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Originally founded in 1991 as Harlem RBI, DREAM has grown to annually serve more than 2,500 youth across East Harlem and the South Bronx through a network of seven PreK-12, extended-day, extended-year DREAM Charter Schools and community sports-based youth development programs. Through our commitment to rigorous academics, social-emotional learning, deep family and community engagement, and health and wellness, we create lifelong learners who are equipped to fulfill their vision of success in and out of the classroom. We dream big, as well, with an aggressive five-year plan to expand to serve 3,500 students across seven schools—growing our organization’s impact and leveling the playing field for all children. To learn more, visit wearedream.org.
Reporting to the Managing Director of College and Career, the Director of College and Career Success will be responsible for leading DREAM’s postsecondary success strategy, ensuring alumni (called Legends) are equipped to succeed in college, career, and life. This leader will drive a comprehensive vision for college and career success, embedding equitable and student-centered approaches across alumni programming and support.
The Director of College and Career Success will lead a high-performing team to design and execute initiatives that support students in achieving long-term success, including college and Pro Pathway persistence and completion and career exposure and access. This role requires a deep understanding of the postsecondary landscape and strong team leadership skills.
Strong candidates will demonstrate a commitment to the mission, culture, and values of DREAM, bringing substantial expertise in college and career success and a track record of leading high-impact teams and initiatives.
Responsibilities
- College & Career Success
- Track, manage, and analyze key program and alumni data systems to track college success and post-secondary success rates aligned with organizational strategic objectives;
- Build and manage relationships with colleges and career programs, and corporate, nonprofit, and government employers to maximize postsecondary opportunities, career readiness supports, and direct-to-hire pathways that drive alumni success;
- Ensure students & alumni have access to high-quality career exposure, internships, mentorship, and workforce training opportunities;
- Manage the quality of DREAM’s Legends programming to ensure the program is delivered in a consistent high-quality manner and obtains high impact results for participants.
- Team Leadership & Cross-Collaboration
- Directly supervise the Legends (College and Career) team (at current state: directly manage three College Counselors, one Career Development Manager, and one Associate Director of Alumni Support and skip-level manage two College Success Counselors, with the potential for future team reorganization and/or expansion);
- Collaborate with DREAM Charter High School College Access team to ensure program alignment and the seamless and effective transition for all students into the Legends Success program;
- Partner with school leaders to analyze alumni trends and outcomes, using data-driven insights to inform and enhance the K–12 model;
- Hire, train, manage, and support the efforts of all Legends Success Program staff aligned with DREAM’s management and development expectations;
- Collaborate with the Advancement and Grants team to share compelling program highlights that align with donor interests and grant priorities, supporting fundraising and engagement efforts.
- Program Innovation & Design
- Lead the strategic planning for DREAM’s Legends Success program to ensure the program successfully scales in growth and achieves key program metrics connected to college completion and post-secondary success;
- Lead program design innovations connected to case management, career readiness, and professional pathway support in order to achieve alumni success outcomes;
- Develop and lead the strategy, design, and execution of DREAM’s Alumni Engagement expansion to deepen connections and support long-term success for graduates.
Qualifications
- Bachelor’s degree required, master’s degree, preferred;
- At least five years of professional experience in alumni support or college counseling, required;
- At least three years of people leadership experience, including experience leading, managing, coaching, and developing others with a strong track record of success, required;
- Demonstrated competency in managing strategic program design;
- Ability to gather and analyze data;
- Ability to use data to inform practice, with a clear understanding of the metrics that lead to college success;
- Exhibits strong collaboration and communication skills;
- A team player, with a strong work ethic and consistent follow-through;
- Exceptionally effective at building meaningful relationships with students;
- A strong belief in the mission and values of DREAM, including the desire to make a difference in the lives of our students, families, and community.
Working Expectations
- The Director of College and Career Success is part of the Legends Team which currently works four days a week in the office, and one day (Friday) remote.
Benefits and Paid Time Off
- We offer comprehensive benefits including:
- Flexible Medical Health Plans, subsidizing the majority of costs for the employee, their spouse/domestic partner and children;
- The ability to select between a variety of medical plans according to what best suits the employee’s needs;
- Dental and vision plans;
- Disability benefits;
- Life insurance;
- Up to 12 weeks fully paid of Parental Leave;
- Flexible spending account options;
- Pre-tax commuter benefits (parking and transit);
- Fitness and entertainment discounts;
- A variety of support through our employee assistance program (EAP);
- A 403(b) retirement plan with employer matching up to 4% after one year of employment;
- Access to a professional development fund;
- Referral bonuses;
- All full-time Network Leadership employees are eligible for approximately 48 days off throughout the year including holidays, sick days, personal days and summer Fridays;
- Benefits are subject to change.
Compensation
- DREAM offers a competitive salary commensurate with relevant experience with the potential for an annual performance-based increase. The incoming salary range for this position is $125,000 to $140,000 per year. New hires are typically brought into the organization at a salary closer to the start of the range depending on qualifications, internal equity, and the budgeted amount for the role. All staff are eligible for annual performance-based increases. Because we value staff tenure in each role, we do not currently cap salary ranges.
At DREAM, diversity, equity, and inclusion are a matter of mission.
From our schools to our playing fields, DREAM is committed to building a team where each individual can bring their full identity and experience to work because representation matters—it enriches our team culture, enhances our ability to innovate, and strengthens our impact in and out of the classroom. DREAM engages staff that represent and appreciate the diversity of our majority Black and Hispanic student body, while working to ensure that our practices are equitable, welcoming, and productive. We are dedicated to creating a world where youth, especially youth of color, have permission to dream—along with the tools and opportunities to make their dreams reality.
All Kids Can. This Kid Can.
DREAM is Family.
Fun is a Serious Value.
Teamwork Makes the DREAM Work.
Fail. Persist. Exceed.
DREAM Big.
Applying to DREAM
We know applying for a new job can be a daunting process. In addition, studies have shown that historically underrepresented individuals often only apply to roles if they meet 100% of the qualifications. We encourage all applications! You may be just the person we need. If you have any questions about your application or interview process, do not hesitate to ask your recruiter; we are here to help!
DREAM provides reasonable accommodations for qualified individuals with disabilities in accordance with the Americans with Disabilities Act and applicable state and local laws. If accommodation is needed to participate in the job application or interview process, please contact your recruiter.
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