Location(s): University of Southern California in Los Angeles, CA; Mercy Manhattan in New York City, NY, and Northwestern University in Evanston, IL

Employment Type: Temporary, Full-time, Exempt (3 openings)

Compensation and Benefits: $15,000 covering training and the full program duration (details below).

Applications will be reviewed on a rolling basis, with a flexible timeline until all positions are filled.

The Organization:

At Thrive Scholars, we provide high-achieving students from under-resourced communities, the opportunities they need to thrive at top colleges and in meaningful careers.

Our comprehensive and data-driven program model focuses on the key inflection points that can be the difference between graduating from any college and graduating from a top college with the grades, degree, career skills, and network needed to thrive in any career. Thrive Scholars originated in Los Angeles as South Central Scholars (“SCS”) twenty years ago. Over this time, the organization has refined its program model and, in the last five years, has focused on expanding nationally; reaching more high-achieving underrepresented students, growing the number of Scholars we serve; and deepening our program impact. Thrive Scholars has begun to grow its footprint with new summer program offerings in three additional cities, with more to come. The organization has approximately 75 year-round employees and close to 200 summer employees.

The Program: Summer Academy - Residential & Commuter:

Summer Academy has long been the keystone of Thrive Scholars’ Six-Year Program, offering a signature summer experience through intensive college-preparatory courses taught by college instructors. Thrive’s current strategic direction builds on the success of our residential Summer Academy to expand our impact by establishing commuter-based Academies in cities across the United States. We launched our first two commuter programs in Los Angeles and New York City in 2024 and Chicago in 2025, while simultaneously continuing to offer the residential Summer Academies for Scholars who do not have an academy in their community. We expect to continue extending our reach to other cities in the coming years.

The Students:

Our students are high-achieving, including first-generation college-goers from under-resourced communities, with an average high school GPA of 3.9 on a 4.0 scale. They are eager to learn, inquisitive, and highly motivated to succeed. In general, they see themselves as good students who perform well in school and are determined to live up to that expectation. When scholars attend their first summer academy, whether commuter or residential, they are a rising high school senior.

The Opportunity:

Thrive Scholars is seeking three (3) Site Directors (Dir), one for each of our three commuter academies in summer 2026. The Site Director will be the lead local daily operations of the summer programs at the assigned host University. Ensuring a positive, enriching, & safe experience for Scholars. The Site Director will be the primary Thrive on-site representative. The Site Director will administer program logistics, act as the main point of contact between campus and Thrive, support the development and implementation of programming, and provide supervision/support to the onsite team.

Key Responsibilities:

Administration

• Serve as primary liaison with the host university for all operational and program matters while in session
• Oversee daily management of program logistics, including budget, student transportation plan, and supplies
• Track and manage class attendance and supporting classroom needs
• Keep Thrive's Director of Academies informed via regular check-ins & communication; work collaboratively with Thrive staff to troubleshoot as necessary & implement approved decisions
• Host staff meetings to provide feedback and guidance as needed to ensure strong performance for on-site team

Programming

• In collaboration with Thrive program staff and site staff, co-lead student orientations
• Assist with planning & chaperoning off-site field trips and special events

Student Supervision & Support

• Monitor student safety, well-being, & program participation; provide support around student issues that may arise; & work as a liaison with parents, medical, mental health, or safety services, as needed
• Support and monitor participants to ensure that students abide by Thrives Community Standards and attendance policies, and administer appropriate response for students who are not meeting expectations
• Mediate conflicts among Scholars is needed
• Maintain objectivity and strict confidentiality in all sensitive matters and with student information
• Serves as point person for parents during the program

Qualifications and Experience:

• Minimum of 3 years of experience working with youth in a full-time role
• Experience managing people and programming in a learning environment, such as an summer camp, school, academic summer program, a residential high school or a college/university
• Experience in and passion for working with a diverse community of high school & college students
• Superior interpersonal skills & ability to build effective relationships with students, faculty, & staff
• High level of dependability & strong commitment to ensuring the health & safety of participants at all times
• Enthusiasm & ability to work in a high-energy environment, foster positivity & energy among high-school & college students
• Ability to train/manage a team of professional staff and college-age staff members
• Valid driver's license
• CPR & First Aid certification preferred
• Experience in school counseling or social work preferred
• Bachelor's degree required
• Must pass a background check and complete required safety trainings

Compensation, Benefits, and Program Dates:

Site Directors will receive a stipend of $15,000 and will lead a team including two Assistant Site Directors and additional staff. This is a temporary, full-time, exempt position. Training for this role will be delivered through a combination of asynchronous and synchronous sessions. Once the program begins, Site Directors are expected to work Monday through Friday from 8:00 a.m. to 5:30 p.m., with occasional evening or weekend work for special events, such as college tours or program celebrations. At the conclusion of the Academies, Site Directors, in collaboration with their Assistant Site Directors, will complete an end-of-program report. This position reports to the Director of Academies.

2026 Host Sites & Key Dates:

1. University of Southern California – Los Angeles, CA
2. 1. Remote Training: May 18 – June 12
   2. On-Site Training, Student Orientations & Program Preparation: June 13 – June 19
   3. Session Dates: June 22 – July 31
   4. Program Closeout: August 3 – 12

1. Mercy University – Manhattan Campus, New York City, NY
2. 1. Remote Training: June 8 – June 26
   2. On-Site Training, Student Orientations & Program Preparation: June 28 – July 3
   3. Session Dates: July 6 – August 14
   4. Program Closeout: August 17 – 28

1. Northwestern University – Evanston, IL
2. 1. Remote Training: May 26 – June 19
   2. On-Site Training, Student Orientations & Program Preparation: June 20 – June 26
   3. Session Dates: June 29 – August 7
   4. Program Closeout: August 8 – 19

Working Environment & Physical Requirements

The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by a seasonal employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this role:

• Frequent sitting, talking and listening and occasional walking, bending, stooping, and pulling
• Handle and operate computers, tools or controls
• Occasionally lift and/or move up to 25 pounds
• See clearly in an indoor and outdoor environment
• Work in an indoor classroom environment that may not have air conditioning in the summer
• Travel off campus (transportation will be provided and advance notice will be given if required)
• Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

Equal Employment Opportunities:

Thrive Scholars provides equal employment opportunities (EEO) to all employees and applicants for employment and prohibits discrimination and harassment based on race, color, religion, gender, gender identity, national origin, sexual orientation, age, disability, or veteran status. Knowing their importance to the success of our work, Thrive Scholars is committed to diversity, equity, and inclusion, and we aspire to build a diverse staff team and community. We strongly encourage people of all backgrounds to apply.

For more information, please visit thrivescholars.org