Manager Of Mentorship & Coaching

Position Summary

Reports to: Managing Director of College Success

About Chicago Scholars

Chicago Scholars is transforming the leadership landscape of our city by resolving the fundamental barriers to success for academically driven first-generation college students from under-resourced communities. Through college counseling mentoring and by providing a supportive community to our Scholars through each phase of our program: College Access College Success and Career and Leadership Development we ensure that they realize their full potential as students and leaders.

76% of Chicago Scholars graduate college within 6 years. Per the University of Chicago Consortium on Chicago School Research only 49% of their peers earn a degree within 6 years. Upon graduation our Scholars move into leadership positions across Chicago helping to drive the economic future of their communities and our thriving city.

READI Commitment

At Chicago Scholars we strive to prepare our Scholars for the world and the world for our Scholars. Our dual focus on Scholars and the world are essential to our strategy. To achieve these goals we center racial justice equity accessibility diversity and inclusion (READI) in all that we do.

Chicago Scholars commitment to READI encompasses all of our stakeholdersfrom our staff to our board from our volunteers to our partnering organizations and most importantly our Scholars. This holistic approach is necessary for the sustained long-term positive impact that we seek for our Scholars our neighborhoods our city and our world.

To learn more about Chicago Scholars commitment to READI please visit Values

These are a set of guiding principles that apply to all stakeholders within the Chicago Scholars ecosystem. We select and retain stakeholders based on these stated expectations for how we achieve our mission and vision. Each are supported with core competencies and narrative for the sake of clarity.

We Dream Big. We speak up innovate push the boundaries and keep the creativity flowing. We dont accept the status quo because the stakes are too high. We have an incredible belief that growth and change is possible. While we dream big we are laser focused on our intended goals and outcomes for our Scholars our city and the world.

We Show Up. We show up every day; not just physically but with a positive attitude and willingness to work connect challenge engage solve problems and have fun. We dont wait for someone to tell us what to do. We take action and get the job done. If we dont know how we figure it out through our knowledge exploration or our network.

We Embrace Our Differences. We represent a multicultural nation and our collective backgrounds experiences styles values perspectives and beliefs are an asset to the world. We recognize that together we achieve better outcomes more quickly. Justice and equity start with us using our collective voice.

We Model the Way. We exhibit the behavior that we want to see in others and in the world. Titles are granted but our behavior is what earns us order to model the way we must be clear about our guiding principles celebrate our accomplishments and learn from our challenges and failures.

We Care For Each Other. We adapt to the needs of the person in front of us. We pause reflect and listen. We do our best work when we are in good relationship together. We care personally and challenge directly.

We Keep Our Word. When we commit we are all in. Whether for events a Scholar a peer or ourselves. Our words are as powerful as our actions and are the building block of trust respect self-worth and integrity.

Position Summary:

The Manager of Mentorship & Coaching is responsible for leading all aspects of the Chicago Scholars mentor experience to ensure that Scholars have a trusted advocate during their Year 1 and Year 2 experience of programming. This includes but is not limited to overseeing the recruitment retention training data management and ongoing relationship cultivation of a dynamic mentor cohort of approximately 300 individuals. Additional responsibilities include collaborating with the Program Team to ensure alignment of the mentor curriculum with the college counseling and workshop curricula. The Manager of Mentorship & Coaching will also maintain timely and effective communication with mentors and collaborate with the Data Team to ensure the fidelity of data collection from mentors.

Key Responsibilities:

Mentor Recruitment (25%):

Design implement and continuously improve recruitment strategies to attract high-quality mentors from diverse backgrounds focusing on Chicago Scholars Alumni as the core mentor applicant pool

Collaborate with the Marketing & Communications Team to increase program visibility engagement and the mentor application through digital channels

Oversee the mentor application vetting and onboarding processes ensuring a seamless and positive candidate experience

Utilize technology platforms and innovative tools to streamline and enhance recruitment processes track and manage the recruitment pipeline and generate relevant analytics and reports

Relationship Management (30%):

Build relationships with the mentors addressing their questions and concerns and provide supports and resources as needed

Serve as the primary point of contact for mentors providing guidance troubleshooting issues and fostering a sense of belonging

Manage regular communication to mentors; track engagement and identify mentors needing additional support

Engage mentors in the REACH Pathways platform to build community with their Scholars and connect with other mentors for community building and support

Develop recognition and incentive programs to retain top-performing mentors and celebrate mentor milestones and achievements cultivating a positive and motivating environment

Facilitate networking events peer learning groups and community-building activities both virtually and in person

Promote deeper mentor engagement with Chicago Scholars - share opportunities with them to contribute their time talent and treasure to Chicago Scholars beyond their mentoring role

Mentor Training & Development (20%):

Design and deliver comprehensive orientation programs for new and returning mentors emphasizing CS core values program goals and best practices

Collaborate with the Program Team on mentor training to ensure the mentor curriculum aligns with all program curricula

Coordinate and facilitate ongoing training sessions workshops and webinars including both live and asynchronous offeringsto enhance mentor skills and knowledge to coach Scholars in leadership development and career readiness

Develop and/or identify engaging digital training materials and resources tailored to diverse learning styles

Implement feedback mechanisms to assess training effectiveness and adapt content accordingly

Ensure that mentor training and development reflect best practices in the field

Data Management (20%):

Work with the Data Team to ensure that the appropriate data is being collected and analyzed to enhance the mentor and Scholar experience

Develop and administer efficient systems through Salesforce for tracking mentor profiles engagement metrics training participation and mentor-Scholar matches

Ensure accurate timely and secure maintenance of all mentorship-related data in compliance with privacy and ethical guidelines

Leverage data analytics to identify trends measure program effectiveness and inform continuous improvement initiatives

Lead the implementation and optimization of digital tools and platforms that support all aspects of the mentorship program

Stay informed about emerging technologies in mentorship coaching and data analytics recommending innovations as appropriate

Generate regular reports highlighting key metrics and actionable insights

Additional Responsibilities (5%):

This role will manage an intern who will support the work of mentorship and coaching

This role is also required to:

o Attend weekly in-person all-staff meetings (Tuesdays) monthly Program Team meetings bi-annual retreats and weekly/monthly team and sub-team meetings

o Attend and support required all-staff and Program Team events

o Occasionally work on nights and weekends for mentor events interview nights and trainings

o Other duties as assigned

Requirements:

Education: Bachelors degree required; Masters degree preferred

Experience: 3-5 years of relevant experience

Must live in the Chicagoland area

Technical Knowledge:

Excellent communication presentation and writing skills

Proficiency with Microsoft Teams Salesforce and Asana project management software

Core Competencies:

Communication: Strong verbal written and interpersonal communication skills; Ability to speak in public and engage diverse stakeholders and audiences

Accountability/Project Management: Ensures delivery of high-quality work by effectively managing the workload

Adaptability: Ability to pivot in changing contexts and lead mentors effectively through change to reach intended goals

Develops & Motivates Others: Contributes to the development of others through coaching and mentoring

Continuous Improvement Minded: Uses data-informed decision-making to improve practices processes and outcomes while also keeping best practices in mind

Values & Prioritizes Inclusion: Values diverse perspectives listens and takes others views into account when making decisions

To Apply

Please click Apply to submit your application which should include a resume and cover letter no later than Augustpm CST. To be considered please include a cover letter that explains your experience with managing volunteers.

Salary Range: $53000 - $62000 annually

Best Offer First Policy: The data nationally show for every $1 paid to white men women earn 82 cents black men earn 88 cents and black women earn 76 cents. Women and black and brown people are also less likely to negotiate than their white male peers. Chicago Scholars has decided to offer our best offer first rather than wait for a potential negotiation. This allows us to set salaries based on market data and internal equity and ensure fair and equal pay for every role.

If you have questions regarding either of the above policies or any of Chicago Scholars employment policies please reach out to the Human Resources team at with the subject line: Policy Question.

To Apply

Please click Apply to submit your application which should include a resume and cover letter by 4 pm CST August 21 2025.

Please include a cover letter that explains your interest in Chicago Scholars and why your experience makes you well-suited to this role. Applicants must reside in the Chicagoland metropolitan area.