excellence, fairness, and respect for all individuals. We are committed to strengthening our communities, including our workplace, by fostering the development of competencies essential for change agents in an increasingly complex society.

This position is not eligible for employment visa sponsorship now or in the future. Applicants must be authorized to work in the United States at the time of hire and be able to perform the essential functions of the position, with or without reasonable accommodation.

William James College is committed to providing reasonable accommodations to enable qualified individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions of this position, with or without accommodation.