Associate Director, Program Success

Role overview

Braven is a national nonprofit that helps promising college students land a strong first job after graduation through a career-building program. The model combines a semester-long college course with continued support through graduation, in partnership with higher education institutions and employers. The organization’s broader aim is to strengthen the middle class and expand access to opportunity.

The Associate Director, Program Success will join the Innovation Team and support Braven’s centralized-course delivery as it grows across partner campuses, including the University of Mount Saint Vincent. This role is central to maintaining a high-quality course experience by managing a team of part-time graders, improving grading systems, and making sure academic policies and campus expectations are followed. The position also serves as the main contact for volunteer Leadership Coaches during the term, handling questions, resolving issues, and helping them stay engaged and supported.

This is a full-time, exempt role on the Central Delivery Team and reports to the Director of Accelerator Success.

What you will do

• Oversee a group of part-time graders for the Leadership and Career Accelerator course, including onboarding, quality control, and ongoing feedback.
• Work with Program Facilitators and the Director of Academic Success to build volunteer support and accountability systems, including coaching for low-performing Leadership Coaches.
• Help design and run grader training cycles and peer learning groups so grading stays consistent and aligned with University of Mount Saint Vincent standards.
• Step in when graders are not meeting expectations and coordinate support so high-need Leadership Coaches receive what they need to improve student outcomes.
• Make sure rubrics are followed and grading turnaround times are met across sites and course sections.
• Run regular checks on the quality of feedback to confirm it is clear, useful, and aligned with learning goals.
• Maintain grading performance dashboards and report patterns, trends, and insights to Central Delivery leaders.
• Support students who are struggling through a tiered academic intervention approach, including direct outreach, communication, tracking, and coordination with partner intervention systems and contacts.
• Partner with the Director of Academic Success and the centralized delivery team to create a positive volunteer experience through communication, resources, and recognition.
• Monitor volunteer engagement, issues, and performance in tools such as Salesforce, and escalate concerns when action is needed.
• Lead focused coaching conversations for struggling Leadership Coaches and support onboarding and training efforts.
• Collaborate with cross-functional teammates to improve scalable systems that strengthen grader and volunteer success.
• Use grading and Leadership Coach data to inform improvements to product, training, and course design.
• Document best practices and share them across Braven’s knowledge-sharing network.

Requirements

• Bachelor’s degree is required.
• Ability to review academic data, spot trends, and act early to address student learning needs, either directly or by assigning work to others.
• At least 3 years of related professional experience is preferred.
• Experience working with secondary school or college students from diverse backgrounds, especially when they are facing academic stress or difficulty.
• Background in managing part-time staff or volunteers, with the ability to delegate clearly and give constructive feedback.
• Strong coaching and interpersonal skills, including the ability to guide volunteers and facilitators who may be more senior or experienced.
• Excellent customer service, communication, organization, and analytical skills.
• Ability to build project plans, meet deadlines, and use data and metrics to guide decisions and measure performance.
• Strong relationship-building skills and comfort creating consensus among different stakeholders.
• Comfort working in ambiguous environments and adapting as needed.
• Familiarity with collaboration and data tools such as Google Suite, Salesforce, Slack, and Jira, or similar platforms.
• Commitment to fostering inclusive, supportive team cultures that help others grow.
• Alignment with Braven’s core values and mission.
• Experience that connects you to Braven’s mission and prepares you to work with Braven Fellows.
• Must be authorized to work in the United States; Braven does not sponsor work visas.
• Must be able to work in person in New York City at least 3 days per week.
• Must be available for travel 1–2 times per quarter to partner sites and team gatherings.
• Must be able to work an adjusted schedule, including up to 3 evenings per week and 1–2 weekends per semester to support weekly programming.
• Reliable transportation is needed for commuting to the office and partner campuses as required.

Application process

• Phone screen with a Talent Team member
• Performance task
• Interview with the hiring manager
• Panel interview with key partners
• Reference checks

Compensation and benefits

The salary range for this role is $69,000 to $86,200, based on a 50-hour work week. It is a full-time, regular, exempt, benefits-eligible position.

Braven uses market-based and internally equitable compensation practices and does not negotiate salary offers. New hires typically start toward the lower end of the range, with room to grow over time based on performance.

Current benefits include unlimited vacation time, org-wide holidays, week-long shutdowns in July and at the end of the calendar year, a 401(k) match of up to 5% of base annual salary starting the first full month, 85% premium coverage for employee and dependents, and a one-month paid sabbatical after 4 years on staff.

Work arrangement

The role is designed for a hybrid schedule in New York City. Team members are expected in the office Tuesday through Thursday and may work remotely on Monday and Friday. Braven asks teammates to live within commuting distance of the New York City hub and values the balance of in-person collaboration with flexible remote work.

Equal opportunity

Braven is an equal opportunity employer and welcomes applicants from all backgrounds. Employment decisions are made without regard to race, color, creed, religion, national origin, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, age, disability, veteran status, or any other protected status.