Overview

At Summer Search, we are reimagining post-secondary programming to support Summer Searchers in reaching success as they define it. Summer Search Bay Area is seeking a Post-Secondary Program Manager to support in implementing, refining, and evaluating innovative new programming impacting how we work with Post-Secondary program participants in the Bay area and across the network. The manager will lead a team of Program Coordinators, collectively serving nearly 250 Summer Search Bay Area participants as they prepare for and embark on their next chapter after high school and into life as young adults.

 

The best work doesn’t happen in isolation. This hire will join a team of dedicated and knowledgeable youth development professionals with a passion for equity, growth, and wellbeing.

 

WHAT YOU’LL DO

People Management: Influence, inspire, and support a team of four-five direct service staff, responsible for advising high school seniors and recent high school graduates.

  • Set each member of your team up to do their best work, develop professionally, and navigate challenges through regular 1:1s, goal setting and performance reviews, and day-to-day support.
  • Coach team members through providing feedback and guidance in all buckets of work including individualized advising, group workshops, and events.
  • Provide opportunity for professional growth and learning on the team through:
  • Creating and/or delivering foundational and supplemental Summer Search trainings in partnership with program staff across the network
  • identifying and pursuing other local training opportunities
  • Foster a team environment that values feedback, accountability, flexibility, and collaboration where staff can show up as their authentic selves and thrive.

 

Program Management: In partnership with local and national program staff, play a key role in delivery, refinement, and evaluation of innovative new programming on the site level and org-wide.

  • Drive local program delivery through supporting with calendaring, preparing for and the delivery of participant-facing programming (ie: post-secondary advising sessions, workshops, events), leading team meetings, trainings and project areas, and developing systems and resources that help your team to provide the best possible support to participants on their caseload.
  • Lead your team in meeting national and local goals through setting seasonal benchmarks, continuously tracking team progress, and partnering with your team and the Director of Post-Secondary on strategies that support high outcomes for participants.
  • Help to bridge high school and post-secondary programming by working closely with the high school program team to integrate post-secondary access into broader high school programming.
  • Play an active role in the ongoing development and refinement of Post-Secondary programming org-wide through collaboration with local, regional and National staff.
  • Oversee timely and accurate data collection in Salesforce: In partnership with local and national team members, use data to assess team progress and drive organizational learning.
  • Support the Director of Post-Secondary in strategic planning, caseload planning, budgeting, and hiring (as needed) for the Post-Secondary transition program.
  • Build upon your expertise by participating in trainings in the fields of college access/success, alternative pathways, and workforce development.

 

WHO YOU ARE

The Post-Secondary Program Manager position calls for a motivated leader who can translate organization-wide strategies into local program delivery and who is passionate about people management. Specifically, this hire will bring:

  • At least 3 years of professional experience, and a minimum of 1 year of people management experience, at a youth development, college access/success, or educational organization that serves low-income communities. High level of familiarity with the college application and matriculation process. California-specific knowledge is preferred. Knowledge of alternative pathways outside of 2- and 4-year colleges and/or experience working in post-secondary success is a plus. 
  • PEOPLE MANAGMENT: Experience in coaching and guiding team members to achieve short, mid and long-term outcomes. Ability to prioritize, delegate, and hold space for staff. Experience managing or coaching caseload-bearing staff is a plus.
  • PROJECT MANAGEMENT: Attention to detail and strong project management skills; organized and systematic in managing multiple projects and priorities in a fast-paced environment.
  • CRITICAL CONCIOUSNESS: Cultural sensitivity and humility in working with diverse and low-income populations, with an understanding of systemic and institutionalized racism facing communities of color. Professional and/or personal experience of helping teams or groups engage around Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion (EDI.)
  • FLEXIBILITY AND ADAPTABILITY: Skill and experience in leading through change and ambiguity, demonstrating flexibility and resourcefulness; can decide and act without having the total picture; can comfortably handle risk and uncertainty
  • DATA MANAGEMENT AND TECHNOLOGY SKILLS: Experience in managing data, with a honed ability to analyze and use data to understand challenges and inform solutions. Proficiency in using databases and Excel for data entry and management; experience using Salesforce is a plus. 
  • LANGUAGE SKILLS: Bilingual English-Spanish and/or Cantonese is a plus.

In addition, all Summer Search staff bring a commitment to our mission of unleashing students’ potential through mentoring and transformative experiences, as well as the ability to thrive in an environment that values excellence, gratitude, well-being, diversity, authenticity, and collaboration.  

 

WORK HOURS, LOCATION AND OTHER REQUIREMENTS

Work hours are generally Mon-Fri 10am-6pm with occasional weekend and evening special events. Work location is flexible between our 3 Bay Area office sites: Oakland, Richmond, and Santa Rosa. Regular travel to the other office sites will be expected as well. 

Summer Search requires all its staff be vaccinated against COVID-19. Employees who are unable to be vaccinated due to a medical reason or sincerely held religious objection may be able to qualify for an exemption, consistent with state and federal law.

 

Apply for job