Scholar Advisor & Cohort Coordinator

Big Brothers Big Sisters Twin Cities • Minneapolis, MN

1h • $25 - $26 • Onsite

About The Position

The Big Futures Team creates innovative programs and events that inspire exploration, elevate youth voices, and prepare young people for a successful future. By fostering belonging, strengthening mentoring connections, and expanding access to education, career, and entrepreneurial opportunities, we empower youth to build social capital and develop lifelong skills.
The Scholar Advisor & Cohort Coordinator supports youth and alumni in navigating post-secondary opportunities through scholarship advising, cohort programming, and ongoing relationship-based support. This role manages the day-to-day administration of BBBSTC scholarship opportunities while providing guidance to applicants and recipients as they pursue college, career, and financial aid pathways.
Working closely with youth, alumni, and internal teams, this position coordinates the full scholarship cycle—from awareness and application support to award administration and recipient follow-through. The role also facilitates cohort-based programming and workshops that strengthen youth voice, build peer connections, and support post-secondary readiness.
Success in this role requires strong relationship management, attention to detail, and the ability to balance administrative coordination with youth-centered advising. The Scholar Advisor & Cohort Coordinator serves as a trusted point of contact for scholars and alumni, helping them navigate barriers, access resources, and stay connected to the BBBSTC community as they pursue their goals.

Requirements

• Bachelor’s degree in Youth Development, Education, Social Work, or a related field (or equivalent experience) or High school diploma or GED with at least four years of relevant experience
• 2–4 years of experience providing academic advising, youth programming, or career readiness support.
• Strong understanding of youth development, college/career readiness, and post-secondary pathways.
• Ability to coach and advise youth with empathy, accountability, and cultural competence.
• Skilled in group facilitation and workshop delivery.
• Excellent organizational and project management skills.
• Strong written and verbal communication abilities.
• Comfort with data tracking and program evaluation (Salesforce or equivalent preferred).
• Ability to build trusting relationships with youth, families, alumni, and partners.
• Flexibility to work occasional evenings or weekends to support program delivery.
• Reliable transportation is required to travel to community locations throughout the Twin Cities.

Nice To Haves

• Experience leading workshops, facilitating groups, or designing curriculum preferred.
• Familiarity with financial aid processes, FAFSA, and scholarships strongly preferred.

Responsibilities

• Support the full lifecycle of BBBSTC scholarship opportunities, including promoting scholarship awareness, supporting youth and alumni with applications, coordinating selection processes, and communicating award and denial decisions.
• Guide scholarship applicants and recipients through requirements such as FAFSA completion, financial aid navigation, and submission of enrollment documentation.
• Coordinate scholarship administration in partnership with the Finance team, including collecting required materials and facilitating payment of scholarship funds directly to educational institutions.
• Provide ongoing advising and relationship-based support to scholarship recipients and alumni through one-on-one check-ins focused on academic progress, personal goals, and post-secondary success.
• Maintain accurate documentation of scholarship participation, advising interactions, and outcomes in agency systems.
• Support the full lifecycle of BBBSTC scholarship opportunities, including promoting scholarship awareness, supporting youth and alumni with applications, coordinating selection processes, and communicating award and denial decisions.
• Guide scholarship applicants and recipients through requirements such as FAFSA completion, financial aid navigation, and submission of enrollment documentation.
• Coordinate scholarship administration in partnership with the Finance team, including collecting required materials and facilitating payment of scholarship funds directly to educational institutions.
• Provide ongoing advising and relationship-based support to scholarship recipients and alumni through one-on-one check-ins focused on academic progress, personal goals, and post-secondary success.
• Maintain clear documentation of program processes, scholarship decisions, and participant outcomes.
• Design, plan, and facilitate mentoring cohorts and enrichment programming that support youth development, belonging, and post-secondary readiness.
• Develop creative, engaging program activities that align with BBBSTC’s youth programming framework and Theory of Action.
• Facilitate group sessions, workshops, and events that strengthen peer connection, mentor relationships, and youth engagement.
• Partner with internal teams to support recruitment of youth and volunteers for Big Futures Fund cohorts and related programming.
• Maintain knowledge of community needs, resources, and networks
• Communicate in a professional manner with external constituents
• Work collaboratively to achieve results as specified in the strategic plan
• Promote teamwork by overseeing and participating in various teams including work groups and interdepartmental meetings
• Positively represent BBBS in the larger community
• Support the Advancement Department in recruitment, fundraising, and communication efforts as needed
• Support the Programs Department with agency-wide initiatives and events as needed.
• Contribute to the overall success of the agency in order to achieve the BBBS mission

Benefits

• BBBS-sponsored health & dental insurance, employer-paid long-term disability insurance, and life insurance, Health Savings Account (HSA) or Flexible Spending Account (FSA), paid time off accrual & 13 Paid Holidays, and 403(b) retirement plans with employer match.

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Entry Level
• Number of Employees: 11-50 employees