Duties and Responsibilities

The Director of First and Second Year Advising serves on the administrative leadership team of Student Academic Services within the division of Student Success and provides strategic leadership for the offices of First and Second Year Advising (FSYA) and Student-Athlete Academic Services (SAAS). Reporting to the Assistant Vice President for Student Academic Services, the Director will:

Supervision and Management: Provide leadership, strategic direction, and subject-matter expertise for academic advising and services for the offices of First and Second Year Advising (FSYA) and Student-Athlete Academic Services (SAAS).

Hire, train, supervise, and evaluate professional staff; directly supervise 2 Associate Directors for First and Second Year Advising, the Associate Athletics Director for Student-Athlete Academic Services, and the Administrative Coordinator; provide professional development opportunities; indirectly supervise assistant directors, academic advisors, and undergraduate and graduate student employees.

Foster a positive team dynamic among staff across units, focused on student success and a spirit of collaboration across Student Success departments. Academic Advising Leadership and Technology: Provide oversight of academic advising, technology operations, and reporting to advance university-wide academic advising efforts with a focus on first- and second-year academic advising and services.

Advance the implementation and utilization of technology platforms to enhance academic advising and services (e.g., EAB Navigate360).

Evaluate, design, and implement robust student self-service assets.

Collaborate with campus partners to identify barriers and academic advising intervention plans to address said barriers.

Design and implement assessment to allow for continuous improvement of academic advising processes.

Assist in the development of university-wide academic advising policies, procedures, systems, and tools that support student persistence to graduation.

Develop reports and analytics related to academic advising and services.

Chair Advising Leadership Council, including academic advising leaders across undergraduate colleges/schools; support activities of the Undergraduate Advising Council (UAC).

Assessment and Evaluation: Use data-informed student outcomes to direct work to further students’ holistic growth.

Partner on assessment and manage key indicators of positive student outcomes. Analyze effectiveness of academic advising programs and services; recommend and implement changes.

Develop and evaluate units’ initiatives using data collected from student feedback, benchmark institutions, and professional organizations.

In collaboration with unit leaders, develop annual reports on programs and services offered through First and Second Year Advising and Student-Athlete Academic Services.

Identify and implement appropriate academic advising systems and other technology for the effective delivery of academic advising services.

Budget and Planning: Monitor annual budgets and manage accounting transactions for all units under supervision; manage expenditures for the programs within the approved budgets; recommend and approve purchases and expenses in accordance with the University’s purchasing and procurement procedures.

Secure administrative approval for and manage contracts for units under supervision.

Develop and implement annual strategic plans, policies, procedures and protocols for units under supervision.

Academic Advising: Serve as academic advisor for a small caseload of first- and second-year undergraduate students, providing holistic academic advising on major discernment, course selection, degree requirements, and a range of student academic and development issues.

Assist students in developing a meaningful academic and co-curricular plan within the Jesuit tradition.

Communicate degree requirements, academic policies to students, parents, and faculty.

Provide support to students in academic distress or on academic probation in accordance with academic policies; refer students needing additional support to appropriate campus offices and resources.

Administration and Campus Community: Facilitate section(s) of UNIV 101 First Year Seminar.

Serve as a primary relationship manager with university campus partners to ensure seamless academic advising experiences.

Represent First and Second Year Advising and Student-Athlete Academic Services on University-wide committees and events, as needed, relevant to academic advising, student success, academic support services and initiatives, and retention efforts.

Collaborate with Student Academic Services leadership team to develop plans for business processes and administrative projects across SAS.

Participate in Student Academic Services signature programs, events, and activities, including but not limited to: Orientation, New Student Convocation, finals week proctoring, Undergraduate Admission open houses, and student celebrations.

Serve on various university committees and task forces related to academic advising.

Perform related duties as required. Minimum Education and/or Work Experience Master’s degree plus 7-10 years or more of management, leadership, and program development experience in academic advising in higher education. Qualifications Experience developing and implementing academic advising services at the post-secondary level.

Demonstrated experience and ability to hire, train, evaluate, supervise, and coach professional staff.

Strong interpersonal skills and outstanding communications skills; that is, the ability to write, speak, and present information effectively and persuasively in a wide variety of settings.

Demonstrated ability to effectively collaborate and communicate with faculty, staff, students, and parents/families within the parameters of FERPA.

Ability to clearly articulate and present ideas, concepts, and suggestions to others in individual or group sessions; also includes demonstrating attention and conveying understanding of others’ points of view.

Ability to quickly gain attention and respect from others including peers, cross-functional groups, superiors, and subordinates.

Ability to analyze and solve complex problems and to deal effectively with changing conditions, incomplete data, or uncertainty.

Ability to reach the essence of complex problems quickly and generate effective courses of action.

Demonstrated commitment to multicultural understanding and cultural humility.

Strong project-management skills.

Exceptional attention to detail.

Ability to work effectively with students in a holistic manner with an enthusiasm for providing student-centered services in the Ignatian tradition.

Ability to embrace, promote and articulate the University’s Jesuit Catholic identity. Certificates/Credentials/Licenses Master’s degree required Computer Skills Technical proficiency in use of computers, software applications such as Microsoft 365 Office Suite.

Proficiency in student information systems; Oracle PeopleSoft is preferred.

Proficiency in data reporting tools, dashboards, and information retrieval systems; familiarity with Microsoft PowerBI preferred.

Proficiency in student success platforms and case management systems; familiarity with EAB Navigate360 preferred. Supervisory Responsibilities Yes Required operation of university owned vehicles No Does this position require direct animal or patient contact? No Physical Demands None Working Conditions Irregular Hours