Director, Scholar Support

We link high-potential Black students in Chicago to the path to, through, and beyond college. For Black students to become tomorrow’s leaders they must have access to educational resources and tools today.

LINK’s goal is to mitigate the effect of systemic and structural forces impeding Black students by improving and increasing educational opportunities and access. By equipping our Scholars with the knowledge, skills, resources, and social equity that further college completion and career placement, LINK is increasing the economic mobility and stability of Black students and cultivating a diverse leadership pipeline for our city.

Since 1966, we have successfully supported over 2,500 low- to moderate-income students. In the 2024-2025 academic year, we will serve 300+ Scholars (Jr. LINK, High School Fellowship, & Collegiate Scholars). Our Scholars represent more than 60 Chicagoland neighborhoods, with a focus on supporting ten South and West Side communities: Auburn Gresham, Austin, Bronzeville, Englewood, Garfield Park, Greater Grand Crossing, North Lawndale, Roseland, South Shore, and Washington Park.

Looking to make a difference by linking students to opportunities so they can take a new path—one that leads to their full potential and our city’s vibrant future? Then join our team!

Position Summary

As an integral part of the Program Team, the Director, Scholar Support leads the holistic, adaptable, and comprehensive support programming for our Scholars to ensure they advance to, through, and beyond college. The Director, Scholar Support will work closely with the Educational Programs & Mentoring Teams to provide Scholars with high quality and satisfactory programming and experiences to cultivate social emotional wellbeing and increase leadership skills, college readiness, access, and persistence.

Reports To: The VP, Programs & Evaluation

Direct Reports: Sr. Scholar Support Associate and two Scholar Support Associates

Jr. LINK & High School Fellowship

Program Strategy, Design, Delivery & Evaluation

• Ensure high-quality support services are delivered to all Scholars from acceptance throughout the high school fellowship.
• Design and implement coaching, management, and evaluation processes to successfully lead the Scholar Support team and their day-to-day professional development.
• In alignment with organizational annual goals, establish annual team goals and strategies to achieve them.
  • Design and evaluate systems of accountability and progress monitoring/tracking for the Scholar Support Team.
• Ensure Scholar engagement to meet annual retention and program completion goals.
• Lead the design and facilitation of Scholar annual retreats.
• Serve as the liaison to our High School partners to gain knowledge of school supportive services to ensure Scholars have access to such resources.
• Collaborate with the Director, Educational Programs to design and/or facilitate Scholar college-readiness, career exposure and leadership development programming (including, but not limited to Saturday Academy, Summer Learning, internship opportunities, etc.).
• Collaborate with the Mentor team to design and/or facilitate Mentor & Scholar programming and relationship cultivation experiences.
• Ensure the collection of data relating to Scholar college applications, letters of recommendations, acceptances, scholarship awards, matriculation, etc.

Data Analysis & Strategic Direction

• In collaboration with the VP, Programs & Evaluation and the Managing Director, Scholar Support, design feedback strategies to gather stakeholder feedback to inform Scholar programming.
• Manage the collection and organization of data to evaluate and measure program outcomes and impact (e.g. program reporting, technical assistance tracking, surveys, stakeholder feedback, etc.).
  • Identify and recommend key programmatic indicators and outcomes.
  • Track and report regularly on outcomes of engagement efforts including Scholars reached, participant attendance, support services offered/engaged, etc.
  • Utilize and interpret data for program and process evaluation and decision making so as to make recommendations for continuous improvements.
  • Maintain Scholar and partner information in Salesforce.
• Translate findings from outcomes, survey data, and stakeholder feedback into actionable insights and measurable impact.

Collegiate Scholars and Alumni Support

• Oversee current and expand Collegiate Scholar support programming, including tracking, engagement activities (e.g. monthly check-ins, sharing & disseminating resources and opportunities, encouraging attendance at alumni events, etc.), surveys, partnering with other organizations to provide Collegiate Scholar support as needed, etc.
  • Develop and implement Collegiate Scholar engagement strategies that support annual engagement, college persistence, and graduation goals.
  • Collaborate with college partners to gain knowledge of school supportive services to ensure Scholars have access to such resources and are supported through graduation.
  • Develop a database of meaningful summer learning opportunities for Senior and Collegiate Scholars.
• Develop and implement strategies to engage current Collegiate Scholars and recent LINK alum with LINK high school Scholars.
• Design and implement alumni engagement strategies that meet annual goals.
• In collaboration with the Director, Data Operations & Analytics, maintain data on college matriculation, persistence, and college graduation.

Leadership & Team Management:

• Manage the performance and professional development of the Scholar Support Team.
• Foster a positive team culture through regular feedback, recognition, and opportunities for professional growth.
• Promote a culture of continuous learning, empowering team members to take on increasing levels of responsibility and develop their skills.
• Serve as a bridge between the Scholar Support Team and other departments, ensuring consistent and collaborative efforts in support of organizational goals.
• Establish clear performance metrics/KPI’s for the Scholar Support team.
• Conduct regular assessments of progress, ensuring accountability and identifying opportunities for course corrections to optimize outcomes.
• Oversee budget development and manage financial resources responsibly, ensuring cost-effective operations that maximize the impact of the team’s initiatives.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree REQUIRED; advanced degree preferred.
• A minimum of 10 years of professional work experience, with a minimum of five (5) years of relevant Programmatic work experience in College Access or Success, Social Work, or other related Educational or Social Service areas is REQUIRED.
• Minimum of five (5) years of
  • Previous case-management/comprehensive supportive services/wrap-around support experience required.
  • Program Event management and/or workshop facilitation experience required.

Leadership & Team Management:

• A minimum of 5 years of supervisory experience, including team management, budget development, and monitoring is REQUIRED.
  • Supervisory experience that has included full or part-time direct reports.
  • Skilled in building, managing, and evaluating outcome-driven teams.

Skills and Competencies:

• Experience working with Black youth (8th-12th grade) & their families highly desired with a deep understanding of the systemic and structural forces impeding Black students.
• Catholic, Urban Public School, and/or Charter School experience is a plus.
• Experience with curriculum design is highly desirable.
• Track record of strategy implementation with measurable success.
• Strong organizational skills and attention to detail.

Interpersonal and Problem-Solving Skills:

• Excellent verbal and written communication skills. Ability to speak in public, engage, and build relationships with diverse stakeholders (Scholars, Parents, Mentors, Volunteers, etc.).
  • Strong presentation skills, both in-person & virtual.
• Problem Solving and Critical Thinking: Ability to break down tasks into manageable sections to make informed decisions to tackle a larger problem.
• Ability to remain flexible and adapt to changing needs and priorities.
• Ability to perceive and resolve a gap between a present situation and a desired goal.

Project and Data Management:

• Strong experience using data to drive and achieve programmatic outcomes, programmatic improvement, and demonstrate impact, including survey design and analysis.
• Excellent time management skills with proven ability to work at a rigorous pace, prioritize multiple assignments, communicate about challenges, plan, and most importantly, follow through to meet deadlines and objectives.
  • Experience using Project Management platforms to manage goal progress (preferably Basecamp).

Technical Skills:

• Demonstrated experience working with electronic databases.
  • Salesforce experience preferred.
• Advanced skills with Microsoft Office Suite, Google Workspace, or similar software with the ability to learn new or updated software.

Mission-Driven Commitment:

• A passion for advancing LINK’s mission and impact through strategic partnerships, stakeholder engagement, and programmatic excellence.
• LINK Unlimited Scholars is seeking a commitment of at least two years.

Characteristics

• Mission Driven: Exemplifies and COMMITTED to the LINK Unlimited Scholars’ mission, vision, and values and acts in accordance with all policies and procedures of the organization. LINK Unlimited Scholars is seeking a commitment of at least two years.
• Cheerful and welcoming demeanor.
• Strong work ethic.
• A self-starter, creative, and forward thinker.
• Must have the utmost integrity and an ability to process, protect and exercise discretion in handling confidential information and materials.
• Exercises good judgment with an ability to manage situations with tact and discretion.

Work Schedule

Full-Time, Monday through Friday, 9:00am-5:00pm, but at times requires upwards of 50 hours per week. Hybrid schedule: remotely twice a week (Mondays & Fridays) and in-office Tuesday through Thursday. Must also have flexibility to on occasion work Saturdays (on average 1-2 times/month) and evenings to support programming and other organizational events. LINK Unlimited Scholars is seeking a commitment of at least two years.

Compensation

Salary range $77,500-$87,500; to be determined based on experience and skills. Full-time employees are eligible for health, dental, and vision insurance, Retirement, PTO days, 11 Holidays, and a holiday shut down from Christmas Eve through New-Year’s day.

To Apply

Submit a cover letter, resume, and salary requirements. Cover letters without salary requirements will not be considered.

LINK Unlimited Scholars is an equal opportunity employer.