Director of College Counseling, College Bound Initiative (CBI)

Title: Director of College Counseling

Classification: Full-time, Exempt

Department: CollegeBound Initiative

Location: New York, NY

At Student Leadership Network, we believe in the potential of all students and are cultivating a generation of young people empowered to lead. We work with every student, developing their abilities to achieve their educational ambitions. Our 30-year track record demonstrates higher college enrollment and graduation rates, significantly surpassing national benchmarks.

We are advancing educational access for all by expanding access to higher education in under-resourced public schools nationwide. Our Young Women’s Leadership model elevates practices in girls' schools that lead to success and change the face of leadership. Our co-ed CollegeBound Initiative develops college-going school cultures — creating high expectations and viable pathways for post-secondary success. To learn more, visit our website at: www.studentleadershipnetwork.org.

Student Leadership Network is seeking a Director of College Counseling (DCC) for one of our New York City school-based sites. This five-day-per-week, school-based position is responsible for the full execution of the college and career-going culture at the school.

As the primary practitioner, the DCC manages both the high-level planning and the daily administrative tasks required to sustain the program, including all logistics and data entry. The DCC provides comprehensive services for either our 6-12 or 9-12 network schools, encompassing early awareness, personalized application support, and financial aid guidance. At the core of this role, the DCC drives all school-wide initiatives and takes full ownership of the senior caseload to systematically dismantle barriers to post-secondary success.

Reporting to an Associate Director at Student Leadership Network, the DCC ensures achieving all the organization’s milestones by directly performing the daily work of the college office while integrating closely with the school’s administrative guidelines.

Primary Roles and Responsibilities include but are not limited to:

College/Career Counseling and Program Implementation

• Manage the complete college/career application and financial aid process for seniors, providing ongoing support, while adhering to institutional application and financial aid deadlines.
• Execute CBI Standard Components with fidelity, including:
  • Hosting parent meetings;
  • Facilitating college/career application and financial aid workshops/completion events;
  • Supporting commitment and enrollment steps;
  • Organizing college fairs;
  • Hosting college/career recruiters;
  • Presenting early college/career awareness content;
  • Organizing college trips for all grade levels.
• Support students in applying to specialized college admissions/scholarship opportunities, including but not limited to:
  • CUNY Macaulay Honors;
  • H/EOP;
  • Posse;
  • Questbridge;
  • Gates Scholarships.
• Foster and maintain a college/career-going culture within the school community by creating high expectations, displaying college messaging, celebrating college acceptances, and embedding college/career readiness throughout school programming.
• Manage a part-time CBI College Transition Coach (CTC) intern throughout the academic year, including through the matriculation process in CollegeBridge (from May through July).
• Support the Network’s educational programming in collaboration with other teams.
• Write, manage, and track letters of recommendation for students throughout the application process.
• Implement PSAT/SAT preparation and registration support.
• Facilitate comprehensive parent/family engagement programming focused on college/career preparation, application processes, and financial aid guidance, including parent meetings and workshops.
• Other duties as assigned.

School Development, Capacity Building, Partnership

• Maintain strong relationships with the school's principal, administrators, counselors, teachers, staff, and present community-based organizations (CBOs) within the school community.
• Train school faculty on college application processes and CBI programming.
• Develop and maintain college partnerships to enhance student recruitment opportunities and promote the school's qualities.
• Advocate for students with college representatives throughout the enrollment process.
• Prepare for and assist with Student Leadership stakeholder and donor visits.

Data Management and Analysis

• Manage Salesforce database to ensure accurate and timely record keeping of all standard program components and application milestones.
• Prepare mid-year and year-end reports for principals and Student Leadership Network leadership.
• Maintain regular check-ins with school administration and Network’s Associate Director to assess milestone completion progress.
• Support NYCPS Strong Plan Initiative Post-Secondary Plan data entry compliance.

Key Qualifications & Experience:

• Bachelor's degree required; Master's degree in education, youth services, social work, or related field preferred.
• Minimum three (3) years of experience in college access, secondary education, or educational non-profit required.
• Extensive knowledge of college admissions and financial aid processes, including H/EOP, FAFSA, TAP, Excelsior, and CSS requirements; strong knowledge of CUNY, SUNY, and NYS private college application and enrollment processes.
• Excellent communication skills, including written, verbal, and editing abilities, with demonstrated success in building partnerships with schools and external organizations.
• Demonstrates ability to communicate in small groups, one-to-one, and public speaking. Exceptional interpersonal and organizational skills.
• Experience navigating and understanding the NYC public school system and culture, combined with the ability to collaborate effectively with high school administration, faculty, and staff.
• Familiarity with college application tracking software preferred.
• A demonstrated passion for expanding educational opportunities for students from under-served communities and commitment to Student Leadership’s mission, vision, and core values.
• Strong computer skills, including proficiency with Google Business applications (Docs, Sheets, Slides, Drive); Microsoft Office applications (Word, PowerPoint, Excel); experience with Salesforce preferred.
• Ability to work evenings and/or participate in weekend events as necessary.

Compensation: Annual salary range of $66,469 - $89,335, commensurate with skills and experience.

Benefits: Student Leadership Network offers a competitive benefits package to eligible employees, including:

• Medical (health, dental, and vision)
• Health Reimbursement Account (up to $14,000 for families)
• Flexible Spending Account (for Medical, Dependent Care, and Transit/Parking)
• 401K Retirement Plan with 4% Employer Match
• Generous Paid Family Leave, minimum of 12 weeks based on tenure
• Life Insurance (100% Employer cover of insurance premium)
• Employee Assistance Program

Paid Time Off:

• Full-time employees earn 17 days per year in the first three years
• 11 Federal holidays and 2 floating holidays
• 10 wellness (sick) days per year Safe Leave
• 20 hours of Prenatal Leave
• Annual Wellness Week between Christmas and New Year's
• Summer Fridays early dismissal

Student Leadership Network is proud to be an equal opportunity employer. We are committed to cultivating a respectful, inclusive, and equitable workplace where diverse talents, skill-sets, and lived experiences are valued as essential to advancing our mission.