Assistant Director of Student Success and Academic Advising
About the role
The assistant director, academic success, provides technical advice, problem-solving assistance, answers to questions regarding program goals, and policy interpretation. The assistant director will design, develop, and coordinate projects, and participate in committees and task forces involving student success and academic advising.
Responsibilities
- Administers an area or program in student services, evaluates and recommends decisions on program eligibility
- Reviews decisions recommended by other staff
- Collaborates with others to help resolve program issues and concerns, interprets policies, and mediates complex and sensitive issues
- Resolves multi-dimensional matters in response to students in crisis, at risk, or who have other program issues, counsels students and parents on sensitive and confidential issues
- Reconciles complex issues; analyzes diverse transactions from multiple sources
- Summarizes data from multiple sources, prepares management reports and presentations
- Develops and implements plans for outreach efforts, develops and maintains external community and represents the department and university at meetings and events
- Provides advice to students on a range of issues, including, but not limited to, academic progress, academic program policies, career plans, accessibility, community standards, etc.
- Informs students of research, fellowship and scholarship opportunities, makes recommendations and may award grants
- Serves as a subject matter expert to other departments; represents the unit or department
- Manages student success tracking processes for students who may not be meeting academic standards (GPA, performance, or satisfactory progress toward degree)
- Takes ownership of integration of multiple tools, on behalf of the department and school, including academic advising CRM system (e.g., EAB NAVIGATE)
- Coordinates communications with students regarding course selection, choices for elective courses, resources to aid in academic success, and degree completion
Requirements
- Bachelor's Degree
- Two or more (2+) years of professional experience
- In lieu of the experience requirement, additional related education, above and beyond what is required, on an equivalent year-for-year basis may be substituted
Skills
- Strong verbal and written communication skills
- Ability to exercise diplomacy and foster rapport with stakeholders
- Advanced problem-solving skills
- Ability to manage a high volume of student meetings, email traffic, and projects
- Strong organizational and time management skills
- Advanced knowledge of Microsoft Office suite
- Strong data analysis skills
- Ability to work independently and as part of a team
- Adept at problem-solving, creating contingency plans, and handling issues when necessary
- Strong client service orientation and attention to detail
Preferences
- Experience working in an institution of higher education advising or student support function
- Ability to utilize or quickly learn enterprise student systems (current examples include Banner, DegreeWorks and EAB Navigate)
- Graduate degree
Workplace Requirements
Rice Business primarily delivers residential classes and activities taking place almost daily between 7 am and 10 pm. This role requires on-campus presence five days per week, and will require some evenings and weekends. After the probation period has concluded, 1 day of remote work/week may be offered, depending on the timing in the academic year.
Pay
Annual hiring range: $58,000, with hiring salary commensurate with experience and qualifications.
Schedule
This is an exempt (salaried) position under FLSA, not eligible for overtime.