Assistant Director of Advising, Communications

Job Description

The Office of Student Academic Success- Academic Advising has an outstanding opportunity for Assistant Director of Advising, Communications position to join their team.

About This Opportunity:

Reporting to the Assistant Dean of Academic Advising, the Assistant Director of Advising is responsible for management of a team of advisors working with a core group of academic programs, and managing strategic communications and events for the centralized academic advising unit.

This is a hybrid position with an on-site office adjacent to members of the advising team.

The scheduled hours for this position align with the open office hours of the advising center, generally 9am to 4pm. This position requires infrequent evening and weekend work for campus events.

This requisition has a priority application date of June 28, 2026.

Key Responsibilities:

This position serves as primary supervisor to a cluster of academic advisors and acts as a lead on the management of strategic communication and events for the central advising unit.

Advisor Supervision – 60%

• Lead and supervise a team of professional academic advisors committed to supporting students enrolled in a specific group of academic programs.

• Train and mentor advising staff to develop their full potential and to enhance the continuity of competent and committed staff, including developing leadership capacities of staff to ensure they meet their professional goals.

• Provide strategic leadership and direction for the advising of students within assigned programs.

• Assess and evaluate advising performance, progress, and feedback on a regular basis, adjusting unit plans and direction as needed.

• Obtain and maintain knowledge of best practices in working with the diverse populations of students, student retention, holistic advising, and student development.

• Cultivate a diverse, cohesive, mutually accountable, and high-performing staff that can proactively anticipate and address organizational challenges. Includes general supervision, corrective action, resolution of personnel disputes and problems, assistance with promotion, and reclassification.

• Ensure the advisors have the appropriate support and supervision needed to be responsive to student needs and caseloads. Communicate any issues or needs and advocate for solutions with the Asst. Dean in a timely manner.

• Work closely with UWB Leadership to assist in developing, prioritizing, and implementing student success initiatives on campus.

• Serve on various campus committees and/or other campus working groups that support student success.

• Interact with School-based staff and faculty to address student issues, policy or process concerns, and other complicated matters requiring diplomacy and creative problem-solving skills.

• Works across campus and externally with a variety of partners, stakeholders, similar operational units, and diversity spaces for the purposes of developing and implementing student success supports. Collaborate to learn best practices and existing services and initiatives.  

• Provide support in handling complex student issues including oversight for petitions and other processes requiring interpretation and application of institutional policy.

• Implement relevant research-based practices and strategies to ensure students receive relevant, intentional, and identity-based advising. Utilize professional, national networks and resources to inform best-practices.

• Assess advising policies and practices; develop and implement practices that support increased advising capacity and quality for a diverse student body.

• Plan, facilitate, and schedule staff meetings that foster information sharing across staff and opportunities for feedback.

• Lead hiring efforts for advising team as needed, in conjunction with training Assistant Directors and Assistant Dean.

• Serve as a primary advisor to students in special circumstances, as needed.

Communications & Outreach – 40%

• Manage various communications to students from the advising unit, including regular quarterly messaging.

• Assist with planning and staffing campus events where advising is participating or hosting students.

• Work with the Assistant Dean, UWB Marketing, and other campus leaders to align UWB Academic Advising messaging with campus messaging standards and campus culture.

• Interface with information technology services and other tri-campus units to advocate for UW Bothell advising needs and messaging representing UW Bothell student needs.

• Develop and maintain the UWB Academic Advising website, including basic information architecture, photo and graphic choices, and regular updates for the advising unit.

• Create, revise, and disseminate online materials developed for advising purposes, including degree maps, presentations, and registration guides.

• Develop and implement social media plans for the central advising office including the management of accounts on Instagram, LinkedIn, and other platforms.

• Advocate for the use of new technology and communication tools proven to be research-based best practices in advising and student support.

• Create centralized online resources for meta-major information including resources for students, information on events, and networking opportunities.

• Work to increase access to information on co-curricular activities and campus services for students through advising.

Required Qualifications
To be considered for this opportunity your application must demonstrate you meet both the minimum qualifications and additional qualifications listed below. Equivalent education and/or experience may substitute for minimum qualifications except when there are legal requirements, such as a license, certification, and/or registration.

Minimum Qualifications:

• Bachelor’s degree in liberal arts, humanities, social sciences or a related field

• Foundational background in student services with a minimum of five years of experience in advising, counseling, mentoring, academic coaching, or academic administration at the college or university level.

• Applicants who do not meet these qualifications WILL NOT be forwarded to the Hiring Manager.

Additional Qualifications:

• Demonstrated management and supervisory experience, including facilitation of professional development, performance reviews, and other staff management processes.

• Experience with strategic communication planning and outreach tools such as social media, email, and marketing channels

• Demonstrated ability to build productive relationships with students, faculty, and staff from diverse backgrounds, with attention to equity, inclusion, and social justice

• Commitment to providing excellent student services in a multicultural environment

• Strong interpersonal skills, including active listening, empathy, and reflective feedback

• Ability to maintain a consistently positive and objective approach to student service

• Excellent customer service and communication skills

• Proficiency with Microsoft Outlook, Word, PowerPoint, Excel, and various web applications

• Strong organizational skills, including attention to detail, documentation, problem-solving, information analysis, and ability to work effectively in a fast-paced collaborative environment

• Demonstrated collaboration skills, including openness to new ideas and approaches, thoughtful communication, and strong documentation practices

Application Requirement:

This recruitment requires a cover letter. Your application will not be considered unless you attach a cover letter that addresses how you meet the minimum requirements of this position, including your experience with professional staff management and strategic communications.

About the Team:

The UW Bothell Academic Advising team includes more than 20 professional advisors serving over 6,000 undergraduate students by assisting with academic planning and college experience support.

Read more about the department by visiting the website www.uwb.edu/advising

Compensation, Benefits and Position Details

Pay Range Minimum:

$90,000.00 annual

Pay Range Maximum:

$95,004.00 annual

Other Compensation:

-

Benefits:

For information about benefits for this position, visit https://www.washington.edu/jobs/benefits-for-uw-staff/

Shift:

First Shift (United States of America)

Temporary or Regular?

This is a regular position

FTE (Full-Time Equivalent):

100.00%

Union/Bargaining Unit:

Not Applicable

About the UW 

Working at the University of Washington provides a unique opportunity to change lives – on our campuses, in our state and around the world.  

UW employees bring their boundless energy, creative problem-solving skills and dedication to building stronger minds and a healthier world. In return, they enjoy outstanding benefits, opportunities for professional growth and the chance to work in an environment known for its diversity, intellectual excitement, artistic pursuits and natural beauty. 

Our Commitment 

The University of Washington is committed to fostering an inclusive, respectful and welcoming community for all. As an equal opportunity employer, the University considers applicants for employment without regard to race, color, creed, religion, national origin, citizenship, sex, pregnancy, age, marital status, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, genetic information, disability, or veteran status consistent with UW Executive Order No. 81.

To request disability accommodation in the application process, contact the Disability Services Office at 206-543-6450 or [email protected]. 

Applicants considered for this position will be required to disclose if they are the subject of any substantiated findings or current investigations related to sexual misconduct at their current employment and past employment. Disclosure is required under Washington state law.