Although open until filled, priority application date is April, 12 2024.
As a UW employee, you have a unique opportunity to change lives on our campuses, in our state and around the world. UW employees offer their boundless energy, creative problem-solving skills and dedication to build stronger minds and a healthier world.
UW faculty and staff also enjoy outstanding benefits, professional growth opportunities and unique resources in an environment noted for diversity, intellectual excitement, artistic pursuits and natural beauty.
The Assistant Director of Advising, Communication & Outreach position serves as a manager and administrator in the UW Bothell Academic Advising unit developed in 2024. The Assistant Director will oversee a cluster of advisors working with a specific group of programs, providing leadership and management of day-to-day activities and selected strategic projects. This Assistant Director will also service as the Academic Advising unit’s lead on strategic communication and student outreach, including management of communication sequencing and planning, social media, website development, and more.
This position requires the ability to supervise and develop a team of professional staff members, along with handling difficult and complex student situations with sensitivity. The strategic project elements of this position require significant initiative, ability to navigate campus dynamics, and strong communication skills.
DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES
Advisor Supervision
Lead and supervise a team of professional academic advisors committed to supporting students enrolled in a specific group of academic programs.
Train and mentor advising staff to develop their full potential and to enhance the continuity of competent and committed staff, including developing leadership capacities of staff to ensure they meet their professional goals.
Provide strategic leadership and direction for the advising of students within assigned programs.
Assess and evaluate advising performance, progress, and feedback on a regular basis, adjusting unit plans and direction as needed.
Obtain and maintain knowledge of best practices in working with the diverse populations of students, student retention, holistic advising, and student development.
Cultivate a diverse, cohesive, mutually accountable, and high-performing staff that can proactively anticipate and address organizational challenges. Includes general supervision, corrective action, resolution of personnel disputes and problems, assistance with promotion, and reclassification.
Ensure the advisors have the appropriate support and supervision needed to be responsive to student needs and caseloads. Communicate any issues or needs and advocate for solutions with the Asst. Dean in a timely manner.
Work closely with UWB Leadership to assist in developing, prioritizing, and implementing student success initiatives on campus.
Serve on various campus committees and/or other campus working groups that support student success.
Interact with School-based staff and faculty to address student issues, policy or process concerns, and other complicated matters requiring diplomacy and creative problem-solving skills.
Works across campus and externally with a variety of partners, stakeholders, similar operational units, and diversity spaces for the purposes of developing and implementing student success supports.
Collaborate to learn best practices and existing services and initiatives.
Provide support in handling complex student issues including oversight for petitions and other processes requiring interpretation and application of institutional policy.
Implement relevant research-based practices and strategies to ensure students receive relevant, intentional, and identity-based advising. Utilize professional, national networks and resources to inform best-practices.
Assess advising policies and practices; develop and implement practices that support increased advising capacity and quality for a diverse student body.
Plan, facilitate, and schedule staff meetings that foster information sharing across staff and opportunities for feedback.
Lead hiring efforts for advising team as needed, in conjunction with training Assistant Directors and Assistant Dean.
Serve as a primary advisor to students in special circumstances, as needed.
Communications & Outreach
Create and manage a yearly student communication plan cycle including information on registration, graduation, and other regular student advising activities.
Work with the Assistant Dean, UWB Marketing, and other campus leaders to align UWB Academic Advising messaging with campus messaging standards and campus culture.
Interface with information technology services and other tri-campus units to advocate for UW Bothell advising needs and messaging representing UW Bothell student needs.
Develop and maintain the UWB Academic Advising website, including basic information architecture, photo and graphic choices, and regular updates for the advising unit.
Create, revise, and disseminate both online and print materials developed for advising purposes, including degree maps, course planning guides, and registration guides.
Develop and implement social media plans for the central advising office including the management of accounts on Instagram, LinkedIn, and other platforms.
Advocate for the use of new technology and communication tools proven to be research-based best practices in advising and student support.
Create centralized online resources for meta-major information including resources for students, information on events, and networking opportunities.
Develop a system to update necessary materials in a timely manner when there are program or administrative changes.
Work to increase access to information on co-curricular activities and campus services for students through advising.
MINIMUM REQUIREMENTS
Bachelor's degree in liberal arts, humanities, social sciences, science major, or related field.
Foundational background in student services, with five years’ experience in advising, counseling, mentoring, academic coaching, or academic administration at the college or university level.
Equivalent education/experience will substitute for all minimum qualifications except when there are legal requirements, such as a license/certification/registration.
ADDITIONAL REQUIREMENTS
Demonstrated skills in management and supervision, including facilitation of professional development for staff and experience with performance reviews and other staff management processes.
Experience with strategic communication planning and common communication and outreach tools such as social media, email, and other marketing channels.
Demonstrated ability to form productive working relationships with students, faculty, and staff from diverse backgrounds, with an eye towards equity, inclusion, and social justice.
Demonstrated commitment to providing excellent student services in a climate of multicultural understanding and appreciation.
Exceptional interpersonal skills, including the ability to listen actively, empathize, and provide reflective feedback.
Demonstrated ability to maintain a consistently positive and objective approach to student service.
Demonstrated commitment to excellent customer service and effective communication skills.
Proficiency with computer programs including Microsoft Outlook, Word, Powerpoint, Excel, and various web applications.
Demonstrated organizational skills, including attention to detail and documentation, ability to identify and resolve problems in a timely manner, ability to gather and analyze information skillfully, and comfort and efficacy in a fast-paced and collaborative environment.
Demonstrated collaboration skills, including a learning mindset open to new approaches and ideas, ability use reason when dealing with emotional topics, and be thorough in communication and documentation.
DESIRED QUALIFICATIONS
Master’s degree in education, higher education administration, student services, communication, or related field.
Experience with communication planning for a college student population.
Previous experience supervising academic staff employees.
CONDITIONS OF EMPLOYMENT
This is a hybrid position with an on-site office adjacent to members of the advising team.
The scheduled hours for this position align with the open office hours of the advising center, generally 8am to 5pm. This position requires infrequent evening and weekend work for campus events.
Application Process: The application process may include completion of a variety of online assessments to obtain additional information that will be used in the evaluation process. These assessments may include Work Authorization, Cover Letter and/or others. Any assessments that you need to complete will appear on your screen as soon as you select “Apply to this position”. Once you begin an assessment, it must be completed at that time; if you do not complete the assessment, you will be prompted to do so the next time you your “My Jobs” page. If you select to take it later, it will appear on your "My Jobs" page to take when you are access ready. Please note that your application will not be reviewed, and you will not be considered for this position until all required assessments have been completed.
Committed to attracting and retaining a diverse staff, the University of Washington will honor your experiences, perspectives and unique identity. Together, our community strives to create and maintain working and learning environments that are inclusive, equitable and welcoming.
The University of Washington is an affirmative action and equal opportunity employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, national origin, age, protected veteran or disabled status, or genetic information.
To request disability accommodation in the application process, contact the Disability Services Office at 206-543-6450 or dso@uw.edu.
Applicants considered for this position will be required to disclose if they are the subject of any substantiated findings or current investigations related to sexual misconduct at their current employment and past employment. Disclosure is required under Washington state law.
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