Program Manager, College Advising

Title: Program Manager, College Advising

Department: SEO College Scholars

Report to: Assistant Director, College Advising

Compensation: $66,300 - $73,000

FLSA: Exempt

Employee Type: Full-Time, Regular

Location: New York, NY

Work Arrangement: Hybrid - 3 days/week in the SEO office at 55 Exchange Place, New York, NY 10005

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

The Program Manager, College Advising manages all elements of the college admissions process for a cohort of ~50-60 12th grade students to ensure 100% admission into a four-year college. This includes college list development, application essay reviews, standardized prep support, financial aid support, as well as preparation for the college transition. In coordination with 11th grade, 12th grade, and College Scholars staff, and students’ families, the Program Manager leads and implements SEO Scholars 12th grade programming on Saturdays, after school, and during the summer. They are an integral member of the team and closely collaborate with 12th Grade SEO writing coaches.

Key Responsibilities:

• Student Cohort Management (75%)
  
  
  
  • Provide data-driven college application advising to all Scholars in their cohort, including benchmarks for outreach, individual meetings, and application material completion.
  
  
  • Stay up to date on current college admissions and financial aid processes and trends to coach students through the college application, admissions, and financial aid processes.
  
  
  • Create and foster an environment for the 12th-grade Scholars that encourage intellectual curiosity, and an inclusive, close-knit, and supportive community.
  
  
  • Partner with Program Managers to ensure consistency and rigor across all cohort experiences.
  
  
  • Author personalized letters of recommendation for students in cohort where needed.
  
  
  • Advise and partner with families and school partners of cohort participants, communicating clearly and openly about the college admissions process and pathways for each student.
  
  
  • Provide resources and support for standardized test preparation (SAT, ACT).
  
  
  • Set and maintain high expectations for Scholars, encouraging positive student outcomes and ensuring all adhere to program policies and behavioral standards.
  
  
  • Track and maintain data from all student meetings on Salesforce to ensure 100% college and financial aid application completion.
  
  
  • Analyze and report cohort outcomes and impact in support of capturing SEO’s success through meaningful data.
  
  
  • Show willingness to learn new technological skills and/or systems to manage and assess current practices.
  
  
  • Engage in professional development opportunities, such as being present at webinars and trainings, visiting colleges and universities throughout the academic year, and attending national and regional college admissions counseling conferences.
  
  
  
  

• Program Development and Implementation (25%)
  
  
  
  • Create and update college advising workshops and seminar curriculum as necessary to ensure our curriculum stays student centered and current to the college admissions landscape.
  
  
  • Facilitate college admissions seminars on Saturdays and weekday workshops once per week as well as other relevant workshops designed to increase student success in the college application process and in the high school to college transition.
  
  
  
  

Work Sites & Schedule:

• This position will be a Tuesday-Saturday position for most of September-February with approximately one week a month where the role works a Monday-Friday schedule. For March-September, the position resumes to a regular Monday-Friday schedule most weeks.


• This position requires 3 days in person at the SEO sites (55 Exchange Place or our partner sites on Saturdays) and 2 days remotely from home. In-person attendance is required for all Saturday programming dates. Two weeks of in-person attendance will be required during our College Application Bootcamp programming in August.


• The Saturday dates for Fall 2026 and Spring 2027 semesters are as follows:
  
  
  
  • September: 12, 19, 26 (at Long Island University).
  
  
  • October: 10, 17 (both at Long Island University), 24, 31 (at SEO Office).
  
  
  • November: 11, 21 (at Long Island University).
  
  
  • December: 5, 12 (at SEO office).
  
  
  • January: 9, 23, 30 (at Baruch College)
  
  
  • February: 6, 20 (at Baruch College)
  
  
  
  


• The Saturday dates for March 2027-May 2027 are TBD, but team members should plan on attending Saturday programming around once a month in March, April, and May.


• This is an event-heavy position focused on Saturday programming and frequent events late at night (such as caregiver meetings, celebrations, and graduations).

QUALIFICATIONS

• Bachelor's degree required.


• At least two years of experience teaching, coaching, or advising high school students one on one on college-bound pathways.


• Experience in a fast-paced, entrepreneurial environment.

COMPETENCIES & SKILLS

• Knowledge of NYS high school graduation requirements.


• Knowledge of the college process; federal, NY State, and institutional financial aid applications; EA/ED; and NY city and state opportunity programs.


• A demonstrated commitment and passion for closing the opportunity gap for all students.


• Adept at building authentic relationships with students quickly.


• 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.


• Highly adaptable and solution-oriented with the ability to solve complex problems.


• Data-driven and results-oriented with an unquestionable commitment to high-quality work.


• Knowledge of Excel and experience working with Salesforce (database) and Brightspace (LMS) are a plus.


• Ability to manage complex projects with multiple deadlines.


• Highly organized with exceptional attention to detail.


• Bilingual Spanish/English is highly desirable.

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/.