Position Description

The Managing Counselor will serve as a mentor for our part-time college counselors and provide support to the company’s senior leadership team. The candidate must be self­-motivated, detail­-oriented, extremely comfortable multitasking, and able to thrive in a dynamic, fast-paced environment. Reporting to the Executive Director of Operations but also working closely with our founder and other Lead Counselors, this role requires collaboration across our outreach, operations, and client relations teams to ensure success for both our counselors and clients.

The Managing Counselor will also be an ambassador for our company, responsible for driving growth through webinars and consultations with potential clients, presenting our services in a compelling manner that resonates with families. The majority of time will be dedicated to clients, supporting students on their journeys, and ensuring the process goes smoothly and deadlines will be met, but there are three key components of the job:

Client Management

• Maintain a caseload of around 30-50 clients total (potentially more if students are primarily underclassmen, or less if the students are primarily upperclassmen)
• Be able to make multi-year commitments to students and meet after school hours and on weekends
• Oversee the entire college application process for parents and students
• Determine counselor pairing(s) for clients you’ve met in consultations, then supervise said counselors:
  • Create/oversee/approve checklists and timelines for each grade
  • Approve all narrative-building and coursework recommendations, college lists, key essay topics, etc.
  • Serve as key escalation point of contact for clients and counselors when issues arise
  • Proactively check in with direct reports’ families (estimated 1-2 times per year)

Team Management

• Assist in the interview process with counselor candidates, make recommendations based on overall fit, knowledge base, and alignment with the company’s values 
• Oversee part-time counselors, review and evaluate performance through check-in meetings and annual reviews, provide feedback (both positive and corrective), and provide additional resources as needed
• Assess staffing needs and recommend hiring when necessary
• Collaborate with other Lead Counselors on the design and implementation of college counselor training and professional development programs 

Business Development

• Serve as the face of GE College Prep, leading engaging webinars and boot camps that showcase our expertise and highlight the unique value of our counseling services, attracting prospective clients and building brand awareness
• Conduct one-on-one consultations with potential clients, connecting with them on a personal level while effectively communicating our offerings and demonstrating how our tailored approach can meet their specific needs to facilitate conversions
• Develop strategies and materials that effectively promote our services and enhance our outreach efforts
• Build and maintain relationships with high schools and colleges

Education

• • Bachelor’s degree from a Top 50 institution
  • Master's degree in counseling, education, psychology, or a related field preferred

Experience

• • Minimum of 10 years of experience in college counseling or educational leadership roles
  • Experience managing teams and working with a diverse student population
  • Deep understanding of the college admissions process, financial aid, scholarships, and standardized testing
  • Success placing high-achieving students into top programs; experience with highly competitive applications in niche fields – for example, engineering, business, performing arts, and/or BS/MD programs – is a huge plus

Skills/Qualities

• • Natural ability to connect with others and build trust and rapport quickly. Whether collaborating with colleagues, guiding students, or reassuring parents, you create positive, meaningful interactions that leave people feeling valued and supported 
  • Capacity to manage fast-paced, high-pressure situations where emotions run high
  • Willingness to take ownership of issues and follow problems through to resolution
  • Independence and autonomy, but also an understanding of when to escalate concerns
  • Relentless passion for helping students achieve their academic and personal potential and the drive to go above and beyond to help them do so
  • Ability to identify unexpected extracurricular activities that advance or highlight students’ unique interests and ambitions; create balanced (realistic but optimistic) college lists; offer clear, detailed feedback on all stages of essays; devise a plan around early action, early decision, etc.; and project manage the entire application process
  • Strong leadership and team management abilities
  • Handling of confidential information with discretion
  • Adaptability and agility (knowing when and how to pivot in complex situations)
  • Exceptional organizational and time management skills
  • Proficiency in using college counseling software, spreadsheets, and data management tools
  • Dedicated, quiet workspace with reliable internet access for virtual sessions

About GE College Prep

Great Expectations College Prep is proud to have a team of highly accomplished individuals. We come from a variety of educational backgrounds but all have one thing in common: a commitment to our students. We are always accepting applications for new team members. If you have the following qualifications, we’d love to hear from you: A passion for education, a positive attitude, highly motivated, ranked in the top 10% in your field of study, graduate school education and/or teaching credentials, previous tutoring and/or counseling experience, availability after school and on weekends

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