Senior College Program Manager College Possible - Chicago

About College Possible: As one of the largest and most successful college access and success organizations in the country, since 2000 College Possible has empowered more than 85,700 students on their path to earning a college degree. Its pioneering model matches eligible students with a near-peer coach and an evidence-based curriculum designed to help them overcome the most common barriers to getting into college and completing their degree - all at no cost to students or their families. Compared with their peers from similar backgrounds, College Possible students are 30% more likely to enroll in college the year after high school graduation, and three times more likely to earn a bachelor's degree.

College Possible is a proud AmeriCorps program. AmeriCorps is a federal agency that brings people together to tackle the country's most pressing challenges through national service. Our AmeriCorps members commit to a year of service as College Possible coaches in communities throughout the country. Many represent the identities of the students they serve, and each brings a commitment to social justice and closing the college equity divide.

Our near-peer coaching model has earned national recognition: the inaugural Evergreen National Education Award recognized our leadership in increasing access to and success in college for students from low-income backgrounds. It also earns top-of-field results: a Harvard study found that the program more than doubles a student's chance of enrolling in a four-year college, and our students are four times more likely to become college graduates than their low-income peers. College Possible has an annual operating budget of ~$33.5 million, more than 190 full-time employees and more than 245 AmeriCorps and VISTA service members. During the 2021-2022 school year, we reached an estimated 25,700 students nationwide.

Headquartered in Saint Paul, MN, College Possible operates regional sites in Austin, TX; Chicago, IL; Milwaukee, WI; Omaha, NE; Philadelphia, PA; Portland, OR; Saint Paul, MN; and Seattle, WA; as well as Catalyze partnerships in California, Iowa, Minnesota, New York, Ohio, Tennessee and Texas.

Diversity, Equity and Inclusion College Possible is committed to diversity, equity and inclusion, and seeks to build a diverse workforce to create impact in partnership with the communities we serve. We welcome a diverse pool of qualified applicants. For each of its positions, College Possible is mindful about what best serves our students, and seeks to hire staff with relevant experience, skills and aptitude, and a commitment to the power of education.

Equal Opportunity Employer College Possible is an Equal Opportunity Employer. Applicants will receive consideration for employment regardless of their race, color, creed, religion, national origin, sex, sexual orientation, disability, age, marital status, or status with regard to public assistance. Individuals with disabilities are encouraged to apply. We provide reasonable accommodation for qualified individuals and conduct all possible activities in fully accessible settings. Alternative application formats are available upon request by contacting hr@collegepossible.org.

Your Role as Sr. College Program Manager

We are seeking an accomplished leader to join our successful, growing organization as part of our program leadership team. The Chicago Sr. College Program Manager will join our team with a special focus on scholarships, summer transition of high school graduating seniors, as well as college and career success including supporting external partnerships. They will ensure our college students receive necessary persistence and graduation support by connecting into campus resources at their respective colleges and within our city. This position will also provide coaching, mentoring, and management of Advising Specialist. This position will work with the college team to help ensure the quality of the College Possible program, providing input and support in overall program management and organizational leadership.

• Site-Based Program Leadership and Delivery (35%): Oversee the high-quality implementation of the College Possible curriculum and program components to ensure that the program is operating with fidelity to the national model. Provide daily support, guidance, and supervision to Advising Specialist to ensure excellence in service, troubleshooting issues as they arise, evaluating performance through check-ins and working with staff to ensure the highest quality of service to students, sites and Corps members. Alongside the national program team, Chicago Director of Success and local team develop a strategy to help students persist and graduate from college.
• Scholarship Management (30%): Spearhead the development, execution, and evaluation of strategic initiatives in close collaboration with the Sr program leadership and development, aimed at achieving programmatic objectives and site priorities. This encompasses the engagement of scholarship partnerships with organizations such as CHI Rise, Dell, Wencher, Jordnt, Posse, Pillars, Carreus, Scripps, Renaissance, Hope, among others, as well as the facilitation of comprehensive training sessions for team members. Additionally, foster collaboration at the national level to leverage additional scholarship opportunities, exemplified by the engagement with organizations like Scholarship America. Through continuous assessment and adjustment, ensure the effectiveness of implemented strategies, while delivering comprehensive reports demonstrating the impact on student persistence and graduation outcomes.
• Data and Results Management (20%): Ensure successful data entry and compliance at the site based on national and local data priorities. Provide guidance and support to Advising Specialist on how to read/interpret results and manage caseloads accordingly. Work with Director of College Success to oversee the tracking and reporting of outcomes, especially in the college success and scholarship space, as they related to programming goals/benchmarks. Leverage data for program management and training development and, alongside the Director of Success, develop and implement performance improvement strategies where necessary. Acquire and summarize data needed for site, donor and/or board reporting.
• Strategic Partnerships and Community Relations (10%): Cultivate and support team members in building and maintaining strong partnerships with colleges and liaise to designated partners/key contacts to assess program quality, results, and overall satisfaction. Represent College Possible in the community and foster effective collaboration that opens up valuable resources and opportunities for students and staff or advances a community-wide college-going culture. Attend campus-based events where appropriate and foster successful communication as a representative of College Possible Chicago program team dedicated to college success initiatives. Identify external partnerships with organizations who provide college and career readiness resources to students including Braven, Career Spring, Emerge Internships, etc. Work closely with the development team and program leadership to move scholarship work forward and success opportunities for College Possible students.
• National Program Design and Engagement (5%): Lead in advancing (or supporting program staff) in key activities that demonstrate promise to fulfilling our overall program outcomes. Contribute to the Design Cycle process by working collaboratively with National Program Team to formalize recommendations on program design (i.e., inputs, implementation plan and evaluation plan) especially in the college success and career space.
• Other duties/projects as assigned.

What You Bring

Education/Certifications/Licenses:

• Bachelor's degree required.
• Master's degree preferred.

Related Work Experience:

• Minimum of 5 years of full-time work experience demonstrating progressively increasing levels of responsibility; Higher education preferred.
• 2 years of supervisory experience required.
• Familiarity with the college admissions process, college advising; transfer information, and/or financial aid required.
• Project management required.
• Work in the college and/or career readiness field preferred.
• Experience with AmeriCorps, VISTA, or other service programs preferred.
• Salesforce experience preferred.

Computer/Software Skills:

• Well-developed computer skills, including proficiency in Microsoft Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Office and experience in database management.

Other Skills, Abilities and Requirements:

• Significant commitment to the mission of helping low-income students earn admission to college and persist toward degree completion;
• Must have a desire to engage in diversity, inclusion and/or equity work;
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills and strong interpersonal skills;
• Self-starter with the ability to prioritize multiple projects and deadlines simultaneously;
• Attention to detail, including proofreading and project follow-through;
• Comfort with data collection, analysis, and a strong focus on results;
• Demonstrated ability to thrive in fast-paced environment.

Physical Requirements:

• Ability to lift up to 15 pounds when needed
• Office environment with limited travel
• Ability to stand and/or sit for a minimum of 7 hours a day

What We Offer

In addition to joining a committed, diverse, values-based organization, we offer:

• An opportunity for you to have a tremendous impact both internally and in the broader country
• a competitive salary commensurate with experience
• excellent benefits including complete health, dental, life, short-term and long-term insurance
• 401(k) retirement plan
• Encouraged sustainability through an unlimited paid time off program and hybrid work schedule
• Personalized professional development and growth opportunities

To Join Our Growing College Possible Team

Please apply at: www.CollegePossible.org/careers Include a resume and cover letter.