Director, Derek J. Mitchell Collegiate Recovery Program

Director of the Derek J. Mitchell Collegiate Recovery Program

The Director of the Derek J. Mitchell Collegiate Recovery Program is responsible for the strategic leadership, program development, and day-to-day administration of Saint Leo University's collegiate recovery program (CRP), which supports students in recovery from substance use disorders as they pursue their academic and personal goals within a sober, residential community. Modeled after nationally recognized collegiate recovery programs and grounded in Saint Leo's Catholic, Benedictine values — particularly Community and Radical Hospitality — the Director builds a program culture rooted in dignity, accountability, and hope.

The Director develops program design, policies, and programming; manages co-occurring diagnoses in coordination with campus partners; and hires, trains, and supervises program staff. The role coordinates recruitment and admissions with Enrollment Management and partners with Residence Life to sustain a supportive residential recovery community. Given the program's founding through a significant philanthropic gift and a long-term endowment goal, the Director also serves as a key strategic partner to University Advancement — cultivating donor relationships, supporting fundraising initiatives and stewardship activities, and representing the program to prospective supporters, families, alumni, and community partners.

• Provide overall strategic and operational leadership for the Derek J. Mitchell Collegiate Recovery Program, including program design, policies, and procedures for an abstinence-based, residential recovery community.
• Hire, train, supervise, and evaluate program staff, building a team engaged in ongoing program development and delivery.
• Develop and implement programming, case management, and referral resources that support students with co-occurring disorders, in coordination with Counseling & Access Services.
• Monitor best practices and emerging research in collegiate recovery to keep programming current and effective.
• Partner with Enrollment Management to coordinate recruitment and admissions and to meet program enrollment goals.
• Partner with Residence Life to maintain dedicated sober housing and a supportive residential environment for students in recovery.
• Oversee program budget, including special project and gift funds, ensuring responsible stewardship of donor-funded resources.
• Serve as a lead partner to University Advancement in donor cultivation, stewardship, and fundraising activity supporting the program's growth and long-term endowment goal, including donor visits, reporting, and events.
• Build and maintain relationships with community partners, treatment providers, alumni, and professional organizations to expand referral pipelines and philanthropic support.

• Represent the program at university and community events, including donor engagements, orientation, and family programming.
• Partner with Saint Leo departments and staff across the Division of Student Affairs to create a supportive learning environment for students in recovery.
• Prepare program updates, outcomes data, and impact reports for university leadership and donors.
• All other duties as apparent or assigned by supervisor(s).

• Master's degree required;
  Counseling or related field preferred.
• Minimum five (5) years of experience in management and employee supervision required.
• Three to five (3–5) years of experience working with individuals in recovery required; experience working with individuals in recovery, ages 18–26, preferred.
• Demonstrated ability to work with diverse students and communities, specifically in building supportive communities.
• Demonstrated experience or comfort engaging with donors, partners, or external stakeholders in support of program growth and fundraising.

• Licensed Alcohol and Drug Counselor (LADC) or another related professional licensure.
• Knowledge of the 12-step program.
• Experience with donor relations, grant stewardship, or fundraising in a nonprofit or higher education setting.
• Ability to navigate a variety of complex and…