Associate Director of College Access and Success

Location : Remote in the United States - Preference for Chicago or NYC

Travel: Up to 6 weeks of travel during the summer to various Academies sites

Employment Type : Temporary (12 months), Full-time, Exempt

Salary Range: $80,700 - $88,770

Start Date: September 2026

Benefits : High-quality health and dental insurance, paid vacation, employer-matched retirement plan

The Organization

At Thrive Scholars , we provide high-achieving students from under-resourced communities the opportunities they need to thrive at top colleges and in meaningful careers.

Our comprehensive and data-drivenprogram model focuses on the key inflection points that can be the difference between graduating from any college and graduating from a top college with the grades, degree, career skills, and network needed to thrive in any career. Thrive Scholars originated in Los Angeles as South Central Scholars (“SCS”) twenty years ago. Over this time, the organization has refined its program model and, in the last five years, has focused on expanding nationally; reaching more high-achieving students from under-resourced communities, growing the number of Scholars we serve; and deepening our program impact. Thrive Scholars has begun to grow its footprint with new summer program offerings in three additional cities. The organization has approximately 70 year-round employees and close to 200 summer employees.

College Access

At Thrive Scholars , we know that graduating from a top college can directly impact earning potential and career opportunities. Top colleges offer smaller class sizes, stronger student support services, and better financial aid packages so that our Scholars graduate with little to no loans. Our high school Scholars receive tailored guidance and admissions support from our highly trained College Access Managers. We help our Scholars find “best fit” selective colleges that directly relate to their intended career pathway.

College Success

In order for Scholars to cross the finish line at graduation, they need to establish a strong foundation in their first year. The College Success team helps Scholars develop strong academic and personal habits so that Scholars can finish their first year with a GPA of 3.3 or higher, setting them up for additional opportunities that support their economic mobility.

The Position

Thrive Scholars is looking to recruit a strategic and collaborative Associate Director of College Access and Success, who will serve as a key leader across both the College Access and College Success teams. The Associate Director will provide direct supervision to a team of College Access Managers and College Success Managers while leading secondary program operations that span both teams and connect across the broader organization. There is potential for expanded supervision as Thrive Scholars continues to grow under its new strategic plan. The Associate Director will ensure that both teams deliver holistic, data-informed advising that prioritizes economic mobility and career optionality, supporting Scholars' competitiveness for selective colleges and their successful transition and persistence in college.

This position is remote and reports to the Director of College Access and Success. During our Summer Academies, the Associate Director will be expected to travel to and reside at our summer academy sites. Travel time should not exceed 6 weeks.

This is a temporary p with a term of 12 months.

Key Responsibilities:

Team Leadership (40%)

- Directly supervise, coach, and develop a team of College Access Managers and College Success Managers, supporting their growth as relationship managers and program professionals.

- Support the Director in creating and executing strategic plans for both teams to align with the organization’s broader strategic vision to serve 1,000 incoming Scholars by 2030.

- Develop and maintain standardized advising tools, rubrics, and data resources that support consistent, evidence