Counseling Manager

Company Description

Great Expectations College Prep’s team of experts prepares students and their families for the college application process by guiding them through a robust collection of services including test preparation, academic tutoring, college counseling, athletic recruitment guidance, portfolio development, and beyond. We recognize that colleges want strong students, but they also want real people with deep commitment to their interests. Great Expectations tutors and counselors have helped thousands of students excel in high school while building a narrative that is both authentic and unique. We also have strong relationships with public and private high schools, school counselors, IECs, and professional and community organizations. Great Expectations College Prep staff are outgoing, innovative thinkers who are dedicated to professional growth and organizational excellence.

GECP is a remote-first company that offers the opportunity to work in person in your geographic area. While GECP was founded in California, today we serve families throughout the US and abroad. The majority of our students apply to Top 50 institutions and are motivated to develop dynamic profiles that will help them stand out in highly competitive admissions pools.

Core Values

Success, Development, Integrity, Connection, Commitment, and Balance are our key core values, and we are looking for counselors who are an excellent culture fit for our organization. We aim to minimize stress by providing comprehensive support to parents and students throughout all stages of education. We pride ourselves on our success in matching students and counselors based on personality, and we encourage our staff to embrace, enhance, and utilize their own personal counseling styles. At GECP, we like to try new things and explore ideas, and we are committed to cultivating a team that is dynamic, bright, enthusiastic, and inclusive.

Position Description

The Counseling Manager will serve as a leader for our college counselors, and as a support for our senior leadership team. The candidate must be self­-motivated, incredibly detail­-oriented, and extremely comfortable multitasking. The Counseling Manager reports to the Executive Director of Operations and works collaboratively with our outreach, operations, and client relations teams. Duties include:

Team Management

• Assist in the interview process with college counselor candidates, make recommendations about candidates based on overall fit, knowledge base, and alignment with the company’s core values
• Assess new hires’ progress throughout training, provide feedback and additional resources
• Oversee 5-10 counselors, assess staffing needs, and recommend hiring when necessary
• Provide support to other Counseling Managers
• Contribute to the design and implementation of college counselor training and professional development programs.
• Review and evaluate the performance of staffed counselors through check-in meetings, mentorship sessions, and annual reviews, ensuring they are familiar with GECP’s college tracking system and actively managing clients throughout the process.
• Provide feedback and direction to counselors who are in need of support, and corrective actions when necessary.

Client Management

• Approximately half of the Counseling Manager’s time should be spent client-facing, whether with their own clients or their direct reports’ clients. The Counseling Manager should maintain a caseload of around 50 clients total (potentially more if students are primarily underclassmen, or less if the students are primarily upperclassmen).
• Determine counselor pairing(s) for each client
• Serve as case manager for direct reports’ clients
• Create/oversee/approve checklist and timeline for each grade
• Approve all narrative-building and coursework recommendations, college lists, key essay topics, etc.
• Check-in with the families of direct reports as needed (estimated 1-2 times per year)
• Oversee the entire college application process for counselors, parents, and students
• Serve as key escalation point of contact for clients and counselors when issues arise

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree from a Top 50 school
• Master's degree in counseling, education, psychology, or a related field preferred
• Relevant certifications in college counseling or career development preferred
• Minimum of 10 years of experience in college counseling or educational leadership roles
• Experience managing teams and working with a diverse student population
• Deep understanding of the college admissions process, financial aid, scholarships, and standardized testing
• Strong leadership and team management abilities
• Exceptional communication, organizational, and interpersonal skills
• Ability to handle confidential information with discretion
• Proficiency in using college counseling software and data management tools
• Ability to work independently and understand when it’s appropriate to escalate concerns
• Natural ability to connect with others and build trust quickly. Whether collaborating with a colleague, guiding a student through their college options, or reassuring a concerned parent over the phone, you create positive and meaningful interactions that leave people feeling valued and supported.

Preferred Qualities

• Passion for helping students achieve their academic and personal potential.
• Ability to think strategically and execute programs that improve student outcomes.
• Empathetic, approachable, and able to manage the challenges of a high-pressure environment.
• Skills that instill confidence in our families to entrust you with this important process. Unless a family has a direct referral from someone they trust, they often rely on your experience as a stand-in for that trust. While our training ensures that every counselor provides high-quality guidance—regardless of the criteria families use to evaluate them—trust remains the intangible factor that can't be taught and takes time to establish.

Compensation & Additional Details

• This is a full-time, salaried, exempt position with a starting salary of $75,000 per year
• Eligible for additional bonus plans and commission as offered
• Company-provided equipment as needed (laptop, cell phone, internet access)
• Eligible employees can participate in certain benefits including but not limited to:
• 401k plan with company match
• Paid time off
• Technology stipend
• Medical, dental, and vision benefits
• Life insurance and LTD coverage
• Regular professional development courses
• Opportunities for growth, company travel, and promotion