Director, College Match Jobs

About College Possible

As one of the largest and most successful college access and success programs in the country, since 2000 College Possible has helped put more than 59,000 students from disinvested communities on the path to economic mobility via completion of a college degree. Its proven near-peer coaching model, delivered by recent college graduates serving as AmeriCorps members, provides high-touch interventions proven to help students navigate and overcome the most common barriers to college access, retention and degree completion. Nationwide, College Possible students are three times more likely to earn a bachelor's degree within six years than their peers from similar backgrounds.

College Possible is a growing nonprofit coaching students from low-income backgrounds to and through college to break the cycle of poverty and empower the next generation of leaders. Our 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 a budget of $33 million, more than 128 full-time employees and more than 321 AmeriCorps and VISTA service members. During the 2021-22 school year, we will reach an estimated 21,245 students in all 50 states, with the support of 169 partner high schools and 107 partner colleges.

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. To learn more read our Diversity and Inclusion Plan.

Headquartered in Saint Paul, MN, College Possible operates: regional sites in Chicago, IL; Milwaukee, WI; Omaha, NE; Philadelphia, PA; Portland, OR; and Seattle, WA; College Forward in Austin, TX; and has Catalyze partnerships in California, Iowa, Minnesota, New York, Ohio, and Tennessee. Learn more at CollegePossible.org.

Your Role as Director, College Match

The Director, College Match will oversee College Possible's college match strategy and initiatives, with the goal of increasing college completion rates for students nationwide. This role covers all College Possible program areas, including in-person and tech-connected coaching. Working in partnership with the Vice President, College + Career Success and relevant College Possible teams, you will offer strategic leadership for new programs and initiatives while ensuring the success of ongoing programming. You are a thought leader and highly strategic thinker, who can serve as an internal and external subject matter expert in all areas related to college match.

Strategic Leadership and Program Oversight (40%)

• In partnership with the Vice President, College + Career Success, manage yearly and long-term strategic planning around college match.
• Stay abreast of internal and external best practices, as well as cutting-edge developments in college match and college access.
• Collaborate across teams to assess and improve strategy over time.
• Identify potential challenges students face in choosing/applying to college and make actionable recommendations for addressing them.
• Support the Senior Directors of Flagship and virtual coaching programs, making recommendations around service delivery and student-facing content.

Program Development and Pilot Initiatives (40%)

• Oversee the development and implementation of college match pilot initiatives.
• Maintain visibility into college match pilot programs across the organization and serve as the clearinghouse for information about these projects.
• Make recommendations and plans for integrating pilot programs/new partnerships into existing programming, including (where applicable) expansion plans to new sites and/or handoffs to new teams.
• Track the progress of pilot programs, ensuring they are being deployed appropriately and measuring outcomes.
• Identify opportunities for piloting new college match initiatives and adapting learnings into existing programming.
• Lead national and regional progress monitoring for college match outcomes, analyzing data and providing key insights to strengthen in-person and virtual counseling.

Training, Communication, and Thought Leadership (20%)

• Develop white papers, reports, and other documentation for internal and external audiences.
• Serve as subject matter expert in college match for College Possible staff, coaches, partners, and other stakeholders.
• Collaborate with the curriculum and training teams to develop curriculum for improving college match outcomes across College Possible's programs.
• Where necessary/appropriate, facilitate training sessions and/or bring in outside experts to administer training.
• Represent College Possible at conferences, meetings, and other external opportunities.

Other Duties as Assigned.

What You Bring

Education

• Bachelor's degree required; advanced degree preferred.

Experience and Skills

• 5+ years of experience in a strategy, design thinking, or project management role.
• Excellent strategic and critical thinking skills; demonstrated track record of success in strategic leadership and process management.
• Experience in program development, preferably in an education or nonprofit/direct services environment.
• Superior analytical skills: demonstrated track record of using quantitative and qualitative analysis to drive strategy.
• 7+ years of professional experience in the education sector, with a focus on college access and success.
• Exemplary communication skills, both written and oral.

Core Competencies and Other Requirements

• Self-directed and results-oriented, with the ability to take initiative and follow through.
• Data-driven and results-oriented; able to synthesize and prioritize feedback from a variety of stakeholders.
• Flexible and adaptable; embraces change as an opportunity for growth.
• Able to drive multiple simultaneous projects from inception to completion, while working in a fast-paced, collaborative environment
• Adept at relationship-building, with strong interpersonal and listening skills.
• Comfortable and skilled at representing College Possible's college match work to a variety of internal and external audiences.
• Committed to the mission and work of College Possible

Physical Requirements:

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

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.
• Personalized professional development and growth opportunities.
• 401(k) retirement plan.
• Excellent benefits including complete health, dental, life, short-term and long-term insurance.
• Encouraged sustainability through a generous paid time off program.
• A competitive salary commensurate with experience.

To Join Our Growing College Possible Team.

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