University Advisor

UNITED WORLD COLLEGE OF SOUTH EAST ASIA - EAST; Singapore; On-site; SGD 90,000 - 140,000; Full time

Job summary

UWCSEA East seeks an experienced University Advisor from August 2027 to join a dynamic advising team in a fast-paced international environment. The appointee provides strategic mentorship to high school students and families navigating multi-country post-secondary pathways.

This high-impact role requires adaptability, emotional intelligence, and active engagement with evolving global admissions landscapes. The successful candidate represents UWCSEA East at international conferences and works

Qualifications

• A degree (Master's preferred) and a proven track record as an international High School University Advisor managing multi-country application processes.

Responsibilities

• Deliver a high-volume university advising programme for a large high school cohort across multiple countries.
• Build personalised advising relationships with assigned students and families, guiding post-secondary outcomes.
• Guide students through course selections and financial aid processes; collaborate with counsellors and teachers.
• Conduct presentations and workshops for students and parents on international admissions.

Skills

Emotional intelligence

Multicultural competency

Advising

Education

Master's degree preferred

Tools

Maia Learning

UCAS

Job description

UWCSEA East seeks an experienced, highly motivated, and agile University Advisor from August 2027 to join a dynamic and collaborative advising team. Operating within a fast-paced international environment, the appointee provides strategic mentorship and guidance to high school students and families navigating complex, multi-country post-secondary pathways.

This high-impact role requires adaptability, emotional intelligence, and active engagement with evolving global admissions landscapes.

The successful candidate represents UWCSEA East at international conferences, navigates family expectations with cultural responsiveness, and works intensively with UWC National Committee scholars seeking full-need university places.

Main Responsibilities

General Responsibilities include, but are not limited to:

• Contributes actively to the delivery of a comprehensive, high-volume university advising programme for a High School cohort of 1,300+ students across admission systems in up to 25+ countries.
• Establishes personalised advising relationships with an assigned caseload (approximately 55 students each in Grades 11 and 12, including high-financial-need applicants), building students' skills in self-reflection and self-advocacy, and guiding students towards post-secondary outcomes. Annual caseloads may also include up to 15 gap year and National Service graduates.
• Guides Grade 10 and incoming Grade 11 students through IBDP course selection, with an aim to keep doors open for future aspirations.
• Advises families as needed on financial aid processes and scholarship opportunities, assisting high-need students in identifying viable, affordable post-secondary pathways.
• Collaborates with social emotional counsellors, Heads of Grade, mentors, and teachers to support student success and well‑being.

Administration and Communication

• Designs and delivers interactive presentations and workshops for students and parents, demystifying international admissions processes and fostering balanced perspectives on global competition.
• Provides iterative, high‑impact feedback on student essays and written supplements, assisting applicants in articulating authentic personal narratives.
• Leverages digital platforms (Maia Learning, UCAS) to maintain accurate application tracking, while exploring AI tools to enhance advising efficiency and guiding students on the ethical, responsible use of AI in application processes.
• Mentors teaching staff in drafting nuanced, high‑standard recommendation letters within operational deadlines.
• Manages documentation pipelines, resolves administrative roadblocks, and maintains proactive communication with university admissions representatives.
• Drafts, reviews, and collates compelling, highly contextualised institutional references for university applicants.
• Analyses institutional placement data and global higher education trends to continuously inform and refine advising strategies.

Relationships with Universities and Organisations

• Proactively engages with global university representatives, articulating and advocating for the distinctiveness of UWCSEA's learning principles and academic context.
• Hosts visiting admissions officers and participates in strategic campus visits worldwide based on student geographic and academic trends.
• Represents the College at major international admissions conferences (e.g., CIS EARCOS, CIS Global Forum, International ACAC, NACAC), contributing to panel discussions and industry knowledge‑sharing.
• Cultivates long‑term relationships with admissions officers, scholarship bodies, and international network partners to maintain and promote UWCSEA East's global reputation.

Expectations and Standards

• Follow the UWCSEA Professional Code of Conduct and Safeguarding Code of Conduct

Person Specifications

• A degree (Master's preferred) and a proven track record as an international High School University Advisor managing multi-country application processes (Asia, Australia, Canada, Europe, UK, and US).
• Ideally 3+ years of experience in a similar high-volume international school environment.
• Actively participates in the five key elements of a UWCSEA education (Academic, PSE, Service, Activities, Outdoor Education), contributing an average of 1.5 sessions per week to Activities and/or Service.
• Demonstrates high emotional intelligence, multicultural competency, adaptability to rapid change, a collaborative spirit, and a sense of humour.

Applications

The UWC Mission is to make education a force to unite people, nations and cultures for peace and a sustainable future. We are committed to creating a community in which all members feel safe and secure, and know that their authentic selves and individual differences are accepted with respect and care. At UWCSEA, we acknowledge that diversity, equity, inclusion and justice (DEIJ) is an ongoing and evolving process and strive to create and sustain a sense of belonging for all members of our community, past, present and future. A