12th Grade Program Manager - SEO (Sponsors for Educational Opportunity)

Title: 12th Grade Program Manager

Department: High School Scholars

Location: San Francisco

Reports to: Director, Program

Compensation: $68,000-72,000

FLSA: Exempt

LOCATION/HOURS

• This is a full-time, exempt position with a hybrid schedule requiring in-person work three days a week (including required Saturdays) and virtual work two days a week. The typical weekly schedule is as follows:  
  • Fall Term: Tuesday through Saturday (3x a month); Monday through Friday (1x month)
  • Spring Term: Tuesday through Saturday (3x a month); Monday through Friday (1x month)
  • Summer Term: Monday through Friday
  • In-person attendance is required for all Saturday programming dates. 
  • Two weeks of in-person attendance will be required during our 2024 College Application Bootcamp programming from July 22-August 2
• Upon hire, all candidates must be within commutable distance of SEO's offices at Three Embarcadero Center Promenade Level, Suite P-1 San Francisco, CA 94111. 
• Ability to work some nights and weekends as dictated by department needs
• Work requires local travel beyond the office for Saturday programming at the following locations (subject to change): 
  • UC Law San Francisco, 200 McAllister St, San Francisco, CA 94102
  • Laney College, 900 Fallon St, Oakland, CA 94607

ABOUT SEO  

For more than 60 years, SEO has created a more equitable society by closing the educational and career opportunity gap for ambitious Black, Hispanic/Latinx, and Native American young people. All are welcome to apply to our programs. 

ABOUT SEO SCHOLARS  

SEO Scholars provides motivated, low income public high school students with a rigorous out-of-school supplemental academic curriculum, college guidance and the leadership development necessary to gain admission to and succeed at, competitive colleges and universities. SEO Scholars San Francisco (SF Scholars) is the first expansion region for this program and aims to replicate the stellar outcomes that the program has delivered in New York City for Bay Area students. (Learn more here: SEO Scholars).

POSITION OVERVIEW & RESPONSIBILITIES

The 12th Grade Program Manager is a perfect role for someone eager to work directly with academically prepared students throughout the year they apply to college, supporting them through group and individualized advising and writing instruction and support. We are seeking highly motivated, professional, self-directed, and enthusiastic candidates who are passionate about propelling the potential of young people who are farthest away from academic opportunity. The ideal candidate will have experience as a college counselor in a high school or college setting with financial aid and scholarship advising experience and possess a strong belief that, through commitment and hard work, underrepresented students can achieve their dreams of college acceptance, attendance, and completion. The position reports to the Director, Program.

College Advising

• Create and foster an environment for all 12th grade Scholars that encourages intellectual curiosity, an inclusive, close-knit and supportive community, and a college-going culture.
• Provide data-driven advising to all Scholars in the cohort, including conducting meetings with students and families, and working with Scholars in small groups, and one-on-one.
• Guide all 12th grade Scholars through the development of their college applications, all associated essays, and the financial aid process following SEO's college advising approach.
• Manage all college applications and matriculation decisions from start to completion, providing individualized support as needed and ensuring 100% of applications are submitted on time.

Instruction and Coaching 

• Design and deliver weekly college advisory, admissions, and transition seminars to 12th grade students to prepare them for the college process.
• Deliver curriculum to 11th and 12th Grade Scholars including 12th grade Advisory classes during the Fall, Spring, and Summer, and 11th Grade Advisory classes during the Spring.
• Partner with writing coaches to support all associated college essays; and all scholarship, enrichment program, and opportunity program applications.
• Project an energetic, engaging, and approachable persona to promote students' connection to the content, investment in the learning experience, and positive relationship to all members of the community.

Additional Responsibilities 

• Plan several key College Admissions related events throughout the school year including but not limited to: Graduation, Mock admissions day, FAFSA day, and College Decision Day. 
• Plan and manage operations for the annual Spring Break College Trip to Southern California for 11th grade Scholars and staff.
• Collect, enter, and analyze all key data points for 12th grade. 
• Create, update, and manage all student-facing trackers.
• Create and send monthly Family Newsletters. 
• Deliver and support all 12th grade Family Workshops and assist in workshop content creation.

QUALIFICATIONS:

• Bachelor's degree
• 2+ years of experience teaching, coaching, or advising high school students, with a focus on college-bound pathways and English; experience as a college counselor or advisor  
• Experience working with students in underserved communities and passion for preparing them to lead by example in their families, communities, and careers
• Strong work ethic and positive attitude
• Demonstrated ability to execute on short-term, deadline-driven tasks, as well as important long-term projects requiring collaboration with internal and external constituencies
• Ability to work a Tuesday through Saturday schedule from September to June and some evenings 
• Superb interpersonal, written, and verbal communication skills
• Excellent attention to detail
• Proficiency in Microsoft Suite and Google Suite
• Must be data driven. Knowledge of Excel and experience working with Salesforce (database) and Brightspace (LMS) are a plus.
• Bilingual Spanish/English preferred
• Knowledge of the California public college system and top ranked private colleges preferred

COMPETENCIES & SKILLS:

• Adept at building authentic relationships with students quickly.
• A demonstrated commitment to diversity and educational equity and passion for closing the opportunity gap for underserved and underrepresented students.
• Highly organized with exceptional attention to detail.
• Exceptional communication skills, both written and oral.
• Ability to conduct difficult conversations with Scholars and families to give honest, productive feedback.
• Excellent interpersonal skills and a high level of professionalism.

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 consistently use a DEIB lens 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.