Academic Advisor

Department: Health Professions Advising
Salary/Grade: EXS/5

The target hiring range for this position will be $55,000 - 62,000 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.

Job Summary:

Northwestern University's Health Professions Advising (HPA) Office advises, engages, connects, and prepares undergraduate students and undergraduate alums to pursue careers in the health professions (e.g., medicine, dentistry, pharmacy, nursing, social work, public health, etc.). HPA academic advisors provide comprehensive advising designed to help students explore health career pathways, connect to hands-on experiences, and navigate the application process. The ideal candidate for this position is student-centered, collaborative, and has experience working well with diverse populations.

Specific Responsibilities:

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.

Technology

• Identifies improvement opportunities in regard to technology that will better enable advising program to achieve its goals and objectives.
• Reviews processes and recommends changes to incorporate state-of-the-art technology as appropriate into administrative, resource, service, etc. components.
• Recommends changes and enhancements to leverage technology to best serve the greatest number of students as effectively as possible.

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 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; graduation preparation; application and/or referrals to graduate schools, etc.
• General advising & counseling may include: time management, study skills, test-taking strategies, etc.

Relationships

• Partners internally with admissions and faculty to provide information regarding interfacing academic and career resources and services.

Marketing/Public Relations

• Implements consistent marketing and brand messages regarding resources and services.
• Creates, updates and maintains state-of-the-art website, social networking site, chat rooms, etc. that describe, highlight and explain resources and services.
• Incorporates social media and networking into program aspects as appropriate.
• Strengthens partnerships with internal and external resources and services by defining, promoting and marketing benefits of participation and involvement.
• Reviews market trends and best practices to recommend future plans to increase program resources, services, value, and participation.

Programs/Events

• Develops plans and arranges programs - 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.
• Identifies & obtains external expertise as needed and works with content experts for current and new programs.
• Reviews programs and recommends changes to increase value, resources and participants.
• Manages speaker selection, communication, and topic development.
• Leads program/project updates and improvements.
• Ensures that program/event details including communication, venues, presenters, travel arrangements, materials, refreshments and technology are arranged and completed in an appropriate and timely manner.

Evaluation

• Analyzes program sessions and interacts with participants for purpose of gaining consumer insight, growing and strengthening program knowledge, and optimizing client satisfaction.
• Coordinates the collection, analysis & reporting of required information for surveys, review documents, public information documents, etc.
• Analyzes evaluation data from internal/external participants (students, faculty, employers, etc.) to assist in program development and updates.
• Implements corrective actions required as a result 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; OR appropriate combination of education and experience and 1 year career counseling/advising in higher education or 1 year of industry experience; or other relevant experience required; OR

• Successful completion of a full course of study in an accredited college or university leading to a master's or JD or higher degree; OR appropriate combination of education and experience.

Minimum Competencies: (Skills, knowledge, and abilities.)

• PeopleSoft Campus Solutions (SES) or similar

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 University is an Equal Opportunity Employer and does not discriminate on the basis of protected characteristics, including disability and veteran status. View Northwestern's non-discrimination statement. Job applicants who wish to request an accommodation in the application or hiring process should contact the Office of Civil Rights and Title IX Compliance. View additional information on the accommodations process.

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