Coordinator, Programs

 LINK Unlimited Scholars (LINK) is where hard work meets heart work. The work is demanding and fast-paced, but deeply rewarding. We push ourselves because our Scholars deserve nothing less. If that doesn’t scare you AND you’re  adaptable, driven, and ready to invest in changing the trajectory of our Scholars lives and our city’s future, then we invite you to join our team!

We LINK students who have been historically underrepresented in higher education, especially Black students, with the resources and support needed for success as they advance to, through, and beyond college.

Chicago’s educational system amplifies persistent inequities, creating a significant college completion gap for historically underrepresented students, particularly Black students. LINK’s goal is to mitigate the effect of these systemic and structural forces by improving and increasing access to educational opportunities and college completion for students who have been historically underrepresented in higher education, especially Black youth in Chicago. By equipping our Scholars with the knowledge, skills, resources, and social equity that further college completion and career placement, LINK is increasing the economic mobility and stability of historically underrepresented students and cultivating a diverse leadership pipeline for our city.

Since 1966, we have successfully supported over 2,500 low- to moderate-income students.  In the 2026-2027 academic year, we will serve 350+ Scholars (Jr. LINK, High School & Collegiate Scholars). Our Scholars represent more than 60 Chicagoland neighborhoods, with a focus from ten South and West Side communities: Auburn Gresham, Austin, Bronzeville, Englewood, Garfield Park, Greater Grand Crossing, North Lawndale, Roseland, South Shore, and Washington Park.

Position Summary

As an integral part of the Programs Team, the Coordinator of Programs works closely with the Director, Programs to support our educational programming and achieve educational goals. The Coordinator, Programs is responsible for: recruiting, interviewing and selecting LINK Scholars; managing the relationship between LINK, Scholars and families, and its partnership with elementary and high schools; tracking the academic progress of Scholars; and providing Scholars with the support they need, such as tutoring, college counseling, personal support and other programming, to ensure their success.

Scholar and Family Support

The Programs Team is responsible for maintaining close contact with LINK’s Scholars and their families. The Coordinator, Programs will be the main contact for approximately one third to a half of the Scholars as they matriculate through the Jr. LINK and High School fellowship. Responsibilities include: 

• Build and maintain relationships with Scholars, families, and Mentors to provide support to the Scholar.
• Collect and review Scholar grade reports each semester to track academic progress. 
• Send targeted monthly communications to ensure Scholars are engaged and have a positive experience that supports student retention and successful completion of our high school fellowship.
• Be responsive and maintain ongoing communications to support Scholars’ needs and family circumstances.
• Ensure that Scholars who are in need of additional help receive tutoring assistance and/or other school-based and/or organizational resources that could positively impact the Scholars’ academic performances.
• Provide accurate updates to the Vice President, Programs & Evaluation, and Director, Programs on Scholars’ statuses.
• Maintain data records and ongoing communications with Scholars and their parents/guardians in Salesforce according to organizational data best practices.
• Build and sustain relationships with LINK partnership schools through communications with their school counselors, faculty, registrars, and admissions directors to ensure LINK Scholars are receiving the ongoing support necessary to succeed.
• Ability to participate in school visits to partnership schools in collaboration with the VP, Programs & Evaluation and Director, Programs.
• Collaborate with the Director, Programs to create and provide Scholars with resources for college, scholarships, financial aid, and college immersion opportunities for LINK College Counseling Program.
• Assist with the development and execution of the LINK Unlimited Scholars program components including college/career awareness, leadership, civic engagement, Saturday Academy programming for all Scholars, Summer Learning, and other events for Scholars and Mentors.
• Attend cohort orientations and all programmatic events.
• Other duties as assigned.

Scholar Recruitment

Along with shared responsibility with the Programs Team, the Coordinator, Programs will: 

• Support LINK’s organizational presence across Chicagoland communities through participation in school and/or community fairs, events/meetings, and other recruitment related activities as needed.
  • Plan and attend recruitment events and adhere to the recruitment timeline.
  • Build and/or maintain partnerships with middle schools and community organizations to support organizational awareness and recruitment efforts.
• Coordinate recruitment and application related communications to prospective students and parents/guardians.
• Assist in the closing process for open applications.
• Respond to email and phone inquiries about the organization and application process.
• Provide support for the student application review process, which might include:
  • Scheduling, interviewing candidates and advising on which candidates might be appropriate for LINK;
  • Supporting applicants through the application process by maintaining communication throughout the entirety of the recruitment process.

Data Management

• Collect and analyze program-related data to inform programmatic strategies and goal progress.
• Collect necessary data to report on scholar engagement, program satisfaction, and academic performance to evaluate Scholar experience and performance in the program.
• Ensure Scholar data is collected and regularly input into Salesforce and other data collection platforms.
• Ensure communications with Scholars, parents, and external contact, including partner schools are entered into Salesforce.
• Report on Jr. LINK Scholar engagement and academic performance to evaluate Scholar performance in the fellowship.

Compensation

Salary range $48k-$53k; to be determined based on experience and skills. Full-time employees are eligible for health, dental, and vision insurance, Retirement, PTO days, 11 Holidays, and a holiday shut down from Christmas Eve through New-Year’s day.  Must also have flexibility to on occasion work Saturdays (on average 1-2 times/month) and evenings to support programming and other organizational events.  

To Apply

Submit a cover letter, resume, and salary requirements.  Cover letters without salary requirements will not be considered.

LINK Unlimited Scholars is an equal opportunity employer. LINK Unlimited Scholars is seeking a commitment of at least two years.

 Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree required.
• 1-2 years of relevant work experience in College Access or Success, Social Work, or other related Educational or Social Service areas.
• Must be able to prioritize and independently manage projects from implementation through completion; able to multi-task and meet deadlines in a complex environment.
• Knowledgeable in child development and adolescent mental health preferred.
• Strong organizational skills and attention to detail.
• Ability to interface effectively with scholars, partners, donors, faculty, and Mentors.
• Ability to work independently as well as collaboratively on a team.
• Must have flexibility to work on occasion a slightly later or varied schedule to support programming activities and special events. Requires some evening/weekend work.

Skills and Competencies

• Experience working with Black youth (8th-12th grade) & their families highly desired with a deep understanding of the systemic and structural forces impeding Black students.
• Catholic, Urban Public School, and/or Charter School experience is a plus.
• A high degree of initiative, confidence and energy to achieve and exceed goals 
• Strong organizational skills and attention to detail.

Interpersonal and Problem-Solving Skills

• Excellent verbal and written communication skills: Ability to speak in public, engage, and build relationships with diverse stakeholders (Scholars, Parents, Mentors, Volunteers, etc.).
  • Strong presentation skills, both in-person & virtual.
  • Experience with curricula facilitation is highly desirable.
• Problem Solving and Critical Thinking: Ability to break down tasks into manageable sections to make informed decisions to tackle a larger problem.
• Ability to remain flexible and adapt to changing needs and priorities.
• Ability to perceive and resolve a gap between a present situation and a desired goal.

Technical Skills

• Demonstrated experience working with electronic databases.
  • Salesforce experience preferred.
  • Mass email platforms such as MailChimp is preferred
• Advanced skills with Microsoft Office Suite, Google Workspace, or similar software with the ability to learn new or updated software.

Mission-Driven Commitment

• A passion for advancing LINK’s mission and impact through strategic partnerships, stakeholder engagement, and programmatic excellence.
• LINK Unlimited Scholars is seeking a commitment of at least two years.

Characteristics

• Exemplifies the LINK Unlimited Scholars’ mission, vision, and values and acts in accordance with all policies and procedures of the organization. 
• Cheerful and welcoming demeanor.
• Strong work ethic.
• A self-starter, creative, and forward thinker.
• Must have the utmost integrity and an ability to process, protect and exercise discretion in handling confidential information and materials.
• Exercises good judgment with an ability to manage situations with tact and discretion.