Academic Advisor

About the Opportunity

Job Summary:
The Academic Advisor for Northeastern University’s College of Professional Studies (CPS) reports to the Associate Director of Academic Advising and is responsible for providing comprehensive academic advising services and support for CPS learners in bachelors’ completion and graduate and professional studies programs across the global network.  They ideate, implement and ensure best practices and policies related to CPS student advising services and support to ensure continuous improvement and learner success. The Academic Advisor will partner with an assigned caseload of students to facilitate the development of academic and professional planning that incorporates experiential learning elements and exploration, engagement with networks and communities through an appreciate advising model.  While the Academic Advisor may have primary responsibilities on their assigned campus, they will attend remote meetings and implement projects for specific position responsibilities and needs within Northeastern University, Boston.

At the College of Professional Studies (CPS - Home | Northeastern University College of Professional Studies), we serve as a dynamic workforce development hub at the intersection of industry and academics. We empower our community of lifelong learners to build successful careers in groundbreaking fields through experiential learning, world-class research, and strategic industry partnerships. Our vibrant, collaborative community transcends traditional boundaries, pairing cutting-edge research with practical workplace wisdom. 

CPS is committed to fostering lasting professional connections that cultivate lifelong success, with access to a powerful global network of over 257,000 alumni across 180 countries. Our diverse faculty of scholar-practitioners guide students to create lives aligned with their highest aspirations while developing literacy in technological, data-driven, and human-centered approaches essential for tomorrow's workforce.

As a staff member at CPS, you'll be an integral part of this transformative ecosystem, directly contributing to student success while growing professionally in an environment that values innovation, diversity of thought, and continuous development.

Minimum Qualifications:

Knowledge of academic policies, procedures, college curricular matters, major requirements, counseling practices, development theory to create a student-centered academic environment, and Microsoft Windows suite of applications. Ability to quickly identify and analyze problems and develop specific and realistic solutions. Effective written, presentation and verbal skills with the ability to communicate in an empathic manner and while building trust in order to create a comfortable environment where students are willing to ask for help when they need it. Ability to break down and explain complex policies and processes in a way that student easily understand. Effective planning, organizational skills, and the attention to detail required to track deadlines, monitor progress, and facilitate the completion of degree requirements for every student while holding them accountable. Knowledge and skills typically acquired through a master’s degree preferably in counseling, human services or higher education (or equivalent experience advising in a college/university) and relevant work experience; preferably in higher education.

Key Responsibilities & Accountabilities:

Academic and Student Support (60%)

• Actively manage an active enrolled caseload of students from point of admission through program completion.
• Monitor student progress through adherence to the established communication and contact plan and use of technology to track substantive engagements and reporting
• Connect with students using multiple modalities and in ways tailored to their preferences for communication; provide daily availability for scheduled meeting hours; walk-in hours, etc.
• Engage in effective best practices in academic advising.
• Advocate for students while enforcing institutional policies and regulations
• Communicate regularly with students through various mediums to provide guidance and support in areas related to academics, experiential learning planning and through periods of academic difficulty
• Respond to student inquiries from point of contact to resolution; follow up on referrals.
• Make appropriate referrals to on campus and off campus services as appropriate to student needs
• Actively manage persistence and retention and progress to graduation for advisees in portfolio; proactively monitor and support students in need of academic support or well-being, monitor and support students who become academically inactive and support recovery; reach out to these students to encourage resumption of studies and reinstatement.
• Design and deliver programs (often in collaboration with other teams) to support the unique needs of advisees including workshops, webinars, etc. that enhance and add value to the student experience.

Assessment and Data (20%)

• Monitor, manage and report on portfolio of advisees using required processes and technology platforms.
• Maintain up-to-date notes and record keeping of each student in Salesforce or Navigate including tracking of student academic progress and outcomes using appropriate University systems.
• Track and report on substantive engagements, student meetings, availability and activities to ensure capacity meets volume.
• Assess, collect and report student data as they pertain to student persistence, retention, graduation rates, and satisfaction.
• Maintain consistency and compliance within ADA, FERPA, SEVIS, and other state, federal, University and College of Professional Studies guidelines.

Administration, Academic Program Support, & Professional Development (15%)

• Work as a member of the academic advising office to support and provide coverage, as possible and appropriate, for the ongoing operation.
• Process in a timely fashion official paperwork related to students' academic study including changes of major, transfer credit, petitions to amend degree requirements and petitions to graduate.
• Participate in and contribute to the content and delivery of new student orientation
• Stay informed of research and effective practices in academic and student affairs to propose ideas to better serve students.
• Participate as an active member of professional associations related to academic advising and career services.
• Participate in unit or College assessment efforts, including the development of benchmarks for progress.
• Liaise between the student and the University community working collegially with other offices and departments to ensure student service functions are performed in an efficient and consistent manner.

Other duties as assigned ​(5%)

Position Type

Academic Administration

Additional Information

Northeastern University considers factors such as candidate work experience, education and skills when extending an offer.  

All qualified applicants are encouraged to apply and will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, religion, color, national origin, age, sex, sexual orientation, disability status, or any other characteristic protected by applicable law.

Compensation Grade/Pay Type:

107S

Expected Hiring Range:

$53,615.00 - $75,728.75

With the pay range(s) shown above, the starting salary will depend on several factors, which may include your education, experience, location, knowledge and expertise, and skills as well as a pay comparison to similarly-situated employees already in the role. Salary ranges are reviewed regularly and are subject to change.