Description

LINK Unlimited Scholars is where hard work meets heart work. The work is demanding and fast-paced, but deeply rewarding. We push ourselves because our Scholars deserve nothing less. If that doesn’t scare you AND you’re adaptable, driven, and ready to invest in changing the trajectory of our Scholars lives and our city’s future, then we invite you to join our team!

We LINK students who have been historically underrepresented in higher education, especially Black students, with the resources and support needed for success as they advance to, through, and beyond college.

Chicago’s educational system amplifies persistent inequities, creating deep and lasting opportunity gaps for historically underrepresented students, particularly Black students. LINK’s goal is to mitigate the effect of these systemic and structural forces by improving and increasing educational opportunities and access for students who have been historically underrepresented in higher education, especially Black youth in Chicago. By equipping our Scholars with the knowledge, skills, resources, and social equity that further college completion and career placement, LINK is increasing the economic mobility and stability of historically underrepresented students and cultivating a diverse leadership pipeline for our city.

Since 1966, we have successfully supported over 2,500 low- to moderate-income students.  In the 2025-2026 academic year, we will serve 300+ Scholars (Jr. LINK, High School & Collegiate Scholars). Our Scholars represent more than 60 Chicagoland neighborhoods, with a focus from ten South and West Side communities: Auburn Gresham, Austin, Bronzeville, Englewood, Garfield Park, Greater Grand Crossing, North Lawndale, Roseland, South Shore, and Washington Park.

Position Summary

The Director, Educational Programs leads the vision, strategy, planning, and execution of LINK’s academic enrichment and leadership programming. This includes Summer Learning, Saturday Academy workshops, Peer Mentoring, Tutoring, Schmitt Scholars, and Scholar orientation events. The Director ensures Scholars gain the academic preparation, enrichment, and leadership skills needed to thrive. This role ensures all educational and enrichment programming aligns with LINK’s mission and delivers high-quality outcomes.

Program Strategy, Design & Delivery

• Lead the vision, strategy, and execution of all of LINK’s educational and enrichment programs.
• In alignment with organizational annual goals, establish annual team goals and strategies to achieve them.
• Stay apprised of best practices in the fields of College Access, College Success, and Career & Leadership Development.
• Ensure curricula and programming are culturally responsive, aligned to enrichment best practices, kept current with industry standards, and regularly assessed for effectiveness
• Design and implement LINK’s 4–6 week Summer Learning program with strong academic and leadership outcomes, including curricula delivery, Scholar orientations, hiring & management of external Educational Consultants/Instructors, etc.
• Design and implement 3-4 Saturday Academy workshops annually, including curricula delivery, selection of guest speakers/panelists, hiring of external Educational Consultants/Instructors, etc.
• Recruit, hire, and manage 10-12 contractual Educational Facilitators and/or Instructors to deliver educational and leadership programming.
• Ensure Scholar academic success through enrichment programming, especially tutoring when grades fall below LINK requirements.  
• Lead the planning and execution of Scholar Orientations, Kick-Off, and Schmitt Scholars program.
• Lead LINK’s partnership with Schmitt Scholars, serving as the primary liaison with program partners.
  • Ensure Scholars are identified and programming is aligned with the Schmitt Scholars program.
  • Monitor Scholar progress, provide guidance, support, and ensure strong Scholar capstone projects and presentations. 

Scholar Support & Transitions

• Collaborate with Admissions & Enrollment Team to ensure smooth transitions for Scholars into Jr. LINK and high school programming.
• Support Scholar persistence through academic enrichment, tutoring, mentoring, and skill-building opportunities.
• Coordinate programming that connects academic preparation with college access, leadership development, and career exposure.
• In collaboration with the President & CEO, manage the LINK Scholarship Award process and dissemination ($300k+ annually).
   

Data Analysis & Strategic Direction

• Collect, track, and analyze outcomes for programs including Summer Learning, Saturday Academies, and Peer Mentoring.
• Use attendance, engagement, and assessment data to evaluate program quality and drive improvement.
• Maintain accurate data in Salesforce and other systems to monitor Scholar progress.
• Use data to inform program improvements, report outcomes, and guide strategic decision-making.

Stakeholder Engagement & Partnerships

• Build and sustain partnerships with schools, facilitators, instructors, and community organizations to support our Scholars and enrichment programming.
• Hire, train, and manage 8–10 Summer Learning instructors and 6–8 Saturday Academy facilitators.
• Engage families and parents to strengthen Scholar support and outcomes.
• Lead LINK’s partnership with Schmitt Scholars, serving as the program liaison.

Leadership & Supervision

• Collaborate with 2–3 Program Coordinators in a project-based manner, providing clear direction, coaching, and day-to-day oversight to ensure project plans are executed with excellence, on time, and aligned to LINK’s goals, while also fostering Coordinators’ professional growth.
• Collaborate with peer Directors and co-lead initiatives to ensure Scholars experience holistic, seamless support across programs (e.g. Scholar Celebration, etc.).
• Create detailed project plans, timelines, and budgets, ensuring projects are completed on time and within scope.
• Work collaboratively with departments to ensure project success.
• Clearly communicate organizational priorities and translate them into actionable tasks in guiding team collaboration and Scholar outcomes.
• Model and reinforce LINK’s values in daily work, decision-making, and expectations of others.
• Manage program budgets and allocate resources effectively.
• Other duties as assigned.

Work Schedule

Full-Time, Monday through Friday, 9:00am-5:00pm, but requires 40-50 hours per week. Hybrid schedule: remotely twice a week (Mondays & Fridays) and in-office Tuesday through Thursday.  Must also have flexibility to work on occasion Saturdays and evenings to support programming or other organizational events.  

Compensation

Salary range $75,000-$85,000. Our salary scale is intended to align with experience relative to THIS position. Those with the least amount of directly relevant experience are considered at the lower end of the scale, while those with the most directly relevant experience are considered toward the top of the scale. Candidates should be prepared to share their salary expectations and explain how their background and experience align with the responsibilities of THIS position.

Full-time employees are eligible for health, dental, and vision insurance, Retirement, PTO days, 11 Holidays, and a holiday shut down from Christmas Eve through New-Year’s Day.

LINK Unlimited Scholars is an equal opportunity employer. 

Requirements

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in Education, Youth Development, Curriculum/Instruction, or related field REQUIRED. Master’s degree or higher preferred.
• Minimum of 10 years of professional work experience.
• Minimum of five (5) years of program management, teaching, or enrichment program leadership REQUIRED.
  • Experience working with students and families in the nonprofit sector, preferably with Black students, highly desired.
  • Strong background in curriculum design, culturally responsive pedagogy, and experiential learning.
• A minimum of five (5) years Supervisory experience that has included full or part-time direct reports is REQUIRED.
• Program event management and facilitation experience required.
• Proven success designing and implementing large-scale enrichment programs (e.g., Summer Learning, Saturday Academies).
• Demonstrated ability to integrate leadership development and career exposure into academic enrichment experiences.
• Track record of coaching or managing others to deliver high-quality academic enrichment, leadership development, and career exposure programming aligned with best practices.
• Proven ability to design, lead, and evaluate academic enrichment, leadership development, and career exposure programs.
• Experience building and sustaining partnerships with colleges/universities, scholarship providers, and nonprofit partners to support students.
• Strong organizational skills and attention to detail.
• Excellent time management skills with proven ability to meet deadlines.
• Demonstrated ability to work at a rigorous pace, prioritize multiple projects/assignments, communicate about challenges, plan, and most importantly, follow through to meet deadlines and objectives.
• Strong experience using data systems to monitor outcomes (applications, acceptances, scholarships, financial aid), track staff deliverables, and enforce accountability.
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills.  Ability to speak in public, engage, and build relationships with diverse stakeholders (Scholars, Parents, Mentors, Volunteers, etc.).
• Ability to independently lead strategy, planning, and execution without the need for detailed oversight or step-by-step direction; proactively identify challenges, propose solutions, and drive work forward aligned with organizational goals.
• Strong experience using data to drive and achieve programmatic outcomes, programmatic improvement, and demonstrate impact, including survey design and analysis.
• Problem Solving and Critical Thinking: Ability to break down tasks into manageable sections to make informed decisions to tackle a larger problem.
• Proven ability to operate with an entrepreneurial mindset, including ownership, accountability, efficiency, and hustle to achieve results in evolving environments.
• Proficiency in project management tools (preferably Basecamp) and data platforms (Salesforce preferred).
• Advanced skills with Microsoft Office Suite, Google Workspace, or similar software with the ability to learn new or updated software.

Characteristics

• Embodies LINK Unlimited Scholars’ mission, vision, and values with integrity and consistency.
• Demonstrates an entrepreneurial mindset: resourceful, proactive, and innovative; takes full ownership and accountability for results and works with the urgency and hustle needed to deliver for Scholars.
• Operates with a solution-oriented, can-do attitude; persistent and proactive in addressing challenges.
• Flexible and adaptable, thrives in fast-paced, evolving environments, and comfortable working with ambiguity.
• Scholar-centered: prioritizes the needs and outcomes of Scholars above personal convenience.
• Resilient and growth-minded: seeks feedback, learns quickly, and continuously improves.
• Collaborative and community-minded; builds strong relationships with staff, Scholars, families, and partners.
• Creative and forward-thinking; unafraid to pivot when necessary.
• Exercises sound judgment and discretion, with an unwavering commitment to excellence.