Locations: Los Angeles, CA; New York, NY; Chicago, IL

Employment Type: Temporary, Full-time, Exempt

Salary Range: $14,000-15,000, depending on site

The Organization:

At Thrive Scholars, we provide high-achieving, diverse, and underrepresented students, including students of color from under-resourced communities, the opportunities they need to thrive at top colleges and in meaningful careers.

Our comprehensive and data-driven program model focuses on the key inflection points that can be the difference between graduating from any college and graduating from a top college with the grades, degree, career skills, and network needed to thrive in any career. Thrive Scholars originated in Los Angeles as South Central Scholars (“SCS”) twenty years ago. Over this time, the organization has refined its program model and, in the last five years, has focused on expanding nationally; reaching more high-achieving underrepresented students, growing the number of Scholars we serve; and deepening our program impact. Thrive Scholars has begun to grow its footprint with new summer program offerings in three additional cities, with more to come. The organization has approximately 75 year-round employees and close to 200 summer employees.

The Programs: Summer Academy & Thrive Academy:

Summer Academy has long been the keystone of Thrive Scholars’ Six-Year Program, offering a signature summer experience through intensive college-preparatory courses taught by college instructors. Thrive’s current strategic direction builds on the success of Summer Academy to expand our impact by establishing community-based Thrive Academies in cities across the United States. We launched our first two Thrive Academies as commuter programs in Los Angeles and New York City in 2024 while simultaneously continuing to offer the residential Summer Academies for Scholars who are part of our Six-Year Program. We are gearing up to open a third Thrive Academy in Chicago and expect to continue extending our reach to other cities in the coming years.

The Students:

Our students are high-achieving and identify as underrepresented, including first-generation college-goers, students of color, and those from under-resourced communities, with an average high school GPA of 3.9 on a 4.0 scale. They are eager to learn, inquisitive, and highly motivated to succeed. In general, they see themselves as good students who perform well in school and are determined to live up to that expectation. Students in Thrive Academy I  are rising high school seniors, while students in Thrive Academy II are rising college freshmen.

Please review Thrive Scholars’ position statement on economic mobility here.

The Position:
Thrive Scholars is seeking  Thrive Academy Site Director (Dir) for each of the summer 2025 locations. The Site Director will be the lead local administrator overseeing the daily execution of Thrive Academy summer programs at the assigned  host University. Ensuring a positive, enriching, & safe experience for Scholars. The Site Director will be the primary Thrive on-site representative and will be in charge of the day-to-day operation of the summer program. The Site Director will administer program logistics, act as the main point of contact between campus and Thrive, support the development and implementation of programming, and provide supervision/support to the onsite team.  

Compensation and Benefits:

Site Directors will receive $14,000 or $15,000. Locations with Thrive Academy I and Thrive Academy II will receive $15,000 and have additional Assistant Site Directors. Locations with just Thrive Academy I will receive $14,000. This is a full-time, seasonal exempt position. Training for this role will occur asynchronously and synchronously. 

2025 Host Sites and Dates:

University of Southern California  - Thrive Academy I & Thrive Academy II - $15,000

Remote Training: May 19th - June 13th 

On-Site Training, Student Orientations  & Program Preparation Dates: June 14th - June 20th 

Thrive Academy I Session: June 23rd- August 1st

Thrive Academy II Session: June 23rd- July 19th

Program Closeout: August 4th - 8th 

Mercy University, Manhattan Campus - Thrive Academy I & Thrive Academy II - $15,000

Remote Training: June 2nd - June 27th 

On-Site Training, Student Orientations  & Program Preparation Dates: June 28th - July 3rd  

Thrive Academy I Session: July 7th - August 16th 

Thrive Academy II Session: July 7th - August 1st 

Program Closeout: August 18th - 22nd 

University of Chicago - Commuter - $14,000

Remote Training: June 2nd - June 20th 

On-Site Training, Student Orientations  & Program Preparation Dates: June 21st - June 27th

Thrive Academy I Session: June 30th - August 8th

Program Closeout: August 11th - 15th 

Once the program begins, the Site Director is expected to work from 8-5:30pm Monday - Friday and may have occasional weekend or evening work for special events, such as college tours or program celebrations.  After the conclusion of Thrive Academies, the Site Director, along with the Assistant Site Director(s) will be responsible for creating an end-of- program report.

Reports to: Director of Academies

Primary Responsibilities: 

Administration 

• Serve as primary liaison with the host university for all operational and program matters while in session 
• Oversee daily management of program logistics, including budget, student transportation plan, and supplies 
• Track and manage class attendance and supporting classroom needs 
• Keep Thrive's Director of  Academies informed via regular check-ins & communication; work collaboratively with Thrive staff to troubleshoot as necessary & implement approved decisions
• Host staff meetings to provide feedback and guidance as needed to ensure strong performance for on-site team

Programming 

• In collaboration with Thrive program staff and site staff, lead student orientation, and a weekly 3-hour session on assigned college readiness topic. Most materials and content will be provided.
• Assist with planning & chaperoning off-site field trips and special events

Student Supervision & Support 

• Monitor student safety, well-being, & program participation; provide support around student issues that may arise; & work as a liaison with parents, medical, mental health, or safety services, as needed 
• Support and monitor participants to ensure that students abide by Thrive Academies Community Standards and attendance policies, and administer appropriate response for students who are not meeting expectations
• Mediate conflicts among Scholars is needed
• Maintain objectivity and strict confidentiality in all sensitive matters and with student information 
• Serves as point person for parents during Thrive Academy 

Qualifications & Experience:

• Minimum of 3  years of experience working with youth in a full-time role 
• Experience managing people and programming in a learning environment, such as an summer camp, school, academic summer program, a residential high school or a college/university 
• Experience in and passion for working with a diverse community of high school & college students 
• Superior interpersonal skills & ability to build effective relationships with students, faculty, & staff 
• High level of dependability & strong commitment to ensuring the health & safety of participants at all times 
• Enthusiasm & ability to work in a high-energy environment, foster positivity & energy among high-school & college students 
• Ability to train/manage a team of professional staff and college-age staff members 
• Valid driver's license 
• CPR & First Aid certification preferred 
• Experience in school counseling or social work preferred 
• Bachelor's degree required 
• Must pass a background check and complete required safety trainings

Working Environment & Physical Requirements:

The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by a seasonal employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this role:

• Frequent sitting, talking and listening and occasional walking, bending, stooping, and pulling
• Handle and operate computers, tools or controls
• Occasionally lift and/or move up to 25 pounds
• See clearly in an indoor and outdoor environment
• Work in an indoor classroom environment that may not have air conditioning in the summer
• Travel off campus (transportation will be provided and advance notice will be given if required)

Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

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Thrive Scholars provides equal employment opportunities (EEO) to all employees and applicants for employment and prohibits discrimination and harassment based on race, color, religion, gender, gender identity, national origin, sexual orientation, age, disability, or veteran status. Knowing their importance to the success of our work, Thrive Scholars is committed to diversity, equity, and inclusion, and we aspire to build a diverse staff team and community. We strongly encourage people of all backgrounds to apply.

For more information, please visit thrivescholars.org