Director, College Persistence and Advising

Note for Internal Candidates

While this role is visible on our external job board, internal applicants are strongly encouraged to apply. Internal candidates will be prioritized in the review and selection process. If you are a current SEO employee interested in this opportunity, we invite you to apply and continue your professional journey with us. 

Title: Director, College Persistence & Advising

Department: SEO College Scholars

Report to: Vice President, College Scholars

Compensation: $103,00 - $121,600

FLSA: Exempt

Location: Hybrid – 3 days/week in office

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

ABOUT SEO

Founded in 1963 during the Civil Rights Movement, SEO closes educational and career opportunity gaps for 7,000 ambitious young people annually.  

SEO Scholars is a free, eight-year, academic program that transforms public high school students in New York City, San Francisco, North Carolina, and Miami into college graduates. SEO Scholars successfully educates and mentors students to and through college. 100% of Scholars are accepted into four-year colleges, 85% of Scholars graduate with a Bachelor’s degree, and 80% are first-generation college graduates. All are welcome to apply.

POSITION OVERVIEW

This role provides strategic leadership for the College Scholars Advising team by developing and enhancing the advising model and approach, managing staff, and ensuring effective delivery of student support services to 1,000+ Scholars in college. The position is responsible for planning and implementing initiatives that strengthen student engagement, persistence, and health and well-being, while also overseeing onboarding, professional development, and culture-building efforts for College Persistence Advisors (CPAs). A significant component of the role involves supervising staff at multiple levels, leading training and coaching processes, and guiding leadership sessions that drive program alignment and outcomes. The position manages core advising operations, monitors trends in student success, and ensures high-quality programming that supports college readiness, transition, and persistence. In addition, the role provides both direct and indirect student advising through case management, academic and career guidance, crisis intervention, and advocacy with external partners and institutions. Accurate data management and reporting are essential responsibilities, including the use of Salesforce to track student progress, engagement, and outcomes. By combining program strategy, staff leadership, operational oversight, and student advising, the role ensures that first-generation and low-income Scholars are equipped with the resources and support needed to achieve success in college and beyond.

Program Strategy & Planning (30%)

• Collaborate with the VP, College Scholars to strategize and develop plans for students who are out of school and disengaged.
• Develop and delegate onboarding and offboarding responsibilities for all levels of the College Scholars Advising Team.
• Lead and collaborate on the development of mental health resources, including referral partners and processes.
• Supervise and maintain the dissemination of the safety planning protocol by training the team and contributing to protocol modifications.
• Lead the dissemination of the College Persistence Advisor (CPA) Professional Development Plan to ensure CPAs receive consistent growth support.
• Contribute to the development of team culture and growth across the College Scholars team.
• Attend evening and weekend events in person as needed, based on program requirements.
• Mentor and coach staff members in real time through observation, modeling, and feedback.
• Build strong in-person relationships with Scholars to foster trust, rapport, and engagement.
• Lead team meetings, strategy sessions, and culture-building activities that require in-person collaboration.
• Respond to student crises and program issues through immediate in-person intervention and coordination.
• Facilitate or support student workshops, trainings, and community events in-person.
• Represent SEO at external events, partner meetings, and college visits in-person.
• Oversee staff use of advising tools, technology kits, and resources through direct in-person supervision.
• Model SEO’s organizational values and mentor staff through consistent presence in the office.
  
  

Program Management (30%)

• Lead and collaborate with the Advising leadership team and the CPA team to identify program-wide Scholar trends related to engagement, college success, career opportunities, and overall well-being.
• Mentor and train team members in person by facilitating workshops, coaching sessions, and team meetings.
• Represent SEO in person at student programming, partner meetings, and external events.
• Oversee Advising team projects managed by the Advising Leadership team and provide support where needed.
• Attend and actively support or serve as backup for programming workshops designed to increase student success in college and during the high school-to-college transition.
• Participate in evening and weekend programming as required by program needs.
  
  

Staff Management (30%)

• Manage supervisors of CPAs who are accountable for the development and growth of 3–5 CPAs each.
• Manage project outcomes through effective delegation of responsibilities.
• Lead the implementation of training on a range of topics relevant to college success for both Scholars and CPAs.
• Lead staffing and strategy sessions for the College Scholars leadership team.
• Build strong in-person relationships with staff, students, and external partners to strengthen program outcomes.
• Supervise and facilitate the coaching process for Senior CPAs and Assistant Directors.
  
  

Direct & Indirect Student Management (10%)

• Advise Scholars in college preparedness, academic support, personal support, and career development support throughout their time in college.
• Provide case management services for Scholars who need support with basic needs.
• Apply the College Scholars Advising model in the direct work with students, implementing intentional use of skills and tools that uphold our pillars or advising.
• Reinforce and discuss linkages and relationships between Scholars’ instructional program and their desired occupation/career.
• Assess Scholar well-being and safety, and provide interventions when needed.
• Advocate for Scholars with universities and other stakeholders.
• Maintain, collect, and report student data on an ongoing basis, such as degree audits, resumes transcripts and financial aid completion for purposes of reporting, institutional research, and institutional effectiveness.
• Assess engagement of the assigned cohort to ensure that outreach efforts and re-engagement strategies are implemented when needed.
• Document student case notes promptly and accurately in the Salesforce database.
• Utilize Salesforce systems, as necessary, to aid in the delivery and reporting of advising services.
• Foster rapport with students through consistent and non-judgmental communication of outreach efforts, as well as through proactive identification of supports that address the unique needs of first-generation and low-income students.
• Maintain confidentiality of student records and communications.
• Perform other duties as assigned.

QUALIFICATIONS

• Master’s degree required, preferably in Social Work, Counseling, School Counseling, School Psychology, or related field from an accredited university.
• 10 years graduate school field placement or work experience in education or related field;
• At least 2-4 years of people management experience; Minimum of 4 years of experience working in an advisory/counseling capacity with college students at SEO or a similar college access-success program and demonstrated high proficiency in student and cohort management.
• Prior experience working with high school and college students required.
  
  

COMPETENCIES & SKILLS

• Demonstrates unequivocal passion for closing the opportunity gap and driving and inspiring student achievement.
• Self-starter who can work independently and collaboratively in a group, is team-oriented, has a growth mindset and is willing to do what it takes to get the work done (whether it is their specifically assigned task or not).
• Proficiency in utilizing advising skills and tools to aid junior staff in their development as advisors and clinicians.
• Demonstrates the necessary professionalism to serve as a manager and coach for junior staff members.
• Ability to delegate tasks and managing projects.
• Exceptional communication skills: verbal, written, interpersonal (phone and in-person).
• Highly detail-oriented and organized approach to tasks while able to meet competing deadlines.
• Track record of working toward continuous impact and improvement and an orientation toward creating new solutions.
• Proficiency in project management of initiatives that have team or program impact.
• Highly proficient at utilizing data systems to inform practice, familiarity with Salesforce required.
• Proficient in Microsoft Word, Excel, PowerPoint, and Google Drive.

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 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 Policy

At 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.

THE ORGANIZATION

Established in 1963 by Michael Osheowitz, SEO (Sponsors for Educational Opportunity) is an educational non-profit founded on the belief that talent is everywhere; but opportunity is not. Our programs are designed to educate, train, mentor, and amplify the voices of our participants to give them a seat at the table – every table. We propel human potential.

SEO is an innovator in education, mentorship, and creating educational career opportunities that maximize the full potential of our participants. Each year SEO serves 7,000+ participants nationally, and the organization is widely recognized for developing best-in-class programs with exceptional results.

Not every SEO participant is on the same journey, but all are hungry for opportunity and SEO creates an ecosystem of excellence. Learn more about SEO's programs here: https://www.seo-usa.org/our-programs/.