At KIPP Chicago, we are guided by a simple, yet powerful mission: Together with families and communities, we create joyful, academically excellent schools that prepare students with the skills and confidence to pursue the paths they choose—college, career, and beyond—so they can lead fulfilling lives and build a more just world. Our campuses are located in the Austin, Englewood, North Lawndale, and West Humboldt Park neighborhoods. KIPP Chicago also advises over 2000 KIPP alumni currently in high school or college through our KIPP Forward program.  KIPP Chicago is the highest-performing network of schools in Chicago, as measured by our city’s school quality index.  We attract, develop, and retain a diverse and talented staff of educators. Our students and families choose our schools because our teachers are exceptional educators who work together as a collective to ensure students achieve and thrive.  For more data and information about our successes and vision for the future, visit www.kippchicago.org.

The KIPP Forward Team supports KIPP Chicago alumni in developing the tools and knowledge needed in each phase of their high school and post-secondary education. The KIPP Forward program seeks to support all students in becoming successful adults in their academic, professional and personal lives. 

The Director of Postsecondary Success for KIPP Forward will be responsible for ensuring that our postsecondary advising model provides exposure, guidance and support for students and their families as they identify and plan for the best post secondary pathway. The Director of Postsecondary Success will perform additional duties and do whatever it takes for ALL students to be successful on their postsecondary journeys. The Director of Postsecondary Success will join a growing KIPP Forward team of High School Transition & Alumni Advisors. 

The role of the Director of Postsecondary Success includes, but is not limited to the following responsibilities:

• Lead, manage and develop KIPP Forward Alumni Advisors with consistent management, professional development, support and feedback
• Ensure we meet goals as part of the KIPP Foundation’s Program for College Completion and College Partnership Initiative
• Support and train KIPP Forward Alumni Advisors in the areas of college admissions, scholarships, financial aid, and  standardized testing
• Plan and execute pre-college and transition programs 
• Oversees KIPP Forward Match communication, events, and services focused on college readiness, college access, college persistence, college completion, and career readiness
• Ensure maintenance of accurate data in the Alumni Database 
• Establish and cultivate relationships with college/university admissions offices, scholarship programs, corporate partners, nonprofit groups and various outreach programs
• Promote and oversee scholarship applications for alumni who are applying to college
• Manage student selection and applications for KIPP Foundation Scholarships and other competitive scholarship programs
• As appropriate and necessary, assists in mentoring alumni or providing high school, college, and financial aid counseling

The qualifications for the Director of Postsecondary Success include: 

• Bachelor’s degree or higher (required) 
• Demonstrated success working with communities historically underrepresented in higher education and commitment to KIPP Chicago’s mission (required)
• At least 3-5 years experience in college access work including student advising, academic advising, college counseling, college access, college admissions, school counseling, college advising, college persistence and/or three years experience teaching (required) 
• Experience managing others OR proven track record of successfully managing projects (required)
• Strong organizational skills, meticulous attention to detail, and ability to manage competing priorities (required)
• Willingness, and commitment, to go above and beyond to prove the possible with students
• Ability to multi-task and work within an ambiguous, fast-moving environment, while driving toward clarity and solutions
• Excellent oral and written communication skills and evidence of strong follow-through, initiative taking, and interpersonal skills 
• Exceptional strategic, analytical, and critical thinking skills
• Adept at data analysis and strong content knowledge; ability to extract meaningful insights and actions from data
• Evidence meeting/exceeding goals and ability to work under pressure 
• Demonstrated ability to collaborate and build relationships with diverse stakeholders
• Proficiency in Microsoft Office Suite (Word, Excel, PowerPoint), Google Drive Suite (Docs, Sheets, Slides), Salesforce, and able to quickly learn how to use new programs/systems
• Cultural Competence-demonstrated ability to create inclusive environments that honor and support a diversity of backgrounds and perspectives
• Flexibility to work some nights and weekends for program activities and ability to travel around the Chicago-land area to meet with stakeholders, program partners, and postsecondary institutions 

COMPENSATION

KIPP Chicago Public Schools offers a competitive compensation and benefits package:

• Salaries based on experience related to role and responsibilities

• Competitive rates for medical insurance and short-term disability insurance.  Dental insurance, vision insurance, life insurance, and long-term disability insurance are offered at no cost.

• Competitive retirement savings benefits 

STATEMENT OF NON-DISCRIMINATION

KIPP Chicago Public Schools is committed to a policy of equal treatment for all individuals applying for employment. KIPP Chicago does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, gender, sexual orientation, national or ethnic background. All your information will be kept confidential according to EEO guidelines.