Senior Academic Advisor

George Mason University; Chantilly (VA); Hybrid; USD 55,000 - 85,000; Full time

Job summary

George Mason University in Fairfax, VA seeks a Senior Academic Advisor to lead undergraduate SIS advising, recruitment and orientation efforts, and program development. You will use university systems to document advising interactions, guide students toward degree completion, and supervise part-time staff.

The role emphasizes strong communication, confidentiality, and process improvement within a hybrid, full-time setting. Collaboration with Admissions and the CHSS dean's office is integral.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in related field or the equivalent combination of education and experience;
• Experience in a position requiring individual initiative and the ability to work independently;
• Experience in a professional, mid-level administrative environment;
• Experience dealing with confidential records or information;
• Knowledge of student services, especially in working with students to provide information, guidance, and advising, answering questions and providing effective customer service;
• Excellent written, verbal and interpersonal communicationskills;
• Demonstrated skills in program and activity coordination in academic setting;
• Skill in the use of related technology;
• Ability to exercise a high-level of professionalism and confidentiality, along with initiative and good judgment; and
• Independent self-starter with strong organizational skills,attention to detail, and an ability to perform efficiently in anactive, priority-changing atmosphere.

Responsibilities

• Directs student interaction focused on degree-planning andacademic progress;
• Advises undergraduate SIS students on academic issues towarddegree completion;
• Establishes and maintains set advising hours each week; meetswith students to discuss issues related to degree completionincluding avenue of study, course registration, and universitypolicies and procedures;
• Delivers high-quality, responsive customer service byleveraging university systems to stay organized and efficient;
• Provides timely and accurate responses to student inquiries viaofficial GM email; and
• Supervision of all part-time advisors.

Skills

Communication skills

Organizational skills

Attention to detail

Discretion / confidentiality

Customer service

Education

Bachelor's degree in related field

Master's degree in related field

Tools

MS Office

Job description

Department: Col of Humanities and Soc Science

Classification: Education Support Spec 3

Job Category: Classified Staff

Job Type: Full-Time

Work Schedule: Full-time (1.0 FTE, 40 hrs/wk)

Location: Fairfax, VA

Workplace Type: Hybrid Eligible

Sponsorship Eligibility: Not eligible for visasponsorship

Pay Band: 04

Salary: Salary commensurate with education andexperience

Criminal Background Check: Yes

Works with Minors check: Yes

About the Department: The School of Integrative Studies is committed to integratinginterdisciplinary knowledge with lifelong learning by offeringexperiential, hands-on learning that connects the classroom to theworld. Our community encourages students to engage in activelearning, independent inquiry, and research that responds to theneeds and opportunities of a diverse society while preparing themfor responsible leadership and citizenship. The School ofIntegrative Studies includes four Undergraduate Majors (IntegrativeStudies, Bachelor of Individualized Study, Environmental &Sustainability Studies, Human Development & Family Science) andgraduate programs in Higher Education (Certificate, Master's andPhD options). We also support the Masters of Arts inInterdisciplinary Studies Program.

About the Position: The Senior Academic Advisor provides leadership to theundergraduate advising team on academic issues toward degreecompletion, providing administrative support for student servicesactivities in the areas of academic advising, recruitment andorientation, student services program development, and contributingto campus and community outreach.

Academic Advising

• Directs student interaction focused on degree-planning andacademic progress;
• Advises undergraduate SIS students on academic issues towarddegree completion;
• Establishes and maintains set advising hours each week; meetswith students to discuss issues related to degree completionincluding avenue of study, course registration, and universitypolicies and procedures;
• Delivers high-quality, responsive customer service byleveraging university systems to stay organized and efficient;
• Provides timely and accurate responses to student inquiries viaofficial GM email; and
• Supervision of all part-time advisors.

Recruitment & Orientation

• Oversees the planning and execution of Recruitment &Orientation activities. Provide leadership to the SIS advisingteam;
• Manages SIS recruitment and orientation activities andinitiatives;
• Trains advisors, faculty, staff, and students in preparationfor recruitment and orientation activities;
• Ensures adequate advisor, faculty, staff and studentparticipation in all recruitment and orientation events;
• Serves as the SIS point of contact for Admissions, the CHSSdean's office, and New Student & Family Services for allrecruitment and orientation collaboration; and
• Assists with the creation of marketing and recruitmentmaterials specific to SIS majors/programs.

Program Development & Other Related Duties

• Participates in program development, assessments, and specialprojects, to include selection of scholarship recipients andserving on ad hoc committees; and
• Performs other related duties as assigned.

System/Record Maintenance

• Effectively uses the official university CRM to documentadvising interactions, schedule appointments, and initiatereferrals, ensuring consistent and personalized support;
• Utilizes the university’s degree audit system to guide studentsthrough academic planning, and accesses Banner to review and verifystudent records;
• Completes university forms, procedures, and processes on behalfof students;
• Participates in policy review; and
• Completes required training as needed.

Required Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in related field or the equivalentcombination of education and experience;
• Experience in a position requiring individual initiative andthe ability to work independently;
• Experience in a professional, mid-level administrativeenvironment;
• Experience dealing with confidential records orinformation;
• Knowledge of student services, especially in working withstudents to provide information, guidance, and advising, answeringquestions and providing effective customer service;
• Excellent written, verbal and interpersonal communicationskills;
• Demonstrated skills in program and activity coordination inacademic setting;
• Skill in the use of related technology;
• Ability to exercise a high-level of professionalism andconfidentiality, along with initiative and good judgment; and
• Independent self-starter with strong organizational skills,attention to detail, and an ability to perform efficiently in anactive, priority-changing atmosphere.

Preferred Qualifications

• Master’s degree in related field;
• Experience in student services, including recruitment,outreach, and referral services to enable retention andcompletion;
• Previous experience in higher education;
• Experience supervising full time or part time staff; and
• Excellent knowledge of MS Office.

Mason Ad Statement

George Mason University is a nationally ranked R1 researchuniversity committed to creating a more just, free, and prosperousworld. With 40,000 enrolled students, George Mason is the largestand most diverse public research university in Virginia, offeringdegree programs at the master's, doctoral, and professional level,along with certificates and credentials.

George Mason fosters an All Together Different environment forstudents, faculty, and staff, driven by our core beliefs. Webelieve in inclusivity over exclusivity; we believe in advancingour mission by being willing to take risks, not avoiding them; andwe believe our best work is possible when we apply our diversity oforigin, identity, circumstance, and thought.

Equity Statement

George Mason University is an equal opportunity/affirmative actionemployer, committed to promoting inclusion and equity in itscommunity. All qualified applicants will receive consideration foremployment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexualorientation, gender identity, national origin, age, disability orveteran status, or any characteristic protected by law.

Campus Safety Information

Mason’s Annual Security and Fire Safety Report is available at http://police.gmu.edu/annual-security-report/