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High School Programs Manager

Employer
Breakthrough Schools
Location
Ohio, United States
Salary
$52,000.00 - $65,000.00
Date posted
Oct 5, 2021

BREAKTHROUGH PUBLIC SCHOOLS

Breakthrough Public Schools is a nationally recognized network that was rated best CMO network in Ohio by the 2017 CREDO study at Stanford University.  Breakthrough Public Schools originated as a commitment to increase educational options for Cleveland, Ohio families. In 2009, three of Cleveland’s top stand-alone public charter schools discovered the challenges of operating individually and decided that sharing administrative functions would help them operate more efficiently and serve more students. As a result, they formed Breakthrough Public Schools, a charter management organization, in 2010 with the mission to develop a growing network of distinctive school options that prepare Cleveland area students for success in life.

After a decade of managing primarily operational support functions, Breakthrough launched its Better Together initiative to eliminate its three academic silos by creating a central academic team to develop deeper expertise, adopt best practices, and drive enhanced student performance. In the 2021-22 school year, Breakthrough Public Schools will serve more than 3,600 K-8 students and is committed to setting them on an early pathway to lifelong success in school, college, and career. For more information, visit https://breakthroughschools.org/.

 

FRIENDS OF BREAKTHROUGH SCHOOLS

Friends of Breakthrough Schools is a non-profit organization that focuses on fundraising, volunteers, and advocacy, created on behalf of our scholars, our schools, and our community. Friends of Breakthrough is responsible for closing the gap in public funding needed to provide quality education to thousands of children in Cleveland each year, as well as working with community, business, and political leaders to build city-wide support for high-quality public school options for all children in Cleveland.  In addition, Friends of Breakthrough continues to support our graduates’ pursuit of success in life by leveraging our community network and resources, with the ultimate goal of a robust, equitable, diverse, and sustainable NE Ohio economy.

 

ALUMNI SUCCESS AT FRIENDS OF BREAKTHROUGH SCHOOLS

The Alumni Success initiative plays a critical role in the fulfillment of the mission of Breakthrough Public Schools. Breakthrough alumni have a long journey between 8th-grade graduation and postsecondary education and career plans. By continuing to support scholars after 8th grade, we can help reduce barriers to success in high school, postsecondary education, and career. This is accomplished by creating meaningful partnerships across the city to provide access to college and career counseling, scholarships, mentors, internships, employment, and networking opportunities. This ongoing relationship with Breakthrough alumni also helps us measure the longer-term impact of a Breakthrough education, understanding both successes and ongoing challenges that must be overcome.   

THE OPPORTUNITY

The role of High School Programs Manager is an essential and critical role for the Alumni Success Team. The High Schools Programs Manager will ensure that Breakthrough high school-age alumni who are enrolled in high schools across Greater Cleveland obtain the support and guidance they need to graduate high school with clear postsecondary plans and pathways.  The primary responsibility of this role is to build and manage partnerships with a diverse set of high schools and community organizations to advocate for (and implement where needed) the support and investment needed to help eliminate barriers to high school graduation, postsecondary education matriculation, and meaningful career pathways. This role requires excellent communication and relationship-building skills, attention to detail and deadlines, and the ability to think strategically and critically about Breakthrough’s role in supporting students in area institutions.

This is one of two newly created positions, with the opportunity to play a major role in shaping the Alumni Success program, contributing to its success, and most importantly, making a significant difference in the lives of our Cleveland youth. The ideal candidate profile is a mission-oriented individual with relevant work experience who can work with a fast-paced, collaborative team who are “building the plane while flying it.” The High School Programs Manager will report to the Interim Chief Alumni Success Officer.

 Key responsibilities of the High School Programs Manager include:

Develop and implement the High School Support Strategy

  • With support from leadership and the other High School Programs Manager, develop and implement a 9th-grade success strategy using evidence-based approaches to ensuring Breakthrough alumni have a successful transition to high school.
  • Implement and utilize a landscape scan that provides key stakeholders with information about the quality of area high schools and community organizations; including how effective each entity is in serving Breakthrough alumni (academically, socially, emotionally).
  • Identify the gaps Breakthrough alumni are experiencing in postsecondary planning; develop and implement a plan to address which may include connections to existing resources and the development of new programs.
  • Develop and implement scalable programming to help students transition to postsecondary education and career (e.g. transitions course, events, and family information meetings about college access and aid, etc.).

 Manage a Caseload of Area High Schools

  •  Manage a caseload of approximately 40 high schools serving approximately 500 9th-12th grade Breakthrough alumni.
  •  Prioritize a smaller set of high schools for Year 1 partnership development; including signing formal partnership agreements, engaging in data sharing, engaging in frequent visits to build relationships and meet with alumni and work to collaboratively support Breakthrough alumni attending partner high schools.
  • Build positive relationships with key stakeholders at area high schools; including leadership, counseling, student support service, College Now and Say Yes staff, and teachers when appropriate.
  • Coordinate high school partnerships and relationships with Breakthrough High School Placement Staff, ensuring thoughtful transitions from High School Placement to Enrollment and Progression.
  • Influence partner high schools to leverage Alumni Success team strategy and materials for supporting student outcome improvement as needed (e.g. “college match” strategy, career planning, financial aid advising, etc.).

Identify Alumni in Need of Support, and Provide Access to Services

  • Identify students who are not making satisfactory academic progress, and coordinate with the high school ways to help them improve their academic standing.
  • Identify alumni in need of additional services or support; coordinate with their home high school and if additional services are necessary, inform Alumni Success leadership and seek ways to connect alumni and families to additional supports.
  • In collaboration with high school counselors, ensure alumni have information on critical milestones related to college and career planning activities (including research, applications, financial aid, internship deadlines, etc.).

Contribute to and Lead (as Needed) other Alumni Success Program Work

  • Support tracking of alumni progress and data (contact information, grades, financial aid, scholarships, etc.). Use Salesforce proficiently to access and update information.
  • Support communication efforts and usage of the Alumni Portal.
  • Work with Breakthrough staff, providing opportunities for alumni to mentor or network with middle school students (as appropriate) to encourage high school placement activities.
  • Research/assist alumni with placement in summer opportunities, programs, and internships.
  • Identify alumni who are interested in serving as ambassadors for Breakthrough.

Support Efforts to Build an Equitable, Inclusive, and Anti-Racist Organization

  •  Support Breakthrough’s vision for students to have “access to pursue the path they choose.”
  •  Commit to working with alumni and their families as equals, co-educators, learners, and decision-makers.
  •  Work to ensure alumni, staff, and families of all identity groups are full participants in decisions that shape the work.

 

SKILLS AND QUALIFICATIONS

The requirements listed below are representative of the knowledge, skill, and/or ability required.  Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

  •  Unquestioned integrity and commitment to the mission and values of Breakthrough Public Schools
  •  Strong organizational, analytical, and problem-solving skill
  •  Ability to write and communicate clearly; especially with alumni and families
  •  Exceptional interpersonal skills, ability to develop trusting relationships
  •  Ability to influence and impact people with whom you have no direct reporting relationship
  •  Ability to prioritize a large caseload
  •  Adaptable and receptive to feedback
  •  Ability to work well in a team; transparent and communicative with Team (about successes and challenges
  •  Ability to thrive in a fast-paced, entrepreneurial environment; flexible, able to work autonomously as well as take direction as needed
  •  Keeps track of deadlines and delivers results
  •  Proficient in MS Office, including Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Outlook, and Salesforce (preferred)
  •  Proficient in Social Media (ex. Facebook, Instagram)
  •  Culturally Competent

 

 Education and/or Experience

  • Bachelor’s Degree (preferred)
  • A minimum of 3+ years of work experience
  • Experience implementing complicated, strategic work
  • Experience with the following may be helpful for success in this role: college counseling, admissions, social  work, teaching, customer service, relationship management

 

Location and Travel Requirements

  •  This position will be based in Cleveland, Ohio
  •  Up to 50% travel within Greater Cleveland is required for this job

 

Salary & Benefits

$52,000 - $65,000 commensurate with experience. Comprehensive benefits package including paid time off and paid holidays. 

 

To apply visit: https://breakthroughschools.org/

 

Breakthrough Public Schools is an equal opportunity employer, we hire without consideration to race, religion, creed, color, national origin, age, gender, sexual orientation, marital status, veteran status, or disability.

 

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