careers
Contractor Opportunity: Scholarship Advisor
Part-time Contractor/ 12-15hours/week
2 - 3 days per week in schools from 10am to 2pm
Initial Contract Term: August 2025 through June 2026
Contract Basis Only: Fee Competitive
In Person at School Site Locations, remote administrative
Inspired by its Catholic heritage, Connelly Foundation’s mission since its founding in 1955 is to improve the quality of life in the Philadelphia region by supporting charitable organizations in the areas of education, human services, arts and culture, and civic life that strengthen resilience and help people to flourish. The work of the Foundation is principally driven by its founders’ John and Josephine Connelly’s personal charitable principles, with an emphasis on strengthening Catholic education, and providing help and opportunity to the needy. In 2025, the Foundation anticipates awarding nearly $17 million in grants across its education, human services, arts and culture, and civic renewal portfolios.
The Connelly Foundation is committed to the goal that all families interested in a Catholic education should have access to high-quality school and ongoing support to help their children thrive academically, pursue their passion, and become productive citizens in a democracy. The Foundation pursues this goal primarily through merit-based scholarships, academic and career advising, and enrichment for exceptional graduates of K-8 Catholic schools in the Philadelphia region.
Scholarship Program Background
Since 1995, the Connelly Foundation has been delivering two signature scholarship programs serving students attending Archdiocese of Philadelphia(AOP) high schools: Neumann Scholars (NS) and Josephine C. Connelly Achievement Awards (JCC). Together, the two programs serve approximately 500 high school students in the AOP annually (approximately 5% of all AOP high school students)with a total investment of $2.8 million each year. The key elements of the scholarships are tuition support, college and career advising support, and summer enrichment. Connelly Foundation scholarship advisors provide college guidance support to the 500 NS and JCC award winners.
Position Overview
The Connelly Foundation is seeking an experienced individual to serve as academic advisor to students in Archdiocesan high schools in the city and suburbs of Philadelphia. Reporting to the Chief Operating Officer or her designee, the Scholarship advisor will guide students for college and career preparation and provide service to four clients: the student recipient, the student’s family, the high school community, and the Connelly Foundation.
This individual will have enthusiasm for the Philadelphia region and commitment to the mission critical work of the Foundation. The ideal candidate will bring knowledge and understanding of the field of counseling or college admissions, strong written and verbal skills, ability to engage with colleagues and students, strong independent work skills, and high ethical and moral standards.
Position Responsibilities
· Provide support to scholarship recipients by advising the whole student, with focus on academics, and support in extracurricular activities, and future goals.
· Assist students in finding their “best fit” for post-secondary life or career.
· Conduct individual and group advising sessions based on the topics and meeting cycles set by the Connelly Foundation, all aimed at advising and assisting students to navigate their academic careers and plan for their best-fit post-secondary goal.
· Implement advising activities and tools in coordination with the Connelly Foundation and colleagues and using strategies informed by best practices for academic, college, and career advising.
· Form a trusting relationship with the students in college and career advising.
· Monitors students’ academic work, including academic roster, progress reports, report cards, end of year cumulative grades, conduct, absences, and lateness.
· Assist students with career exploration, college testing, application, and placement.
· Raise student issues with appropriate administrator for school response and support.
· Encourage activities that promote students’ growth through high school, such as membership in extracurricular activities, summer activities and service opportunities.
· Maintain communications with parents when necessary to provide assistance in college application process, scholarship opportunities, and summer activities.
· Establish relationships with local administrators and faculty.
· Communicate with administrators about student progress and challenges.
· Assist school administrators with program reporting and Foundation requirements.
· Represent the Foundation to various school constituencies.
· Attend Connelly Foundation award ceremonies.
· Provide timely submission of work activity and compliance documents.
Professional Qualifications
· Bachelor’s degree required and master’s degree will be given preference.
· School counseling and/or college admissions experience required.
· Pennsylvania Child Abuse Clearances are required.
· Commitment to the Foundation’s mission is essential.
· Ability to prioritize work and meet deadlines.
· Strong interpersonal skills; able to develop and manage productive relationships with colleagues, students and external stakeholders.
· Strong time management skills; highly organized and detail oriented.
· Ability to meet deadlines and work with a high degree of independence and initiative.
· Ability to work within a creative and highly professional team which emphasizes quality, collegiality, teamwork, and humility.
· Ability to travel to school sites and meet in person with students.
· Engagement as a contractor in contractor role and status.
· Experience with Microsoft Office including Word, Excel, Outlook, PowerPoint, and Project and Grants databases.
· Willingness to travel within the Archdiocesan high school system as majority of time will be spent in direct service to and contact with students in their home school setting.
Interested Candidates: Should send cover letter and resume or contract proposal response to hr@connellyfdn.org by July 29,2025.
