Job Description
Key Responsibilities
College Strategy
• Design and refine Noble's yearlong college counseling strategy to drive matriculation outcomes, establishing tracking systems and accountability structures that enable campus teams to monitor leading indicators and strengthen progress toward network-wide college goals
• Partner with College Analytics staff to oversee and continuously improve Noble's college access data systems and tools, including but not limited to Overgrad, the College Bot, Weekly Odds and Decision Reports, Application Dashboards, Senior Survey, and Handoff Tracker, ensuring systems are aligned to network priorities and campus team needs
• Lead design, strategy development, and implementation of the Early College to Career (EC2C) Strategy, creating scalable tools, structures, and implementation models that increase students' college readiness through postsecondary exploration, career awareness, and purpose-finding experiences
• Set strategic direction for Noble's signature college exploration experiences, including the Annual Junior College Fair and specialized programming (HBCU, Undocu, Military Career), ensuring alignment with Noble's college access vision and maximum student impact
• Own Noble's FAFSA completion strategy in alignment with Illinois mandates, establishing systems, resources, and coaching protocols that ensure state compliance and empower campus teams to drive daily execution
• Oversee and refine Noble’s scholarship application and partnership processes, streamlining review processes and strengthening cross-team coordination to distribute approximately $400,000 in annual scholarships to graduating seniors
• Develop clear processes for supporting students who complete Noble's comprehensive college counseling process and make informed decisions to pursue non-college pathways, ensuring all students achieve choice-filled lives while preserving Noble's central commitment to 4-year college access
• Lead major projects and initiatives from planning through execution, proactively engaging various stakeholders to gather input, synthesize feedback, and drive initiatives that move the needle on college access
Dean of College & Counselor Development
• Lead Noble's college counseling team, directly coaching 17 Deans of College who manage over 60 counselors network-wide. Strengthen Dean execution through Progress to Goals monitoring, collaborative problem-solving, and targeted coaching on team leadership and stakeholder communication.
• In collaboration with the Chief College Officer and NST College Directors, lead strategic design of professional development, ensuring comprehensive programming strengthens cross-campus alignment and shared practice across Noble
• Develop talent pipeline and succession planning, identifying and preparing high-potential counselors for leadership advancement.
College & External Partnerships
• Establish and maintain strategic partnerships with post-secondary institutions, college access and persistence organizations, and community-based organizations to ensure equitable opportunities for Noble students. Evaluate partnership impact and return on investment to inform resource allocation decisions.
• Remain current on the college access landscape, engage in relevant professional networks, and represent Noble as a national leader on college access for underserved students through speaking engagements, thought leadership, and strategic advocacy
Key Metrics
• NST Service Survey Score
• 360 Core Values Score
• Noble’s College-related 6 Commitments Goals
Ideal Candidate Qualifications
• A passion for Noble’s work and commitment to advance diversity, equity, inclusion, and anti-racism
• Excellent communication, customer service, and interpersonal skills
• A positive attitude, solutions-oriented mindset, and desire to learn new things
• Excellent time management skills and attention to detail, with a proven ability to meet deadlines
• Strong data analysis skills, including fluency in Google Drive, Sheets/Excel, and experience deriving insights to inform strategic decisions
Education And Experience
• Bachelor’s Degree required (degree and/or certification in related field preferred)
• 10-15+ years of professional experience with demonstrated people and functional leadership
Position Type/Expected Hours of Work
• This is a permanent full-time, exempt position
• Applicants must be currently authorized to work in the United States on a full-time basis
Please note this job description is not designed to cover or contain a comprehensive listing of activities, duties, or responsibilities that are required of the employee for this job. Duties, responsibilities, and activities may change at any time with or without notice.
Compensation
Compensation will be commensurate with experience and qualifications. Compensation for this position falls between $110,000 and $125,000, which represents the average starting salary for staff in this role. Factors such as years of experience and skill sets may impact placement within, or outside of this range. Additionally, Noble has a top-of-market medical, dental, and vision benefits package among a multitude of other perks that make Noble one of the highest-rated places to work in K-12 education in the country.
Application Timeline & Process
Interested candidates should apply using this link or by visiting nobleschools.org/careers. Applicants are encouraged to complete the short application, which includes two short-answer questions. Initial application reviews will take place on a rolling basis.
Select candidates will be notified of initial interviews and moved through various stages of our selection process, including virtual and in-person interviews with a variety of Noble stakeholders, reference checks, and opportunities for both the candidate and Noble to assess fit. Expected start date is July 1, 2026.
Statement of Non-Discrimination
Noble is proud to be an equal opportunity employer, making all employment decisions, including recruiting, hiring, training, and promoting without regard to race, color, religion, gender, gender identity or expression, ****** orientation, national origin, genetics, disability, age, veteran status, or any other characteristic or classification protected by law.
💡 Quick Summary
Seeking a career-building opportunity? The Director of College Counseling position is now open for candidates interested in the Education Jobs sector. This role in Chicago offers a professional environment and growth potential.
Requirement Snapshot: Candidates should possess basic communication skills, a proactive attitude, and the ability to work in a team. Experience in Education Jobs is a plus.
