NYC Program Director

Please apply using this link: https://forms.gle/k2wSLVBZEC4BMfuD9

Location: New York City

Start Date: February 2025

Applications Due: Friday, December 20th (First round interviews will be held on a rolling basis)

Salary Range: $85,000 - $100,000, annually depending on experience and qualifications. Competitive health, dental, retirement, and life insurance benefits are included with full-time employment.

Overview

A college degree can be life-changing, opening pathways to career advancement, economic opportunity, and upward mobility. But the existing system excludes many talented, passionate students from access to higher education due to rising tuition costs and a lack of support. Enter Future Forward, a new college support program designed for students who are looking for an accelerated, affordable, and achievable degree program. Future Forward is a community-based program that provides access to degree programs AND high touch coaching, career support, and wraparound services (like access to technology and guidance through the financial aid process) to ensure students have what they need to succeed and earn their degree. Future Forward was incubated by Trio New College Network, an organization that launches similar programs across the country. As a part of the Trio Network, Future Forward benefits from a community of practice of peer programs collectively serving thousands of students across multiple states and cities.

Future Forward launched this innovative new model across the state of Connecticut in 2023 to equip working adults with the skills and credentials needed to advance their careers and access high quality jobs leading to fulfilling, economically independent lives. In 2025, we’re excited to be bringing this model to NYC. We are an innovative, scrappy team looking to turn the college experience on its head for those who need it most. If you agree that every student deserves access to a high quality college program and are excited about building something to serve people in your community, come join us!

Hear about why Future Forward works for one of our students, Aalaysia.

About the Role

As our first NYC hire, you'll be joining us to pioneer the Future Forward program in the city. You'll build our presence from the ground up, developing vital community partnerships, recruiting motivated students, and establishing our brand under the Executive Director's guidance. You will be a founding leader on the team whose responsibilities will evolve and grow alongside the organization. This is a chance to transform lives by connecting ambitious New Yorkers with affordable degree programs and the support they need to succeed.

What You’ll Do

• Lead community partnership development and brand building across NYC
• Create and nurture a pipeline of prospective students
• Manage student recruitment, from initial outreach through enrollment
• Serve as the face of Future Forward NYC at community events
• Track and optimize recruitment processes

Eligibility, Required Experience, and Skills:

• 4-6 years of recruitment and/or non-profit/community partnership experience in NYC
• Proven relationship-building and networking abilities
• Self-starter mentality with strong organizational skills
• Ability to thrive in a fast-paced, evolving environment
• Excellence in written and verbal communication
• Creative problem-solving skills
• Experience with content creation and social media a plus
• Authorization to work in the US

Responsibilities

Community Partnerships (40%):

• Responsible for promoting the local brand of the NYC location through managing important community partnerships, cultivating local champions, playing an active role in the education community, and generating positive publicity
• Grow continuously your understanding of the NYC landscape, communities, and stakeholders connected to Future Forward’s mission
• Act as leader, spokesperson, and the face of the NYC location to students and community; express a clear and compelling vision of the site’s strategic goals and objectives to all stakeholders; build and steward the brand within the community
• Attend and/or execute community-focused events to help promote the brand of and community engagement with Future Forward NYC

Student Recruitment (60%):

• Build and execute our recruitment and growth plan in NYC to attract a continuous pipeline of motivated and interested prospective students
• Manage the admissions process for prospective students, including phone calls, info sessions, in-person/virtual meetings, community events, leading workshops, etc.
• Facilitate a smooth and seamless transition to the Future Forward enrollment team
• Track student interactions in a database
• Responsible for ensuring a quality experience for each student from the moment they connect with Future Forward through to their financial aid and enrollment experience

Future Forward is a local branch of Trio New College Network, Inc. which is an equal-opportunity employer and does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion, age, sex, national origin, disability status, genetics, protected veteran status, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, or any other characteristic protected by federal, state or local laws. We value diversity and encourage candidates from historically underrepresented backgrounds to apply.