BTSV’s tuition-free program provides year-round out-of-school time academic support, counseling, and advocacy for a diverse group of talented students, most of whom come from under-resourced communities and will be the first generation in their family to go to college. Through our students-teaching-students model, BTSV also provides a consummate professional development experience providing talented high school and college students the opportunity to understand the K-12 system and the drivers of educational inequities, and to design and teachs under the direction of seasoned educators.

Located in San Jose, California, Breakthrough Silicon Valley is an affiliate of The Breakthrough Collaborative, a leading national service organization that acts as the national voice for 24 Breakthrough sites across the country.

The Position

The College Success Manager leads the planning and implementation of the College Pathways Initiative. Launched in 2020, the College Pathways Initiative helps first-generation college students build the foundation of college success and persist through their first year of college, with efforts underway to expand beyond college persistence to career planning and success.

During the school year, you’ll manage BTSV’s peer mentor program, including recruiting and training mentors, pairing mentors with mentees, and planning community-building events. You’ll build relationships at target campuses and with other college success partners. And you’ll manage BTSV’s scholarship application and disbursement. Over the summer, you’ll plan and deliver a multi-day college retreat for BTSV’s graduating seniors to assist with their transition to either 4-year or 2-year colleges. This includes building the agenda, developing workshops, booking speakers, and managing all event logistics. 

Throughout the year, you’ll develop strategies and activities to build and grow the BTSV alumni community that students can leverage for professional networking and career development.  You’ll also take charge of collection and analysis of program data to support evaluation of BTSV’s college success initiatives.

The College Success Manager reports to the Director of College Access and Success.

What background and skills do you have?:

• At least three to five years of experience at a youth development or educational organization, particularly one focused on college access and persistence for first-generation students and students of color.

• Experience advising college students for academic success and/or career planning.

• Knowledge of the college enrollment process and both two- and four-year postsecondary institutions.

• An understanding of the unique challenges facing first-generation college students.

• Experience developing engaging curricula or programming, especially for students and families navigating the college experience.

• Strong project management skills with the ability to prioritize, meet deadlines, and delegate when needed while executing multiple time-sensitive priorities.

• Comfort with public speaking and the ability to engage diverse audiences.

• Comfort with program evaluation and basic data collection and analysis.

• “Breakthrough Spirit”: You’re a collaborative team player who is committed to excellence and open-minded, demonstrates a growth mindset, thinks creatively to solve problems, and works with a sense of humor and humility.

• Commitment to Breakthrough Silicon Valley’s mission and goals as well as a passion for educational equity.

• Bachelor’s degree.

Bonus points if you’ve got:

• Experience as a college administrator, or within admissions, financial aid or support program offices.

• Experience with peer mentorship programs.

• Experience planning events.

• You’re bilingual (Spanish or Vietnamese).

• Experience managing interns or other direct reports.

• Experience with Salesforce.

We know that many strong candidates will not have all the skills we list. That’s OK. What else do you bring to the table? Please tell us!

Compensation and Benefits

• This is a full-time, exempt position.

• The salary range for manager-level positions at BTSV is $65,000-$80,000. BTSV typically makes salary offers between the range minimum and midpoint, taking into consideration the candidate’s qualifications, our budget, and internal equity.

• Health benefits: Medical, dental, and vision coverage, with 100% of employee premiums and 75% of dependent premiums covered by BTSV.

• Retirement Benefits: 401(k) plan with immediate, fully vested 3% company match.

• Paid time off: 15 days of PTO, plus 11 holidays and two “shut-down” weeks.

• Professional development fund for professional association memberships and to pursue growth and learning opportunities.

Location and Hours

BTSV maintains two offices in San Jose:

• Bridges Academy: 1702 McLaughlin Ave, San Jose, CA 95122

• Herbert Hoover Middle School: 1635 Park Ave, San Jose, CA 95126

This is a hybrid position. The College Pathways Manager role requires regular attendance at meetings and delivery of programming in person, so you will generally work in person at one of BTSV’s offices three days per week. You will have the flexibility to work from a home office when in-person work is not required. Candidates must be local to the Bay Area or planning to relocate in order to be considered.

As BTSV is an “out-of-school time program,” occasional evening and weekend work, as well as travel to offsite programs and events in the greater Bay Area, are also required.

COVID-19 Information

BTSV requires all employees to be vaccinated against COVID-19 (one dose of Johnson & Johnson, two doses of Moderna, or two doses of Pfizer-BioNTech). Proof of vaccination must be provided prior to your first day of employment. Employees may request accommodation if they have a qualifying medical condition or on the basis of sincerely held religious beliefs and practices.

BTSV is also continually monitoring the COVID-19 situation locally and will continue to comply with all state, county, city, and/or school district directives on PPE, social distancing, vaccination, and remote work as they evolve.

Application Process

Apply online through this site and attach your resume and cover letter as PDFs. Please indicate where you heard about the position in your cover letter.

BTSV engages with individuals of all backgrounds and we are committed to embracing diversity within our organization, including developing a team who represents the communities we serve.

As an Equal Opportunity Employer, BTSV is committed to providing employment opportunities to all individuals and does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, ethnicity, religion, sex, gender, gender identity and expression, sexual orientation, national origin, disability, age, marital status, veteran status, pregnancy, or any other basis prohibited by applicable law.