Title: Senior Manager, College Writing and Curriculum

Department: SEO Scholars, College

Location: New York

Reports to: Assistant Director, College Advising 

FLSA: Exempt

Compensation: $70,500 - $80,600

LOCATION/HOURS  

This is a full-time, hybrid position based out of our New York City office. It is expected that some duties will be performed on-site at least 2-days a week, and some remotely. 

All candidates must be within commutable distance of SEO’s offices at 55 Exchange Place, New York, NY 10005, upon hire. 

ABOUT SEO

For more than 60 years, SEO has created a more equitable society by closing the educational and career opportunity gap for ambitious Black, Hispanic/Latinx, and Native American young people. All are welcome to apply to our programs. 

ABOUT SEO SCHOLARS

SEO Scholars provides motivated, low income public high school students with a rigorous out-of-school supplemental academic curriculum, college guidance and the leadership development necessary to gain admission to and succeed at, competitive colleges and universities. SEO Scholars San Francisco (SF Scholars) is the first expansion region for this program and aims to replicate the stellar outcomes that the program has delivered in New York City for Bay Area students. (Learn more here: SEO Scholars).

SUMMARY:

The Senior Manager, College Writing and Curriculum manages all elements of the college admissions process pertaining to writing for the 12th grade team. This includes college essay development, supplement development, creating writing feedback processes, and scholarship writing support. In coordination with 12th grade, and College Scholars staff, the Senior Manager of College Writing and Curriculum leads and implements SEO Scholars programming on Saturdays, after school, and during the summer.

The Senior Manager works collaboratively with the College Admissions team which includes three other Program Managers - College Advising, the Program Manager - Data and Scholarships, the Assistant Director, College Advising. This individual will be an integral member of the team developing and providing consistent advising strategy pertaining to writing while collectively leading a cohort of 250 Scholars through SEO programming during their 12th grade. The Senior Manager also closely collaborates with associate instructors and writing coaches.

RESPONSIBILITIES:

• Manage all aspects of the current SEO 12th grade curriculum for Summer Boot Camp and Saturday Academy. Make any relevant edits due to schedule and changes in college landscape.
• Work closely with the SEO Teaching and Learning department to identify candidates, hire, and manage eight writing coaches and three associate instructors for each new class cycle, which includes tracking and approving instructor timecards, creating hourly guidelines, and creating related dashboards.
• Create feedback structure for students’ college application writing between writing coaches and students as well as tracking and maintaining data of student writing submissions.
• Be the content level expert for the SEO team on current college writing strategies. Provide observations, training, and support to writing coaches and to the greater SEO team as necessary.
• Work with SEO instructional designers to upload course content on Brightspace, our LMS system.
• Plan any student writing support events, such as virtual writing centers.
• Work collaboratively with Program Manager - Data and Scholarships to manage scholar feedback and timelines for all scholarship essays for 12th grade students.
• With assistance from Program Managers, author recommendations for 12th grade scholars
• Serve as primary writing coach for up to five scholars with sensitive stories.
• Collaborate with and share any relevant material and curriculum with other SEO sites in San Francisco, Miami, and North Carolina
• Show willingness to learn new technological skills and/or systems to manage and assess current practices.
• Engage in professional development opportunities, such as being present at webinars and trainings, and attending national and regional college admissions counseling and curriculum conferences.
• Work and collaborate with Director of Curriculum and Career for student grad school support essays.
• Perform other duties necessary to successfully support students to strong college outcomes.

EDUCATION AND WORK EXPERIENCE:

• At least five years of experience in teaching writing and in curriculum development with a focus on college-bound pathways
• Experience in a fast-paced, entrepreneurial environment
• Experience managing complex projects with multiple deadlines
• Intermediate to advanced Excel skills and experience working with databases
• Bilingual Spanish/English is highly desirable
• Bachelor's degree required, Master’s preferred

CORE COMPETENCIES AND SKILLS:

• A demonstrated commitment to diversity and educational equity and passion for closing the opportunity gap for underserved and underrepresented students
• Knowledge of the college process, high dollar scholarships, financial aid applications, EA/ED, and NY city and state opportunity programs preferred
• Data-driven and results-oriented with an unquestionable commitment to high-quality work
• Highly organized with exceptional attention to detail
• Highly adaptable and solutions-oriented with an ability to solve complex problems
• Exceptional communication skills, both written and oral
• Ability to conduct difficult conversations with Scholars and families to give honest, productive feedback
• Excellent interpersonal skills and a high level of professionalism
• Knowledge of Excel and experience working with Salesforce (database) and Brightspace (LMS) are a plus

WORKING CONDITIONS

• This is a full-time exempt position
• Standard workweek:
  • 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 Saturday programming
• Upon return to in-person, team members will be asked to work 2 days in person at the SEO office (55 Exchange Place) and 3 days remotely from home. In-person attendance is required for all Saturday programming dates.

COMPENSATION & BENEFITS 

SEO offers a competitive compensation package and comprehensive benefits plan including low-cost health, vision, and dental options, a generous holiday schedule and PTO policies, disability coverage, fully paid time off for new parents, and employer contributions to health reimbursement and retirement accounts. We are constantly working to improve our benefits each year based on the needs of our employees. We value wellness and strive to consistently use a DEIB lens to put people first and foremost.

The compensation listed in this posting reflects what SEO believes it will pay for this position at the time of this posting. Consistent with applicable law, compensation will be determined based on the skills, qualifications, and experience of the applicant along with the requirements of the position, and SEO reserves the right to modify this pay range at any time.

EEOC PolicyAt SEO we are committed to cultivating a team that embodies the backgrounds and experiences of the constituencies we serve and the communities we live in, and a workplace that reflects the impact we make in the world. Candidates from all communities – including people of color, women, members of the LGBTQIA Community, veterans, and people with disabilities are strongly encouraged to apply.

Equal Employment Opportunity is not just the law, it is our commitment.

Sponsors for Educational Opportunity is an Equal Opportunity/Affirmative Action Employer – M/F/D/V. We will consider all qualified applicants for employment regardless of race, color, ethnicity, religion, sex, gender, gender identity and expression, sexual orientation, national origin, disability, age, marital status, veteran status, pregnancy, parental status, genetic information or characteristics, or any other legally protected status.

If you need accommodation while applying for a role with SEO, due to a disability, please email SEO Talent.