"Director of Academic Advising"

Job Description

Manhattanville University is transitioning from a decentralized academic advising model to a more centralized structure that integrates advising across its three schools while maintaining open lines of communication and collaboration with school leadership. We are seeking a Director of Academic Advising to lead this change and guide the development and implementation of a unified, student-centered advising model.

This position provides strategic leadership and oversight for academic advising services that support a diverse student population, including undergraduate and graduate students, in-person and online learners, first-generation university students, working adults, students with families, commuters, and residents.

The Director will work closely with advising staff across the university to design and implement the new advising model. This role also involves active collaboration with the Center for Career Development and Student Affairs staff to ensure advising is aligned with broader student support services. In addition, the Director will establish and maintain open lines of communication with faculty and deans in each school to ensure that the centralized model remains responsive to the academic priorities and needs of each unit.

We are seeking a candidate who brings strong academic advising experience and is open to new approaches. The Director will model a collaborative, holistic advising process that empowers students to make informed decisions about their academic journey and future goals.

This role requires a skilled communicator, collaborator, and relationship-builder who can work effectively across departments and with campus partners to support institutional change and enhance the undergraduate academic experience.

Supervisory Responsibilities:

• Oversees Assistant Director of Academic Advising and Operations and nine professional Academic Advisors
• Hire, train, and evaluate Academic Advisors

Duties/Responsibilities:

Leadership & Strategy

• Develop and execute a vision for holistic advising aligned with institutional goals.
• Supervise and support a team of professional academic advisors.
• Review, revise, and implement a streamlined set of advising processes and policies creating greater consistency, clarity, and coordination across the schools.
• In collaboration with Office of Institutional Effectiveness, establish and assess advising outcomes and metrics to improve student success.
• Demonstrate fiscal responsibility managing the departmental budget.

Advising Operations

• Oversee day-to-day operations of the advising office, including scheduling, caseload management, and student outreach.
• Work closely with Associate Deans, Division Chairs and Program Coordinators in each school to support schedule development and monitor course enrollments, in light of enrollment goals.
• Manage, assess, and revise as necessary regular office processes including senior audits, Grade Deferrals, Withdrawals, Leaves of Absence, Dismissals, Dismissal Appeals, Academic Probation, among others.
• Ensure and assess consistent, high-quality advising practices across schools.
• Implement and maintain advising technologies and tools (e.g., degree audit systems, Retention Alert, appointment platforms).
• In collaboration with IT, and a variety of other student support offices, develop and implement Slate for Student Success.

Collaboration & Communication

• Serve as a liaison between advising staff, school deans, academic departments, and administrative offices such as Registrar, OneStop, Center for Career Development, Admissions, and Student Affairs.
• Partner with faculty advisors to support departmental advising efforts.
• Communicate advising policies and procedures to students, individuals with FERPA waivers, faculty, and staff.

Student Support & Development

• Analyze the entering class and identify students who are potentially "at risk." Work with the campus community to implement protocols to help these students succeed and track the related data.
• Promote inclusive and holistic advising practices that support diverse student populations.
• In collaboration with the Center for Career Development, develop programming and resources to support academic planning, major exploration, and career readiness.
• Participate as an active member of the weekly CARE (Concern, Assess, Refer, Educate) Team.
• Maintain a caseload of advisees.

Training & Professional Development

• In collaboration with the academic advising team, design and deliver regular training programs and materials for new and continuing professional and faculty advisors, and graduate program coordinators.
• Encourage ongoing professional development and engagement with national advising organizations.

Required Skills/Abilities:

• Excellent leadership and team-building abilities.
• Excellent communication, interpersonal, and organizational skills.
• Excellent time management skills with a proven ability to meet deadlines.
• Ability to function well in a high-paced and at times stressful environment.
• Skilled with student information systems and advising technologies.
• Commitment to equity, inclusion, and student-centered practices.
• Bilingual (preferred).

Qualifications:

Education:

Master's degree in higher education, student affairs, counseling, or a related field required.

Required Experience:

• Minimum of 7 years of progressive experience in academic advising or student services, including supervisory and/or directorial experience.
• Experience working in a liberal arts or comprehensive university setting.
• Familiarity with retention strategies and student success initiatives.

Preferred Experience:

• Active involvement in NACADA or similar professional organizations.

Physical Requirements:

Prolonged periods of sitting at a desk and working on a computer.

Hours Expectation:

Full-time, 35 hours per week; some evening hours may be required.

Housing:

Housing is not provided.

Benefits:

Manhattanville University also offers a highly competitive and comprehensive benefits package, including tuition remission. For more information regarding benefits, please visit our benefits page: Manhattanville Benefits.