Senior Academic Advisor

Abu Dhabi University; Abu Dhabi Emirate; On-site; AED 120,000 - 200,000; Full time

Job summary

A prestigious university in the UAE seeks a Senior Academic Advisor to enhance academic advising within its College of Engineering. Candidates should possess a Bachelor’s degree in engineering and a Master’s in Higher Education Administration, with 5-7 years of experience in academic advising. This role involves managing student progression, adherence to accreditation standards, and supporting student success initiatives. Proficiency in ERP systems and Microsoft Office is needed. Applications open until January 31, 2026. Shortlisted candidates will be contacted.

Qualifications

• 5–7 years of experience in academic advising within higher education.
• Demonstrated experience in managing complex student cases.
• Proven ability to exercise sound academic judgment.

Responsibilities

• Provide expert academic advising to students.
• Manage academic probation and progression cases.
• Support accreditation processes and compliance with regulations.
• Monitor student progression and retention data for improvements.

Skills

Communication & Collaboration

Initiative & Problem Solving

Accountability & Institutional Alignment

Time Management

Collaboration

Adaptability

Emotional Intelligence

Education

Bachelor’s degree in engineering or computing-related field

Master’s degree in Higher Education Administration or related discipline

Tools

ERP Systems (e.g., PeopleSoft)

Microsoft Office

Data Analysis & Reporting

Job description

College of Engineering

Job Purpose

The Senior Academic Advisor plays a critical role in ensuring excellence, consistency, and compliance in academic advising across the College of Engineering at Abu Dhabi University. The position reports to the Dean / Associate Dean and supports the University’s mission of student success and academic excellence by providing expert academic advising, managing complex student progression cases, and ensuring adherence to university policies, accreditation standards, and regulatory requirements.

The role contributes directly to the College’s strategic objectives by strengthening the quality of advising, supporting accreditation and compliance processes, and enhancing the overall student experience across undergraduate and postgraduate Engineering programs. Through close collaboration with academic leadership, faculty, and central academic units, the Senior Academic Advisor ensures effective student progression, retention, and timely graduation.

Key Responsibilities

Academic Advising & Student Success

• Provide expert academic advising to undergraduate and postgraduate College of Engineering students, including study planning, course selection, academic standing, progression requirements, and graduation pathways.
• Manage complex advising cases, including academic probation, at‑risk students, progression appeals, readmission cases, and graduation eligibility.
• Conduct and review graduation audits to ensure full compliance with program, college, and university requirements.
• Interpret, apply, and communicate academic policies, regulations, and procedures accurately and consistently.

Academic Governance & Compliance

• Ensure advising practices align with university regulations, accreditation standards, and quality assurance requirements relevant to Engineering programs.
• Support the College in maintaining accurate academic records and advising documentation in coordination with central academic and registration units.
• Provide advisory input on curriculum structures, study plans, and progression pathways to support academic governance and program effectiveness.

Collaboration & Institutional Engagement

• Work closely with the Dean, Associate Dean, Assistant Dean, Program Chairs, faculty members, and the Registration Office to ensure alignment on advising matters and student progression decisions.
• Act as a liaison between students and academic leadership on sensitive, complex, or high‑risk academic issues.
• Support student orientation, onboarding, and transition activities for new and continuing students.

Data, Reporting & Continuous Improvement

• Monitor and analyze student progression, retention, and graduation data to identify trends, risks, and areas for improvement.
• Contribute to the continuous enhancement of advising processes, tools, and best practices within the College.
• Provide data‑driven insights and recommendations to academic leadership to support evidence‑based decision‑making.

Supports Proactive Advising and Enrollment and Retention Campaigns

• Conducts calls for proactive advising, retention, and enrollment tracking.
• Supports data requests and decision‑support related to advising.

COMPETENCIES

CORE COMPETENCIES

• Communication & Collaboration: Shapes effective institutional communication and engages stakeholders to support student success.
• Initiative & Problem Solving: Anticipates complex academic challenges and leads effective, cross‑functional solutions.
• Accountability & Institutional Alignment: Promotes accountability and ensures alignment with long‑term institutional and College objectives.

Skills

TECHNICAL SKILLS

• ERP Systems (e.g., PeopleSoft): Customizes system reports, supports data integrity, trains users, and oversees advising‑related data processes.
• Microsoft Office: Designs and automates workflows; integrates Excel, Word, PowerPoint, and Outlook for advanced reporting and process improvement.
• Data Analysis & Reporting: Builds analytical models and dashboards to support advising decisions and strategic planning.

Behavioral Skills

• Time Management: Effectively prioritizes multiple advising demands and deadlines.
• Collaboration: Works productively with diverse academic and administrative teams.
• Adaptability: Responds effectively to policy changes, regulatory updates, and evolving student needs.
• Emotional Intelligence: Empathizes with student needs and advocates for their well‑being and improved performance.

Qualifications And Experience

Educational Qualifications (Required)

• Bachelor’s degree in an engineering or computing‑related field.
• Master’s degree in Higher Education Administration, Education, Quality Management, Student Affairs, or a related discipline.

Years Of Experience (Required)

• Minimum 5–7 years of progressive experience in academic advising or academic administration within a higher education environment.

Nature Of Relevant Experience Required

• Demonstrated experience in academic advising, student progression management, and graduation audits.
• Experience working within regulated and compliance‑driven academic programs.
• Proven ability to manage complex student cases independently and exercise sound academic judgment.

Certification

• None required.

Language Proficiency

• English (required).
• Arabic (preferred).

Special Skills And Abilities

• Advanced proficiency in Microsoft Office applications (Excel, Word, PowerPoint, Outlook).
• Strong analytical, documentation, and policy interpretation skills.

Working Conditions

Working Hours

Standard

Working Location

Face‑to‑Face (Al Ain Campus)

Application Deadline

This deadline for submitting your applications will be 31st January 2026. Applications are to be submitted on the link below as well: https://apps.adu.ac.ae/jobs

Only shortlisted candidates will be contacted.