Success Coach - College Admissions Counselor

Join the founder’s high-performing counseling team as a Success Coach. We require a seasoned professional dedicated to meeting the incredibly high expectations of our clients and delivering the highest level of service in the industry. Prior experience working with youth is required, but proven professional tenure and demonstrated excellence in any client-focused industry are paramount.

Job Summary

ESM Prep is seeking a new Success Coach to build meaningful relationships with students, help them to successfully navigate high school, and guide them effectively and compassionately through all aspects of the college application process. This includes completing the Common App, UT App, UC App, and more; discussing SAT/ACT testing paths; helping students build well-rounded college lists; supporting students in the development of their college essays; managing the academic and extracurricular decisions throughout their high school journey; and, most importantly, providing thoughtful mentorship that ensures their social and emotional well-being. Success Coaches work together under our founder as a small, tight-knit team. There, you will learn the ins and outs of college admissions counseling from one of the industry’s leading experts and one of the best mentors out there, collaborating on best practices and honing the myriad ways to facilitate student success.

Our Culture & Values

As part of Guidewell Education, we’re guided by values that shape how we support students and work together as colleagues — we are student-centered, empathetic, expert practitioners, and growth-oriented. These principles show up in every coaching relationship we build and every decision we make. You can read more about how our team lives these values at We call our college admissions counselors Coaches because we believe in a positive growth model for student development.

Why Join This Team?

This opportunity is distinctly different from standard college advising. Here is what you can expect:

100% focus on the student: Your role is centered entirely on student guidance and support. You will not be responsible for sales, business development, or managing parent contracts/billing.

High-Impact Ownership and Granular Accountability: Manage your student caseload with ownership over execution and implementing strategic direction, providing deep, longitudinal guidance throughout their high school journey.

Work on a small, tight-knit team where collaboration, mentorship, and mutual support are the foundation of our success.

Learn the Strategic Process from the Top: Gain direct mentorship from one of the industry’s leading experts (the founder), giving you unique access to high-level strategic guidance and professional development while learning the "ins and outs" of complex admissions best practices.

Compensation/Benefits:

Compensation: $70,000-$75,000 annual salary, along with an annual performance-based bonus.

Benefits include:

Company-sponsored medical, dental, vision, and life insurance

Generous holidays and paid-time-off

401-k with company match after one year with the company

Employee discount on services

Referral program

Job Requirements

Work Location: Remote. Being located in the Pacific Time Zone (PST) is required. We will consider candidates in Mountain Time Zones who can consistently adhere to PST working and student meeting hours.

Work Hours: This role requires extreme flexibility. While core hours are M-F, 9:00 AM – 5:00 PM PST, the successful candidate must be available during peak seasons for frequent meetings outside of core hours (early mornings and evenings) and occasional weekend support (during application season).

Bachelor's degree

Professional Tenure and Maturity: 5+ years of full-time, high-accountability professional work experience is required. Direct experience in college counseling is a plus, but is secondary to overall professional experience

Exceptional Communication Skills: Send timely and highly professional emails that meet the very high expectations of our clients. Come prepared and polished to student meetings with clear objectives that add value to the student’s experience with ESM. Expertise with Google Slides/PowerPoint is a big plus, as are public speaking skills.

Basic understanding of the modern college search and application process, including familiarity with the Common Application and UC Application

Dynamic coaching personality and ability to build relationships with students and coworkers from all walks of life

Desire to mentor students over the course of multiple years

Collaborative, Team-Oriented, and Proactive: A self-starter who sees the bigger picture and is eager to "jump in and help" teammates without being asked.

Exceptional Executive Functioning and Data Management: Must demonstrate Type A, thorough organizational skills to manage complex student data across multiple systems and provide very detailed, granular reports to the founder and Chief of Staff.

Reliable internet access (fast enough for video conferencing)

What to expect in the hiring process:

Resume Screening by our Talent Team (can take up to a full week, depending on candidate volume).

A 4 to 5-question one-way video interview through Spark Hire (5 days to complete): this stage is required in order to advance and screens for professional competence and culture fit.

A 20 to 30-minute live Recruiter screening (phone or video) to confirm logistics and value alignment.

Work Sample / Case Study Assessment (Review of Common App feedback and essay edits).

A 60-minute live interview split into two, with a team member and then the Hiring Manager to assess core competencies and team fit.

A 20-minute final chat with the founder.

Diversity and Inclusion:

We believe that diversity and inclusion enrich education and drive success. We are committed to ensuring that all people who interact with Guidewell Education--parents, students, staff, contractors, partners, vendors--are respected and valued holistically. We are committed to attracting and retaining students and staff from diverse cultures, backgrounds, and experiences because we believe that diversity fuels innovation and education to new heights.

The Legal Stuff:

Applicants will be considered for the position on the basis of their qualifications and ability to perform the job for which they are applying. Guidewell Education does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, genetics, religion, gender, gender identity or expression, sexual orientation, national origin, disability, age, or status as a special disabled or other veteran covered by the Vietnam Era Veterans Readjustment Act of 1974, as amended.By completing this form, you agree to our