Senior Director of Middle School Program
Apply NowCompany: Breakthrough New York
Location: New York, NY 10025
Description:
Senior Director of Middle School Program
Department: Middle School
Employment Type: Full Time
Location: New York, NY
Compensation: $95,000 - $105,000 / year
Description
ABOUT BREAKTHROUGH NEW YORK
Breakthrough New York empowers motivated students from low-income communities to achieve a college degree and reach their fullest potential. Our tuition-free program supports over 500 students and their families from 7th grade through college. We accept middle school students who are furthest from high-quality educational opportunities, yet show promise and potential: 99% of students identify as persons of color; 76% qualify for free or reduced lunch; and 66% will be the first in their families to graduate college.
As a ten-year program, Breakthrough New York supports students and their families through key transition points in their academic journeys. We provide academic enrichment through summer and after-school opportunities; coach students to gain admissions into selective high schools and colleges, and expose students to diverse interests and careers so they can shape their own trajectories.
In addition to nurturing individual talent, we cultivate a thriving community of like-minded peers and mentors who encourage each other's ambitions and passions. Personalized mentorship and holistic support are signature elements of our model, with over 200 near-peer seasonal staff and volunteers who work with students at each stage of our continuum.
The Breakthrough model works: over 98% of Breakthrough students graduate from college preparatory high schools and 100% are on track to graduate from college. Learn more at Breakthrough NY's website.
ABOUT THE POSITION
The Senior Director of the Middle School Program (SD, MS) is responsible for overseeing all aspects of the middle school program at BTNY (Breakthrough New York), ensuring alignment with organizational goals and standards of excellence. This role launches students into their trajectory with BTNY and focuses on managing teams, managing projects, and collaborating closely with various stakeholders to drive student success and program growth.
As the SD, MS you will lead and manage a team of 4 full-time staff that ensures students are fully supported as they apply to and are offered admissions to college-preparatory high schools, including but not limited to independent boarding schools, independent day schools, and specialized high schools in NYC. This will require setting a clear strategic vision for our middle school program, including oversight of every aspect of school year and summer programming, of the high school admissions process, and the effective transition to high school. Additionally, the SD, MS is responsible for working with their team to recruit, select, manage and train seasonal near-peer staff. Your leadership will be crucial in ensuring that students excel academically and develop personally, fostering a robust set of executive functioning skills for their future endeavors.
YOUR RESPONSIBILITIES WILL INCLUDE:
Leadership and Team Management (55%):
Program Development and Implementation (30%):
Organizational Leadership (15%)
QUALIFICATIONS
Breakthrough New York is an equal-opportunity employer. We encourage applicants who represent the communities we serve.
COMPENSATION
BTNY strongly believes in selecting the top, qualified candidates. As a part of your offer you can expect to receive the following:
Annual Salary range: $95,000-$105,000, commensurate with experience and skills
Benefits
days between Christmas and New Years!
Additional Perks
Department: Middle School
Employment Type: Full Time
Location: New York, NY
Compensation: $95,000 - $105,000 / year
Description
ABOUT BREAKTHROUGH NEW YORK
Breakthrough New York empowers motivated students from low-income communities to achieve a college degree and reach their fullest potential. Our tuition-free program supports over 500 students and their families from 7th grade through college. We accept middle school students who are furthest from high-quality educational opportunities, yet show promise and potential: 99% of students identify as persons of color; 76% qualify for free or reduced lunch; and 66% will be the first in their families to graduate college.
As a ten-year program, Breakthrough New York supports students and their families through key transition points in their academic journeys. We provide academic enrichment through summer and after-school opportunities; coach students to gain admissions into selective high schools and colleges, and expose students to diverse interests and careers so they can shape their own trajectories.
In addition to nurturing individual talent, we cultivate a thriving community of like-minded peers and mentors who encourage each other's ambitions and passions. Personalized mentorship and holistic support are signature elements of our model, with over 200 near-peer seasonal staff and volunteers who work with students at each stage of our continuum.
The Breakthrough model works: over 98% of Breakthrough students graduate from college preparatory high schools and 100% are on track to graduate from college. Learn more at Breakthrough NY's website.
ABOUT THE POSITION
The Senior Director of the Middle School Program (SD, MS) is responsible for overseeing all aspects of the middle school program at BTNY (Breakthrough New York), ensuring alignment with organizational goals and standards of excellence. This role launches students into their trajectory with BTNY and focuses on managing teams, managing projects, and collaborating closely with various stakeholders to drive student success and program growth.
As the SD, MS you will lead and manage a team of 4 full-time staff that ensures students are fully supported as they apply to and are offered admissions to college-preparatory high schools, including but not limited to independent boarding schools, independent day schools, and specialized high schools in NYC. This will require setting a clear strategic vision for our middle school program, including oversight of every aspect of school year and summer programming, of the high school admissions process, and the effective transition to high school. Additionally, the SD, MS is responsible for working with their team to recruit, select, manage and train seasonal near-peer staff. Your leadership will be crucial in ensuring that students excel academically and develop personally, fostering a robust set of executive functioning skills for their future endeavors.
YOUR RESPONSIBILITIES WILL INCLUDE:
Leadership and Team Management (55%):
- Lead a team of full time and seasonal staff, providing mentorship, professional development, and guidance to ensure program effectiveness and staff growth.
- Foster a collaborative and supportive work environment, promoting teamwork and innovation.
- Leading, planning, and delegating MSP-wide projects, including the curriculum development and execution of high school transition development workshops, and student data collection and analysis.
- Quarterly report out on KPIs and data metrics to inform our overall progress to goal.
- Prepare and manage program budgets, grant requests and disbursements ensuring fiscal responsibility and resource allocation in alignment with organizational goals.
- Communicate program impact and outcomes to stakeholders through reports, presentations, and other mediums.
Program Development and Implementation (30%):
- Oversee all aspects of the Middle School Program, including curriculum development, program scheduling, seasonal staff training, summer programing, Americorps grant tracking, and program evaluation.
- Develop and implement strategic initiatives that support the transition of BTNY (Breakthrough New York) middle school students into college-preparatory high schools
- Design and manage programs that enhance students' academic achievements, social and emotional learning, and personal development.
- Refine our strategies for deepening our relationships with high school admissions officers
- Provide recommendations and lead strategic planning to meet benchmarks and goals for the Middle School Program.
- Robust analysis of data to make informed decisions on the direction of the program.
Organizational Leadership (15%)
- Collaborate with Talent Acquisition and Admissions teams on staffing, hiring, and admissions processes to ensure alignment with program goals.
- Steward team culture, including operating in alignment with our mission, vision, and core values, commitment to DEIB.
- Leverage Program Team Leads as thought partners to advance your scope of work and ensure alignment and cross-department collaboration.
- Operate as a fiscal steward of the organization, supporting the ED and other team leads in ensuring the long-term financial sustainability of the organization.
- Serve on the BTNY Program Leadership Team.
QUALIFICATIONS
- Bachelor's degree required
- Minimum 7 years of experience in educational leadership, program management, or a related field.
- Proven success in managing teams, driving program outcomes, and implementing strategic initiatives.
- Strong analytical skills and experience with data-driven decision-making.
- Excellent communication, interpersonal skills, and ability to build relationships with diverse stakeholders.
- Demonstrates excellence in BTNY's Core Values
Breakthrough New York is an equal-opportunity employer. We encourage applicants who represent the communities we serve.
COMPENSATION
BTNY strongly believes in selecting the top, qualified candidates. As a part of your offer you can expect to receive the following:
Annual Salary range: $95,000-$105,000, commensurate with experience and skills
Benefits
- Medical, Dental and Vision benefits
- 401K/Retirement Plan (with an employer-matching component)
- Commuter Benefit Plan
- Health and Dependent Flexible Spending Accounts
- Paid Time Off: holiday, vacation, sick, and personal time - plus paid time off for the
days between Christmas and New Years!
Additional Perks
- Initial $800 annual professional development stipend which increases each year
- Hybrid work schedule with between 40-60% of work in office (role and season dependent)
- Two weeks of "Work from Anywhere"