The Academic Advisor serves as a resource for students to support their career and academic advancement, advising on requirements for their degree and guiding students toward career development. This role assesses individual situations and circumstances, creates, implements, and monitors recommendations that meet student needs, and ensures compliance with all associated policies, rules and regulations.
Please note: Some evening and weekend hours may be required. Schedule and location (Chicago vs. Evanston) may vary depending on the needs of student caseload. The position is not eligible for fully remote work.
Specific Responsibilities:
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.
-
Identifies service improvement opportunities that will improve efficiency and enhance guidance/counsel delivered.
-
Academic advising & counseling may include degree planning and management (qualifications for enrollment; major/minor selection, double majoring, interschool transfer; course planning, sequencing, alternatives, waivers, etc.); monitoring academic progress; issue de-escalation and problem solving; at-risk academic behavior intervention; navigating school/university policies; graduation preparation; application and/or referrals to graduate schools, etc.
-
General advising & counseling may include time management, study skills, test-taking strategies, etc.
-
Career advising may include: career assessment; trends in field; search strategies for internships, co-ops and/or jobs; networking; resume and cover letter development; social media footprint; interviewing; job offer negotiation, etc.
Communication
-
Conceives, writes, and designs new communications across a variety of channels (e.g., email, student portal, web) to provide timely and relevant information in support of undergraduate and graduate student advising and student services.
-
Reviews, edits, and executes large-audience email communications and event invitation campaigns using school communication platforms.
-
Researches and stays up to date with the latest trends and best practices on student messaging, use of language, and effective modalities; suggests improvements to current methods to optimize communications.
-
Collaborate with other departments to coordinate messaging that optimizes the experience for both students and staff.
-
Creates, updates, and maintains information on the student services website and student portal, etc. that describe, highlight, and explain resources and services.
-
Coordinates the collection, analysis, and reporting of required information for student surveying efforts, event attendance, etc.
Programs/Events
-
Develops plans and arranges programs – orientations, meetings, workshops, seminars, trainings, events, company visits, information sessions, career fairs, etc. designed to provide information, promote resources, and to build internal and external relationships.
-
Reviews programs and recommends changes to increase value, resources, and participants.
Administration
-
Implements strategic plans and contributes to process by reviewing existing practices and recommending enhancements and improvements.
-
Participates with area/unit senior staff in the conceptualization, development and presentation of materials used in operations.
-
Implements corrective actions required because of surveys or other indicators.
Compliance
-
Ensures compliance with all applicable federal, state, local & NU laws, regulations, policies & procedures.
-
Prepares documentation as required.
Miscellaneous
Performs other duties as assigned.
Minimum Qualifications:
-
Successful completion of a full 4-year course of study in an accredited college or university leading to a bachelor's or higher degree
Minimum Competencies: (Skills, knowledge, and abilities.)
-
Knowledge of the Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act (FERPA)
-
Excellent customer service and interpersonal skills
-
Strong organizational and time management skills
-
Excellent written and oral communication skills
-
Ability to work independently, with good judgement and attention to detail.
-
Ability to take initiative and problem solve.
-
Ability to leverage technology to improve workplace processes.
-
Ability to collaborate and work well in a team environment.
-
Skilled in Microsoft office software
-
Open to coaching/feedback to enhance job performance
Preferred Qualifications:
-
Successful completion of a full course of study in an accredited college or university leading to a master's or higher degree; OR appropriate combination of education and experience.
-
Experience providing academic and/or career advising to students in a two- or four-year higher education environment
Preferred Competencies: (Skills, knowledge, and abilities)
-
PeopleSoft Campus Solutions (SES) or similar
-
Experience working with CRM/database
-
Experience updating web copy
-
Knowledge of and experience using communications systems to support students
-
Successful track record leading engagement and persistence initiatives
-
Advanced in Microsoft Office suite and Adobe products
Target hiring range for this position will be between $57,000K to $61,500K 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 strongly recommends COVID-19 vaccinations and boosters for people who can obtain them as a critical tool for minimizing severe illness. More information can be found on the COVID-19 and Campus Updates webpage.
The Northwestern campus sits on the traditional homelands of the people of the Council of Three Fires, the Ojibwe, Potawatomi, and Odawa as well as the Menominee, Miami and Ho-Chunk nations. We acknowledge and honor the original people of the land upon which Northwestern University stands, and the Native people who remain on this land today.