Operations / Administration Associate Director, College Advising
Job Description
ABOUT SEO
We Propel Human Potential. SEO is an educational non-profit focused on improving outcomes for students that come from underserved and historically underrepresented backgrounds. For over 50 years, SEO has been an innovator in education, mentorship, and creating educational programs and opportunities that maximize the full potential of our students. We are on a mission to create an ecosystem of excellence for the students we serve.
ABOUT HIGH SCHOOL SCHOLARS
SEO Scholars is a free eight-year academic program that gets low-income public high school students to and through college–with a 90% college graduation rate. In high school, we offer intensive year-round academic preparation via a carefully-calibrated, rigorously-assessed course of supplemental education. Scholars also receive one-on-one mentorship, enrichment opportunities, SAT prep and strategy courses, tutoring, and individualized guidance through the college application and admissions process. (Learn more here: SEO Scholars)
POSITION OVERVIEW
The Associate Director of College Advising is responsible for leading and executing an effective college advising process for the NY SEO Scholars high school program to ensure 100% acceptance rate into 4-year colleges and/or universities for the senior class. This includes the development of all components of SEO’s college access, preparation, and advising programs from 9th through 12th grades along with management of the 12th Grade department staff. The Associate Director also oversees partnerships with colleges, universities, and scholarship programs that result in 100% of students attending competitive postsecondary institutions. The Associate Director is a dynamic and highly entrepreneurial leader, eager to create systems that support the implementation and improvement of a successful college advising program that prepares and guides 1,000 students through the college admissions process.
KEY RESPONSIBILITIES
Lead the 12th Grade Department (40%)
- Manage, support and develop team of full-time staff including an Assistant Director of College Access, three Program Managers of College Advising, a Program Coordinator and three part-time college advisors
- Manage team of advisory instructors, providing feedback and support, managing related HR functions
- Coach staff on best practices around student support, advising, and engagement
- Conduct effective and collaborative department meetings and 1:1 check-in meetings that keep all initiatives on track
- Set meaningful, outcomes-oriented department and individual performance goals that lead to 100% college admission and 90%+ admission into competitive institutions
Lead, develop, and evolve the College Advising Program (40%)
- Develop and refine SEO Scholars’ practices and policies on college admissions, scholarships, and financial aid advising to increase the number of students admitted into competitive institutions while decreasing gaps in financial aid
- Lead the development of college advising content, systems, and processes for a remote/hybrid national program model, including best practices and strategies for virtual meeting facilitation and advising
- Develop and manage class rosters, schedules, and data to create and maintain the infrastructure for an individualized and adaptive college advising model, including further refinement of tracked groups and programming
- Manage the development and implementation of family engagement workshops and staff-wide trainings on college admissions, scholarships, and financial aid advising based on staff and program needs
- Work collaboratively with the Curriculum and Instruction Department to deliver comprehensive college advisory curriculum for Scholars in 9th through 11th grade; collaborate with SF Scholars as needed
Cross-Departmental and External Work (20%)
- Work collaboratively with the Director of Programs, Vice President and College Scholars Team to develop and grow SEO’s formal and informal partnerships with colleges and universities that improve students’ access and advocacy within the college admissions process
- Collaborate with other grade-level leads to create a continuous college awareness program and college-going culture for Scholars from 9th through 12th grade
- Partner with the College Persistence Team to develop program initiatives that ensure a seamless transition from the high school program to the college program
- Other duties as assigned
QUALIFICATIONS
- Bachelor’s degree required; Master’s degree in relevant field highly preferred
- Four to six years’ experience in college admissions at a high school, college/university or related non-profit organization
- At least three years of experience managing a motivated and high-performing team with a demonstrated track record of success
- Experience managing complex projects with multiple deadlines in a fast-paced, entrepreneurial environment
- Experience and knowledge of the NYC DOE, SUNY/CUNY systems, EOP/HEOP, and the up-to-date changes in college admissions and financial aid landscapes
PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS
- Demonstrated passion for closing the achievement and opportunity gap on the high school and college level for first-generation and low-income students
- Exceptional leadership skills and aptitude in building strong culture and community
- Data-driven and results-oriented with an unquestionable commitment to high-quality work
- Excellent interpersonal skills, strong work ethic, and high level of accountability
- Highly detail-oriented with superior written and oral communication skills
- Ability to effectively present in front of a room of 250+ Scholars
- Ability to conduct difficult conversations with Scholars and families to give honest, productive feedback
- Highly adaptable and solutions-oriented with an ability to solve complex problems
- Intermediate to advanced Excel skills and experience working with Salesforce(database), Brightspace (LMS)
- Bilingual Spanish/English is highly preferred
WORKING CONDITIONS
- This is a full-time exempt position
- Standard work week:
- Fall Term: Tuesday through Saturday (3x a month); Monday through Friday (1x month)
- Spring Term: Tuesday through Saturday (3x a month); Monday through Friday (1x month)
- Summer Term: Monday through Friday
- This is an event-heavy position – managing classes, workshops and special events with external partners is a near daily responsibility in addition to 1:1 student and family meetings as needed.
- Frequent late evening events
- Work requires traveling to different physical locations for weekday and Saturday programming
- Currently a remote position; return to office date is Sept 2021 but subject to change
We encourage candidates from diverse backgrounds to apply!
SEO is proud to be an equal opportunity and affirmative action employer. We’re committed to equal employment opportunity regardless of race, color, ancestry, religion, sex, national origin, sexual orientation, age, citizenship, marital status, disability, gender identity or any other legally protected status. Visually and hearing impaired candidates can contact us for assistance at: jobinfo@seo-usa.org.
