Assistant Director

Title: Assistant Director, Programs

Department: SEO High School Scholars San Francisco

Report to: Director, Programs

Compensation: $85,400 - $100,500

FLSA: Exempt

Location/Hours:

• This is a full-time, exempt position with a hybrid schedule requiring in-person work three days a week (including required Saturdays) and virtual work two days a week. The typical weekly schedule is as follows:  
• Fall Term: Tuesday through Saturday (3x a month); Monday through Friday (1x month).
• Spring Term: Tuesday through Saturday (3x a month); Monday through Friday (1x month).
• Summer Term: Monday through Friday.
• In-person attendance is required for all Saturday programming dates and four days a week during the Summer Term. 
• Upon hire, all candidates must be within commutable distance of SEO’s offices at Three Embarcadero Center Promenade Level, Suite P-1 San Francisco, CA 94111. 
• Work requires local travel beyond the office for Saturday programming at the following locations (subject to change): 
• UC Law San Francisco, 200 McAllister St, San Francisco, CA 94102

ABOUT SEO

Founded in 1963 during the Civil Rights Movement, SEO closes educational and career opportunity gaps for 7,000 ambitious young people annually.

SEO Scholars is a free, eight-year, academic program that transforms public high school students in New York City, San Francisco, North Carolina, and Miami into college graduates. SEO Scholars successfully educates and mentors students to and through college. 100% of Scholars are accepted into four-year colleges, 85% of Scholars graduate with a Bachelor’s degree, and 80% are first-generation college graduates. All are welcome to apply.

POSITION OVERVIEW

The Assistant Director, Program plays an essential role in overseeing and managing the day-to-day Scholars program for SF Scholars, including leading a growing team of six Program Managers as they work directly with Scholars across grades 9-12, driving overall strategy for Scholar advising, and developing and facilitating professional development. An ideal candidate will enjoy and excel at working collaboratively with teams, developing and supporting staff, and defining and refining strategy to ensure program quality remains high and reflects the evolving needs of Scholars and the college admissions landscape. This role reports to the SF Scholars’ Director, Program.

Staff Management & Development

• Inspire, coach, develop, and support a team of 6-8 Program Managers through weekly department meetings, regular check-ins, observations, and feedback. Current team composition is as follows:
• Two 9th Grade Program Managers (3 months/year Feb-Apr).
• Two 10th Grade Program Managers (12 months/year).
• Two 11th Grade Program Managers (12 months/year).
• Create and nurture a culture that encourages intellectual curiosity and an inclusive, close-knit and supportive community.
• Set meaningful, outcomes-oriented department and individual performance goals that meet overall program goals; conduct mid and end-of-year performance reviews.

Program Strategy

• Collaborate with the Director, Program to set the Scholar and Academic Advising strategy for all grade levels.
• Oversee Scholar enrichment programs strategy, partnerships, and implementation.
• Serve as the Program lead for the Professional Experience Internship Program, working directly with Scholars and partners and collaborating with the Development team.
• Lead Scholar mentorship program strategy for 11th grade Scholars including mentor recruitment, training, matching, and events.
• Develop and facilitate family engagement initiatives including workshops, webinars, and information sessions to provide families of 9th, 10th and 11th graders with the tools to support their Scholars’ academic, social, and career growth.
• Manage the Scholar Handbook to ensure policies and procedures are updated regularly.
• Oversee the Scholars Advising website.
• Oversee the tracking, management, and analysis of program data, including attendance and retention.
• Support Program Managers in troubleshooting Scholar issues.

Professional Development

• Identify, develop and deliver an annual professional development series for Program Managers across various formats including external conferences and webinars, and internal team retreats and reflections.
• Support Program Managers with Scholar mental health referrals and advising support.
• Stay abreast of current guidelines, policies, and social service programs to ensure that SEO remains compliant, and revise, communicate, and update SEO policies, procedures, and resources accordingly.
• Partner with NY Scholars team on continued development of policies and processes related to Scholars’ mental, physical and socio-emotional health.

QUALIFICATIONS

• Bachelors degree in a related field and equivalent work experience; Master’s degree in education, counseling, school psychology preferred.
• 4+ years of experience working directly with youth in structured educational environments (e.g., public/private middle or high schools, after-school programs, summer schools, or other organized youth development programs). Direct experience supporting high school students is strongly preferred.
• 2–3 years of full-time people management experience overseeing professional staff, with a proven track record of leading diverse teams to successful outcomes
• Familiarity and/or experience with public education and youth communities in San Francisco is a plus.

COMPETENCIES & SKILLS

• Exemplary written, verbal, and interpersonal communications skills.
• Ability to address and engage with diverse and multicultural communities through different mediums, including in-person and through messaging platforms, video chats/conferences, and phone calls.
• Excellent interpersonal skills, strong work ethic, and high level of professionalism.
• Exceptional leadership skills and aptitude in building strong culture and community.
• Highly adaptable and solutions-oriented with an ability to solve complex problems.
• Technically proficient in MS Office and standard workplace applications like Zoom and Box.
• Intermediate to advanced Excel skills and working knowledge of Salesforce and LMS (we use Brightspace) strongly preferred.
• Bilingual Spanish/English or bilingual Cantonese/English is highly desirable.
• Ability to work a Tuesday through Saturday schedule and some nights as dictated by programming needs.
• Work requires traveling to different physical locations for Saturday programming – UC Law San Francisco, 200 McAllister St, San Francisco, CA 94102.

COMPENSATION & BENEFITS 

SEO offers a competitive compensation package and comprehensive benefits plan including low-cost health, vision, and dental options, a generous holiday schedule and PTO policies, disability coverage, fully paid time off for new parents, and employer contributions to health reimbursement and retirement accounts. We are constantly working to improve our benefits each year based on the needs of our employees. We value wellness and strive to put people first and foremost.

The compensation listed in this posting reflects what SEO believes it will pay for this position at the time of this posting. Consistent with applicable law, compensation will be determined based on the skills, qualifications, and experience of the applicant along with the requirements of the position, and SEO reserves the right to modify this pay range at any time.

EEOC Policy

At SEO we are committed to cultivating a team that embodies the backgrounds and experiences of the constituencies we serve and the communities we live in, and a workplace that reflects the impact we make in the world. Candidates from all communities – including people of color, women, members of the LGBTQIA+ Community, veterans, and people with disabilities – are strongly encouraged to apply.

Equal Employment Opportunity is not just the law, it is our commitment.

Sponsors for Educational Opportunity is an Equal Opportunity/Affirmative Action Employer – M/F/D/V. We will consider all qualified applicants for employment regardless of race, color, ethnicity, religion, sex, gender, gender identity and expression, sexual orientation, national origin, disability, age, marital status, veteran status, pregnancy, parental status, genetic information or characteristics, or any other legally protected status.

If you need accommodation while applying for a role with SEO, due to a disability, please email SEO Talent.

THE ORGANIZATION

Established in 1963 by Michael Osheowitz, SEO (Sponsors for Educational Opportunity) is an educational non-profit founded on the belief that talent is everywhere; but opportunity is not. Our programs are designed to educate, train, mentor, and amplify the voices of our participants to give them a seat at the table – every table. We propel human potential.

SEO is an innovator in education, mentorship, and creating educational career opportunities that maximize the full potential of our participants. Each year SEO serves 7,000+ participants nationally, and the organization is widely recognized for developing best-in-class programs with exceptional results.

Not every SEO participant is on the same journey, but all are hungry for opportunity and SEO creates an ecosystem of excellence. Learn more about SEO's programs here: https://www.seo-usa.org/our-programs/.