Company Description
Uncommon Schools is a nonprofit network of high-performing, public charter schools providing an outstanding K-12 education in historically under-resourced communities. We have proudly built schools that reflect our student population, with more than 60% of our teachers and staff across our network identifying as a person of color. Uncommon currently manages 53 schools serving more than 20,000 students in five cities: Boston, Camden, New York City, Newark and Rochester. We are proud that Uncommon graduates persist in and graduate from college at five times the rate of their peers nationally. We achieve this by offering strong academic, co-curricular, and social-emotional learning that prepares students for success in college and beyond.
Job Description
Uncommon Schools are committed to ensuring that our graduates both enter into and graduate from a four-year college or university! This fulfills our mission of seeing students to and through college, thus closing the achievement gap between low-income students and their wealthier peers. Under the supervision of the Director of College Access & Success, the Manager of College Access & Success (NYC region) will develop a vision that is scalable for how Uncommon Schools will support its NYC alumni to ensure they graduate from college and will supervise the implementation, evaluation, and continuous improvement of this vision. This role will have a small caseload and will actively manage and provide mentorship to four Alumni Success Coaches.
Strategic Planning and Execution (30%)
The Manager will support the overall vision and approach for how Uncommon will support its NYC alumni in persisting in and completing college by:
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Identifying the roadblocks to college completion for alumni and other low-income, first-generation college students
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Leading all aspects of the development of partnerships with NYC colleges and college-support programs (i.e. HEOP, CUNY Network for College Success) that will increase student opportunities and transparency on the college campuses they attend
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Assisting with the implementation of targeted goal setting, operational management, staff development, and policy enforcement
Regional Management (30%)
The Manager will support various partners by:
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Recruiting and developing a team of four Alumni Success Coaches (ASCs)who provide college and career counseling to NYC Uncommon alumni
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Managing, observing, and annually evaluating 4 ASCs
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Supporting a caseload consisting of our most vulnerable alumni attending a local community college (enrolled and unenrolled combined)
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Establishing and maintaining a formalized relationship with key individuals to remove barriers to persistence for alumni
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Collaborating with Uncommon’s school and regional leaders, Alumni Impact, Alumni Support staff, College Counselors, students, alumni, and families to pilot, refine, and more broadly implement effective, scalable, and financially sustainable strategies to support Uncommon’s NYC alumni in selecting, persisting in, and completing college
Program Development (25%)
The Manager will support the successful implementation and continuous improvement of the program’s vision and approach by:
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Spearheading the planning and co-leading professional development for Uncommon’s ASCs at strategic times during the summer and throughout the academic year
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Perpetually identifying programming that enriches the college and career experiences of alumni and:
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Promotes mental health wellness and bridges the digital and financial gap, where possible;
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Connects alumni to internship, externship, co-op, study abroad, domestic and international collegiate exchange programs, graduate education, and entry-level career opportunities;
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Provides college or career counseling for students who are not 4-year college-bound (i.e. associate’s degrees, certification/vocational programs, military, etc.) or who have stopped out of 4-year or 2-year degree programs.
Data Analysis and Application (15%)
The Manager of College Access & Success (NYC) will routinely conduct deep analysis of data within their region of supervision and resolve the best way to deliver it to the Director of College Access & Success and relevant partners. They will do this by:
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Identifying strategies to support Uncommon’s NYC alumni in persisting in and completing college, based on analysis of barriers and research on best and innovative practices within and outside of Uncommon
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Using data to systematically evaluate the efficiency of strategies; working with leaders to refine strategies and implementation based on an analysis of efficiency and newly developed or identified standard processes
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Disseminating data, researching and recommending strategies to partners about most pressing barriers, including information and recommendations so leaders can refine and improve Uncommon’s educational programming, as needed
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Ensuring Uncommon is developing or maintaining any vital systems and infrastructure to manage and refine alumni support efforts going forward, such as data collection tools and alumni tracking tools
Qualifications
Required General Skills & Abilities
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Passionate dedication to the mission of Uncommon Schools
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Strong analytical and problem-solving skills
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Strong prioritization skills
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Strong supervisory and leadership skills
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Demonstrated ability to influence multiple, diverse parties and to present effectively and persuasively to diverse audiences
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Demonstrated ability to be self-directed and take initiative
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Demonstrated ability to use data to inform recommendations and decisions
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Strategic thinker and project manager with demonstrated ability to develop systems that achieve efficiency and scalability
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Excellent organization, time management, and tenacious follow-up skills; ability to prioritize
Minimum Qualifications
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Bachelor's Degree
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4+ years of proven experience working with first-generation students and/or students from an urban school district
Preferred Experience
- 2+ years of experience managing staff
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4+ years of experience in working with students in a college advisement, college counseling or college enrollment capacity
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Experience researching or implementing effective and innovative ways to support low-income students in graduating from college preferred but not required
Additional Information
Our people are what make us uncommon. It’s important to us that our compensation practices align with our values and enhance our ability to attract and retain talent. Our compensation philosophy is focused on equity and fairness, retaining our talented staff and valuing their expertise, and transparency and clarity.
Compensation for this position: Candidates who meet all job description requirements will likely receive an offer of $85,000-$90,000. The starting compensation for this role is between $85,000-$100,000. The starting pay will depend on various factors including but not limited to relevant professional experience, education, certifications, and tenure with Uncommon Schools. To receive an offer at the top of the range, candidates will need significant experience beyond the job description requirements. Because we value staff tenure in a role, we do not currently cap salary ranges for current staff members.
Other Benefits:
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19 days of paid time off in addition to three weeks of paid winter and summer org-wide holidays
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Extensive, best-in-class training and development
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Choice of 3 comprehensive health insurance plans
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Pre-tax flexible spending and health saving accounts
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Financial planning & wellness
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403(b) retirement savings program + employer match
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529 college savings program
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Public Service Loan Forgiveness application assistance
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Financial planning tools and assistance
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Dependent Care FSA, back up childcare and daycare discounts, pet care insurance
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Paid leave of absence
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Fully paid parental leave
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Fully paid medical leave
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Additional paid Short Term and Long Term Disability insurance
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Mental health and counseling support + wellness benefits
Uncommon believes in the importance of being a diverse, equitable, and inclusive organization that enables our students and staff to thrive. We are committed to building an exceptional team that reflects the diverse backgrounds and experiences of our students. We also strive to ensure an inclusive community by creating a space for meaningful dialogue about issues of race and identity for our staff and students. As an equal opportunity employer, Uncommon provides equal employment opportunities to all employees and applicants for employment and prohibits discrimination and harassment of any type without regard to race, color, religion, age, sex, national origin, disability status, genetics, protected veteran status, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, or any other characteristic protected by federal, state or local laws. We also ensure that individuals with disabilities receive all privileges and benefits associated with employment and are provided reasonable accommodations for the interview process and to perform core job functions. If you would like to request an accommodation, please email recruitment@uncommonschools.org.