Student Support Manager Jobs in Park Ridge, IL (NOW HIRING)

The Hidden Genius Project is a non-profit headquartered in Oakland, California, that trains and mentors Black male youth in technology creation, entrepreneurship, and leadership skills to transform their lives and communities. The Hidden Genius Project seeks to reveal the true potential of Black male youth and empower them to become leaders who drive change from within their communities.

Through a student-centered, project-based approach, we invest in young Black men, equipping them with technology training and connecting them to an ecosystem of innovation and empowerment. Since its founding in 2012 and establishment of a full-time infrastructure in 2015, The Hidden Genius Project has expanded to operate Intensive Immersion Programs in Oakland, Richmond (CA), Los Angeles, Detroit, Chicago, Atlanta, and Baltimore. As we continue our national growth trajectory in 2025, we remain committed to delivering impactful programming while navigating the evolving landscape of public health challenges. Our vision is to continue expanding our reach and positively impacting thousands of young Black males and their communities.

POSITION PURPOSE AND SUMMARY:

The Interim Support Services Manager is a temporary position (Jan 5, 2026 - June 1, 2026)

within The Hidden Genius Project implements the holistic care

management model according to the Support Services strategy. The Support Services Manager

ensures that student participants in The Hidden Genius Project's Intensive Immersion program

receive comprehensive services, driven by their expressed needs, in support of successful program

retention, completion, and transition. Hence, they are primarily responsible for conducting the

student and family intake process (which includes demographic data collection and assessment of

needs) and working with students and families to develop and manage the Individualized Care

Plans; and coordination of care including problem-solving, helping students navigate services,

service referral, and occasionally coordinating workshops on various student success themes (i.e.

Post Secondary Planning; Life Skills, Planning and Organization etc...). Additionally, they coordinate

with and work collaboratively with the Programs and Operations staff. The Hidden Genius Project

seeks to provide a holistic care model that is strengths-based and is culturally responsive to the

needs and goals expressed by our youth and family participants, the Support Services Manager

serves as a critical contributor toward this end. Accordingly, it is vital that they continually exercise

ingenuity, enthusiasm, ethics, and a deep commitment to continual learning within an exciting

startup environment. Finally, the Support Services Manager supports and works as part of a

dynamic, communicative, and supportive team of staff, volunteers, and Board members committed

to their success. This is the consummate role for the social change agent with a creative and

entrepreneurial spirit.

MAJOR AREAS OF RESPONSIBILITY:

Please note that Areas of Responsibility generally pertain to support of a specific site (to be

described and assigned by the Supervisor)

Provide Care Management Services- Implement student Care Coordination Model in

response to student and family needs. Develop and maintain a positive rapport with youth

and family participants, identify resources and services in response to student needs, and

facilitate healthy linkages to resources through service referral to external partners. Provide

one-on-one student support through care management services. Assist with basic need

resources in support of successful youth participation in the Immersion Program (i.e. snacks

and meal services).

Mentorship and Positive Student Experience - Develop rich one-to-one connections with

Immersion participants. Through mentorship relationships, identify holistic participant

needs as they arise, and strategize with The Hidden Genius Project staff to develop a plan to

address them. Solicit participant and parent/guardian feedback to guide responsive

programmatic improvements to maximize participant enjoyment and success.

Training, Technical Assistance, and Facilitation - Train The Hidden Genius Project staff

and volunteers on relevant human service topics, best practices, and methods. Engage

relevant external stakeholders to leverage resources and develop partnerships towards

meeting youth and family participant needs. Collaborate in designing strategies to scale

impact and/or support systems-level implementation. Facilitate training and/or convenings

for adults interested in providing technology education and direct services to youth. Train

volunteers to support classroom and Catalyst activities, and manage them within those

settings.

Intake Process Management - Oversee distribution and collection of Intake documents.

Support all cohorts in the intake documentation process document process.

o This includes working with the Support Services team to update documents and

utilize e-signing process for document distribution

Support Services Protocol Management - Review and update Support Services Protocol,

as necessary, in collaboration with the Support Services team.

Collaboration with College Access Team -Engage College Access Fellow and Alumni

Support Coordinator to coordinate on Genius outreach, data distribution, and holistic

service delivery.

o This may include having Youth Care Coordinators provide outreach to Genius alums

Youth Care Coordinator Management - Manage work plan, scheduling, training, and

activities of Alumni Youth Care Coordinators, to ensure effective caseload management and

adequate coverage.

Hidden Genius and Family Event Coordination - Oversee the coordination of Genius and

Family activity events.

Coordinate Genius Family Meetings - Drive implementation of intake, quarterly and exit

meetings for Geniuses and families. Conduct additional meetings as needed.

Oversee the day-to-day operations of Support Services - Work with Support Services

staff to collect and input the necessary data pertaining to youth across all Immersion

WWW.HIDDENGENIUSPROJECT.ORG

Program cohorts into our MIS Salesforce. Implement a reporting system for necessary team

members, i.e. leadership team and Board members.

Other duties as assigned

GENERAL RESPONSIBILITIES:

Serve as an exceptional role model, mentor, and champion to The Hidden Genius Project

youth and family participants.

Communicate effectively (via email, phone, and/or postal mail) and in a timely manner with

all relevant constituencies, including participants and their parents/guardians.

Act as dynamic ambassador to The Hidden Genius Project within the community

QUALIFICATIONS, SKILLS, AND ABILITIES:

Required

Excellent leadership abilities

High comfort level with technology

Experience working and communicating effectively with urban, underserved, and/or

low-income youth

Intense commitment to the life success of Black males and boys and men of color

Experience mentoring and working closely with Black male youth

"Can do" attitude and ability to work as part of a team

Willingness to develop differentiated learning experiences

Ability to prioritize, organize, and delegate effectively required.

Ability to receive feedback and engage in continuous self-improvement

Ability to adapt to a dynamic, rapidly-changing work environment

Ability to build positive relationships with all important constituencies

Firm belief in personal accountability, producing measurable outcomes, and sustaining high

expectations

Desired

Bachelor's Degree, plus relevant credential (Master's in Social Work)

3 or more years of experience with direct service case management

3 or more years of experience providing youth services

Commitment to achieving The Hidden Genius Project's mission and vision

Excellent writing, communication, presentation, and group facilitation skills

ROLE OVERVIEW:

Role Location: Chicago, IL 

Reports to: Reports to Support Services Director (based in Oakland,

CA). 

Manages: Interns, and volunteers (including coordination tasks)

Status: Exempt

Schedule: Full Time (minimum 40 hours per week); starting by February 2023; working

evenings and weekends, as needed

All your information will be kept confidential according to EEO guidelines.