Director, Recruitment

We link high-potential Black students in Chicago to the path to, through, and beyond college. For Black students to become tomorrow’s leaders they must have access to educational resources and tools today.

LINK’s goal is to mitigate the effect of systemic and structural forces impeding Black students by improving and increasing educational opportunities and access. By equipping our Scholars with the knowledge, skills, resources, and social equity that further college completion and career placement, LINK is increasing the economic mobility and stability of Black students and cultivating a diverse leadership pipeline for our city.

Since 1966, we have successfully supported over 2,500 low- to moderate-income students. In the 2024-2025 academic year, we will serve 350 Scholars (Jr. LINK, High School Fellowship, & Collegiate Scholars). Our Scholars represent more than 60 Chicagoland neighborhoods, with a focus on supporting ten South and West Side communities: Auburn Gresham, Austin, Bronzeville, Englewood, Garfield Park, Greater Grand Crossing, North Lawndale, Roseland, South Shore, and Washington Park.

Looking to make a difference by linking students to opportunities so they can take a new path—one that leads to their full potential and our city’s vibrant future? Then join our team

Position Summary

The Director, Recruitment & Engagement is a key member of the Program Team who leads all Scholar and Volunteer/Mentor recruitment initiatives and builds organizational presence and awareness across Chicagoland communities ensuring the enrollment of 65-100 new students and mentors annually.

Additionally, the Director, Recruitment & Engagement will lead all work in the coordination and facilitation of our Jr. LINK middle school fellowship (7th-8th grade) supporting a cohort of 30-50+ Scholars annually to ensure successful matriculation into our high school fellowship. The Director, Recruitment & Engagement will report to the VP, Programs & Evaluation and manage two (2) Coordinators of Recruitment and Engagement.

Recruitment

• Create and implement a recruitment strategy for Scholars as well as Mentors and volunteers for the organization.
• Oversee the application process for Scholars and Mentors as well as oversee strategy for Mentor engagement.
• Facilitate 4-6 Mentor/Scholar events/programs a year.
• Facilitate events and programming to garner interest for new applicants (students, mentors, and volunteers).
• Build relationships with middle and high schools for the purpose of recruitment and targeted programming.
• Develop school partnerships to support recruitment efforts as well as high school options for our middle school Scholars.
• Collaborate with corporate partners to recruit and establish mentor cohorts.
• Maintain data relating to school demographics, point of contact, academic successes, etc. for all attended high school fairs and partners.
• Chaperone Scholar experiences (retreats, field trips, etc.).
• Work with the Executive Leadership Team to develop strategies to position LINK as thought leader in the areas of High school Success and middle school academic development.
• Develop a communications plan and set cadence for check-ins with mentors as well as school and community partners.
• Co-lead execution of programming and related events as a member of the Programs department.
• Other duties as assigned.

Jr. LINK (Middle School Fellowship)

• Oversee and Manage the Coordinator, Outreach and Scholar Support with coordination of Jr. LINK Scholar recruitment, application process, and program implementation.
• In preparation for Summer Orientation & Summer Learning, implement the strategy, systems development, and execution of new student registration and enrollment.
• In collaboration with the Program Team, implement the strategy and systems development for Summer Orientation, Summer Learning, and Fall Kickoff.
• Lead and manage all Jr. LINK recruitment and engagement activities (e.g. principal and counselor breakfast, community events, etc.).
• Coordinate a robust high school college fair, workshop(s), and other activities to ensure Jr. LINK Scholars and parents are prepared and guided through the high school selection process.
• Develop a communications plan and set cadence for check-ins with Jr. LINK schools and community partners.
• In collaboration with the Program Team, support Scholar educational and support programs to ensure Jr. LINK participation and engagement.
• Other duties as assigned.

Data Analysis & Strategic Direction

• Works with the VP, Programs & Evaluation to design feedback strategies to gather stakeholder feedback to inform recruitment and engagement efforts.
• Manage the collection and organization of data to evaluate and measure outcomes.
  • Identify and recommend key recruitment and engagement indicators and outcomes.
  • Track and report regularly on outcomes of recruitment & engagement efforts.
  • Utilize and interpret data for program and process evaluation and decision making so as to make recommendations for continuous improvements.
  • Maintain student/family and partner information in Salesforce.
• Translate findings from outcomes, survey data, and stakeholder feedback into actionable insights.
• Other duties as assigned.

Work Schedule

Full-Time, Monday through Friday, 9:00am-5:00pm, but requires 40-50 hours per week. Hybrid schedule: remotely twice a week (Mondays & Fridays) and in-office Tuesday through Thursday. Must also have flexibility to on occasion work Saturdays and evenings to support recruitment, trainings, Mentor-Scholar programming, and other organizational events.

Compensation

Salary range $75k-$85k; to be determined based on experience and skills. Full-time employees are eligible for health, dental, and vision insurance, Retirement, accrued PTO days, 8 Holidays, and a holiday shutdown from Christmas Eve through New-Year’s day.

To Apply

Submit a cover letter, resume, and salary requirements. Cover letters without salary requirements will not be considered.

LINK Unlimited Scholars is an equal opportunity employer.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree REQUIRED.
• A minimum of 10 years of professional work experience.
• A minimum of five (5) years of previous recruitment experience or responsibilities similar to this role (e.g. sales or other recruitment related experiences) is REQUIRED.
  • Experience working with students and families in the nonprofit or education sector, preferably with Black students, highly desired.
  • Catholic, Urban Public School, and/or Charter School experience is a plus.
• A minimum of five (5) years Supervisory experience that has included full or part-time direct reports is REQUIRED.
• Strong experience in managing customer/client/stakeholder experiences.
  • Previous roles and experience where ensuring a positive customer/client/stakeholder experience was central and most important. Customer/client/stakeholder driven.
• Experience developing and managing partnerships with either community-based organizations, corporations, institutions of higher learning, civic leaders, etc.
• Strong experience using data to drive and achieve programmatic outcomes, programmatic improvement, and demonstrate impact, including survey design and analysis.
• Strong organizational skills and attention to detail.
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills. Ability to speak in public, engage, and build relationships with diverse stakeholders (Scholars, Parents, Mentors, Volunteers, etc.).
  • Strong presentation skills, both in-person & virtual.
• Problem Solving and Critical Thinking: Ability to break down tasks into manageable sections in order to make informed decisions to tackle a larger problem.
• Demonstrated ability to work at a rigorous pace, prioritize multiple projects/assignments, communicate about challenges, plan, and most importantly, follow through to meet deadlines and objectives.
  • Experience using Project Management platforms to manage goal progress (preferably Basecamp).
• Ability to remain flexible and adapt to changing needs and priorities.
• Ability to perceive and resolve a gap between a present situation and a desired goal.
• Demonstrated experience working with electronic databases.
  • Salesforce Experience preferred.
• Advanced skills with Microsoft Office Suite, Google Workspace, or similar software with the ability to learn new or updated software.

Characteristics

• Exemplifies the LINK Unlimited Scholars’ mission, vision, and values and acts in accordance with all policies and procedures of the organization.
• Cheerful and welcoming demeanor.
• Strong work ethic.
• A self-starter, creative, and forward thinker.
• Must have the utmost integrity and an ability to process, protect and exercise discretion in handling confidential information and materials.
• Exercises good judgment with an ability to manage situations with tact and discretion.
• Versatility, flexibility, and a willingness to work enthusiastically with changing priorities or response to emergency situations.