Director of Student Services

Year Up United; Dallas (TX); On-site; USD 103,000 - 112,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Healthcare options

Dental coverage

401(k) match

Paid vacation

Job summary

Year Up United is seeking a Market Director of Student Services to guide site teams, partner with Site Directors and STS leads, and ensure consistent program delivery across multiple sites. You will mentor staff, handle crisis interventions, and collaborate with donors while aligning with national standards to advance student success and equity in a fast-paced, growth-oriented environment.

This exempt, salaried role requires strategic thinking, data-driven decision making, and a strong

Qualifications

• Minimum 6 years in leadership or program management with Opportunity Youth.
• Ability to lead through influence and coach others.
• Strategic thinking with data-informed decisions.
• MSW degree preferred.
• Strong local social services network and knowledge.
• Excellent communication across diverse backgrounds.
• Facilitation experience in group settings.
• Commitment to Year Up United values and inclusion.

Responsibilities

• Set market vision for student services and drive cross-site strategy.
• Collect, interpret, and report student services data trends.
• Coach STS staff and develop professional growth.
• Deliver training ensuring adherence to National Standards.
• Support Site Directors with staff evaluations and development.
• Cultivate donor and volunteer relationships.
• Manage grant reports with Development team.
• Develop partnerships with community organizations.
• Participate in learning communities and staff trainings.

Skills

Leadership

Coaching

Strategic thinking

Data analysis

Communication

Mentoring

Education

Master of Social Work

Job description

Overview

As the Director of Student Services, you will report to the Deputy Director, Student Services and support the Site Directors (SDs) and Student Services teams across a multi-site market by providing functional role assistance, upholding the Student Services standards and by providing consistency in program support. The Market Director of Student Services is responsible for supporting the direction of the site Student Services teams through collaboration with Site Directors and STS Team Leads. You will serve as the subject matter expert, providing training and professional development to site-based STS staff, and partnering with Site Directors to support student needs. This will include providing direct service and support to the STS Team Lead via case consultation, resource cultivation, partnership development and site support as needed. To be successful in this role, you’ll be an experienced social work professional with superior leadership skills who thrives in fast-paced, dynamic environments. You will be skilled in crisis intervention, but also comfortable testing new infrastructure, providing feedback, and contributing to strategic conversations about program growth and student support. You will work to drive consistency in student services support and program delivery across sites, serving as a subject matter expert and consult to teams. In keeping with Year Up United’s values, the Market Director of Student Services will also have the opportunity to interact with students as a mentor, group facilitator, and advocate, participating in building a positive educational environment.

Leadership and Cross Site Coordination

• Responsible for setting a vision for the student services function in the market, and working with leadership to establish a cross-site strategy to meet market goals
• Collect, synthesize, interpret and report on student services data trends and themes in the market
• Provide coaching to site-based STS staff, lead through influence in the market
• Develop and deliver training for site-based STS staff as needed to ensure compliance with National Standards
• Assist Site Directors with staff evaluations and actively support the professional development of STS staff
• Other duties as necessary for the successful leadership of the team, site outcomes and support of the students

Program Development

• Support the local sites and Site Directors with the training and onboarding Student Services staff as needed
• Attend meetings with Site leaders to provide consultative support as needed
• Provide support to staff as they work with students who need social work support identified through the admissions process or in the course of their involvement in the Year Up United program
• Review student and intern data with site leadership to examine trends and issues that may be affecting program participants. Work with site-based teams to develop plans to address trends
• Responsible for cultivating and maintaining relationships with donors and volunteers for STS related activities and resources
• Responsible for grant reports and partnerships in collaboration with the Development team

Partnership Development & Capacity Building

• Initiate, manage and delegate the building of new relationships with community-based organizations and social service agencies to address student needs. Develop, steward, and enhance existing relationships
• Make recommendations to both Year Up United Program team and the regional leadership teams to strengthen partnerships for student support services offered on-site and off-site

Site Team/Learning Community Member

• Participate in a learning community (LC), supporting student programming and program facilitation on a regular basis
• Participate in staff meetings and trainings and complete LC required tasks
• Develop supportive, and trusting relationships with students, act as a tertiary level of support for all students by consistently interacting with the learning community programmatic activities

Qualifications

• A minimum of 6 years of work experience is required, preferably working with Opportunity Youth in leadership or program management roles
• Ability to lead through influence and to coach and develop others towards their professional goals
• A proven ability to think strategically, and to use data to inform decision making
• Master of Social Work degree from an accredited program is preferred
• Business acumen and the ability to serve as a consult for building student support systems and structures in line with Year Up United’s program delivery model
• An existing network of contacts within, and extensive knowledge of the social services resources available in the local region
• Effective communication skills and the ability to connect with people from a variety of lived experiences
• Proven demonstration of leadership behaviors, relentlessly developing staff, driving for results and being mission driven
• History of thriving in a fast-paced, high-growth, team-oriented environment
• Experience and comfort with facilitation and instruction in group environments
• Uphold company core values in all interactions
• A passion for working with young adults, an unshakable belief in their potential, and a strong commitment to the mission of Year Up United
• Understanding the Opportunity Divide and its drivers
• Commitment to diversity, equity and inclusion

Salary Range: $103,000 - $112,000

Working At Year Up United

Starting January 5, 2026, employees are expected to work on-site at least two days per week (Monday through Thursday dependent on job requirements). To be eligible for employment, candidates must live and work in a state (or an approved proximate state*) where Year Up United operates. For a list of eligible locations, please visit: https://www.yearup.org/job-training/locations

• Approved proximate states where Year Up United operates are: Connecticut, Indiana, New Hampshire, New Jersey, South Carolina and Virginia.

Compensation & Benefits

• Year Up United has established salary ranges for each of our sites, which allows us to pay employees competitively, equitably and consistently in different geographic markets. For roles in which the location is listed as flexible, the range displayed reflects the minimum and maximum target for new hire salaries for the position across all US locations. Salary offers take into account a candidate’s skills, experience, and location. Your recruiter can share more about the specific salary range for your location during the hiring process.
• Benefits: Comprehensive healthcare options and dental coverage; 401(k) match for eligible participants.
• Vacation: Earn three weeks paid vacation in first year of employment; four weeks after initial year.

This is an exempt role (paid on a salaried basis).

Organization Description

Year Up United is a national 501(c)3 workforce development organization committed to ensuring equitable access to economic opportunity, education, and justice for all young adults—no matter their background, income, or zip code. Employers face a growing need for talent while millions of talented young adults lack access to meaningful careers. These inequities only further perpetuate the opportunity gap that exists in our country—a gap that Year Up United is determined and positioned to close through three interconnected strategies: providing targeted skills training and connections to livable-wage employment for students and alumni; empowering others to serve and support young adults, and changing systems that perpetuate the opportunity gap. Year Up United’s intensive training program utilizes a high expectations, high support model where students learn in-demand technical and professional skills and apply them during a corporate internship. Year Up United has directly served more than 40,000 young adults since its founding in 2000. Year Up United's nationwide presence includes Arizona, Austin, Bay Area, Charlotte, Chicago, Dallas/Fort Worth, Greater Atlanta, Greater Boston, Greater Philadelphia, Jacksonville, Los Angeles, the National Capital Region, New York City/Jersey City, Pittsburgh, Puget Sound, Rhode Island, South Florida, Tampa Bay, and Wilmington.

Commitment To Diversity

Year Up United embraces diversity and equal opportunity in a serious way. All aspects of employment, including the decision to hire, promote, discharge, or discipline, are based on meritocracy. We do not permit 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 characteristics protected by federal, state, or local laws. Learn more about our commitment to diversity: http://www.yearup.org/about-us/careers/commitment-to-diversity/

Year Up United is also committed to working with and providing reasonable accommodations to individuals with disabilities. Your recruiter can provide details regarding the expected work environment and any physical requirements. Please let our hiring team know if you need an accommodation at any point during the interview process. Information received relating to accommodation will be addressed confidentially.

We respectfully request no phone calls.