Job description

Position Type: Classified

Faculty / Non-Faculty / Administration: Non-Faculty

Pay Band: 6

Level: 5

Department: Academic Advising and Planning Ctr

Job Purpose

The Senior Associate Director of the Academic Advising & Planning Center works in collaboration with the Director for the development, management, strategic planning and assessment of a large advising center serving 10,000 students annually. The Senior Associate Director is charged with providing support to the Director on administrative and personnel matters, managing the day-to-day operations of the Center, supervising and formally evaluating professional advising staff, and maintaining an advising caseload of undergraduate students. Promotes the department and its mission through interactions with internal and external constituents.

Minimum Requirements

Master’s degree in a liberal arts discipline, counseling, or higher education administration. Five years of professional workplace experience in academic advising and leadership and supervision and a desire to develop others through leadership and supervision. Candidates with an equivalent combination of experience and/or education are encouraged to apply.

Preferred Qualifications and Experience:

Progressive workplace responsibility
Organizational leadership
Assessment and strategic planning
Progressive levels of leadership and workplace responsibility
*Familiarity with Banner, Degree Works, and CRM Advise

Successful candidates will love:

• Serving as a leader in support of professional advisors’ and paraprofessional student employees’ growth and develop both personally and professionally
• Collaborating with advisors and leadership team for continuous improvement
• Embracing and employing established departmental values (Team Spirit, Accountability, Humility, Communication, Appreciation, Inclusion)
• Collaborating with colleagues inside and outside the department to drive the vision and mission of the department through programming and committee work
• Participating in ongoing professional development opportunities with a dedication to continuous improvement
• Being a part of a team dedicated to mutual respect and collegiality
• Serving as a problem solver and resource to students, constituents, and colleagues alike
• Working with undergraduate students in both one-on-one and in group advising settings in person and online assisting in identifying goals, understanding campus systems and planning for success
• Exhibiting initiative and sharing ideas
• Enjoy working in a dynamic, fast paced season-based advising (distinct Fall, Spring, Summer) setting
• Working independently as well in work teams
• Serving as a referral agent to campus resources
• Helping students find their place and their people
• Employing current and evolving technology

Required Knowledge, Skills and Abilities

Knowledge:

• Demonstrated understanding of student development at a liberal arts & sciences college.
• Well versed in the basic principles and theories of academic advising and college student development and higher education administration
• Thorough understanding and engagement in national advising practices
• Best practices in Assessment
• FERPA regulations and their application
• Working knowledge of Microsoft Suite products and Zoom software

Skills and Abilities:

• Desire to lead, train, supervise, and formally evaluate professional advising staff members, a graduate intern and an Office Manager by having a consistent in-person presence and providing ongoing support
• Exceptional ability at being a team player, establishing, building and maintaining effective internal and external relationships and contributing to a friendly, welcoming environment
• Demonstrated problem-solving
• Demonstrated effective written and oral communication, interpersonal, customer service and organizational skills
• Able to lead multiple simultaneous complex projects with competing priorities
• Exhibit initiative and tolerance for ambiguity in an ever-changing environment
• Affirm and contribute to a positive workplace culture
• Exhibit initiative and have tolerance for ambiguity
• Think creatively and successfully execute new initiatives with limited guidance
• Team spirited, enjoy leading people to achieve a common goal
• Desire to lead and be a role model to professional colleagues
• Participate in all in-person services, programs, activities, and initiatives relevant to the job duties

Additional Comments Regarding Position

This is an in-person position. May be required to work outside the College’s normal office hours (8:30am-5:00pm, Monday through Friday) during New Student Orientation and special events. May be required to offer individual or group appointments virtually. Opportunity for telecommuting one day a week after the first 12 months of employment. Must have personal internet service and computer equipment that would allow for approved remote work. Physical demands include sitting, walking in the office and around campus; navigating to, from and between buildings and classroom environments, particularly during New Student Orientation. Applicants with mobility issues are welcome to apply.

Benefits

• Insurance: Health/Dental/Vision
• Life Insurance
• Paid Leave: Sick/Annual/Parental
• Retirement
• Long Term Disability
• Paid Holidays
• Free CARTA Bus Service
• Employee Tuition Assistance Program (ETAP)
• Employee Assistance Program (EAP)
• Full Benefits Package – Click Here

Open Until Filled: No

Posting Number: 2025108

EEO Statement

The College of Charleston is an equal opportunity employer and does not discriminate against any individual or group on the basis of sex, gender (including gender identity and/or expression), pregnancy, race, religion, color, national origin, age, disability, military or veteran status, sexual orientation, genetic information, and other classifications protected by applicable federal, state, and local laws. For more information, please visit eop.cofc.edu.

Activity

Provides departmental leadership, serving as a role model to ensure departmental values are exemplified and staff members are held accountable by providing support and guidance to team members, and acts as an advising content expert for the advising team. Oversees the execution of the Excellence in Advising Certificate Program for faculty and the Student Advisory Board programs. Works with departmental and campus leadership to champion effective academic advising pedagogy and implements changes based on best practices in support of a comprehensive advising curriculum.

Essential or Marginal: Essential

Percent of Time: 10

Activity

Provides accurate, timely academic advising and interpersonal guidance, including first-year students, transfer students, undecided students and other special populations (e.g., academically at-risk students, provisional students, students with physical and/or learning disabilities, students on academic warning or probation, regular or conditionally readmitted students, etc.) to approximately 100 undergraduate students . Works with students to explore their interests, discuss course options, consider majors, plan for the future, and address any academic concerns. Explains degree requirements, general education curriculum, institutional policies and procedures, student support services, opportunities for co-curricular activities and teaches related technology. Refers advisees to other campus resources as appropriate. Documents advising sessions and maintains academic records in compliance with College of Charleston policies and procedures and FERPA regulations. Supports Advisor on Call in a rotation during business hours and supports Quick Question Drop-in services as necessary throughout the year. Participates in all aspects of New Student Orientation and delivers individual and small group workshops using technology-driven planning tools and resources. This may include travel across campus for preparation meetings and content delivery in various campus buildings and settings.

Essential or Marginal: Essential

Percent of Time: 30

Activity

Manages day-to-day operations in the Academic Advising & Planning Center, including oversite of front desk operations and advise Office Manager on strategies to improve service and serving drop-in center guests outside of scheduled drop-in hours. Consult regularly with and provide support to the Director on daily operations, personnel matters, and academic policies and procedures. Participates in strategic planning, development of departmental objectives, policies and procedures, and implementing programs, leading when appropriate. Fosters a collaborative team environment and monitors compliance with all applicable state and federal regulations. Assumes Director’s duties in his/her absence.

Essential or Marginal: Essential

Percent of Time: 20

Activity

Supervises, observes and formally evaluates six professional academic advisors, including the Training Coordinator, a part-time advisor/intern(s), and the Office Manager and by extension the front desk student employees, providing ongoing support and developmental feedback through individual or small group team meetings, primarily through in-person contact. Provides supervisory assistance to the Director for the Academic Advising & Planning Center staff at large, including participation in but not limited to personnel matters. Manages and resolves sensitive or complex issues as they arise in the Center, as necessary.

Essential or Marginal: Essential

Percent of Time: 15

Activity

Oversees, plans, and reports all program assessment activities in collaboration with the Director. Chairs the AAPC Assessment Committee, facilitating discussions around assessment planning for the department. Provides training to committee members and the staff at-large on assessment matters. Collaborates with appropriate AAPC committee chairs and the Data Coordinator to develop assessment methodology and reports related to student learning, academic success, and adviser effectiveness. Assists in onboarding new advising staff informing them about assessment responsibilities and expectations.

Essential or Marginal: Essential

Percent of Time: 15

Activity

Represents the AAPC in various venues internal and external to the College of Charleston, serving as a liaison to schools, departments and programs to facilitate communication of key information and strengthen AAPC’s visibility on campus. Supports the Faculty Advising Academy through planning educational advising materials and presenting content where appropriate, seeking to expand the program’s scope and level of faculty participation. This may include travel across campus for meetings and content delivery in various campus buildings and settings.

Essential or Marginal: Essential

Percent of Time: 5

Activity

Attends and participates in on and off campus, local, regional and national professional developments opportunities as it relates to area of responsibility. This may involve inter or intrastate travel. Apply knowledge to personal practice, as well as colleagues in the department. Share content across campus to improve the quality of advising practices campus wide. Serves as search committee member inside and outside the department, serving as Chair as needed, ensuring that the department is trained in departmental search methods in an effort to staff with qualified personnel.

Essential or Marginal: Essential

Percent of Time: 5

How to apply

Applicants must submit a targeted cover letter, resume, a thoughtful leadership philosophy not to exceed two pages and three professional references, including a current or past supervisor.

Please complete the application to include all current and previous work history and education. A resume alone will not be accepted nor reviewed to determine if an applicant has met the qualifications for the position.

*Salary is commensurate with education/experience which exceeds the minimum requirements.

Offers of employment are contingent upon a successful background check.

All applications must be submitted online https://jobs.cofc.edu.

Salary: *$57,106 – $75,000

Closing Date: 08/19/2025