Associate Director - Office Of Academic Advising

If you are a current University of Northern Iowa employee and would like to apply for this position, login to UNI Works and type "Find Jobs" in the search bar to view and apply for open positions.

Full Consideration Date:

02/16/2026

Job Description:

Position Overview:

The Associate Director provides strategic leadership within the Office of Academic Advising for undergraduate advising, with primary oversight of the Health Advising team. The role advances first‑year advising and student‑success initiatives for the office, coordinates campus‑wide advising for new‑student orientations, leads staff onboarding and training, while also providing direct academic advising to undergraduates. The Associate Director collaborates with faculty, staff, and students to ensure high‑quality advising that supports persistence, retention, and graduation.

Key Responsibilities in the Office:

• Provide direct supervision, strategic vision, and operational oversight for the Health Advising team and its mission‑aligned programming.

• Support, develop, and coordinate first‑year advising programs and services for undergraduate students.

• Coordinate academic advising related processes and programming for university‑wide new‑student orientation and registration.

• Facilitate Academic Advising's engagement in student-success initiatives, prospective‑student recruitment events, and campus visitation programs.

• Oversee onboarding, training, and ongoing development of professional advisors, peer advisors, and advising interns/practicum students.

Retention & Programming:

• Heath Advising

• Oversee coordination and supervision of Health Advising services.

• Assist in developing advising programs for pre‑health students.

• Collaborate with departments on semester course planning and demand.

• Promote campus‑wide education related to persistence and graduation of pre‑health students.

• Administer campus‑wide advising and educational events for pre‑health students.

• Develop and maintain pre‑health resources including handouts, resources, and web content.

• First Year

• Support development, direction, and coordination of first‑year advising services.

• Assist in developing first‑year advising activities and programs.

• Administer campus‑wide advising and educational events for first‑year students.

• Participate in retention‑focused and student‑success initiatives.

Advising & Student Support:

• Provide academic, personal, and career advising to students.

• Guide students in establishing educational goals aligned with academic and career pathways.

• Support students exploring academic choices and alternative majors.

• Conduct advising for probationary and readmitted students or those not meeting admission requirements.

• Identify and initiate outreach to students with special advising needs or targeted support.

Recruitment, Orientation & Outreach:

• Coordinate academic advising processes and programming for university‑wide new‑student orientation and registration.

• Facilitate and update orientation materials addressing institutional, advising, and transitional topics.

• Support advisors across campus and individual students with questions and advising/registration needs during new student orientation operations.

• Facilitate advising/registration requests outside scheduled orientation events.

• Organize and facilitate office participation in undergraduate prospective student visit events and programs.

Professional Development & Collaboration:

• Coordinate onboarding for academic advisors and peer advisors in the office.

• Provide ongoing training on academic advising, student success, persistence/retention, and graduation, with targeted professional development for the Health Advising team.

• Oversee selection, training, supervision, and evaluation of undergraduate and graduate practicum/intern/student assistant staff.

• Collaborate with campus partners to support advising, orientation, and pre‑health academic needs.

• Engage in strategic committee work and support intra‑institutional partnerships.

Candidates may Thrive in this Role if they Possess:

• A commitment to student development, success and holistic advising.

• Strong communication and interpersonal skills for interacting with students, faculty, staff, and administrators and to build trusting relationships.

• A collaborative mindset, with comfort working across departments, programs, and functional areas.

• A proactive approach to problem‑solving and continuous improvement, developed problem‑solving skills, and the ability to work independently when needed.

• Flexibility and adaptability in fast‑paced, cyclical academic environments with managing multiple responsibilities, coordinating large‑scale programs, and maintaining attention to detail.

• Commitment to professional growth and staying current with advising and student‑success best practices.

Required Qualifications: Master's degree plus at least five years of full-time academic advising or related experience in a higher education setting required.

Preferred Qualifications: Master's degree in college student personnel or related field; and supervision, advising programming coordination, teaching, and information technology experience preferred.

Position Details:

Job Category: Professional and Scientific

Type of Position: Regular

Service Schedule: Calendar Year

Anticipated start date of May 4, 2026

Application Instructions:

All application materials received by February 16, 2026, will be given full consideration. To apply for this position, please click on "Apply" and complete the Employment Application. The following materials must be attached when applying:

1) Resume

2) Cover Letter

You will be presented with the opportunity to attach multiple documents when completing the application. Before submitting your online job application, ensure that ALL required materials listed above have been uploaded. Once your job application has been submitted, you cannot make changes. If you have questions regarding this application process, please email careers-support@uni.edu or call 319-273-2422.

Compensation:

$60,000 to Commensurate

Pay Grade: 120

Pay Basis: Salary

Iowa enjoys a lower cost of living than many other states. See how the Waterloo-Cedar Falls area compares by utilizing the cost of living calculator. Our overall compensation package is enhanced by excellent benefits for eligible non-temporary positions. To learn more about the vibrant Cedar Valley community, visit https://livethevalley.com/.

If you would like general assistance with the application process or an accommodation due to a disability, please contact Human Resource Services at hrs-employment@uni.edu or call (319) 273-2422.

All offers of employment are contingent upon a background check that includes a review of conviction history. A conviction does not automatically preclude University employment. Rather, the University considers conviction information on a case-by-case basis and assesses the nature of the offense, the circumstances surrounding it, the proximity in time of the conviction, and its relevance to the position.

UNI is an Equal Opportunity/Affirmative Action employer. The University encourages applications from persons of color, women, individuals living with disabilities, and protected veterans. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to age, color, creed, disability, ethnicity, genetic information, marital status, national origin, political affiliation, pregnancy, race, religion, sex, sexual orientation, veteran or military status, or any other basis protected by federal and/or state law.

Campus Security & Crime Statistics, in compliance with the Jeanne Clery Disclosure of Campus Security Policy and Campus Crime Statistics Act, information on crime statistics for recent years, Public Safety personnel and programs, building access, reporting crimes, safety suggestions, and policies, programs, and services regarding alcohol, drugs, and sexual abuse, is available in the UNI Annual Security and Fire Report. A paper copy is available from the Department of Public Safety, 030 Gilchrist Hall, University of Northern Iowa, Cedar Falls, IA 50614. Department of Public Safety, 030 Gilchrist Hall, University of Northern Iowa, Cedar Falls, IA 50614.

Privacy Statement | Equal Opportunity and Non-Discrimination Statement | Federal EEO Rights | E-Verify | Policies and Procedures | Tobacco Free Campus