Assistant Director Academic Advising

Department: School of Professional Studies
Salary/Grade: EXS/7

Job Summary:

Leads the delivery of guidance and counsel to students designed to assist them in making decisions associated with their academic and/or career experiences. Assesses individual situations and circumstances, many complex in nature, and creates, implements, and monitors recommendations, partnering with internal/external organizations and resources that meet student needs. Ensures compliance with all associated policies, rules and regulations.

Specific Responsibilities:

Administration

• Manages & implements strategic plans.
• Recommends changes & improvements to functional operations to better meet organizational needs & objectives.
• Completes administrative activities such as assessment, operations planning, data management, and reporting.
• Researches best practices and peer institutions and market/economic conditions and recommends changes and enhancements to improve administrative effectiveness, services and/or resources.

Technology

• Reviews existing use of technology and recommends changes to incorporate state-of-the-art systems and tools as appropriate into all aspects of the advising and counseling program.
• Researches peer and cutting-edge developments regarding technology and recommends changes and enhancements that will improve delivery of resources and services.
• Acts as liaison to IT to ensure technology systems are properly installed & maintained.

Advising/Counseling

• Provides customer service oriented, student centered guidance and counsel based on individual circumstances, preferences, etc. and in compliance with all associated policies, rules and regulations.
• Researches, develops and implements practices and activities that enhance student centered guidance and counsel.
• Academic advising & counseling may include more complex situations such as development of retention initiatives for students struggling academically or on academic probation; on extended absence; with special needs; escalated student concerns, etc.

Relationships

• Consults with academic departments, Northwestern Career Advancement, and administrative offices to exchange information regarding academic and career opportunities.
• Nurtures relationships with SPS Enrollment & Admissions, SPS Registrar, and Academic departments to ensure coordination of efforts and proper information flow to students.

Marketing/Public Relations

• Identifies opportunities and strategies for short- and long-term growth & expansion of student support resources, value and participation.
• Creates & implements communication strategy regarding resources and services.
• Manage and develop SPS Student Services website and digital career resources for students.
• Oversees communication and alignment of support efforts for new and current programs, partnering with internal and external key stakeholders to ensure marketing plan effectively targets students, sponsors, key stakeholders, etc.
• Ensures that all online materials accurately represent programs.

Programs/Events

• Manages planning and arrangement of programs - meetings, workshops, trainings, events, etc. designed to provide information, promote resources and to build internal and external relationships.
• Manages event details including communication, venues, presenters, materials, and technology ensuring that all are arranged and completed in an appropriate and timely manner.
• Researches peer, competitor, and state-of-the art developments to enhance, improve, and innovate program topics and delivery to better meet goals & objectives.
• Supervises creation of student-facing quality-add events, including conferences, seminars, panel sessions, information sessions, etc.

Evaluation

• Manages development and maintenance of evaluation processes including associated metrics and key performance indicators.
• Reviews & analyzes outcome measurements and recommends changes & enhancements to improve program.
• Collaborates with internal/external partners to implement changes designed to improve/increase program goals/objectives.

Compliance

• Coordinates development & implementation of processes and procedures that ensure compliance with all applicable federal, state, local & NU laws, regulations, policies & procedures.

Supervises

• Provides work direction to junior staff (e.g., 29100- academic advisors).

Miscellaneous

Performs other duties as assigned.

Minimum Qualifications: (Education, experience, and any other certifications or clearances)

• Successful completion of a full 4-year course of study in an accredited college or university leading to a bachelor's or higher degree; OR appropriate combination of education and experience and 3 years' career counseling/advising in higher education or 3 years of industry experience; or other relevant experience required; OR
• Successful completion of a full course of study in an accredited college or university leading to a master's or JD or higher degree; OR appropriate combination of education and experience and 2 years' career counseling/advising in higher education or 2 years of industry experience; or other relevant experience required.

Minimum Competencies: (Skills, knowledge, and abilities)

• Experience providing academic advising to students in a two- or four-year higher education environment
• Excellent customer service and interpersonal skills
• Strong organizational and time management skills
• Excellent written and oral communication skills
• Ability to work independently with a high degree of autonomy, demonstrating good judgment and attention to detail

Preferred Qualifications: (Education and experience)

• Experience supporting online learners
• Experience crafting effective messaging to large audiences

Preferred Competencies: (Skills, knowledge, and abilities)

• PeopleSoft Campus Solutions (SES) or similar
• Experience with Customer Relationship Management (CRM) systems or advising tracking systems (e.g., Starfish, Salesforce, etc.)
• Familiarity with website content editing (e.g., Cascade, WordPress, etc.)
• Familiarity with Communication Management Systems (CMM) or email campaign software (e.g., Hubspot, SmartSheet, etc.)

Target hiring range for this position will be between $69,000 to $73,500 per year. Offered salary will be determined by the applicant's education, experience, knowledge, skills and abilities, as well as internal equity and alignment with market data.

Benefits:
At Northwestern, we are proud to provide meaningful, competitive, high-quality health care plans, retirement benefits, tuition discounts and more! Visit us at https://www.northwestern.edu/hr/benefits/index.html to learn more.

Work-Life and Wellness:
Northwestern offers comprehensive programs and services to help you and your family navigate life's challenges and opportunities, and adopt and maintain healthy lifestyles.
We support flexible work arrangements where possible and programs to help you locate and pay for quality, affordable childcare and senior/adult care. Visit us at https://www.northwestern.edu/hr/benefits/work-life/index.html to learn more.

Professional Growth & Development:
Northwestern supports employee career development in all circumstances whether your workspace is on campus or at home. If you're interested in developing your professional potential or continuing your formal education, we offer a variety of tools and resources. Visit us at https://www.northwestern.edu/hr/learning/index.html to learn more.

Northwestern University is an Equal Opportunity Employer and does not discriminate on the basis of protected characteristics, including disability and veteran status. View Northwestern's non-discrimination statement. Job applicants who wish to request an accommodation in the application or hiring process should contact the Office of Civil Rights and Title IX Compliance. View additional information on the accommodations process.