Director of Cohort Pathways in Providence, Rhode Island at Onward We Learn

Organizational Overview:

We’re thrilled you’re considering Onward We Learn as an employer.

Since 1989, Onward We Learn has worked to inspire and prepare young people in Rhode Island to be the first in their families to attend and complete college. Nearly four decades later, that mission remains at the heart of everything we do.

As we look toward the future, Onward We Learn is entering an exciting new chapter. In late 2025, our Board of Directors approved a two-year strategic plan focused on strengthening our impact, deepening collaboration, and building a more responsive and sustainable organization.

As part of this organizational realignment, we’re hiring for several new and reimagined roles at once. These openings reflect intentional growth and investment in our future. We’re building a strong, people-centered, mission-driven team equipped to support students and families for years to come.

This is an exciting moment to join Onward We Learn. We are proud of the strong culture we’ve built - one rooted in mission, collaboration, care, and continuous learning, and we’re looking for passionate people who want to help shape what comes next.

Position Purpose:

The Director of Cohort Pathways leads the design and execution of Onward We Learn’s cohort-based programs, ensuring effective delivery within diverse district and school contexts. This role oversees a team of coaches across grade bands, driving strong program delivery, advising practices, and team performance to support student progression and success. The Director uses data and systems to monitor outcomes, strengthen program effectiveness, and ensure consistency across cohorts and sites. As a key member of Onward’s management team, they also build community presence and partnerships, helping to connect students to opportunities and advance the organization’s mission

Role Responsibilities:

Leadership and Supervision

• Supervise and develop Coaches across grade bands, providing strategic and operational leadership to drive program effectiveness and student outcomes.
• Lead and manage the Associate Director of College Admissions (AD), setting clear expectations around program execution, student outcomes, and partnership development with colleges and external stakeholders.
• Establish clear expectations for student engagement and productivity metrics for all team members, ensuring they are positioned to deliver high-quality services.
• Conduct regular one-on-one and team meetings, offering coaching, mentorship, and professional development focused on case management and data analysis.
• Determine, implement, and oversee staffing plans that support achievement of organizational goals and objectives, and refine as necessary.
• Support in the recruitment and onboarding process for new coaches, ensuring alignment with Onward We Learn’s standards and mission.
• Cultivate and maintain relationships with cohort school districts, guidance counselors, and community partners.

Cohort Program Strategy

• Support the strategic vision and goals for student coaching and college access programs, collaborating with the Chief Program Officer (CPO) and other key staff to ensure programs are effective, engaging, and aligned with educational standards and organizational objectives.
• Provide strategic oversight of college admissions programming, ensuring high-quality advising, strong college match outcomes, and alignment with organizational goals for high school student success.
• Oversee the Honorific Program and broader admissions strategy, using data and outcomes to refine programming, increase competitiveness for selective institutions, and drive continuous improvement.
• Regularly evaluate coaching outcomes against established goals, utilizing feedback and data to continuously improve coaching models, tiering structures, and engagement strategies across grade bands.
• Ensure consistent, high-quality coaching practices across the team and monitor caseload distribution and student tiering to ensure equitable support.
• Oversee key milestone moments for cohort pathway students (e.g., FAFSA campaigns, college application season, summer melt prevention).
• Manage the allocation of resources for cohort programs, including budgeting, staffing, and logistics, to maximize impact and efficiency.
• Strengthen institutional partnerships with colleges, scholarship organizations, and community partners to expand opportunities and resources for students.
• Support family engagement strategies within programs, ensuring parents and guardians are informed, involved, and supportive of their student's educational journey.

District and School Partnership

• Lead district- and school-level planning for cohort-based programming, including annual and multi-year pathway design, site selection, schedules, staffing models, and sequencing of student supports.
• Serve as Onward We Learn’s primary planning lead with district leaders, school administrators, and key stakeholders for all cohort-based partnerships.
• Coordinate closely with districts and schools to align cohort pathways with academic calendars, graduation requirements, postsecondary readiness milestones, and local priorities.
• Translate district agreements, MOUs, and partnership expectations into clear, executable program plans for coaches and internal teams.
• Build and sustain strong working relationships with superintendents, principals, guidance leadership, and district offices to support consistent implementation and long-term partnership health.
• Partner closely with the Chief Program Officer and Director of Advising and Impact to ensure cohort delivery models are fully aligned with advising strategy, tiering structures, and organizational goals.

Data Management and Reporting

• Oversee the utilization of Onward’s CRM by Cohort Coaches and the AD, ensuring accurate and timely data entry, reporting, and compliance with data privacy and security policies.
• Analyze CRM reports on student engagement, academic milestones, and referrals to identify trends and inform program improvements.
• Partner with the Chief Information Officer and CRM Director to assess usage data and drive ongoing CRM updates and enhancements.
• Evaluate key performance indicators (KPIs) for Cohort Coaches and AD, including student persistence, milestone completion, and outreach goals.

Organizational Stewardship

• Contribute to the strategic direction and ongoing organizational stewardship of Onward We Learn, engaging actively in leadership discussions and cross-functional collaboration.
• Promote a collaborative and high-performing culture that supports staff well-being while ensuring productivity goals are met.
• Support grant development and collaborative initiatives that strengthen mission impact and sustainability.
• Serve as a key ambassador for Onward’s work, with a particular focus on engaging and supporting families.
• Build and sustain strong relationships with partners and funders in support of organizational objectives.

Required

• Master's degree in education, public administration, or related field, or a Bachelor’s degree with a minimum of five years of relevant experience.
• A minimum of three years of management or leadership work experience.
• Demonstrated experience leading multi-site district or school planning efforts.
• Experience collaborating with superintendents, principals, and central office teams.
• Experience operationalizing district partnerships, MOUs, or multi-school agreements.

Required

• Master's degree in education, public administration, or related field, or a Bachelor’s degree with a minimum of five years of relevant experience.
• A minimum of three years of management or leadership work experience.
• Demonstrated experience leading multi-site district or school planning efforts.
• Experience collaborating with superintendents, principals, and central office teams.
• Experience operationalizing district partnerships, MOUs, or multi-school agreements.
• Willingness and ability to travel frequently to cohort districts, including regular on-site engagement in Newport and Woonsocket, to support program implementation, build relationships, and monitor progress.
• Deep understanding of the college preparatory process, youth development theories, and the needs of under-represented and first-generation students.
• Exceptional leadership, communication, and team-building skills.
• Proficiency in data analysis and reporting, with the ability to use technology to drive decision-making and program improvements.
• Proficient in Microsoft 365 (Outlook, Word, and Excel) and able to learn and effectively use the latest software and technology systems employed by Onward.
• Commitment to Onward We Learn's mission, values, and strategic objectives.
• Ability to act as an advocate and ambassador for the organization, with a strong sense of ownership and pride in performance.
• Flexibility to work weekend and evening hours as needed for program support and special initiatives.

Preferred

• Fluency in a second language relevant to Onward We Learn's student population.

Review of applications will begin immediately. Anticipated start date for this role is July 2026

Total Rewards and Benefits

Onward We Learn offers a comprehensive benefits package that helps our employees live their best lives and grow personally and professionally. Our comprehensive benefits package includes medical, dental, vision, disability, life insurance, flex spending accounts, generous paid time off, an Employee Assistance Program (EAP), and a 403(b)retirement plan with organizational match.