Director of Post-Secondary Education (Philadelphia)

Position Summary:

The Director of Post-Secondary Education – Philadelphia (“Director (Philadelphia)”) will play a critical leadership role in expanding The Howley Foundation’s college scholarship program in Philadelphia, PA. This individual will serve as a key connector between the Foundation, high schools, students, and partner universities, helping to build a scalable, outcomes-driven college success initiative. Qualified candidates must reside near Philadelphia, PA.

The Foundation has historically focused on high school programs; the post-secondary effort is newer and rapidly evolving. The Post-Secondary Education Program prioritizes colleges with strong academic and support outcomes for lower-income students and degree programs aligned with clear career pathways and strong post-graduate earning potential. This role offers a unique opportunity to build partnerships, and directly impact college access, persistence, and career outcomes for underserved students.

As a fully remote position, the Director (Philadelphia) will need to possess strong time management and organizational skills. They must be able to work independently while also working collaboratively with colleagues in Philadelphia, Cleveland and Chicago. In-person meetings and school visits in the Philadelphia area will be required.

The ideal candidate is mission-driven, relationship-focused, and results-oriented. They must be passionate about expanding access to high-quality post-secondary opportunities and ensuring students succeed in college and beyond. They are comfortable building systems and contribute to the growth of a small but impactful organization.

RESPONSIBILITIES:

Working closely with the Director of Post-Secondary Education (Cleveland), the Director (Philadelphia) will be responsible for the following:

Program Development & Management

• Build and maintain strong relationships with:
• Current and new College scholars
• High school counselors, administrators, students and parents in partner high schools
• College admissions staff and enrolled scholars at partner institutions
• Conduct regular visits with high school and college partners, in-person or virtual (minimum annually; more frequently for key or emerging partners)
• Conduct regular meetings (annually or semi-annually) with scholars
• Lead outreach and engagement efforts to promote Foundation programs
• Design, in collaboration with other staff, and execute programming that strengthens the high school-to-college transition
• Collaborate with leadership to refine and expand program strategy
• Manage application cycles, ensuring timely and complete submission of materials
• Participate in applicant evaluation and selection processes
• Coordinate scholarship payment processes
• Support students and partners in resolving challenges and ensuring program success
• Support various Philadelphia initiatives, particularly related to career, vocational and college programs with the guidance of the Executive Director (Mid-Atlantic).

Data, Outcomes & Strategy

• Monitor and evaluate:
• Student retention and graduation rates
• Career placement outcomes and earning potential
• Conduct research on majors, career pathways, and labor market trends
• Partner the Director of Post-Secondary Education (Cleveland) to develop reports, dashboards, key performance metrics and to recommend data-informed program improvements

Communication & Representation

• Maintain consistent, clear communication with students, schools, college partners, and internal stakeholders
• Provide timely updates to leadership on program developments and challenges
• Represent the Foundation at conferences, school visits, and professional events
• Serve as a knowledgeable and mission-aligned ambassador of the Foundation

Organizational Contribution

• Thrive in a dynamic, evolving role within a small, entrepreneurial organization
• Work independently while maintaining strong alignment with leadership
• Contribute to cross-functional initiatives as program needs evolve

Professional Development

• Engage in ongoing learning through conferences, seminars, and peer networks
• Stay current on best practices in college access, student success, and workforce alignment

QUALIFICATIONS/REQUIREMENTS:

·        Bachelor’s degree required

·        Experience working with underserved or urban high school students strongly preferred

·        Knowledge of college admissions, financial aid, and post-secondary pathways preferred

·        Exceptional interpersonal skills and ability to work with a range of constituents, including members of The Howley Family Office, Board of Directors, school leadership, students, parents and other key positions throughout the high school and college education community

·        Strong written and verbal communication skills

·        Proficiency in Microsoft Office, particularly Excel/data analysis

·        Analytical mindset with the ability to interpret and act on data

·        Highly organized, adaptable and self-directed

This is a fully remote position located in Philadelphia, PA, non-negotiable. The hours are M-F, 8 a.m. – 4 p.m. unless otherwise agreed upon. Local travel required; additional travel, with plenty of advanced notice, is a possibility.

Targeted start date is August 1, 2026

• Send resumes and salary range to: hr@howleyfoundation.org