College Success Program Lead

Position: College Success Program Lead

Category: Full-time

Location: Hybrid work environment. Day-to-day will be remote, but must reside within/near the San Francisco Bay Area in California as the position will include occasional travel for meetings, conferences or other program-related events.

Students Rising Above (SRA)

Students Rising Above (SRA) is a 501(c)3 nonprofit founded over 25 years ago to serve all nine counties of the San Francisco Bay Area, now supporting students across the country. Students Rising Above (SRA) believes in the transformative power of education and every day we work to empower underrepresented students to achieve their life goals by connecting them to the tools, resources, and supportive community they need to excel and thrive on their college-to-career journey.

Comprised of a tightly organized team of trained experts, corporate partners, an engaged student community, and the commitment of both individual donors and foundations, SRA has created an all-encompassing program that offers students support, including but not limited to:

• Social-emotional support
• Academic advising
• Healthcare navigation
• Career guidance
• Professional development

By providing comprehensive guidance and support whenever and wherever it’s needed, SRA accomplishes its mission through a series of proven initiatives that have a direct and profound impact, affecting lives for generations. For more information, visit www.studentsrisingabove.org.

Overview

The College Success Program Lead reports to the Senior Manager of College Success and works closely with them to develop, deliver, refine, and evaluate SRA’s SOAR Program. This role focuses on designing innovative curriculum, supporting team members in program delivery, and driving strategic improvements to enhance program quality and effectiveness. The College Success Program Lead collaborates with the Senior Manager of College Success to ensure alignment with organizational goals and to leverage insights for continuous improvement and program innovation.

A successful candidate will be a proactive leader with a passion for creating impactful learning experiences, fostering collaboration, and guiding teams toward excellence. As part of a growing organization, this individual must be adaptable, forward-thinking, and excited to take on evolving responsibilities as SRA continues to expand its reach.

Key Responsibilities

Curriculum and Program Development

• Design and refine engaging, high-quality curriculum and program materials tailored to the needs of SOAR participants, including workshops, presentations, and student-facing resources
• Research and incorporate best practices in education, career advising, and skills development into program content
• Develop scalable processes and tools that enhance program consistency and efficiency
• Collaborate with team members to test, implement, and iterate on new programmatic ideas and innovations

Program Evaluation and Strategic Planning

• Lead the development and implementation of tools (e.g., surveys, focus groups) to assess program effectiveness and participant experience
• Analyze data and feedback to identify areas for growth and innovation
• Synthesize insights into actionable recommendations to inform program strategy and decision-making
• Communicate program achievements and updates to internal and external stakeholders through presentations, newsletters, and other media

Team Support and Leadership

• Provide tangential coaching and mentorship to SOAR College & Career Advisors, ensuring consistent and high-quality service delivery
• Facilitate regular team meetings to share updates, address challenges, and align on program goals
• Serve as a thought partner to team members, offering guidance on curriculum implementation and problem-solving
• Support onboarding and training for new team members, emphasizing confidence and competence in program delivery

Cross-Department Collaboration

• Work closely with other departments to align SOAR programming with broader organizational goals
• Coordinate volunteer and staff involvement in program activities, such as mock interviews and workshops
• Actively participate in and assist with workshops, events, and activities to support the broader Programs Team and organization
• Collaborate with staff across departments to ensure successful planning and execution of student-focused and organizational initiatives
• Represent the SOAR Program at events to build awareness and engagement among students, staff, and external stakeholders

Required Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree, preferably in social work, psychology, sociology, education, or a related field
• 3-4 years of relevant experience in program development, curriculum design, and/or education
• Experience facilitating workshops, creating instructional materials, and evaluating program outcomes
• Demonstrated ability to mentor and support team members in achieving program goals
• Strong writing, communication, and presentation skills, with a focus on clarity and impact

Skills and Competencies

• Proven ability to develop and execute creative, impactful programming that meets diverse student needs
• Exceptional organizational skills and the ability to manage multiple projects simultaneously
• Strong data analysis skills with experience using feedback and metrics to inform strategic decisions
• Commitment to personal and professional growth in equity, inclusion, and social justice practices
• Technological proficiency, including experience with curriculum development tools, presentation software, and Salesforce (or similar CRM systems)
• Self-directed, motivated, and flexible, with the ability to work independently and collaboratively
• Ability to work flexible hours, including evenings and weekends as needed, with reliable transportation for in-person events in the SF Bay Area
• Commitment to a personal and professional exploration of power and privilege, including a willingness to self-reflect and experience discomfort in difficult and transformative conversations; previous progress along this journey required

Preferred Attributes

• Passion for advancing educational equity and career readiness for underrepresented students
• Innovative mindset with a focus on continuous improvement and problem-solving
• Experience working with diverse populations and fostering inclusive learning environments

Compensation

SRA offers a competitive salary and benefits package rooted in market research and commensurate with experience and skills. For this position the salary is $69,000.

SRA is an Equal Opportunity Employer. SRA has a strong commitment to the principles of diversity, equity, inclusion and belonging. We strive to create and maintain a professional environment that supports these practices. SRA welcomes and encourages applications from minorities, people of color, veterans, persons with disabilities, people of any religion, people of any sex, sexual orientation, gender identity and/or expression and members of the LGBTQI+ community. All applicants are considered for all positions without regard to pregnancy, age, physical/mental disability, medical condition, military/veteran status, genetic information, marital status, citizenship or immigration status, or any other protected classification, in accordance with applicable federal, state, and local laws