Manager of Graduate and Seminary Academic Advising

Position Overview

The Manager of Graduate and Seminary Academic Advising provides strategic and operational leadership for the Academic Advising team dedicated to Graduate and Seminary student populations. This role balances high-level management including hiring, training, and strategic planning with direct student support. The Manager is responsible for fostering a positive team culture, aligning advising practices with modern retention research, and serving as a key liaison across the university to ensure the success of Graduate and Seminary students.

Primary Responsibilities

Strategy, Assessment and Development 35%

• Strategic Planning: Contribute to the broader advising unit's strategic plan and lead all work specific to the unit.
• Metrics & Assessment: Track unit goals and oversee the compilation of data regarding student-advisor interactions, advisor performance, and student persistence.
• Retention Research: Implement best practices and align unit policies with current research on student retention, completion, and change management.
• Resource Management: Grow and maintain advising resources specific to student needs while contributing to the department's general resource library.

Team Leadership and Development 30%

• Supervision & Growth: Supervise, hire, train, and mentor a team of Advising Specialists; and conduct performance evaluations.
• Culture & Development: Build a cohesive unit culture and lead the planning and execution of professional development initiatives for staff.
• Continuous Improvement: Stay current on innovative advising strategies and higher education developments to apply directly to student interactions.

Unified Institutional Engagement and Communication 20%

• Program Liaison: Act as a primary resource for Program Directors and Department Chairs, supporting them and Advising Specialists with complex academic policy questions.
• Cross-Functional Collaboration: Partner with the Registrar, Director of Early College, Career Development, Admissions, and Faculty on special projects and student services.
• Recruitment: Direct the unit's involvement in university-wide recruitment efforts and represent the advising department in ad hoc committee meetings.
• Communication Oversight: Manage all communication streams tailored specifically to the unit.

Direct Student Support (Caseload) 15%

• Advising Excellence: Maintain a caseload performing all duties of an Advising Specialist, including degree planning and proactive outreach.
• Escalation Support: Serve as the second-tier point of contact for complex learner concerns and interdepartmental alignment challenges.

Required Skills & Qualifications

Education: Master's degree

Experience:

• Demonstrated strong and progressive leadership responsibilities in academic advising or higher education administration, with experience in a supervisory or lead capacity.
• Understanding of the unique lifecycle and needs of early college, and online learners.
• Exceptional interpersonal skills with the ability to navigate complex organizational hierarchies and "bridge" departments.

Benefits

Bethel is committed to offering meaningful benefits to our employees including health insurance, retirement plans, and a generous time off package. Learn more about these offerings here.

Learn more about our commitment to diversity in hiring here.

Applicants must be authorized to work in the U.S. We are unable to sponsor or take over sponsorship of an employment Visa at this time.