Associate Director, Program Success

Base Pay Range

$69,000.00/yr - $89,200.00/yr

Job Title

Associate Director, Program Success

Team

Innovation Team

Location

Hybrid in Newark, NJ (in-person 3 days per week, remote 2 days per week)

Employment Type

Full-time

FLSA Classification

Exempt

Start Date

ASAP

About Braven

Braven is a national nonprofit that prepares promising college students to secure a strong first opportunity after college graduation through a career-accelerating program. We work with higher education and employer partners to offer a life-changing experience that begins with a semester-long course for college students, followed by support that lasts through graduation. Together, our ambition is to help rebuild the middle class and revitalize the American Dream.

About the Role

As Braven scales its centralized-course model to serve more Braven Fellows across an expanding portfolio of higher education partners, the Manager, Program Success plays a critical role in ensuring a high-quality course experience. This individual manages a pool of part‑time Graders, reinforces Braven’s grading strategy, and serves as the primary point of contact for volunteer career coaches (Leadership Coaches), responding to questions, escalating challenges, and ensuring they feel connected and supported.

What You’ll Do

Stakeholder Management (40%)

• Supervise and support a pool of part‑time Graders for the Braven Leadership and Career Accelerator course, including onboarding, quality assurance, and feedback cycles.
• Collaborate with Program Facilitators and Manager, Academic Success, to implement volunteer support and accountability structures, including coaching for under‑performing Leadership Coaches.
• Co‑design and lead grader training cycles and communities of practice to ensure grading consistency and alignment with Higher Education Partnerships standards.
• Provide escalation support and intervention for Graders struggling to meet expectations and coordinate closely with others to ensure high‑support Leadership Coaches receive necessary resources to influence student outcomes in the course.

Course Data Management & Analysis (40%)

• Ensure rubric adherence and grading turnaround times are met across all sites and sections.
• Implement periodic audits of feedback quality and ensure clarity and alignment to learning objectives.
• Manage grading performance dashboards and share trends and insights with the Central Delivery Accelerator leadership team.
• Support struggling students through a tiered academic intervention framework, including direct student engagement, communications, and supports, tracking, and coordinating with higher‑education partner intervention systems.

Leadership Coach Experience and Retention Support (15%)

• Partner with the Manager, Academic Success and Centralized Delivery to maintain a high‑quality, joyful volunteer experience through consistent communication, resources, and recognition.
• Track volunteer engagement, issues, and performance in systems like Salesforce, escalating to appropriate teammates when interventions are needed.
• Lead targeted coaching sessions for struggling Leadership Coaches and contribute to onboarding and training.

Team Collaboration & Knowledge Sharing (5%)

• Partner with cross‑functional CDA teammates to build and refine scalable systems that support grader and volunteer success.
• Share insights from grading and Leadership Coach data to inform product, training, and course design improvements.
• Document and socialize best practices, participating actively in Braven’s knowledge‑sharing ecosystem.

Minimum Requirements

• Bachelor’s Degree.
• Demonstrated empathy and effectiveness in working directly with secondary or college‑level students from diverse backgrounds, particularly in moments of academic struggle or stress.
• Proven ability to analyze academic data to identify trends and proactively address student learning needs through direct intervention or by delegating tasks.

Preferred Qualifications

• At least 3 years of work experience in a related field.
• Experience managing and supporting part‑time staff or volunteers, including the ability to delegate effectively and provide clear, constructive feedback.
• Strong interpersonal and coaching skills, with the ability to support and mentor volunteers and facilitators at all levels of experience.
• Exceptional customer service skills, with the ability to communicate clearly, patiently, and professionally with students, staff, and volunteers.
• Excellent organizational and analytical skills with the ability to create, operationalize, and manage project plans, meeting milestones and deadlines, and a focus on using data and metrics to drive decisions and measure performance.
• Excellent relationship builder with the ability to find common ground, build consensus, and strengthen collaboration among diverse stakeholders, exemplifying a customer‑service mindset.
• Comfort with a high level of ambiguity and the desire to work in an ambiguous environment.
• Comfort using collaboration and data tools like Google Suite, Salesforce, Slack, and Jira (or similar systems).
• Demonstrated commitment to building strong and welcoming cultures that help to develop others.
• Exemplification of Braven’s core values.
• Experience that has informed your belief in Braven’s mission and has prepared you to work with, or for, Braven’s student Fellow population.

We encourage applications from anyone who meets many of these qualifications.

Work Demands

• Ability to work in person in Newark, NJ at least 3 days per week.
• Travel up to 1–2 times per quarter across Braven’s higher education partners and for team gatherings.
• Ability to work an adjusted schedule to support facilitation of weekly programming up to 3 evenings per week and 1–2 weekends per semester.

Additional Requirements

• Authorized to work in the U.S.
• Braven does not offer employment visa sponsorship.

Application & Interview Process

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

Benefits

Braven offers a competitive base salary and a comprehensive benefits package that includes: unlimited vacation time with a minimum of 19 days per year; $25,000 in fertility and family‑building benefits; 401(k) match up to 5% of base salary; coverage of 85% of the health insurance premium for employee and dependents; and a one‑month paid sabbatical after 4 years on staff.

Braven is firm in its compensation philosophy; therefore, only candidates who are confident that the total rewards package aligns with their expectations are encouraged to apply.

Location and Remote Work

We gather in the office 3 days a week (Tuesday through Thursday) and work remotely 2 days a week (Monday and Friday). Team members should live within commuting distance of a Braven hub in New Jersey. We provide flexibility with at least two remote days per week.

Equal Opportunity Employer

Braven is an equal‑opportunity employer and considers qualified applicants for employment without regard to race, color, creed, religion, national origin, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity and expression, age, disability, veteran status, or any other protected factor. We encourage talented individuals of all backgrounds to apply.

Seniority Level

• Associate

Employment Type

• Full‑time

Job Function

• Education

Industries

• Non‑profit Organizations and Primary & Secondary Education

#J-18808-Ljbffr