Director of College Counseling at Uncommon Schools in New York, NY

Uncommon Schools is a nonprofit network of high-performing public charter schools dedicated to providing an exceptional K-12 education in economically disadvantaged communities. Operating in Boston, Camden, New York City, Newark, and Rochester, we are committed to closing the college completion gap and preparing every student for college and beyond. Our students consistently exceed national benchmarks, reflecting our dedication to their success. We invest deeply in our educators, offering weekly coaching, feedback, and professional development to ensure excellence in teaching and leadership. Join us to work hard, do good, and make a lasting difference!

The Director of College Counseling leads the Office of College Access & Success, managing a team of college counselors and an office coordinator to ensure all high school students successfully navigate the college search, application, and financial aid processes. This role is responsible for designing systems and workflows that support consistent, high-quality college advising; coaching and developing counselors; building partnerships with colleges; engaging families throughout the process; and tracking student outcomes to drive continuous improvement. The Director works closely with school leadership, families, and external partners to remove barriers to college access and affordability, with a focus on equitable outcomes for all students.

• Team Leadership & Development (20%)

  • Hire, develop, and manage a team of 2-5 college counselors and an office coordinator

  • Hold team members accountable for quality work and timely delivery

  • Provide regular feedback, coaching, and professional development opportunities

  • Delegate work based on counselor strengths and capacity

  • Foster a collaborative culture where the team takes ownership of student outcomes

• College Partnerships & Outreach (15%)

  • Build and maintain partnerships with colleges that align with our students' goals

  • Meet with college representatives, visit campuses, and attend regional/national conferences

  • Develop relationships with admissions offices to advocate for our students

  • Coordinate with Uncommon's alumni support team to track and support graduates

  • Identify scholarship and summer program opportunities for eligible students

• Curriculum & Instruction (15%)

  • Teach and support College Seminar classes for juniors and seniors

  • Oversee the adoption and implementation of Uncommon's aligned College Seminar Curriculum college counseling curriculum and shared resources

  • Organize and run student, parent, and faculty workshops on campus

  • Guide the teacher recommendation letter process with school faculty

• Student & Family Counseling (25%)

  • Counsel students and families through the college search, application, and financial aid processes

  • Maintain strong, trusting relationships with families through proactive communication

  • Hold high expectations for all students and advocate for them with colleges through letters of recommendation and targeted outreach.

  • Plan and facilitate parent workshops, information sessions, and office hours

  • Ensure families understand affordability, requirements, and next steps in the enrollment process

• Data, Strategy & Operations (15%)

  • Maintain accurate data on student applications, acceptances, enrollments, and financial aid

  • Use data to identify trends, risks, and opportunities for improvement

  • Monitor student progress toward graduation and college readiness

  • Ensure compliance with admissions and financial aid deadlines and requirements

  • Oversee the planning and execution of OCAS events including, college tours, college fairs, rep visits, Career Day and Senior Signing Day

• Budget & Resource Management (10%)

  • Manage the college counseling office budget

  • Allocate resources to support team needs and student programming

  • Track and manage scholarship and grant opportunities

• Minimum 3-5 years of direct experience in college access/admissions

• Proven track record of student success and outcomes

• Evidence of leadership ability and team management

• Bachelor's degree (advanced degree preferred)

• Admissions experience at a selective college/university

• Comfort working with both high school-age students and their parents

• Ability to plan strategically to meet short-term and long-term goals

• Extensive knowledge of US colleges/universities and the college admissions process.

• Interpersonal & Communication Skills: Exceptional interpersonal, oral, and written communication skills.

• Operational & Technical Skills: High proficiency with web/computer tools, paired with strong organizational skills and attention to detail.

• Analytical Skills: Ability to use data effectively when making decisions to drive student outcomes.

• Mindset & Values: A collaborative, driven approach with the ability to work independently as well as part of a team.

Our people are what make us Uncommon. We offer competitive compensation and comprehensive benefits that support the personal health, wellness, and finances of our staff and their families. Our compensation philosophy values equity & fairness and attracting & retaining top talent.

Compensation

Compensation for this role is between $84,500 to $127,500. Most candidates who meet job description requirements will receive an offer of $84,500 - $90,500.

Starting pay is determined using various factors including but not limited to relevant professional development, education certifications, and tenure with Uncommon Schools. 

Benefits 

• Generous paid time off inclusive of sick time, paid holidays, and 10 weeks of paid breaks (Spring, Winter, and Summer). 
• Extensive, best-in-class training and development  
• Comprehensive health, dental, and vision insurance plans + pre-tax flexible spending (FSA), dependent care (DCFSA), and health saving accounts (HSA)
• Financial Planning
  • 403(b) retirement savings program + employer match
• Paid leave of absence options (parental, medical, disability, etc.)
• Mental health and counseling support + wellness benefits

*A detailed list of all benefits is located HERE.

At Uncommon, we believe that a supportive and welcoming environment helps our students, staff, and community thrive. We are dedicated to building a team that brings a wide range of perspectives and experiences, reflective of the communities we serve---with over 70% of our staff identifying as people of color. Our organization values respect and open dialogue on important topics that shape our school culture.

As an equal opportunity employer, Uncommon provides equal employment opportunities to all employees and applicants for employment and prohibits discrimination and harassment of any type without regard to race, color, religion, age, sex, national origin, disability status, genetics, protected veteran status, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, or any other characteristic protected by federal, state or local laws. We also ensure that individuals with disabilities receive all privileges and benefits associated with employment and are provided reasonable accommodations for the interview process and to perform core job functions. If you would like to request an accommodation, please email recruitment@uncommonschools.org.