Associate Director, Transition & First Year (INTERNAL ONLY)

Heights Philadelphia; Philadelphia (Philadelphia County); Hybrid; USD 75,000 - 110,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Medical, dental, and vision insurance

Paid time off

Twelve weeks of paid parental leave

Technology stipend

401(K) retirement savings plan

Job summary

Heights Philadelphia is seeking an Associate Director of Transition and First-Year to lead student-focused programming, oversee a small team of College Success Advisors, and partner with campus resources to support persistence and successful transitions from high school to college.

The role combines program design, logistics, mentoring, data management, and collaboration with the Career Pathways team; in a hybrid work model with in-person requirements and travel for campus visits.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s Degree (Advanced Degree Preferred).
• Minimum two years in a related role working directly with matriculated students in college persistence.
• Experience leading individuals.
• Dedicated remote work area, homeowner’s or renter’s insurance, and compliance with company technology, safety, and health requirements.
• Ability to travel occasionally for meetings, campus visits, and events.
• Proficient operating a computer and office productivity software.
• Capacity to lift up to twenty (20) pounds.
• Ability to perform essential functions with or without reasonable accommodations.
• Potential need for more than forty (40) hours per week.

Responsibilities

• Lead vision and manage logistics for transition programs and events.
• Collaborate with other departments to facilitate smooth student transitions.
• Supervise summer interns and manage hiring of summer instructors.
• Provide supportive, motivational advising to students navigating higher education.
• Maintain ongoing contact with students via email, phone, texting, and in-person/virtual meetings.
• Connect students to campus and community resources to resolve issues.
• Establish and maintain relationships with campus liaisons who advocate for students.
• Visit campuses to meet liaisons and students and understand available resources.
• Organize group events to promote peer support and collaboration among cohorts.
• Collect, record, and maintain student data, documents, interactions, and progress in established data management systems.
• Assist students temporarily out of college to plan their return to school or entry into the workforce.
• Guide students in transition from college to career (e.g., resumes, interview skills, internships) in collaboration with the Career Pathways team.
• Support ongoing relationships with legacy alumni.
• Manage full-time staff.
• Perform additional duties as required by business needs.

Skills

Student affairs

Team leadership

Program management

Remote work

Communication skills

Education

Bachelor’s Degree

Advanced degree preferred

Tools

Office software

Job description

Associate Director of Transition and First‑Year

Location: Philadelphia, PA

Job ID: 533 | Openings: 1

Overview

The Associate Director of Transition and First‑Year supports a cohort of college students as they navigate the higher education system, including troubleshooting financial issues and coaching on academic challenges. The role leads programming and events for student transition from high school to college, such as Orientation/Welcome, Summer Institute, Kick‑Off, and first‑year student programming, and supervises a small team of College Success Advisors.

Responsibilities

• Lead vision and manage logistics for transition programs and events.
• Collaborate with other departments to facilitate smooth student transitions.
• Supervise summer interns and manage hiring of summer instructors.
• Provide supportive, motivational advising to students navigating higher education.
• Maintain ongoing contact with students via email, phone, texting, and in‑person/virtual meetings.
• Connect students to campus and community resources to resolve issues.
• Establish and maintain relationships with campus liaisons who advocate for students.
• Visit campuses to meet liaisons and students and understand available resources.
• Organize group events to promote peer support and collaboration among cohorts.
• Collect, record, and maintain student data, documents, interactions, and progress in established data management systems.
• Assist students temporarily out of college to plan their return to school or entry into the workforce.
• Guide students in transition from college to career (e.g., resumes, interview skills, internships) in collaboration with the Career Pathways team.
• Support ongoing relationships with legacy alumni.
• Manage full‑time staff.
• Perform additional duties as required by business needs.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s Degree (Advanced Degree Preferred).
• Minimum two years in a related role working directly with matriculated students in college persistence.
• Experience leading individuals.
• Dedicated remote work area, homeowner’s or renter’s insurance, and compliance with company technology, safety, and health requirements.
• Ability to travel occasionally for meetings, campus visits, and events.
• Proficient operating a computer and office productivity software.
• Capacity to lift up to twenty (20) pounds.
• Ability to perform essential functions with or without reasonable accommodations.
• Potential need for more than forty (40) hours per week.

Other Requirements

• Pass a PA State background check (PA Criminal, PA Child Abuse, FBI Fingerprint Check) at hire and every five years thereafter.
• Adhere to COVID safety guidelines as required by the Department of Human Services and/or the School District of Philadelphia.

Benefits

• Generous medical, dental, and vision insurance covering 90% of employee costs.
• Paid time off: 17 personal days, 6 sick days, 12 federal holidays, 2 floating holidays, and two week‑long office closures.
• Twelve weeks of paid parental leave.
• Technology stipend to offset internet and cell phone costs.
• Short‑ and long‑term disability coverage.
• Semi‑monthly staff gatherings and targeted professional development resources.
• 401(K) retirement savings plan with employer matching contribution.

Work Arrangements

Heights Philadelphia operates a hybrid work environment. Staff work from home, in the Center City office, and on‑site with school partners as determined by responsibilities. The role requires in‑person reporting at least two days per week, one of which is Wednesday for all office‑based staff. School‑based staff must report in person four days per week. Additional reporting days may be necessary based on team priorities.