Associate Director of Academic Advising

Apply now Job no: 498070
Work type: Staff Full-Time
Location: Denver, CO
Categories: Student Affairs / Services, Academic Advising, Business Operations / Services, Admin / Executive / Office Support
Division: University Academic Programs

Academic Affairs comprises multiple programs that advance the academic mission of the University by providing enhanced academic programs that have the potential to reach every student and consists of the following programs: Living & Learning Communities, Center for Community Engagement to advance Scholarship & Learning, University Honors Programs, Undergraduate Research Center, First-Year Seminar, Interterm, and the University Writing Program. The unit is also responsible for the undergraduate common curriculum, university-wide student learning outcomes, student success and persistence initiatives, undergraduate academic advising, academic standards, and academic appeals, and maintains institutional accreditation.

As an educational and research community, DU values curiosity, intellectual freedom, inclusive excellence, and open communication. DU respects individual differences and embraces civil discourse. DU promotes caring and close individual attention. DU is a community distinguished by inclusiveness, collaboration, responsiveness, and accountability. As such, we are committed to enhancing the diversity of our faculty and staff. The University is an equal opportunity/ affirmative action employer.

The Office of Academic Advising (OAA) provides academic advising support to undergraduate students and faculty advisors through one-on-one meetings, classroom visits, and group workshops and training. OAA supports academic recovery (probation) students, students exploring their major options, incoming transfer students, and students who have received Daniels Fund awards and Denver Scholarship Foundation awards. OAA supports the DU Academic Advising Model by leading central communications to department chairs, more than 300 faculty advisors, and more than 15 staff advisors and through quarterly meetings. OAA works closely with the Director of Faculty Advising to support the unique needs of department chairs.

Position Summary

This position works closely with the Executive Director of Academic Advising to oversee the day-to-day operations of the Office of Academic Advising (OAA), including personnel management, implementation of strategic programming, policies, and procedures. This position supports assessment reporting at the direction of the Executive Director. This position is the primary administrative support for the Academic Standards Committee, overseeing the outreach plan for each case. The role requires a collaborative and strategic thought partner who can support the Executive Director in advancing departmental goals through high-level planning, data-informed decision-making, and leadership of cross-campus initiatives.

Essential Functions

Advising Leadership and Management

Responsible for implementing appropriate office processes and practices to support and inform a proactive advising model.

This includes:

  • Actively serving as part of OAA leadership and, subsequently, engaging in strategic discussions related to office advancement, office planning and prioritization, office personnel management, and OAA staff development. Will serve as a proxy for Executive Director when needed.
  • Overseeing and ensuring the timely and accurate execution of administrative processes, including completion of administrative paperwork, entry, and update university systems for academic and advising records within FERPA guidelines, data integration, response, and coordination of faculty alerts, and strategic student outreach.
  • Provide administrative support for the Academic Standards Committee, overseeing the outreach plan for each case.
  • Coordinating and/or supporting the direction of the academic advising components of New Student Orientation programming.

Academic Advising Supervision

  • Provide developmental, ongoing, and supportive supervision to professional staff academic advisors which include oversight of the hiring, training & development, supervision and evaluation, and establishment of performance goals.

Program Evaluation

  • Support the development and implementation of an appropriate office assessment cycle.
  • Serve as a strategic partner in using assessment findings to inform and adjust programs, practices, and policies in alignment with departmental goals

Case Management and Crisis Management

  • Intervene and problem-solve with student crisis situations and parent and family conflict resolution when issues arise regarding academic standing, academic progress, and staff advising issues.

Data-Informed Practice

  • Regularly use advising technology platform for the purposes of identifying students at risk.
  • Serve on the Academic Rapid Response Team (ARRT).

Advising Model Support

  • Build supportive relationships with academic deans, chairs, faculty, instructors, and student affairs-related departments.
  • Participate in cross-departmental workgroups, committees, and task forces while pursuing departmental initiatives and goals, including initiatives related to diversity and inclusion, and other student persistence and completion efforts.
  • In cooperation with staff and faculty, develop trainings and resources for staff and faculty advisors across campus.
  • Assist the Executive Director with university-wide faculty and staff training.
  • Manage and oversee the professional development for the department and streamline communication for Staff Academic Advisors across campus.
  • Contribute strategic insight and thought partnership to strengthen the advising model and support continuous improvement efforts across the institution

Other duties as assigned

  • Assist with special projects; provide professional, technical, and strategic expertise; offer recommendations and collaboration to meet both immediate and long-term project outcomes.

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities

  • Decision making: Strong ability to make complex, independent decisions.
  • Communication skills: Excellent written communication and speaking skills. Ability to effectively present information and respond to questions from students, University colleagues and the general public over the telephone, in writing and in person.
  • Interpersonal skills: A proven ability to work well and nurture relationships with the advising team, faculty, and staff. Successful experiences in conflict resolution. Demonstrated skill in diplomacy and professionalism.
  • Detail Oriented: Process oriented thinking and ability to pay careful attention to detail.
  • Organization and time management skills: Ability to juggle a wide variety of tasks and effectively prioritize responsibilities.
  • Team oriented: Demonstrated ability to work well within a team with a high level of professionalism.
  • Training & Teaching Skills: Ability to provide training and give professional feedback and guidance to staff.
  • Strategic Thinking: Ability to engage in long-term planning, contribute to institutional initiatives, and serve as a thought partner in shaping advising goals and outcomes.
  • Data skills: A strong interest and aptitude in student success and related data, demonstrated knowledge of best practices in application of technology, predictive analytics, and the factors impacting student retention, success, satisfaction and graduation rates.
  • Student-Centered Commitment: Demonstrated commitment to providing high-quality, equity-minded academic advising services that support diverse learners.
  • Leadership & Supervision: Strong leadership, supervisory, and mentoring skills to support staff growth and team development.
  • Student Success Knowledge: Understanding of student learning, academic advising theory, and student development in higher education contexts.

Required Qualifications

  • Masters degree or relevant graduate degree; or Bachelors degree and 2 years of related experience.
  • 5 years of experience in academic advising and higher education.
  • Demonstrated experience and commitment to diversity, equity, and inclusion.
  • Experience in facilitating training and education.
  • Program assessment experience.
  • Experience working with faculty, staff, families, and students.

Preferred Qualifications

  • Masters degree in counseling, social work, psychology or education.
  • 7 years of experience in academic advising and higher education.
  • Experience with Advising Technology Platforms
  • Excellent community building and human relations skills.
  • Experience in facilitating change and managing conflict

Working Environment

  • Standard office environment.
  • Unexpected interruptions occur often and stress level is moderate to high.
  • Noise level is quiet to moderate.

Physical Activities

  • Ability to work in front of a computer for extended periods of time.
  • Occasionally required to move about the office/campus.

Work Schedule
Monday - Friday, 8:00 a.m. - 4:30 p.m.  In accordance with the University’s flexible work policy, this position is eligible to be considered for partial remote work. Further details regarding this plan will be determined with the hiring manager and are dependent on the division and team specific needs.

Application Deadline
For consideration, please submit your application materials by 4:00 p.m. (MST) July 25, 2025.

Special Instructions
Candidates must apply online through jobs.du.edu to be considered. Only applications submitted online will be accepted.

Salary Grade Number:
The salary grade for the position is 10.

Salary Range:
The salary range for this position is $65,000-$72,500.

The University of Denver has provided a compensation range that represents its good faith estimate of what the University may pay for the position at the time of posting. The University may ultimately pay more or less than the posted compensation range. The salary offered to the selected candidate will be determined based on factors such as the qualifications of the selected candidate, departmental budget availability, internal salary equity considerations, and available market information, but not based on a candidate’s sex or any other protected status.

Benefits:
The University of Denver offers excellent benefits, including medical, dental, retirement, paid time off, tuition benefit and ECO pass. The University of Denver is a private institution that empowers students who want to make a difference. Learn more about the University of Denver.

Please include the following documents with your application:
1. Resume
2. Cover Letter

The University of Denver is an equal opportunity employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex (including sex stereotypes, sex characteristics, sexual orientation, gender identity, and gender expression), marital, family, or parental status, pregnancy or related conditions, national origin, disability, or status as a protected veteran. The University of Denver does not discriminate and prohibits discrimination on the basis of race, color, national origin, ancestry, age, religion, creed, disability, sex (including sex stereotypes, sex characteristics, sexual orientation, gender identity, and gender expression), marital family, and parental status, pregnancy, genetic information, military enlistment, or veteran status, and any other class of individuals protected from discrimination under federal, state, or local law, regulation, or ordinance in any of the University’s educational programs and activities, and in the employment (including application for employment) and admissions (including application for admission) context, as required by Title IX of the Education Amendments of 1972; the Americans with Disabilities Act; Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973; Title VI and VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964; the Age Discrimination Act of 1975; the Age Discrimination in Employment Act of 1967; the Equal Pay Act; the Colorado Equal Pay for Equal Work Act; the Colorado Protecting Opportunities and Worker's Rights ("POWR") Act; and any other federal, state, and local laws, regulations, or ordinances that prohibit discrimination, harassment, and/or retaliation. For more information, please see the University of Denver's Non‑Discrimination‑Statement.

All offers of employment are contingent upon satisfactory completion of a criminal history background check.

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