Associate Director of Middle School Programs

Associate Director of Middle School Programs

Location:

Austin, Texas, United States

Breakthrough Central Texas is a leading college access and success nonprofit in Central Texas. For more than 20 years, we have partnered with thousands of middle and high school students who aspire to be the first in their family to graduate with a degree or certificate. We make a radical, long‑term commitment to students, to and through college, unlocking the power of education and a lifetime of opportunity.

We support the whole student with personalized services, work closely with community partners, campuses, and employers, and advocate for our students with lawmakers. Breakthrough students attend 60+ public schools and persist at nearly 100 colleges and universities. The result is that 55% of Breakthrough students graduate from college, compared to 17% of low‑income students in our region.

• Provide timely, high‑quality academic advising and mentoring to a caseload of 25‑30 students.
• Submit accurate, comprehensive advising notes and maintain data to drive action and inform program design.
• Develop relationships with students and families, adhering to advising standards and using the Middle School Advising Checklist.
• Support students in developing study skills, time management, goal setting, and self‑advocacy.
• Build trusting relationships with caregivers, educators, and school administrators to keep students engaged and thriving.
• Collaborate with the Student and Family Support Specialist to connect families to non‑academic resources (mental health, food, housing, etc.).
• Ensure strong 8th/9th‑grade course selection and academic progress, working with families on high‑school options and admission requirements.

• Implement developmentally appropriate content to support secondary success.
• Facilitate and evaluate campus‑based programming during or after school to promote school success and foster a college‑going culture.
• Innovate and evaluate high‑quality summer programming for rising 6th‑through‑9th‑grade students in Austin, Del Valle, and Manor.
• Support program evaluation efforts and make continuous improvements to achieve outcomes.
• Contribute to or lead high‑functioning committees or work groups that are data‑driven and student‑outcome focused.
• Create a learning community aligned with Breakthrough’s core values and college‑going culture.

• Manage complex committee or work‑group projects, coordinating coaching, alignment, and strategic input with colleagues and volunteers.
• Lead 1–2 goal‑oriented committees/work groups that broadly impact the middle‑school team.
• Develop and execute a clear vision and measurable goals for the site and committees, using data to drive student outcomes.
• Onboard, supervise, develop, and evaluate the site team and summer staff to ensure high performance and optimal student outcomes.
• Activate others, with or without formal authority, to follow processes, deliver outcomes, meet deadlines, and collaborate efficiently.
• Recruit and retain a diverse cohort of students.

• Support program evaluation efforts and continuously improve program goals.
• Design and facilitate effective, regularly scheduled student progress meetings for advisors.
• Ensure high‑quality advising services for all middle‑school students and maintain relevant outcome indicators.

• Strategically develop relationships with teachers, school administrators, district leaders, counselors, and other community partners.
• Meet regularly and collaborate with staff and volunteers to support students and families.
• Identify and manage valuable volunteer experiences that achieve program goals.

• Champion for increasing social and economic opportunity through educational attainment.
• Servant leader who thrives in deep relationships within the communities served.
• Passionate about building authentic relationships with students, families, caregivers, and educators.
• Brings expertise in youth development, college access, and event or program operations.
• Team Leadership…