Director of Student Pathways & Opportunities

• Develop implement and continuously improve a network-wide High School Readiness strategy centered on preparedness access and opportunity knowledge.
• Collaborate with the Managing Director of Schools the Chief Academic Officer and the Superintendent to align the program with network academic and mission priorities.
• Identify key benchmarks and indicators of readiness in academics character and leadership and ensure consistent monitoring and data use across schools.
• Lead data-informed initiatives that increase access to selective high schools and scholarship programs for all students with attention to equity and opportunity gaps.

• Develop and oversee an annual program integrated into the life of the Partnership Schools students in grades 5 through 8 that increases student access to best-fit high schools that are academically rigorous college preparatory schools where students will flourish.
• Collaborate with school leaders and faculty to integrate goal-setting career exploration and leadership and character development into the student experience.
• Oversee network-wide efforts to expand sports and extracurricular opportunities that develop teamwork discipline and confidence.
• Manage budgets and stipends for coaches and athletic directors across schools and provide coaching training for all coaches and athletic directors receiving stipends. Train all stipended coaches and athletic directors to support efforts to foster leadership and social-emotional learning among student-athletes and participants.
• Organize and host all-star and showcase events that connect Partnership Schools students with high school and community partners. Serve as lead liaison with high school partners oversee logistics and supervise the events.
• Identify opportunities evaluate programs and develop relationships with local and regional academic enrichment programs including summer and after-school partnerships with schools and organizations including local college preparatory high schools and enrichment providers like Open Doors Academy Urban Squash and Beat The Streets Wrestling.
• Coordinate summer programming opportunities; serve as liaison to external partner leadership; and coordinate with facilities manager and school leaders.
• Gather and present assessment data of academic enrichment opportunities to both demonstrate efficacy and inform future programming.
• Develop additional enrichment pathwaysacademic cultural and experientialthat strengthen readiness and confidence among 5th8th grade students.
• Develop and maintain systems for tracking Partnership Schools graduates through high school and beyond monitoring progress toward graduation and college enrollment.

• Develop a process for guiding Partnership School students and families through every step of the high school admissions process from exploration and application to enrollment and financial aid for Catholic charter district and independent schools.
• Develop content for and lead high school application readiness sessions including parent workshops that expand family understanding of high school options and financial aid opportunities.
• Develop and conduct family workshops and information sessions providing all families and students opportunities to receive individualized and group support with applications essays test preparation recommendations interviews and financial aid and scholarship applications including FACTS EdChoice Cleveland and private scholarship applications..
• Ensure clear and frequent communication related to application timelines requirements and deadlines in the admissions process.
• Build and manage systems for tracking student applications placements scholarships and alumni progress through high school.
• Provide professional development for middle school teachers on supporting high school readiness and recommendation writing.
• Ensure strong communications among Partnership Schools and local high school admissions and financial aid offices to coordinate shadow-day opportunities to disseminate application financial aid and enrollment information to facilitate participation in pre-high school programming and to host high school visitors to Partnership Schools campuses.

• Supervise mentor and evaluate the High School Readiness Counselor(s) fostering professional growth and ensuring high-quality student support.
• Collaborate with the Managing Director of Schools the Superintendent the Chief Academic Officer and Principals to ensure alignment between the goals of the High School Readiness Initiative and overall academic school and network priorities.
• Cultivate and maintain partnerships with high schools scholarship-granting organizations and community programs that expand access and affordability for Partnership Schools students. Raise the profile of the Partnership Schools among area high school and community leaders.
• Establish clear metrics for measuring access affordability and readiness outcomes. Analyze and report data on high school access affordability and outcomes to inform continuous improvement to contribute to reports and proposals for donors and foundations supporting the initiative and to contribute to writing periodic board memos (3x annually) which include outcome analyses on student placement scholarships and alumni success for leadership and board review.
• Serve as a visible member of the networks Cleveland leadership team contributing to a culture of high expectations growth in faith and academic excellence.

• An unwavering belief that each child is made in the image and likeness of God for greatness.
• Bachelors degree required; Masters in education counseling or related field preferred.
• Minimum 5 years of experience in K12 education particularly in college/career readiness high school counseling admissions student success programs or school leadership (preferably in Catholic and/or urban education).
• Demonstrated commitment to increasing educational access and affordability for students from low-income communities.
• Demonstrated understanding of high schools admissions and scholarship processes including selective school pathways.
• Proven ability to build partnerships lead staff and create programs that support student transitions and advancement.
• Strong communication organization and relationship-building skills with the ability to manage multiple projects and deadlines.

Required Experience:

Director