KIPP Foundation

Director of College Counseling

KIPP Foundation • $90K — $95K *
Philadelphia, PA 19120In-Person
Education, Government & Non-Profit
Less than 5 years of experience
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Job Overview by Ladders

Qualifications

  • Bachelor's degree required, master's degree preferred.
  • Experience guiding students and families through college admissions and financial aid processes.
  • Proven experience in staff management and team leadership towards measurable goals.
  • Preferred background in teaching or working with underserved student populations.
  • Strong knowledge of college access strategies and diverse student circumstances.
  • Ability to analyze educational data and adapt plans accordingly.
  • Excellent communication and relationship-building skills.

Responsibilities

  • Lead the development and execution of the college match strategy for grades 9-12.
  • Ensure accurate student data management across multiple platforms.
  • Conduct monthly meetings with stakeholders to assess progress and strategize accordingly.
  • Develop partnerships to enhance student opportunities with various educational and community organizations.
  • Provide management and professional development to counseling staff.
  • Facilitate planning of college visits, workshops, and career exploration activities.
  • Identify and address gaps in student and family knowledge regarding postsecondary options.

Benefits

  • Comprehensive health benefits package including vision, dental, and telehealth options.
  • Flexible spending accounts for additional health expenses.
  • 403B matching program for retirement savings.
  • Free access to financial advising services for employees and their families.
Full Job Description
Job Description

Role Overview:

Reporting to the Managing Director of KIPP Forward, the Director of College Counseling (DCC) leads the college counseling team and College Match strategy at KIPP DuBois Collegiate Academy. The DCC develops programming for students in grades 9-12 and supports counselors through management, professional development, and feedback. The role is accountable for the region's annual college match and matriculation goals and for ensuring every senior has an appropriate postsecondary plan: matriculation to a match and best-fit college or the credentials needed for a defined career pathway.

Key Responsibilities:

Lead college match strategy and results:
  • Lead the grades 9-12 college and career strategy and manage progress toward annual college match and matriculation goals.
  • Oversee the accuracy and use of student data across Salesforce, Overgrad, KIPP Match Tools, and other platforms.
  • Lead monthly match meetings with school and regional leaders to review progress, identify gaps, and adjust plans.
  • Build partnerships with colleges, universities, scholarship organizations, summer programs, and community organizations that expand student opportunities.

Manage and develop the college counseling team:
  • Manage junior and senior seminar counselors through coaching, professional development, and regular feedback.
  • Support counselors with lesson planning and delivery, classroom management, and individualized student guidance.
  • Lead the development and refinement of junior and senior seminar curriculum and programming aligned with the grades 9-12 strategy.
  • Draw on KIPP network and local partners to identify and share effective practices.

Oversee student and family programming:
  • Plan college visits, family workshops, guest speakers, career exploration trips, and other postsecondary access programs.
  • Ensure students and families receive individualized guidance on college, career pathways, applications, financial aid, and scholarships.
  • Stay current on policies and resources affecting postsecondary access, including those relevant to undocumented students and students with disabilities, and help counselors apply that knowledge.
  • Identify gaps in students' and families' postsecondary knowledge and develop programming and resources to address them.

Perform other duties as assigned by the Managing Director of KIPP Forward.

Qualifications

  • Bachelor's degree required, master's degree preferred.
  • Experience guiding high school students and families through college selection, admissions, financial aid, and scholarship applications required.
  • Experience managing or coaching staff and leading a team toward measurable goals.
  • Experience teaching or working in a school serving historically underserved students preferred.
  • Strong knowledge of college access and postsecondary pathways, including how to support students with varied circumstances and goals.
  • Ability to analyze student data, identify gaps, communicate findings, and adjust plans.
  • Strong communication, facilitation, relationship-building, and judgment skills.
  • Ability to manage competing priorities and bring clarity to work in a changing environment.
  • Proficiency with Microsoft Office and Google Workspace; experience with college counseling or student data platforms preferred.
  • Commitment to the KPPS mission and vision.
  • Complete all required criminal and child abuse background checks:
    • PA State Police Clearance
    • PA Child Abuse Clearance
    • Cogent Federal Fingerprinting


Additional Information

Compensation:
  • Starting salary range for this position is $90,000-95,000 commensurate with experience.
  • All full-time team members at KPPS enjoy a comprehensive health benefits package (including vision and dental, a telehealth option, and flexible spending accounts) for themselves and their families as well as a 403B matching program for retirement savings and free access to financial advising services.

About KIPP Foundation

The Knowledge is Power Program (KIPP) is a nationwide network of free, open-enrollment, college-preparatory public charter schools with a track record of preparing students in underserved communities for success in college and in life. KIPP schools are part of the charter school movement, which is a group of public schools that are given more flexibility in exchange for higher accountability. KIPP schools are typically located in underserved communities and have a longer school day and year, a rigorous college-preparatory curriculum, and a strong culture of achievement and support. KIPP was founded in 1994 by two Teach For America alumni, Mike Feinberg and Dave Levin, who started a middle school program in Houston, Texas. Since then, KIPP has grown into a national network of 255 schools serving more than 100,000 students in 20 states and the District of Columbia.
Learn more about KIPP Foundation
Size
10,000 employees
Industry
Education, Government & Non-Profit
* Ladders Estimates

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