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Associate Director, Office of Undergraduate Advising

Employer
Simmons University
Location
Massachusetts, United States
Salary
Salary Not specified
Date posted
Jun 11, 2021

View more

Position Type
Faculty Positions, Business & Management, Management
Employment Level
Administrative
Employment Type
Full Time


Associate Director, Office of Undergraduate Advising

Main Campus - Boston, MA
R07606

Job Summary:

Simmons University is looking for an Associate Director to join the Office of Undergraduate Advising. In collaboration with the Director, the main functions of the Associate Director is to manage the PLAN Advisor Program for first-year advising and first-year faculty advisors, oversee Assessment which includes management of Starfish the customer relations management (CRM) tool, and supervise professional academic advisors. Additionally, the Associate Director will have a caseload of first-years, and supervise the advisors who manage the Simmons Academic Mentor (SAMs) program as well as run the intervention program designed to help at-risk students. As a member of the department's leadership team, the Associate Director will create innovative ideas to promote the office, prepare students for life's work, represent the department on University committees, and cross boundaries to create opportunities.

The ideal candidate will possess strong time management, customer service, problem solving, interpersonal skills, technology savvy, experience with assessment, familiarity with general education, experience with managing staff, and have experience supporting at-risk student populations. As a University committed to diversity, equity and inclusion, we seek candidates with a demonstrated ability to work with individuals across a broad range of social and personal identities and perspectives. This person will report directly to the Director of Undergraduate Advising.

Job Responsibilities:

General Advising
  • Primary advisor for a caseload of first-year students as a PLAN Advisor and advise a caseload of transfer students;
  • Assist students with course selection, curricular planning, goal setting and problem solving;
  • Meet with students often and as needed throughout the year, through scheduled appointments and/or open office hours, drop-in advising, group advising, virtually via Zoom, or over the phone ;
  • Utilize Strengths when advising students ;
  • Develop and facilitate workshops focusing on time management, improving organizational skills, study skill development, de-stressing before midterms/finals, note taking, etc.


​Manage PLAN Advisor Program
  • Manage the PLAN Advisor program for first-year advising which includes hiring and supporting first-year faculty advisors (PLAN Advisors);
  • Oversee the application development, recruitment and selection of all PLAN Advisors each Spring in collaboration with the Director;
  • Become a Clifton Strengths Champion and support PLAN Advisors with utilizing Strengths in their advising sessions;
  • Coordinate the weekly PLAN Advisor Communities of Practice (COP) to debrief and discuss advising trends and challenges presently on campus with fellow PLAN Advisors;
  • Opportunity to teach a PLAN course (SIM 101 Explore), highly encouraged ;
  • Create and execute PLAN Advisor Training in mid-May for new and returning PLAN Advisors to prepare for June Advising Month and new student orientation;
  • Assign all new first-years and transfer students to PLAN Advisors or faculty advisors;
  • Collaborate with Student Life and other departments to plan and implement Orientation;
  • Teach a section of SIM 101 Explore to first-year students which is required as part of the PLAN core curriculum for all undergraduate students;
  • Collaborate with the Interim Dean of the Undergraduate Program on projects related to the Simmons PLAN (Purpose Leadership ActioN) core curriculum;
  • Represent the Office of Undergraduate Advising on the General Education Advisory Group (GEAG) overseen by the Interim Dean of the Undergraduate Program.


Supervision
  • Supervise professional academic advisors and support them in managing the Simmons Academic Mentors (SAMs) as well as the intervention program designed to help at-risk students on academic warning, probation, or removed from degree candidacy get back on good academic standing;
  • Co-supervise student office assistance in collaboration with the Director and provide them with projects;
  • Provide supervision and management of the Office of Undergraduate Advising in the absence of the Director.


Assessment & Starfish
  • Develop and implement an advising assessment plan for the department in collaboration with the Director;
  • Be familiar with the advising assessment cycle as outlined by NACADA;
  • Create data reports for the Director and Assistant Provost;
  • Serve as point person/manager for all aspects of EAB's Starfish Management (early alert retention tool) for the undergraduate programs related to queries, training, reports, and services;
  • Connect with EAB (formerly Hobsons) representatives for Starfish software updates on a monthly basis or as needed.
  • Implement three flag and six flag functionality of the early alert system to allow consistent tracking/ schedule follow up advising meetings for students receiving three or more alert flags.
  • Updating and sending out Starfish progress surveys to faculty twice a semester (in line with course add/drop periods) or as needed.
  • Utilize new tools to measure the effectiveness and use of Starfish.
  • Develop and implement a strategic communications plan to improve Starfish knowledge and utilization for both students and faculty/staff.
  • Provide trainings to faculty and staff on Starfish
  • Participate in regional Starfish community meetings with other Universities


Leadership
  • Expert on PLAN, major, minor and graduation requirements, serving as a resource for students, faculty, and staff
  • Collaborate with the Director to communicate with each department administering a placement exam to ensure the exam is updated, and the grading process is clear. If needed, will assist in updating an exam with the department.
  • Represent the Office of Undergraduate Advising when participate in departmental and University wide committees such as the University Transfer Student Committee, Orientation Committee, CARE, and General Education Advisory Group (GEAG)
  • In the absence of the Director, the Associate Director will provide supervision, leadership and guidance to the Office of Undergraduate Advising


Other
  • Report directly to the Director of Undergraduate Advising;
  • Other duties as assigned by the Director and Assistant Provost


Qualifications:
  • Master's degree required with at least 3-5 years of previous professional experience involving academic advising or career advising college students;
  • Prior experience collaborating with faculty and academic leadership;
  • Experience with assessment in advising or related areas;
  • Experience utilizing Starfish or similar early alert tools is required;
  • At least 3 years of prior experience supervising an advising staff;
  • Prior experience utilizing Clifton Strengths is a plus;
  • Experience in connecting and building rapport with students;
  • Excellent oral and written communication skills;
  • Ability to successfully resolve student issues from request through resolution;
  • Experience with Google mail a plus;
  • Ability to work as as a member of a team;
  • Professional membership with NACADA or NASPA a plus;
  • Ability to work independently and manage projects;
  • Experience and confidence in working with diverse student populations;
  • Understanding and experience embedding diversity, equity and inclusion in advising; in particular working with students of color and first-generation students a plus.


Required Application Materials:
  • Resume
  • Cover Letter


Salary Grade
S08

Instructions to Applicants: Please upload all applicable application materials (e.g. resume/cv, cover letter, writing sample, teaching philosophy, etc.) in the "Resume/CV" box on page 2 ("My Experience") of this application. Documents can be uploaded individually or as a combined document (e.g. PDF).

Simmons University is committed to inclusive excellence in all aspects of an individual's community experience. As a university committed to diversity, equity, and inclusion, Simmons encourages applications from all under-represented groups. Simmons is committed to creating, developing, promoting, and enhancing inclusive hiring practices-at all levels, for all positions-ensuring diverse talent pools and the delivery of a consistent positive candidate experience. Simmons is an equal opportunity employer and is committed to continuing to develop a more diverse faculty, staff, student body, and curriculum.


To apply, visit https://simmons.wd1.myworkdayjobs.com/en-US/Simmons-Careers/job/Main-Campus---Boston-MA/Associate-Director--Office-of-Undergraduate-Advising_R07606

Located in Boston’s historic Fenway area, Simmons College is a small, private, non-sectarian College which has educated students for enriching careers and purposeful lives since 1899. Working at Simmons means joining a collaborative, diverse and mission-driven community of educators and professionals.

We prepare students to be leaders for themselves, their communities and the world. Our faculty and staff members lead by example - sharing a commitment to excellence and putting the students first.

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