POSITION IDENTIFICATION
TITLE Senior Academic Advisor
CLASSIFICATION NUMBER 1183
GRADE 42
CLASSIFICATION Exempt
IMMEDIATE SUPERVISOR Director, of Advising Center or Designee
GENERAL FUNCTION
The Senior Academic Advisor assumes a leadership role in the academic advising team, mentoring junior advisors and providing guidance on complex advising cases. Leadership in the development of advising policies and procedures, retention efforts, and strategic planning are a crucial part of this position. This role will lead initiatives to enhance academic programs, implement innovative technologies, and evaluate advising practices. This position will contribute to university-wide policies and fostering external partnerships, in addition to providing leadership in recruitment strategies, participating in development of recruitment materials and guiding recruitment initiatives. This role extends to community engagement, professional development, and training, ensuring the success and growth of the advising team.
MINIMUM ACCEPTABLE QUALIFICATIONS
Education: A bachelor’s degree is required, a master’s degree is preferred.
Experience: Minimum five years of academic advising experience is required, where knowledge of federal, state, and higher education policies and procedures has been gained.
Skills: Strong team leadership skills as well as excellent oral and written communication skills, interpersonal skills (particularly in working with a diverse student population), organizational and management skills, problem solving skills, organizational skills and attention to detail are required. The ability to develop knowledge of, respect for, and skills to engage with those of other cultures or backgrounds is required. Computer literacy is required, experience with database applications is preferred.
Other: The scope of the position occasionally requires work in the evenings and on weekends. The position may require travel, including overnight travel.
ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIE
1. Takes a leadership role on the academic advising team by mentoring junior advisors and providing guidance on complex advising cases.2. Actively contributes to the development of advising policies and procedures as well as leads retention-focused efforts and provides leadership in recruitment strategies.
3. Leads initiatives to enhance and innovate academic programs, implement new advising technologies and tools to improve service delivery.
4. Evaluates and recommends improvements to existing advising practices.
5. Develops and implements advanced retention strategies and initiatives and contributes insights for the development of recruitment strategies and materials.
6. Aligns advising goals with broader institutional objectives and provides input on university-wide academic advising policies.
7. Leads strategic planning efforts to retention and recruitment initiatives.
8. Participates in student orientation programs to welcome and introduce students to academic resources.
9. Generates reports on student outcomes and advising effectiveness as well as leads advisement regarding analysis of data used to identify trends for strategies and targeted interventions.
10. Establishes and maintains external partnerships to benefit students as well as engaging with industry partners for internship and employment opportunities.
11. Facilitates training sessions for junior advisors and other university staff as well as engages in advanced professional development opportunities.
12. Develops and leads training programs focused on retention and recruitment strategies for advising staff.
13. Stays at the forefront of academic advising best practices and trends, through targeted and documented professional development practices.
14. Contributes to a work environment that encourages knowledge of, respect for, and development of skills to engage with those of other cultures or backgrounds.
15. Contributes to the overall success of the Center by performing all other duties and responsibilities as assigned.
SUPERVISION
The Senior Academic Advisor generally exercises limited supervision of others by taking a leadership role in the academic advising team.
OFFICE OF HUMAN RESOURCES
APRIL 2024
