Manager of College Counseling

Mission of the Daniel Murphy Scholarship Fund: The Daniel Murphy Scholarship Fund unlocks educational opportunities for talented Chicago-area students facing financial need. We partner with Scholars, families and schools through high school and beyond by providing scholarships, academic programs and personal support so that each Scholar can reach

their potential.

About the Daniel Murphy Scholarship Fund (DMSF):

At DMSF, we envision a world in which every student has access to a high-quality education and the support they need to succeed in life, regardless of financial means. DMSF has served promising Chicago-area students and their families for 35 years. Since the first four scholars began high school in 1990, more than 3,000 students have entered high school as Murphy Scholars. DMSF now awards more than 150 new scholarships each year, 100% of Scholars graduate high school, 97% matriculate to college, and 87% graduate from college within six years. DMSF currently serves over 500 Scholars across more than 60 partner schools. Murphy Scholars need support beyond financial aid to succeed at a rigorous, college-prep high school. To meet the complex and individual needs of students, DMSF implements, oversees and continually adjusts programming to respond to Scholar’s academic and social challenges. DMSF’s supportive programming begins before Scholars enter high school and continues until they graduate. DMSF’s objective is to do everything possible to guarantee the success of its Scholars through continuous individualized analysis of progress, customized access to support, and intervention when appropriate.

Position Summary: The job of a Daniel Murphy Scholarship Fund (DMSF) Manager of College Counseling is to work with the Director of College Counseling, the Chief Education Officer and the other members of the Education Department to accomplish the educational directives of DMSF. This role was designed with the goal of helping DMSF strengthen our pre-college programming for all Murphy Scholars.

Specifics of the Job

The Manager of College Counseling has the primary roles of:

• Supporting DMSF high school students in the college planning and preparation process
• Collecting and maintaining accurate Scholar data and records
• Collaborating with the Director of College Counseling on a variety of projects
• Fostering and promoting summer opportunities
• Support with programs that support and have an impact on their post-secondary paths

1. Supporting DMSF high school juniors in the college planning and preparation process

The DMSF College Counseling Department is expanding to include more targeted support of DMSF high school juniors, with a long term goal of expanding our support of sophomores and freshmen.

Relationship Building

• Maintain regular communication with Scholars via email, phone, through virtual and in-person meetings
• Build appropriate and trusting relationships with Scholars and families
• Build relationships with outside stakeholders (high school staff, college partners, CBOs)
• Serve as the main point person to collect transcripts, when needed, for the pre-college planning process.
• Host enrichment events to encourage socialization and resume-building opportunities
• Attend school visits with Managers of Education and/or Director of College Counseling

College Preparation

• Support Scholars in creating ambitious college lists that support the holistic student
• Audit transcripts for math and science completion and ensure Honors/AP/IB sequencing is logical
• Host workshops and informational sessions covering a variety of pre-college topics for various stakeholders
• Support in the coordination and execution of college visits with and without the Director of College Counseling
• Maintain a strong working knowledge of the college landscape and best strategies and practices to support first-generation low-income scholars
• Stay up-to-date with the FAFSA Application Process to support with virtual and in-person workshops
• Conduct one-on-one meetings with Scholars on your caseload
• Provide guidance and feedback on college essays
• Coordinate test prep workshops
• Write letters of recommendation for internships, summer opportunities, college application requirements, financial aid requirements, and other letters as needed

1. Collecting and maintaining accurate data and records

Data Collection

• Keep up to date and accurate records
• Collect required documents to accurately monitor metrics (i.e: personal statements, college lists, supplemental essays, draft resumes)
• Collect test scores for ACT and SAT, as applicable
• Manage a caseload of 11th grade scholars by accurately tracking benchmarks related to to post-secondary goals (ie: cumulative GPA, personal statement, preparing to ask for letters of recommendation; resume building)
• Log Scholar notes and information in Salesforce for all touchpoints and relevant notes

1. Collaborating with the Director of College Counseling on a variety of projects

• Measure Scholars progress towards college counseling goals
• Provide support to ensure best practices and efficiency of meeting metrics within the department
• Provide guidance and feedback on college essays
• Keep up to date and accurate records
• Meet timelines, deadlines, and provide accurate and timely updates to the Director of College Counseling on Scholars’ statuses
• Create content and present/co-present data and college-focused information to the DMSF Board, Associate Board, Education Committee and/or other stakeholders
• Support with data collection, analysis and sharing for grants and other development opportunities

1. Fostering and promoting summer opportunities

Summer Opportunities

• Create a website to highlight all summer opportunities and ensure it is accessible and a useful resource for Scholars.
• Highlight summer enrichment programs, including pre-college
• Host two launch events for Summer Opportunities and highlight an internship opportunity or pre-college experience alongside a selected partner
• Increase participation in summer opportunities by 10% across all grade levels
• Sponsor Scholars as they apply for Crystal Fund and Father Fund grants.
• Demonstrate an understanding of how summer opportunities strategically support scholars’ college application outcomes.

Caddie Program

• Support with recruitment, application and preliminary onboarding process for Scholars in the caddie program to ensure Scholars qualify for The Evans scholarship.
• Share program information with Scholars to recruit interest
• Increase participation of freshman to include at least 20% of the Class each year
• Ensure the DMSF Caddie Program is highlighted in DMSF’s Summer Opportunities
• Support Scholar-facing and family facing aspects of the program
• Support with the recruiting and training of Caddie Counselors
• Connect with and maintain relationships with Caddie Managers and golf clubs

1. Other Responsibilities

In addition to his/her/their other obligations, the Manager of College Counseling also shares responsibility for:

• Professional Learning by attending professional development aligned to college counseling and the requirements of the role and responsibilities
• Education Team by supporting the DMSF Education Team with events across departments, including some evenings and weekends (including Golf Classic, Scholar and family events, interviewing Scholar applicants, Soiree for Scholars, Board Meetings, Induction Ceremony, and Summer Bridge)
• Expand the Pre-College Counseling Program by working alongside the Director of College Counseling to design impactful events, workshops, and/or information sessions for freshmen, sophomore, juniors and seniors

Ideal Candidate Qualifications

DMSF seeks candidates who bring a strong belief in our mission, leadership and passion, balanced by detail-orientation and the willingness to work as part of a team. Candidates must be self-motivated, innovative and flexible, have the ability to multitask and meet deadlines, have quick turnaround, and be able to effortlessly switch from driving planning and execution efforts to face-to-face meetings with Scholars and parents. A working knowledge of pre-college preparation and the college landscape is needed. Excellent writing, presentation, interpersonal and organizational skills are essential.

Professional experiences and the skill set of top candidates will include:

• Bachelor’s degree required
• Work experience in the field of College Access and/or an advanced degree in education or a field which is relevant to DMSF’s work (such as an MEd or MSW) is a plus
• A passion for the mission of DMSF and for the population of students that DMSF serves
• A high degree of initiative, confidence and energy to achieve and exceed goals
• Excellent writing, organizational and communication skills, as well as strong technology skills
• Spanish proficiency is preferred

Benefits:

Current benefits (which are subject to change) are outlined below:

• Health Insurance: 100% employee coverage for HMO plan or 87.5% employee coverage for PPO options; 12.75% coverage for eligible dependents (all plans).
• Dental/Vision: 87.5% employee coverage; 12.75% coverage for eligible dependents.
• Vacation: 10 days in Year 1 with an additional year added each year worked.
• Personal: 4 days
• Sick: 10 days
• Winter Holiday Office Closure: Week between Christmas Eve and New Year’s Day
• Retirement: Up to 3% IRA match
• Flex spending accounts for Healthcare and Dependent Care
• Life insurance, short and long-term disability
• Hybrid work environment (3 days per week in DMSF’s downtown Chicago office); will require periodic weekend and evening work

Compensation: This is a full-time position in a hybrid work environment with an annual salary range of $60,000 to $75,000 based on experience and credentials.

Equal Employment Opportunity Policy

Daniel Murphy Scholarship Fund 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.

Interested candidates should send their resume and cover letter detailing their qualifications for the role to

Jennifer Townsel, Chief Education Officer, at jennifer@dmsf.org.

The subject line should include, “Manager of College Counseling.”

Current benefits (which are subject to change) are outlined below:

• Health Insurance: 100% employee coverage for HMO plan or 87.5% employee coverage for PPO options; 12.75% coverage for eligible dependents (all plans).
• Dental/Vision: 87.5% employee coverage; 12.75% coverage for eligible dependents.
• Vacation: 10 days in Year 1 with an additional year added each year worked.
• Personal: 4 days
• Sick: 10 days
• Winter Holiday Office Closure: Week between Christmas Eve and New Year’s Day
• Retirement: Up to 3% IRA match
• Flex spending accounts for Healthcare and Dependent Care
• Life insurance, short and long-term disability
• Hybrid work environment (3 days per week in DMSF’s downtown Chicago office); will require periodic weekend and evening work