Director, College Access

Position Description: Director, College Access - Jersey City, NJ

YPIE partners with students to ensure they are ready for, enroll in, and complete college.

At Yonkers Partners in Education (YPIE), we believe all students deserve equitable access to the critical tools and services necessary for postsecondary success. We recognize that college success is one of the most powerful levers for upward mobility in the United States, and that it takes a long-term commitment to students and a holistic ecosystem of support for them to truly thrive. That is why we partner with students to ensure they are ready for, enroll in, and complete college.

We all have a role to play in building education communities that listen to students and support their success. If you have the experience and determination to change the course of a student’s life as an employee of YPIE, review this position description for information and next steps.

JOB MISSION

The Director, College Access will lead YPIE Jersey City’s college access program, ensuring that high school students apply, are accepted to, and enroll in a college or university where they are likely to succeed.

This position offers the chance to play a defining role in the growth of YPIE Jersey City. The Director will combine direct student advising with director-level responsibilities for program strategy, data-driven decision making, and stakeholder engagement. Now entering our third school year in Jersey City, this role is ideal for a candidate who is energized by opportunity and eager to shape the next chapter of YPIE’s work.

RESPONSIBILITIES & RESULTS

Student Advising

• Advise approximately 175 high school juniors and seniors, including:
  • Academic and transcript reviews, creation of good-fit college lists, and targeted advising for first-generation and low-income students.
  • Support with application completion, essay development, and submission of required materials.
  • Financial aid counseling, including FAFSA/TAG/CSS Profile completion, scholarship applications, and award package analysis.
  • College enrollment transition support (activating accounts, submitting medical forms, setting up payment plans, loan counseling, orientation registration, etc.)
• Partner with families through workshops and one-on-one engagement to ensure they are equipped to support their students.
• Plan and chaperone Jersey City students on college trips, host on-site college info sessions, and coordinate other in-school college readiness experiences.

Leadership & Program Strategy

• Provide strategic direction for Jersey City’s College Access program, ensuring alignment with YPIE’s mission and organizational goals.
• Set, monitor, achieve, and report on data-driven annual goals and for student outcomes: applications, acceptances, financial aid completion, enrollment.
• Ensure program fidelity and alignment across Jersey City school sites, and in collaboration with additional YPIE locations.
• Serve as a thought partner with program leadership, consulting on calendar, annual strategic planning and regularly reviewing best practices for achieving student outcomes.

Program Administration and Recruitment

• Manage student records and leverage data systems to proactively identify student challenges and concerns.
• Manage relevant program logistics and communicate with key stakeholders about timelines and necessary tasks. 
• Recruit for a new cohort of YPIE Fellows each year, proactively collaborating with district partners to identify target students and deliver info sessions and presentations. 
• Report on Jersey City outcomes to YPIE leadership, board members, funders, and school partners.

Partnerships & Stakeholder Engagement

• Build and maintain strong relationships with high school administrators, teachers, counselors, and district leadership in Jersey City.
• Develop partnerships with colleges, community organizations, and scholarship providers to expand opportunities for students.
• Serve as YPIE’s College Access representative in Jersey City, ensuring strong connections with families, schools, and community partners.
  
  

VALUES

YPIE team members:

• are always learning, embracing feedback and pursuing growth alongside our students.
• do whatever it takes, consistently going the extra mile to get the job done with the highest degree of quality.
• sweat the details, approaching tasks with meticulous attention to every element and pride in high-quality work.
• collaborate, regularly coordinating with key internal and external partners to advance strategic goals.
• track and use data, maintaining strong records and regularly consulting data to inspire effective decision-making.

CANDIDATE QUALIFICATIONS

To be eligible for consideration, applicants should have:

• Bachelor’s degree
• 5+ years of experience in college access, counseling, higher education, or related field.
• Demonstrated success providing college guidance and financial aid support to first-generation and low-income students.
• Strong knowledge of public and private colleges/universities, financial aid systems, and opportunity programs.  
• Ability to travel between high school sites in Jersey City; flexibility to work some evenings and weekends. 

The most competitive applicants will possess:

• Masters in counseling, higher education, or related field 
• Experience developing new programs and managing growing teams
• Spanish, Arabic, or other bilingual fluency 
• NJ State Certification in School Counseling
• Experience with Naviance and SchoolLinks

You are likely to be successful in this role if:

• You enjoy solving challenging problems with students, helping them reach measurable outcomes.
• You thrive in a fast-paced, entrepreneurial environment, where you will manage your own time to support each student. 
• You are hungry for collaboration with team members and external partners.

JOB DETAILS

Location (s): In-person, Jersey City, NJ 

Hours : Full-Time (40 hours per week)

Calendar : 12 Month, Administrative Calendar

Salary Range : $70,000 to $80,000 depending on experience

Reporting to : Senior Director, Jersey City

Benefits : YPIE offers a competitive compensation and benefits package commensurate with experience. Benefits include:

• Health, dental, and vision insurance
• Retirement plan with matching contributions
• Flexible Spending Account
• Commuter benefit
• Life insurance
• Partial cell phone reimbursement
• Personalized staff learning opportunities