Associate Director of Exploratory Advising

University of South Carolina; Columbia (SC); On-site; USD 59,000 - 88,000; Full time

Job summary

The University of South Carolina is seeking an Associate Director of Exploratory Advising for the University Advising Center on the Columbia campus. The role leads advisory services, coordinates programs, and uses data to improve student outcomes for over 5,000 students annually.

Responsibilities include directing advising operations, training staff, and collaborating with campus partners to ensure accurate, timely support during orientation and throughout the academic year.

Qualifications

• Requires a bachelor’s degree in a job related field and 5 or more years of job related experience.
• Master’s degree and 4 years of advising experience preferred.

Responsibilities

• Coordinate Exploratory Advising and Office Support, managing advising functions for current students and new orientation.
• Provide Academic Coaching and Undergraduate Studies advisement to undergraduates regularly and as needed.
• Assess advising services, track retention metrics, and report on outcomes to support planning.
• Supervise staff, oversee training, hiring, evaluations, and front desk operations.

Skills

Organizational skills

Communication

Project planning

Data analysis

Time management

Education

Bachelor’s degree in a related field

Master’s degree

Tools

CRM-Advise

Banner

My Advising Portal

Self-Service Carolina

DegreeWorks

Microsoft Excel

Job description

Posting Summary

Associate Director of Exploratory Advising, University Advising Center (Division of Academic Affairs and Provost), Columbia campus. Full time, 37.5 hours per week, 12-month basis. Standard schedule 8:30am-5:00pm; must be willing to work a flexible schedule to meet department needs. USC Market Title: Academic Advising Manager (M2 - Managerial). USC Market Range: $58,934 / $73,667 / $88,401. Anticipated hiring range: salary commensurate with qualifications.

Advertised Job Summary

The Associate Director of Exploratory Advising provides operational leadership for Exploratory Advising and Academic Coaching services, ensuring timely, accurate, and student-centered support for prospective, incoming, and current undergraduate students. The position manages and coordinates academic coaching initiatives, Undergraduate Studies programming, and exploratory advising operations while also leading staff training. In collaboration with the Director and campus partners, the Associate Director uses assessment data to improve services, strengthen student retention and success, and maintain consistent advising policies, procedures, and communication across the university, ensuring the highest level of advisement service for over 5,000 students per year.

Minimum Required Education and Experience

• Requires a bachelor’s degree in a job related field and 5 or more years of job related experience, which may be substituted by an equivalent combination of job related certification, training, education, and/or experience.

Preferred Qualifications

• Master’s degree and 4 years of advising experience.

Knowledge/Skills/Abilities

• Ability to organize, plan, and facilitate various advising services related to students’ academic success is critical.
• Must have excellent oral and written communication skills.
• Must be able to plan and execute both short and long-term projects.
• Must have excellent data analysis, reporting, and data visualization skills and working knowledge of reporting software such as Microsoft Excel.
• Ability to prioritize requests, meet time-sensitive deadlines, and communicate clear and accurate information to University constituents.
• Some night and weekend work may be required.
• Ability to use a computer and keyboard for extensive periods.
• Ability to speak and listen effectively.

Job Duties

Coordinate Exploratory Advising and Office Support (30%)

Manage and implement advising functions related to advising current students changing majors and advising incoming freshmen and transfer students on major change before/during/after New Student Orientation. Coordinate appointment logistics to meet student need. Manage CRM-Advise campus referrals. Directly manage the Undergraduate Studies program for temporary Undeclared students. Assist the Director with implementation and oversight of the Academic Coaching program for mandated student populations, including policies specifically outlined in the Academic Bulletin that have a direct impact on undergraduate retention and graduation rates. Provide leadership in the ongoing implementation and optimization of current and future advising technologies for the EA office to include CRM-Advise, Banner, My Advising Portal, Self-Service Carolina, and DegreeWorks. Coordinate consistent student-messaging among advisors. Stay abreast of current issues and trends related to college students’ academic success and retention through active professional development. Assist the Director in expanding the centralized major change process to all USC colleges/schools, increasing efficiencies and streamlining procedures. Partner with campus offices and colleges/schools to ensure curricular and information accuracy. Oversee the Hardship Withdrawal Consultation program. Oversee the reporting and dissemination of course registration restrictions information to internal staff and campus partners. Oversee the “no show” missed appointment procedure and fee assessment. Hold office hours in evenings and/or participate in campus events on weekends as needed. Perform the duties and responsibilities of the Director in their absence. Other duties as assigned.

Advising (30%)

Provide Academic Coaching, Undergraduate Studies Advisement and/or change of major advisement to undergraduate students on a regular and as-needed basis (an average of 150-200 hours per semester). Learn curriculum and program requirements for all majors/minors/focus options at USC including academic regulations, university policies/procedures. Serve on-call weekly, manage staff callouts to avoid appointment rescheduling, and provide general support and internal messaging to team regarding any procedural or policy questions related to advising duties.

Assessment of EA and Office Support (30%)

Assess exploratory advising services, including fill rates, post-appointment surveys, student trend data, and student success metrics that affect university-wide strategic planning. Evaluate and report on major migration patterns that impact enrollment management decisions and course availability/course schedule planning at the department, college, and university level. Develop and implement standard operating procedures for tracking and reporting of longitudinal data. Develop and share reports on appointment no-show rates and staff appointment availability monthly and/or as needed. Produce reports to evaluate impact on undergraduate student retention and EA office services on student success. Assist the Director in development of Exploratory Advising website resources and information. Co-present impact and assessment reports to university partners and wider advising community. Assess training, outreach, and resources related to Exploratory Advising. Identify and implement streamlining efforts and efficiency capabilities of the Exploratory Advising and Academic Coaching Office.

Supervision (10%)

Hires, supports, evaluates, and oversees training for Exploratory Advisor Is. Uses appropriate management principles according to University policy and procedures, completes EPMS reviews timely and accurately, and monitors employee progress. Provides feedback and communication to assist with employee performance improvement and personal development. Oversee front desk operations. Assist in the creation of On-Call and Drop-In shift rotations as well as staff coverage plans during high-volume advising cycles.

EEO Statement

The University of South Carolina does not discriminate in employment opportunities or decisions for qualified persons on the basis of age, ancestry, citizenship status, color, disability, ethnicity, familial status, gender, gender identity or expression, genetic information, military status, national origin, pregnancy, race, religion, sex, sexual orientation, veteran status, or any other protected category under applicable law.