About the position

We are seeking an experienced advisor to join our growing NERA team! This advisor will manage a caseload of just over 1,000 alumni entering their third year post-high school and support them through college graduation and career launch. The role centers on delivering guidance across key areas—academic, financial, social-emotional, and career—primarily via text using nudge technology, with supplemental support provided through phone, Zoom, or in-person meetings as needed. In addition to direct advising, the advisor will work closely with the NERA Program Manager to design and implement strategies that drive continuous improvement and increase alumni engagement. We're looking for someone who can commit to at least two years as we scale the program to reach thousands more alumni. This role reports to the NERA Program Manager.

Responsibilities

• Manage a caseload of over 1,000 alumni by leveraging nudge texting, calls, and in-person/virtual meetings to provide individualized support on topics such as financial aid, class registration, re-enrollment, academic appeals, career readiness, and connections to resources like microgrants and mental health services.
• Collaborate with the NERA and broader KIPP Forward teams to implement a robust re-enrollment strategy that supports alumni who have stopped out of their postsecondary programs in returning to and completing their education.
• Manage NERA platform to track and prioritize outreach and needs of caseload, responding to requests for support within 24 hours during a work week.
• Support alumni in accessing KIPP Forward foundational services (e.g. microgrants, mental health services).
• Support NERA manager in building strong and succinct text scripts that provide alumni with critical information and resources to support their persistence and completion.
• Support the continuous improvement of the program by communicating with program manager about gaps in programming and alumni needs.
• Support KIPP Forward data collection initiatives, including enrollment verification, semester transcript collection, and annual alumni surveys.
• Track and analyze alumni data (e.g. enrollment, transcripts, financial aid completion, internships, survey results) to help inform alumni support and programming.
• Maintain current alumni contact, enrollment and career information in the Alumni Database and other data tracking systems.
• Leverage alumni data to create and maintain outreach strategies on a weekly basis.
• Participate in summer training Week of July 14th, 2025.
• Attend and participate in all KIPP Forward monthly team meetings.
• Participate in weekly check ins with NERA Program Manager.
• Participate in NERA monthly team meetings.
• Maintain regular, open communication with the NERA Program Manager to navigate complex alumni challenges, strengthen feedback loops, support continuous improvement, and increase alumni engagement.
• Seek and prioritize cross collaboration with other teams to bolster the support NERA is offering alumni (i.e. work closely with career team members to better understand internships, jobs, and other career opportunities for alumni in NERA).
• Respond to emails, calls and texts from staff within 24 hours during work week.

Requirements

• Minimum of two years' experience working with students or in an educational setting, preferably providing academic, financial, career, and socio-emotional support to traditionally under-served college students.
• Bachelor's Degree in education, counseling, youth development preferred.
• Strong alignment with and commitment to KIPP Forward's Program Model.
• Positivity, optimism and a solutions-oriented mindset.
• Outstanding written and oral communication skills.
• Strong time-management skills.
• Self-starter, comfortable in a fast-paced, entrepreneurial environment.
• Demonstrated ability to meet ambitious goals within deadlines.
• Ability to self-direct and prioritize among competing goals and to initiate process improvement.
• Growth-mindset and desire to receive regular coaching and adjusting feedback in order to grow.
• Ability to collaborate and build relationships within and across teams.
• Strong working knowledge in Microsoft Word/Google Docs, Microsoft Excel/Google Sheets, Microsoft PowerPoint/Google Slides, and Microsoft Outlook and ability to learn new technology platforms and databases quickly.
• Willingness to check email/texts after hours for emergency situations.

Benefits

• Robust benefits that include medical, dental, and vision.
• 403(b) retirement plan with 50% match after 6 months.
• Generous Time-Off aligned with school calendar.
• Up to 12 weeks 100% parental leave.
• Bright Horizon Back-up Child and Elder care.
• Employer paid Life Insurance and Short term/Long term disability.
• Employee incentives including 8 Weeks paid Sabbatical after 10 years, annual professional development funds, and tuition reimbursement.