Student Retention and Engagement Manager

Your Purpose, Our Mission

At Academy of Hope Adult Public Charter School, we believe in second chances and lifelong learning. We serve adult learners in Washington, DC, who are working hard to earn their GEDs, high school diplomas, and career credentials in high-demand fields such as healthcare, information technology, and project management to name a few.

We are seeking a Student Retention and Engagement Manager—a strategic thinker and passionate advocate for adult learners—to champion the first 90 days of the student journey. This role is pivotal to our learners’ success, ensuring they feel welcomed, supported, and inspired to stay the course and thrive in our community.

What You’ll Do

• Design and lead onboarding and orientation experiences that make learners feel seen, heard, and empowered from day one.

• Develop and implement strategic retention plans to support adult learners through critical milestones, especially during their first 90 days.

• Build relationships with learners through personalized outreach, goal-setting, and check-ins that are culturally responsive and trauma-informed.

• Identify barriers to engagement and create proactive intervention strategies in collaboration with academic advisors, instructors, and support staff.

• Use data to drive continuous improvement: analyze attendance, engagement, and retention trends to inform decision-making and report outcomes.

• Serve as a connector between the Enrollment Team and Student Services, ensuring wraparound supports are coordinated and accessible.

• Elevate the student voice by organizing learner leadership opportunities, focus groups, and engagement initiatives.

• Train and support staff in student engagement best practices.

Why Join Academy of Hope?

At Academy of Hope, you’re part of a mission-driven community where every day is about transformation—of our learners, our systems, and ourselves. We believe deeply in equity, access, and excellence and value the unique perspectives and strengths each staff member brings.

We offer competitive compensation, comprehensive benefits, and the opportunity to shape the future of adult education in Washington, DC.

Ready to Apply?

Submit your resume, cover letter, and any bonus materials via our hiring portal. We review applications on a rolling basis and are excited to meet mission-aligned, learner-centered professionals ready to make a lasting impact.

What We’re Looking For

You’re not just a manager—you’re a motivator, strategist, and advocate. You know how to build trust, listen deeply, and design systems that work for adult learners balancing education, work, and life.

Minimum Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree required (Education, Social Work, Counseling, Public Administration, or a related field preferred)

• 5+ years of experience in student support, adult education, enrollment, advising, or related fields

• Proven success in retention strategy, case management, or student engagement programming in adult learning environments

• Familiarity with adult education models, wraparound services, and community-based programming

• Excellent communication and interpersonal skills—especially across lines of difference

• Comfort using CRM systems, student information systems, or other engagement tracking platforms (e.g., Salesforce, PowerSchool, etc.)

• Strong organizational, analytical, and project management skills

Preferred Qualifications

• Master’s degree in a relevant field

• Bilingual in English and Spanish or Amharic

• Experience working in charter schools, community colleges, or workforce development programs

We’re Looking for Evidence of This in Your Resume or Cover Letter:

• A story of how you turned around student retention or engagement in a previous role

• Data or metrics showing how your strategies impacted student outcomes

• Experience collaborating across departments to support whole-student success

• Examples of creativity, persistence, or relationship-building that made a real difference

• Professional development or training you've led (or participated in) that reflects your growth mindset and leadership style

Let’s Get Creative – Bonus Submission Ideas (optional but encouraged):

• A short video (1–2 mins) introducing yourself and why you’re passionate about adult education

• A visual (infographic, dashboard, or flyer) you’ve used to promote student engagement or retention

• A sample action plan or retention strategy you’ve designed