Description

ABOUT BREAKTHROUGH NEW YORK

Breakthrough New York empowers motivated students from low-income communities to achieve a college degree and reach their fullest potential. Our tuition-free program supports over 500 students and their families from 7th grade through college. We accept middle school students who are furthest from high-quality educational opportunities yet show promise and potential: 99% of students identify as persons of color; 76% qualify for free or reduced lunch; and 66% will be the first in their families to graduate college.

As a ten-year program, Breakthrough New York supports students and their families through key transition points in their academic journeys. We provide academic enrichment through summer and after-school opportunities; coach students to gain admissions into selective high schools and colleges, and expose students to diverse interests and careers so they can shape their own trajectories.

In addition to nurturing individual talent, we cultivate a thriving community of like-minded peers and mentors who encourage each other’s ambitions and passions. Personalized mentorship and holistic support are signature elements of our model, with over 200 near-peer seasonal staff and volunteers who work with students at each stage of our continuum.

The Breakthrough model works: over 98% of Breakthrough students graduate from college preparatory high schools, and 100% are on track to graduate from college. Learn more at Breakthrough NY's website.

ABOUT THE POSITION

As the Senior Director College Access and Success, you will lead and manage the team responsible for ensuring students successfully move through high school, apply to, and enroll in high quality seats at 4 year colleges and universities and persist to graduation. You will directly manage full time staff members and oversee the management of 15-20 seasonal staff members. 

This will require setting a clear strategic vision for our college access and success work -  helping students to determine which colleges and universities will lead to the life outcomes they and their families want and the individual pathways to achieve those outcomes. You’ll do this by a) identifying and regularly communicating the key milestones students should hit throughout their high school journey to ensure they are on track to graduate; b) overseeing transcript analysis & class scheduling, test prep and tutoring where needed/available for 11th and 12th grade students c) supporting the Director, College Guidance in creating a robust plan to support the college application process, including the analysis of financial aid packages, and d) leveraging the Director, College and Career to ensure the right transition and persistence support. Additionally, you are responsible for working with your team to recruit, select, manage and train seasonal near-peer staff. 

Your leadership will be crucial in ensuring that students excel academically and develop personally, fostering a robust set of executive functioning skills for their future endeavors.

YOUR RESPONSIBILITIES WILL INCLUDE

Leadership and Team Management (45%):

• Oversee all aspects of the College Access and Success Program, including oversight of:
  
  • Super Saturday and 1:1 student advising
  • Seasonal staff hiring, training, and management
  • College application processes and financial aid workshops
  • Student data collection and analysis
  • College transitions and early career exposure
• Lead a team of full time and seasonal staff, providing mentorship, professional development, and guidance to ensure program effectiveness and staff growth.
• Manage and develop 3 FTE thoughtfully serving as a supervisor and coach
• Lead, plan, and/or delegate team-wide projects, including the curriculum development and execution of high school transition and college transition workshops, logistics related to Super Saturdays, student events outside of Super Saturdays and family communication and engagement
• Regularly report out on KPIs and data metrics to inform our overall progress to goal.
• Prepare and manage program budgets, grant requests and disbursements ensuring fiscal responsibility and resource allocation in alignment with organizational goals.
• Communicate program impact and outcomes to stakeholders through reports, presentations, and other mediums.

Program Development and Implementation (35%):

• In partnership with Director of College Guidance, develop and implement strategic initiatives that support the transition of BTNY high school students into 4-year colleges and universities
• Design and manage program components that enhance students' academic achievements, social and emotional learning, and personal development, include the overhaul of all curriculum delivered during high school program
• In partnership with the Director of College and Career, develop and implement strategic initiatives that support early career exposure, including intern/externships, networking events, resume reviews and more
• Lead Data Days to assess progress to goal against year-end KPIs using interim benchmarks and robust analysis of data to make informed decisions on the direction of the program. 

Organizational Leadership (20%)

• Collaborate with Talent Acquisition on hiring and onboarding seasonal staff
• Collaborate with the Development Team on data collection and grant reporting; on donor engagement opportunities; and on highlighting the student and family experience to interested stakeholders 
• Contribute to the development and execution of BTNY's organizational strategy as an integral member of BTNY's Management Team
• Model organizational leadership for others on the team, including operating as an owner, using data to inform decisions, and making recommendations in the best interest of the organization
• Steward team culture, including operating in alignment with our mission, vision, and core values, 
• Leverage other Program Team Leads as thought partners to advance your scope of work and ensure alignment and cross-department collaboration. 

Note: this role will require some weekend and evening work. 

COMPENSATION

BTNY strongly believes in selecting the top, qualified candidates. As a part of your offer you can expect to receive the following:

Annual Salary range: $95,000-$105,000, commensurate with experience and skills

Benefits

• Medical, Dental and Vision benefits with up to 90% employer coverage
• 401K/Retirement Plan (with an employer-matching component)
• Commuter Benefit Plan
• Health and Dependent Flexible Spending Accounts
• Paid Time Off: holiday, vacation, sick, and personal time – plus paid time off for the 
  days between Christmas and New Years!

Additional Perks

• Initial $800 annual professional development stipend which increases after three years of employment at Breakthrough New York
• Hybrid work schedule with between 40-60% of work in office (role and season dependent)
• Two weeks of “Work from Anywhere”

HOW TO APPLY

Apply using this link

Requirements

• Bachelor's degree required
• Minimum 7 years of experience in educational leadership, program management, or a related field.
• Proven success in managing teams, driving program outcomes, and implementing strategic initiatives.
• Strong analytical skills and experience with data-driven decision-making.
• Excellent communication, interpersonal skills, and ability to build relationships with diverse stakeholders.
• Demonstrates excellence in BTNY’s Core Values

Breakthrough New York is an equal-opportunity employer. We encourage applicants who represent the communities we serve.