Director, Office of Undergraduate Academic Advising & Study Abroad

Concordia University Chicago (CUC) invites applications for the full-time, exempt position of Director, Office of Undergraduate Academic Advising & Study Abroad. The Director is an enthusiastic supporter of Lutheran higher education who exhibits Christ-centered servant leadership and a dedication to student success. He/she is responsible for ensuring that the Concordia University Chicago mission, vision, and core values are consistently integrated into the academic advising experience. The Director maintains a positive perspective that is focused on team building and professional development that promotes student success and progress toward graduation.

The Director prioritizes and manages multiple projects from a variety of University stakeholders while also maintaining a caseload of advisees. Cultivating collaborative relationships with faculty and staff is critical to the success of the department and serving students well. The Director has experience with data analysis and assessment and is capable of running regular reports that serve to inform the University's efforts around student success/retention, academic progress, and re-enrollment initiatives.

Undergraduate certification or colloquy completion as a professional church worker in one of the education-related ministries of the Lutheran Church Missouri Synod and eligibility for a Divine Call as a Commissioned Minister is not required, but preferred.

This position reports to the Associate Dean of Students Vocation & Academic Success and is located in River Forest, IL.

Duties and Responsibilities:

Office Management/Supervision

• Seek out and hire staff members who are enthusiastic about Lutheran higher education; those who support the mission, vision, and core values of Concordia University Chicago
• Integrate the University's mission, vision, and core values when training new staff members
• Educate and maintain compliance with University policies and certification standards
• Oversee and maintain current publications/web information regarding advising
• Coordinate with academic departments to assign faculty advisors
• Oversee the maintenance and distribution of advising materials and new faculty advisor training
• Serve as the interdepartmental communication liaison to administrators, directors of student services offices, athletics and outside agencies
• Serve as advisory council member for Concordia Honors Program and advisor to honors program students
• Promote the Concordia University System visiting student program, study abroad and Washington Semester
• Develop, facilitate, and assess content development for all advising programming
• Develop/manage office budget

Student Success and Retention

• Integrate the mission, vision, and core values of Concordia University Chicago into his/her daily work with students
• Promote and maintain an office that provides a welcoming, student-oriented environment rooted in the core value of service to assist students, faculty and staff
• Keep department chairs and deans aware of enrollment needs of incoming Freshmen/Transfer and continuing students
• Coordinate/collaborate/facilitate programs interdepartmentally and ensure advising representation at admitted and prospective student visit days
• Provide data to the Dean of Students Office, Registrar and academic departments regarding course offerings/additional sections needed/cancellations and any impact on students
• Compare, manage, and communicate with appropriate University stakeholders to maintain degree roadmaps with requirements listed in catalogs and degree works
• Partner with the Director of the Academic Center for Excellence with regard to advising and registration of conditionally admitted students
• Maintain a student advising load of approximately 200 undergraduate students

Committee Responsibilities

• Serve on various committees which may include, but not be limited to academic early warning, academic standing, college policy, and other groups as relevant to program and/or assigned by administration.

Skill Sets/Competencies:

• Candidates must be committed to the mission and identity of Concordia University Chicago. Additionally, they must profess values congruent with the teachings of the Lutheran Church Missouri Synod (LCMS).
• Proficiency with working on multiple projects simultaneously, setting priorities and meeting deadlines.
• Strong knowledge of best practices in retention, advising, and study abroad.
• Oriented toward big picture with an affinity for research, critical and strategic thinking, & problem-solving.
• Commitment to teamwork and collaboration.
• Professionalism (in appearance, attitude, and work ethic), integrity, and sensitivity to the needs of a diverse student population.
• Ability to effectively work with individuals through complex situations.
• Capacity to maintain confidentiality of student records and office data.
• Excellent oral and written communication skills and a sense of humor.
• Technically proficient with databases and spreadsheets, word processing including mail merge and email programs; specifically Microsoft Access, Excel, Word, PowerPoint, & Publisher, BANNER, & Degree Works.
• Aptitude for process oriented functions that requires technological support and innovation

Minimum Experience Required:

• 3 years of experience working with college students in an advisory capacity
• 2 years of management experience

Education Requirements:

Master's Degree Required

Compensation and Benefits:

Starting range is dependent upon individual qualifications and experience. Concordia University Chicago benefit options include, but are not limited to, the following:

• Health, Dental, and Vision Insurance
• Flexible Spending Account (FSA) and/or Health Savings Account (HSA)
• Disability and Survivor Plan (Basic Life Insurance)
• Employee Assistance Program (EAP)
• Retirement Pension Plan
• Retirement 403(b) Savings Plan
• Supplemental Life Insurance
• Accidental Death and Dismemberment Insurance
• Accident Insurance
• Critical Illness Insurance
• Tuition benefits (available for employees and their qualified dependents)

Application Information:

Interested individuals should include a cover letter, resume and references with their online application.

Concordia does not discriminate in the employment of individuals on the basis of race, color, national or ethnic origin, disability, sex or age. As an institution of The Lutheran Church-Missouri Synod, however, and to the extent allowed by law, Concordia University reserves the right to give preference in employment based upon religious affiliation.

Concordia University Chicago does not generally sponsor for employment visas except for positions that oversee, teach or support our international programs.

About Concordia University Chicago:

Concordia University Chicago is a liberal arts-based Christian university founded in the Lutheran tradition. Through its College of Theology, Arts & Humanities, College of Business, College of Education, and College of Health, Science & Technology, Concordia-Chicago offers more than 160 areas of study in small classes taught by professors who are passionate about teaching and student success. All undergraduate and graduate degrees are fully accredited by the Higher Learning Commission of the North Central Association of Colleges and Schools.

Concordia University Chicago has been recognized as a College of Distinction since 2010, and is consistently ranked among the Best Regional Universities - Midwest by U.S. News & World Report. For more than a decade, combined undergraduate and graduate enrollment has exceeded 5,000 students. Concordia University Chicago is located in River Forest, 10 miles west of downtown Chicago. Learn more about our commitment to higher education, rooted in the Gospel, at CUChicago.edu.

Steadfast in Jesus Christ as revealed in the Holy Scriptures, Concordia University Chicago promotes academic rigor in its liberal arts and professional programs; grounds students in objective truth, integrity, and excellence; and practices faithfulness to the Confessional teachings of the Lutheran Church Missouri Synod, as it forms students for vocations in church, family, and the world.