Director of College Readiness

Position Description: Director of College Readiness

Organizational Summary: Quality educational experiences are essential to preparing students for the future, yet systemic barriers create pronounced disparities in educational opportunities and outcomes. The Emily Krzyzewski Center, a nonprofit organization in Durham, North Carolina, implements four distinct programs designed to build on the academic, career, and leadership potential of students who are traditionally underrepresented in higher education. Collectively, our programs serve students from elementary school through college and equip them with the skills necessary to successfully complete higher education, connect to promising careers, and become agents of change within their communities. We amplify our efforts through partnerships with our local school district, community-based organizations, and universities.

Program Description: The Emily K Center has served the Durham community since 2006, operating four programs and special initiatives that collectively increase the community’s capacity to connect the wealth of talent that exists in Durham’s youth population to the diverse pathways that are available to advance educational attainment and career, social and economic mobility. Scholars to College is a free, enrollment-based four-year college readiness program designed to ensure high school students who are underrepresented in higher education have the support and resources they need to achieve their goals of completing at least a four-year degree and connecting to a career path that aligns with their interests and goals. The program’s holistic, cohort-based program model is centered on five focus areas: personal leadership development, academic skill development, career exploration, socioemotional development and college planning. Through a combination of small group instruction, one-on-one guidance from a dedicated College Readiness Counselor, and summer enrichment opportunities, students engage in an array of developmental activities designed to ensure they fully explore their interests and goals and maximize their leadership potential, ultimately graduating from high school with college options that best fit their personal, social, academic and financial needs. Parents and caregivers are essential partners in our collaborative work of empowering students to set and achieve their most valued personal and educational goals. We complement our direct work with students through collaborations with diverse community partners that address systemic barriers impacting students’ progress and success. To date, nearly 100% of our Scholars to College graduates have been accepted to college.

Job Title: Director of College Readiness

Key lived experiences, attributes and skill sets sought:

• Minimum of Bachelor’s degree required; advanced degree or certification in teaching, educational leadership, curriculum and instruction or program administration strongly preferred
• Minimum of five years of experience developing, implementing and leading programs designed to meet the needs of diverse student populations that are traditionally underrepresented in higher education
• Minimum of five years of experience recruiting, onboarding and managing professional staff and volunteers, fostering staff development and managing staff performance 
• Evidence of ability to implement programs with rigor and fidelity in alignment with strategic priorities and organizational mission and budget.
• Experience recruiting and working effectively and collaboratively with families from Durham community demographics
• Familiarity with Durham’s K-12 education system and institutions and best practices in the areas of college readiness, access and success and youth empowerment
• Expertise in college readiness and college access programming and connection to and understanding of North Carolina’s postsecondary readiness and access landscape strongly preferred
• Demonstrated proficiency in curriculum development, academic benchmarking, and intervention strategies
• Experience in data management and data-informed program monitoring, evaluation and continuous improvement
• Exceptional interpersonal, collaboration and communication skills with both adult and youth audiences
• Familiarity with culturally responsive pedagogy and racial equity paradigms strongly preferred
• Familiarity with best practices and model programs in the areas of college readiness, access and success and youth empowerment
• Must be able to on hire provide proof of employment eligibility (e.g. I-9 form) and pass a criminal background check related to suitability for working with and around children and youth

Job goal:     

Reporting to the Senior Director of Program Operations, the Director of College Readiness leads the Scholars to College program, overseeing the implementation of comprehensive college readiness programming for enrolled students. This role is responsible for strategically recruiting a diverse cohort of incoming freshmen and implementing retention strategies to maximize program capacity and student success. Effective leadership of a core staff team (4 full-time staff, several part-time staff, and seasonal volunteers), strong program planning and administration skills, the ability to drive impact in alignment with strategic priorities and goals, and the ability to engage and manage community volunteers and partners are essential to successful performance in this role. Additionally, the Director will oversee the development and implementation of culturally responsive curricula and resources that support students in building on their strengths and achieving their college and career goals. Drawing on expertise in secondary education, college readiness, adolescent development, and equity-driven programming, the Director will ensure that students are well-prepared to identify and pursue their best-fit college goals.

Primary Responsibility Areas:

• Staff Leadership and Volunteer Management: Provide leadership to a team of full-time and part-time professional, direct service staff, including college readiness counselors, curriculum specialists, college advisors, and support staff.  Recruit, train, and manage volunteer tutors and academic coaches. Lead recruitment, hiring, orientation, performance management and ongoing professional development for full and part time staff members. Serve as the primary point of contact and decision-maker regarding staff and volunteer needs and issues.

• Program Management: Lead the development and implementation of core and supplementary instructional, advising, and support program components in alignment with best practices related to college access for students within the program’s target population. Develop systems for ongoing program quality monitoring. In alignment with the program’s goals and framework, develop and implement an annual calendar of programming, including weekly student programming, special events, parent/caregiver empowerment opportunities, and collaborative activities with both internal and external partners.  Support the maintenance of program data and evaluation systems and processes. Employ a data-informed process of continuous improvement on an ongoing basis, and collaborate with key staff to provide semi-annual and annual data summaries. In collaboration with the Senior Director of Program Operations and Chief Financial and Operating Officer, create and manage the program’s annual budget.

• Student Services:  Facilitate the work of program staff in the areas of individualized advising, cohort management, and curriculum development. Develop accountability measures to monitor and support students’ progress towards meeting their goals and programmatic expectations, and implement appropriate intervention strategies to encourage forward momentum. Provide leadership to staff when additional resources and interventions are needed. Direct and lead a targeted student recruitment strategy to attract and enroll students from target demographics, ensuring alignment with program goals. Serve as a point of contact and advocate for students when appropriate. Utilize program and student level data to recommend enhancements and interventions for student support and programmatic structure.

• External Relations:   Maintain current and cultivate new school,  community-based and university partnerships consistent with programmatic goals and values. Collaborate with high school partners to design effective recruitment, educational support and enrichment opportunities to meet student needs and desired programmatic outcomes. Represent the Center in community meetings, professional settings, and outreach opportunities as appropriate. 

Terms of Employment: Full-time position with comprehensive benefits. Some flexibility in scheduled work hours, with programming taking place both during and outside of school hours. Core programming hours include Monday and Tuesday evenings and occasional weekends. Employment is contingent upon successful clearance of criminal background check. Salary range: mid $60K to lower $70K. Preferred start date: May 2025.

Evaluation: Performance of this job will be evaluated annually.

​​​​​​​To apply: Submit one document that includes your resumé and a cover letter outlining your qualifications and interests to the attention of Ms. Nephitearya Bailey Singleton at jobs@emilyk.org with the subject line “Director of College Readiness Position.”  Priority deadline is March 28, 2025. Applications will be reviewed on a rolling basis until the position is filled.