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.

Job Details

• Location: Minneapolis, MN - Full in-office requirement
• Hiring Salary Range: $24.52-$26.44 per hour. Starting salary will depend on your skills and demonstrated readiness for the role.
• Hours/Day: Monday-Friday, 40 hours a week – with hours that will include flex time in the evening and weekend hours on a regular basis. Candidates should expect to be at 3-6 evening and weekend events per month.
• Job Type: Full-time, Non-exempt
• Supervisor: Manager of Future Readiness

Essential Job Functions

Alumni Engagement & Scholarship Advising

• 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.

Big Future Fund Cohort Programing

• 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.
• BBBS Mission Alignment
• 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

Requirements

Education and Experience

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

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities

• 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.

Physical Requirements

This position operates in a hybrid environment that includes office work and frequent presence in community and event settings. The role requires the ability to set up and break down outreach and tabling materials, including lifting, carrying, and transporting items up to approximately 40–50 pounds, with or without reasonable accommodation.

The position also requires extended periods of standing, walking, and engaging with the public at community events, as well as regular use of standard office equipment and technology such as computers, mobile devices, and phones. Reliable transportation is required to travel to community locations throughout the Twin Cities.

Benefits

We care deeply about our employees and know holistic support is essential for our staff to carry out the BBBS mission. Our generous employment package includes 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.

We recognize the need for flexible scheduling and remote work. Employees are able to work with their supervisors to identify a schedule that works best for both them and the agency. 

Workplace Culture

BBBSTC is an mission-centered, inclusive workplace that strives to create a space where our 60+ employee's unique talents, learning styles and lived experiences are valued. We pride ourselves on our flexible scheduling and hybrid workspace. Creating an engaging work environment is an essential part of our culture. We uphold this commitment through staff surveys, stay interviews, professional development, and quarterly JEDI trainings. In addition, we hold monthly all staff meetings and gatherings, and provide the opportunity to join affinity groups (BIPOC, LGBTQIA+, White Bodied Accountability), and agency committees (Values in Action and Engagement & Connection).

Our Hiring Process

Our People & Culture team is committed to a person-first centered approach to our hiring process. We believe in a respectful experience for all parties involved and are committed to taking a JEDI approach. Candidates can apply online via bigstwincities.org/careers. Include a cover letter and resume. For all positions, our hiring process includes a Zoom screen and in-person panel interviews, reference and background checks for final candidates. All staff are required to be fingerprinted through the Bureau of Criminal Apprehension (BCA) within the first week of employment. 

Persons of color, women, members of the LGBTQ community, veterans, and individuals with disabilities are strongly encouraged to apply. If you require reasonable accommodation in completing this application, interviewing, or otherwise participating in the employee selection process, please direct your inquiries to the Human Resources team at careers@bigstwincities.org. At this time, we are unable to provide company sponsored visas and are only considering candidates who are eligible to work in the United States. 

The above statements are not intended to encompass all functions and qualifications of the position. Rather, they are intended to provide a general framework of the requirements of the position. Employees may be required to perform other functions not specifically addressed in this job description.

P.S. Please take the necessary steps to allow list the BBBSTC (@bigstwincities.org) and Paylocity (@paylocity.com) domains so that you receive all emails related to your application process. Also, please make sure to check your spam folder as emails from BBBSTC and/or Paylocity can be marked as spam.