"Assistant Director of Academic Advising for Social Sciences"

Job Details

Job Summary

This is a leadership position in the Academic Advising Program within the College of Arts and Sciences. This position reports to the Director of Advising Quality and is responsible for directing the advising activities of the Social Sciences academic advising neighborhood, comprised of full-time professional academic advisors.

Assistant Directors are responsible for supervising and building relationships with their team of academic advisors, department chairs, faculty, and staff within their academic advising neighborhood(s); provide leadership and process improvement to the unit; and engage in strategic planning for advising in the College of Arts & Sciences Academic Advising & Coaching unit (A&S AAC) and on the campus. Assistant Directors actively train and support their advisors in accordance with current advising principles and methodologies, and effectively communicate the unit’s vision, missions, and core values to the team. Assistant Directors are responsible for developing high-functioning teams that are positioned to achieve the College of Arts & Sciences’ academic advising strategic goals. In addition to individual and group interactions with academic advisors, this position provides multidisciplinary academic advising for undergraduate students as needed.

As a member of the A&S AAC leadership team, Assistant Directors are responsible for fostering a culture of continuous improvement, evaluating individual and team performance, and providing actionable and timely feedback. Assistant Directors will provide the requisite leadership, data, and reporting to the Director and Assistant Dean on special projects as assigned.

CU is an Equal Opportunity Employer and complies with all applicable federal, state, and local laws governing nondiscrimination in employment. We are committed to creating a workplace where all individuals are treated with respect and dignity, and we encourage individuals from all backgrounds to apply, including protected veterans and individuals with disabilities.

Who We Are

The College of Arts and Sciences at CU Boulder is the intellectual core of the university, conducting research, scholarship, creative work, and education in more than 60 fields. Our research generates new knowledge, solving some of the world’s most critical problems.

The college leads nationally in undergraduate and graduate education in the natural sciences, social sciences, and arts and humanities, bringing world-class research and scholarship to our students, both in and out of the classroom.

What Your Key Responsibilities Will Be

Advising Program Leadership, Process Improvement, and Implementation

• Provide leadership and strategic planning for advising services and development initiatives for the advising neighborhood team(s), consistent with the needs and goals of the College and the A&S AAC
• Design, implement, and assess roster and advising caseload processes
• Create, assess, and respond to available advising data regarding positive student outcomes, retention, and graduation implications
• Create and disseminate advising reports relevant to each department in support of departmental course management, programming, and graduation activities
• Monitor, assess, and support advisor schedules, appointment availability, short-and long-term coverage, advisor utilization rates, and student outreach initiatives

Academic Department Collaboration and Management

• Serve as the primary point of contact for department chairs and faculty regarding advising activities and student concerns within the advising neighborhood team(s)
• Coach, mentor, challenge, and support academic advisors in a multidisciplinary, team-based environment
• Develop and monitor performance plans and conduct annual evaluations for each team member consistent with campus and college policies, providing honest and ongoing feedback
• Respond to advanced concerns from students, members of the students’ support networks, and advisors within the team(s)
• Lead training of new staff in the A&S AAC, including campus and college policies as well as departmental content
• Engage in AAC budget activities
• Support ongoing training, professional development, and recognition for advisors on the team(s)

Leadership and Strategic Vision

• Serve as a contributing member of the A&S AAC’s Leadership Team
• Collaborate with others as part of a team-driven environment
• Demonstrate and promote the vision, missions, and core values of the unit, college, and campus
• Participate in future development and long-range planning for A&S AAC as directed
• Represent the unit on departmental, college, campus, and professional committees as relevant

Support and Administration

• Provide academic advising on an as-needed basis to assist with escalated situations, provide coverage for academic advisors on leave (etc.), specific populations such as study abroad students, and summer-start students
• Lead and support new and continuing initiatives aligned with the A&S AAC’s strategic priorities in academic advising and student success
• Assist other advising teams on an as-needed basis
• Other duties as assigned

What You Should Know

• This position is eligible for a hybrid work schedule with a minimum of two days per week on campus and in-person presence.

What We Can Offer

The starting salary for this position is $78,000.

Benefits

At the University of Colorado Boulder, we are committed to supporting the holistic health and well-being of our employees. Our comprehensive benefits package includes medical, dental, and retirement plans; generous paid time off; tuition assistance for you and your dependents; and an ECO Pass for local transit. As one of Boulder County’s largest employers, CU Boulder offers an inspiring academic community and access to world-class outdoor recreation. Explore additional perks and programs through the CU Advantage program.

Be Statements

Be ambitious. Be pioneering. Be Boulder.

What We Require

• Bachelor’s Degree
• 3+ years of professional experience related
• An equivalent combination of education and experience may substitute

What You Will Need

• Ability to communicate effectively, both in writing and orally
• Ability to develop a detailed understanding of the curricula offered by departments and the relationships between the courses in those curricula
• Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with employees at all levels throughout the institution
• Outstanding customer service skills
• Demonstrated commitment to advancing diversity and inclusion
• Experience working with students from a diverse range of backgrounds and in a multicultural environment
• Demonstrated ability to work as a member of a team and within a collaborative work environment
• Exceptional organizational, planning, analytical, and technical skills
• Exceptional attention to detail
• Ability to work independently, prioritize multiple projects and requests, and work in a fast-paced environment
• Demonstrated commitment to working with students from entry to graduation within a high-volume setting

What We Would Like You to Have

• Master's degree
• 5+ years of experience, including 2+ years of lead or supervisory experience
• Previous experience as an academic advising supervisor or lead
• Experience in change management theory and practice
• Experience working at a Tier 1 research institution
• Familiarity with CU Boulder Arts & Sciences programs, policies, and procedures
• Familiarity with student information systems used on the CU Boulder campus

Special Instructions

To apply, please submit the following materials:

1. A current resume.
2. A cover letter that specifically tells us how your background and experience align with the requirements, qualifications, and responsibilities of the position.

We may request references at a later time.

Please apply by November 20, 2025 for consideration.

Note: Application materials will not be accepted via email. For consideration, please apply through CU Boulder Jobs.

In compliance with the Colorado Job Application Fairness Act, in any materials you submit, you may redact or remove age-identifying information such as age, date of birth, or dates of school attendance or graduation. You will not be penalized for redacting or removing this information.

Posting Contact Information

Posting Contact Name: Boulder Campus Human Resources

Posting Contact Email: Recruiting@colorado.edu