Lead Life Coach

Goodwill Industries of Northern Illinois is excited to begin its hiring process for the Excel Center. For those less familiar with the Excel Center, it provides a tuition-free education for adults seeking to obtain a high school diploma.  The Excel Center model was created by the Goodwill in Indianapolis in 2010, and has since grown to 47 schools across 10 states and Washington D.C.  Goodwill Industries of Northern Illinois will open the first Excel Center in Illinois in Fall 2025. We are currently seeking to hire the Lead Life Coach.

The Lead Life Coach promotes continued student engagement in The Excel Center. They will oversee, manage, train and evaluate a staff of two-three life coaches as well as assist a caseload of graduates. The position meets individually with students to assist in overcoming barriers to each student’s educational progress. Through problem-solving sessions, the Lead Life Coach suggests ways in which each student can overcome barriers and continue educational progress. Other responsibilities include training new coaches, managing caseload distribution, conducting informal and formal evaluations and participating on the leadership team.

The responsibilities and essential functions will include:

Student Success & Case Management 

• Leads by example with a caseload of graduates.
• Stays knowledgeable in all aspects of life coaching.
• Leads the intake process to introduce the student to the school and begin outlining his/her educational goals.
• Co-teaches Senior Seminar with College and Career Coach.
• Assess students’ life experiences for possible translation into school credits.
• Manages and monitors students’ learning experiences to ensure student engagement and accomplishment of learning goals through individual and/or group meetings.
• Identifies and connects students to community resources to remove barriers and support academic and/or personal goals.
• Initiates and maintains contact with key community partners (community agencies, educational institutions and employers) to enhance the menu of support services provided to students.

Student  Support, Services & Relationships

• Provides one-on-one support to students throughout the intake and educational process (which includes support and referrals for wrap around services).
• Oversees and supports students in their educational journey.
• Provides academic advisement through personal counseling sessions. 
• Plans and organizes resource events with community partners including Lunch and Learns and other events.

School Leadership

• Serves on the leadership team.
• Assists teachers in developing students’ individual learning plans based on intake assessment.  
• Provides support and maintains open communication with teachers to support student success.
• Attends and contributes to all team and professional development meetings.

Life Coach Leadership

• Participates in the interview process for coaching new staff.
• Trains and provides day-to-day instruction to Life Coaches.  Creates a positive working environment. Provides performance feedback to employees on a regular basis to create success for both employee development and student success.
• Develops agendas and facilitates coach team meetings.
• Delegate tasks appropriately.
• Plans and conducts coach professional development.
• Leads Life Coaches in organizing student clubs and organizations.

Administrative

• Performs administrative duties.
• Analyzes and presents coach data.
• Monitors and tracks coach data.

The above-listed responsibilities are intended to describe the general nature and level of work being performed.  They are not intended to be an exhaustive list of all responsibilities or duties required.  Incumbents will be expected to perform other duties as assigned.

The qualifications and basic job requirements include:

• Bachelor’s degree preferred; Associate’s degree required.
• Two years of experience in mentoring, counseling, advising, or related field.
• Experience working with high school age students in a nontraditional setting and/or in adult education setting highly preferred.
• Strong and effective verbal, facilitation and written communication skills.
• Bilingual in English and Spanish highly preferred.
• Has working knowledge of computer programs: Google applications (specifically Gmail), Excel, and Word.
• Demonstrates ability to develop relationships at all levels and relate to a diverse population.
• Awareness of community resources.
• Ability to embrace change positively, strong planning and organizing skills, independent, self-manager.
• Ability to gather and analyze data for informed decision making
• Outstanding role model for success.
• Requires occasional local travel, valid driver’s license, up-to-date auto insurance, and good driving record.
• Must be able to successfully pass a drug screen and background check.
• Must be able to successfully pass a background check.
• Must be able to work year-round following the Excel Center school calendar with breaks built in.

We look forward to receiving your resume and letter of interest regarding this position. 

Goodwill Excel Center Northern Illinois offers competitive pay and benefits along with our positive working culture and flexible work environment. The pay range for this position is $53,000 - $57,000 per year. Goodwill's Excel Center operates on a 12-month schedule with scheduled breaks. Key benefits are listed below –

• Health & Wellness: Medical, dental, vision insurance, basic and voluntary life insurance as well as short-term disability and employee assistance program.
• Financial Security: Competitive salary and retirement plans with employer discretionary match.
• Work-Life Balance: Paid time off and scheduled breaks.
• Professional Growth: Training programs, tuition reimbursement, and career advancement opportunities.
• Perks & Extras: Employee discounts, and a supportive, inclusive workplace.

Thank you for your interest in working at Goodwill Excel Center Northern Illinois.  We commit to providing each applicant a hiring experience that allows you to bring your authentic self to the table. If you need an alternative method to apply this for position, please contact Goodwill's Human Resource Department at SharethaH@goodwillni.org.

Salary : $53,000 - $57,000