Horizons - High School Program Manager

About Sacred Heart University

As one of the nation’s largest Catholic universities and among the fastest-growing private doctoral institutions in the U.S., Sacred Heart University is a national leader in shaping higher education for the 21st century. SHU offers more than 100 undergraduate, graduate and doctoral programs on its Fairfield, Conn., campus. Sacred Heart also has a campus in Dingle, Ireland, and offers online programs. Nearly 10,000 students attend the University’s nine colleges and schools: College of Arts & Sciences; School of Communication, Media & the Arts; School of Social Work; School of Performing Arts; College of Health Professions; the Isabelle Farrington College of Education & Human Development; the Jack Welch College of Business & Technology; School of Computer Science & Engineering and the Dr. Susan L. Davis, R.N., & Richard J. Henley College of Nursing. Sacred Heart, a Laudato Si’ campus, stands out from other Catholic universities as it was established to be led by the laity. This contemporary Catholic university is rooted in the rich Catholic intellectual tradition and the liberal arts and, at the same time, cultivates students to be forward thinkers who enact change—in their own lives, professions and in their communities. The Princeton Review includes SHU in its Best 391 Colleges: 2026 Edition and Best Business Schools: 2025 Edition. Sacred Heart is home to the award-winning, NPR-affiliate station, WSHU Public Radio; a Division I athletics program and an impressive performing arts program that includes choir, band, dance and theatre. www.sacredheart.edu

View SHU’s Faculty Experts Here

To apply

Qualified candidates are invited to submit a completed application and résumé through the University's online application system. Applications submitted outside of the official Careers at SHU website will not be considered. Applicants should not apply through third-party or external job sites, as such postings may be fraudulent or may misrepresent opportunities that are no longer available at the University. A cover letter or statement of interest is preferred for all staff positions. 

Sacred Heart University complies with all federal and state employment laws and regulations. Applicants must be lawfully authorized to work for any employer in the United States. We are unable to sponsor or take over sponsorship of an employment Visa for this position.

Position Summary

The High School Program Manager leads the implementation and continuous improvement of a comprehensive, developmentally aligned high school program, in close collaboration with and under the supervision of the Executive Director.

• Manage a coherent, grades 9–12 progression that builds skills, experiences, and postsecondary readiness
• Manage and coordinate staff, coaches/mentors, and external partners to ensure a high-quality, aligned student experience
• Lead a coach/mentor model that ensures consistent student check-ins and strong family communication
• Oversee data collection and analysis to monitor student progress and inform continuous program improvement

Principal Duties & Responsibilities

Student Success & Academic Monitoring

• Track student progress (grades, attendance, engagement) using tools such as PowerSchool
• Provide individualized advising on course selection, graduation requirements, and postsecondary planning
• Support students in navigating high school systems and expectations

College & Career Readiness

• Oversee PSAT/SAT/ACT preparation, campus visits, and application support
• Oversee FAFSA, financial aid, and scholarship workshops, including completion and submission support
• Partner with college counselors and external organizations

Program Operations & Experiences

• Manage program logistics, scheduling, and communication
• Coordinate tutoring, coaching/mentoring, mental health support, and enrichment opportunities
• Plan and supervise experiential learning (college visits, service/volunteering, leadership experiences)

Partnerships & Family Engagement

• Build and maintain relationships with schools, families, and community partners
• Ensure consistent, proactive communication with families
• Serve as a liaison between students, families, and Horizons SHU

Program Model

The High School Program is grounded in a coaching-based model designed to help students and families develop, monitor, and refine individualized high school and postsecondary pathways aligned with each student’s goals, strengths, interests, and aspirations. Coaches work directly with students and families, while the High School Program Manager provides oversight, coordination, and progress monitoring to ensure consistent, individualized support.

Key components of this work include:

• Regular meetings with students and parents/caregivers to develop and review individualized high school and postsecondary pathway plans
• Ongoing monitoring of academic performance, course selection, credit accumulation, and graduation progress

• Support for student participation in extracurricular activities, leadership opportunities, certifications, internships, volunteer experiences, and work-based learning opportunities
• Development of comprehensive student portfolios aligned with long-term goals and postsecondary aspirations
• Systems for ongoing progress monitoring, accountability, and intervention planning
• Annual pathway reviews, with additional meetings and supports provided as needed
• Maintenance of records related to academic progress, extracurricular involvement, certifications, employment experiences, leadership experiences, and student achievements

Data & Outcomes

• Build systems to track academic progress, engagement, and postsecondary readiness
• Monitor key indicators, including grades, attendance, credit accumulation, and postsecondary milestones
• Use data to inform continuous improvement
• Establish/Monitor benchmarks to ensure students are on track for graduation and postsecondary success
• Track and report on students’ postsecondary outcomes, including college and trade school acceptances, enrollments, and commitments
• Contribute to internal and external reporting (board, donors, Impact Report)
• Other duties as assigned.

Knowledge, Skills, Abilities & Other Attributes 

• Bachelor’s degree required; Master's preferred (education, counseling, or social work)
• Experience working with high school students (education, youth development, or college access)
• Strong leadership, program management, and organizational skills
• Experience with college readiness, FAFSA, Social-Emotional Learning (SEL), and mentoring
• Excellent communication and relationship-building skills
• Familiarity with Greater Bridgeport/Fairfield County high school system
• Commitment to whole-child development

Unusual Working Conditions

This position may require occasional evening or weekend work.

This job posting provides an overview of the role's general nature and expected tasks. It is not meant to be a comprehensive list of all duties performed. The university reserves the right to modify or reassign job responsibilities at any time. This posting description does not constitute an employment contract, either explicit or implied.