Placement Director – Graduate School of Counseling and Social Work
Posted: October 19, 2026
Position Code: 3001
Position Overview
The Placement Director provides strategic leadership and operational excellence for field education across Clinical Mental Health Counseling (CMHC), School Counseling (SC), and Social Work (MSW) master’s programs. This 12-month position supervises placement coordinators, ensures accreditation standards and compliance, and cultivates community partnerships that deliver high-quality, equitable field experiences. The Director champions innovation in field education while fostering collaboration across disciplines and stakeholder groups.
Responsibilities
- Leadership & Team Development: Supervise and mentor Internship Coordinator (CMHC), Field Placement Director (MSW), and Field Placement Coordinator (SC); foster cross-program collaboration while honoring discipline-specific standards; lead professional development for placement staff.
- Strategic Planning & Quality Assurance: Develop and implement a comprehensive field education strategic plan; establish quality standards for placement sites; create policies ensuring accreditation standards, compliance, ethical and legal practices; use data to assess and enhance field experiences.
- Partnership & Site Development: Cultivate relationships with community agencies, schools, and healthcare facilities; recruit, evaluate, and approve placement sites; develop affiliation agreements; conduct site visits as needed and maintain ongoing communication with field supervisors.
- Student-Centered Placement Coordination: Oversee equitable placement processes for all graduate students; develop matching systems that align student learning goals with site opportunities; address complex placement challenges collaboratively; monitor student progress and intervene proactively.
- Training & Field Educator Support: Coordinate orientation and ongoing training for site supervisors across programs; develop resources for field instructors and preceptors; collaborate with faculty to integrate classroom and field learning.
- Compliance & Accreditation: Maintain accurate documentation systems; prepare materials for accreditation reviews; stay current with evolving standards and Massachusetts licensure requirements.
- Administrative Oversight: Manage field placement processes and technology systems; prepare reports for internal and external stakeholders; participate in Graduate School leadership and strategic planning collaborating with key campus partners to continually improve processes, procedures, and institutional coordination.
Required Qualifications
- Master’s degree in Counseling, Social Work, or related field.
- Minimum 5 years of progressive experience in field education; at least 3 years of supervisory/management experience.
- Licensed mental health professional (LICSW, LMHC, psychologist, or equivalent) in Massachusetts or eligible for licensure.
- Demonstrated knowledge of accreditation standards in counseling, social work, and/or psychology.
- Demonstrated strong organizational, communication, and relationship-building skills; proficiency with database management systems.
Preferred Qualifications
- Doctoral degree (PhD, EdD, DSW, PsyD); higher education administration experience.
- Multi-disciplinary field placement coordination experience; familiarity with Massachusetts licensure pathways.
- Accreditation self-study and site visit experience; bilingual capabilities.
We welcome experienced field education leaders who value innovation and collaboration partnerships. If you are energized by preparing compassionate, practice-ready professionals through transformative field experiences, we invite your application.
Application Materials Should Include
- Cover letter stating motivation and interest in the position, citing experience relevant to the qualifications.
- Curriculum vitae.
- Contact information for three professional references (name, title, address, phone number, email address). Applicants will be notified before references are contacted.
For questions related to application submission, please contact Dr. Michael Mobley, Academic Dean, Graduate School of Counseling and Social Work at (978) 837-3515 or via email at Mobleym@merrimack.edu.
Work Location
This is an on-campus position as employees are essential in order to provide a fully on-campus, residential college experience for our students and the community.
This position is subject to the successful completion of a criminal background check.
Statement on Our Mission
Merrimack College is a Catholic Augustinian institution of higher education committed to building an accepting and respectful community. Our mission is to enlighten minds, engage hearts and empower lives and is inspired by our Catholic faith and the Augustinian tradition of seeking truth through inquiry and dialogue.
Merrimack College seeks candidates who understand, respect, and can contribute to Merrimack’s Catholic and Augustinian mission. All candidates should describe in their application how they will foster a culture that supports our mission.
About Merrimack College
The only Catholic, Augustinian institution of higher education in New England, Merrimack College is a private, independent, coeducational institution with more than 4,100 undergraduate, 2,500 graduate students and 50 doctoral students from 48 states and 63 countries. The College features more than 160 career-focused undergraduate, professional and graduate programs, all taught by exceptional faculty who are passionate about their subject and student success. The College has six schools: arts and sciences, engineering and computational sciences, nursing and health sciences, education and social policy, the Girard school of business and the graduate school of counseling and social work. The College’s suburban 220-acre campus is just north of Boston in North Andover, Massachusetts. Merrimack is a Master’s Colleges and Universities/Larger Programs (M1) institution in the Carnegie Classification of Institutions of Higher Education. Merrimack is one of the fastest growing educational institutions in the country and has steadily climbed up in the U.S. News & World Report’s ranking of Best Colleges, ranking 38th in the Regional Universities North category in 2026. Merrimack is a NCAA Division I athletic institution.
Merrimack College is an Equal Opportunity Employer.
Salary Range
$85,000 - $100,000
