An established leader in the Northeast Ohio civic landscape, College Now has been changing the lives of students in our region since 1967. We do this by providing college and career access advising, financial aid counseling, and scholarship and retention services to students from middle school through adulthood with a special focus on supporting those from low-income backgrounds and first-generation college students. An individual filling this position can expect to have a direct impact on Northeast Ohio students and families.

When you work for College Now, you are part of an innovative and visionary team, committed to College Now's mission, vision and values as we are committed to creating a collaborative, inclusive workplace for team members. Offering superior benefits, ample opportunities for professional growth and development, and the chance to make an impact on the community, College Now is where careers are made and grown.

POSITION TITLE: Manager, Advising Programs and Services

STATUS: Full-time, Exempt

STANDARD HOURS: 40 hours / week; occasional evening and weekend hours; some flexibility with remote work when possible

LOCATION: Rotating between office location and school or partner sites in the community

REPORTS TO: Senior Director or Director of Advising Programs and Services

ASSIGNED TO: Advising Programs and Services Department

SALARY: Starts at $54,000 and may increase based upon relevant experience

POSITION SUMMARY:

• Manage the day-to-day planning, execution, and evaluation of programs and services in schools and in the community.
• Serves as a liaison between the school or partner organization and College Now
• Supports the staff in the delivery of services and implementation of programs as well as regularly communicates with key stakeholders.
• Participates regularly in department and organization-wide activities including meetings, committees, training, etc.
• Are highly effective in their communication, facilitation, and project management skills.

ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS: The Advising Program and Services Manager work consists primarily of seven (7) categories of work. The Manager completes the following essential functions:

Program Design, Planning the initiation, planning and documentation of programs and projects for Advising Programs and Services.

• Understand program logic models and theory of change that define the logic of the work College Now does
• Assist with the design of programs and services that support the organizational goals
• Develop strategies with Director for effective program implementation
• Prepare, support, and manage program management plans for Advising Program and Services locations
• Ensure program design match funding source and stakeholder requirements

Program Operations, Management, and Monitoring – the ongoing implementation, support and monitoring of the projects and programs

• Manage projects, programs, and services in schools and partner sites
• Monitor progress toward program goals by being able to interpret reports and adjust operations if necessary to ensure goals are met
• Ensure accurate tracking of services in College Now’s data management system
• Maintain appropriate confidentiality of data
• Develop student recruitment strategies, including materials, in collaboration with the site coordinators and Manager of Advising Programs and Services
• Provide college and career access advising services when needed and in support of advising team members
• Fill in for direct service staff as needed

Program Budgeting – the regular tracking of project and program expenditures

• Track, review, and recommend program expenditures, and communicate regularly with the program team
• Track and monitor the budget to ensure expenses are on track/within budget and attend regular budget meetings as necessary

Business Development Support – the engagement needed to build and sustain partnerships

• Maintain external communication with reputable partners according to stakeholder engagement plan
• Participate in grant process, through support of stories, if applicable
• Advocate for additional or sustained services with external stakeholders
• Maintain awareness of MOU process and content with external stakeholders when services or space are required

Leadership and Development of Staff – the design, curation, and implementation of professional development and learning opportunities for staff

• Develop and facilitate content for internal and external training of organization team members
• Supervise, train, coach, and support staff individually and as a functioning team within assigned program portfolio on college access and career exploration,
• Conduct ongoing performance management processes
• Encourage and model participation in professional development opportunities that foster continuous growth in knowledge of college access areas
• Participate in selection of team members through interviewing, hiring and onboarding

Research and Program Evaluation/Compliance – the review and assessment of delivering quality services

• Ensure accurate and complete records for reporting
• Ensure compliance of program requirements

ADDITIONAL RESPONSIBILITIES:

• Collaborate internally with Advising Programs and Services management team members to ensure seamless delivery of programs and projects
• Attend College Now organizational level managers meetings
• Attend community events/meetings/fundraisers on behalf of College Now (as needed)

SKILLS REQUIRED: Experience working in a team environment with a collaborative focus. Ability to problem solve, troubleshoot complex situations, and manage issues with creative and effective solutions in a professional manner is critical. Skilled in active listening with team members as well as internal and external stakeholders. Actively able to anticipate both barriers and opportunities to program design and implementation. Effective written and verbal communication include being highly competent in group presentations and audience management. Knowledgeable of financial aid process, regulations, and compliance preferred (but will also be trained). Must have the ability to partner with schools, agencies, and other institutes of higher learning.

TECHNICAL SKILLS REQUIRED:

• Proficient in organization-wide suite of tools and resources (Microsoft Office) as well as the use of Customer Relationship Management Systems to enter, track, and manage data
• Ability to create, read, and analyze data

Facilitate meetings on various virtual meeting tools such as Zoom, Google Meet, and GoToMeeting

• Ability use software for surveys, quizzes, and assessments such as Mentimeter, Poll Everywhere, Jamboard or others for training material, presentation content

PREVIOUS WORK EXPERIENCE: Generally, 3 to 5 years prior experience working in education, higher education, related non-profit or service organization, or college and career access organization required with a priority on direct service experience. Knowledge of federally funded programs such as TRiO, GEAR UP, or 21st Century helpful. Familiarity with the designated communities is highly desirable. Experience working with youth is ideal. Knowledge of career exploration and college access preferred.

EDUCATIONAL REQUIREMENTS: Bachelor’s degree in related fields of education, counseling, sociology, psychology, social work, nonprofit management ideal. Master’s Degree in fields of education, social work, counseling, public health, ideal.

DISCLAIMER: “Nothing in this position description restricts management’s right to assign or reassign duties and responsibilities to this job at any time.”