"Director of Academic Advising"

Job Description

The Director of Academic Advising provides leadership and operational oversight for the Whitman Advising team, ensuring students receive comprehensive and personalized academic guidance as they move towards degree completion. This position oversees and coordinates the management of student records for all Whitman students including monitoring of degree requirements, degree certification, transfer credit, first-year registration, and community engagement. This includes programs at the undergraduate, master's and PhD levels, and for both online and residential programs. The Director will manage a team of nine academic advisors, foster their professional development and create a high-performing team environment. This position reports to the Assistant Dean.

Qualifications

Education and Experience

• Master's degree required.
• Minimum of 7 years of experience in academic advising, preferably in a business school or university setting.
• Demonstrated experience in managing and supervising a team.
• Excellent communication, interpersonal, and organizational skills.
• Ability to work effectively with various populations of students, faculty, and staff.
• Data-driven and results-oriented approach.

Job Specific Qualifications

Skills and Knowledge

• Knowledge of business curriculum and career paths.
• Proficiency with technology including, but not limited to, MS Office/Excel, PeopleSoft, Degree Audit systems, Salesforce, AI, and a drive to stay updated with technology tools.
• Excellent interpersonal, communication, and presentation skills required.
• Ability to de-escalate situations, show empathy, and navigate potentially stressful situations.
• Proactive and adaptable mindset with the ability to take initiative and solve problems independently.
• Ability to engage and collaborate with stakeholders from diverse backgrounds and in a fast-paced environment.
• Attention to detail, organization, and the ability to manage multiple competing priorities.

Responsibilities

Leadership & Management

• Provide leadership for the operational oversight of the Whitman advising team.
• Supervise, mentor, and evaluate a team of nine academic advisors, promoting their professional growth and development.
• Conduct regular team meetings and provide ongoing training and support.
• Regularly assess the effectiveness of advising services and make data-driven recommendations for improvement.

Advising & Student Support Operations

• Oversee the delivery of high-quality advising services to business students (undergraduate and graduate; residential and online), including course selection, degree planning, and academic support.
• Develop and implement policies and procedures related to academic advising.
• Serve as a point of escalation for complex student advising issues.
• Respond to inquiries from students and parents regarding academic policies.

Collaboration & Communication

• Build and maintain strong relationships with faculty, staff, and students.
• Communicate effectively with all stakeholders regarding advising updates and important information.
• Represent Whitman at university and school-wide committees and events.
• Facilitate the implementation of new projects within the college as needed.

Student Records Management & Retention Efforts

• Oversee the effective use of technology and advising software (e.g., Orange Success, DegreeWorks, Myslice, DataInsights, Salesforce, Blackboard) and ensure the accuracy and integrity of student advising records.
• Manage waitlists for course registration for all programs.
• Maintain all records including probation, degree certifications, and dean's list.
• Develop and support routine follow-up for recent, non-certified students to facilitate degree completion.

New Student Experience

• Responsible for all aspects of first-year, external transfer, and new graduate student (residential and online) registration including written communications to incoming students, work with Registrar on planning course selection process, and collaborate with Syracuse Welcome committee to coordinate advising-related new undergraduate student events.