Academic Advising Manager

Bachelor's degree in a related field or equivalent plus 10 years of professional experience to include 3 years of supervisory experience

• Extensive knowledge of academic advising principles, practices, and student-success strategies.
• Thorough knowledge of UGA and University System of Georgia academic policies, procedures, degree requirements, and student services.
• Knowledge of undergraduate and graduate academic programs and progression requirements within the School of Social Work.
• Demonstrated ability to supervise, mentor, develop, and evaluate professional staff.
• Strong organizational and project-management skills.
• Ability to manage competing priorities and multiple advising and administrative initiatives.
• Strong analytical skills and the ability to use student and program data to inform decisions.
• Knowledge of student information systems, degree audit systems, advising technologies, and other academic administration tools.
• Excellent written, verbal, and interpersonal communication skills.
• Strong problem-solving and decision-making abilities.
• Ability to interpret complex academic policies and apply them appropriately to individual student situations.
• Ability to establish effective working relationships with students, faculty, staff, administrators, and University partners.
• Ability to maintain confidentiality and exercise appropriate judgment when handling sensitive student and personnel matters.
• Ability to develop and implement policies, procedures, and processes that improve operational effectiveness and student outcomes.
• Commitment to student-centered, growth-oriented, and effective advising practices.

• Directly supervise three academic advisors within the School of Social Work, including assigning and coordinating workloads, establishing expectations, monitoring performance, and providing ongoing feedback and professional development.
• Provide leadership and direction to the School's academic advising team to ensure consistent advising practices, communication, and student support across programs.
• Recruit, interview, select, train, onboard, and evaluate academic advising personnel in accordance with UGA policies and procedures.
• Develop and maintain advising standards, procedures, workflows, and service expectations.
• Conduct regular individual and team meetings with academic advisors to address student needs, program changes, operational issues, and advising priorities.
• Identify professional development opportunities and ensure advisors remain current on UGA policies, academic programs, advising technology, student resources, and best practices in academic advising.
• Serve as a resource and escalation point for academic advisors regarding complex student cases, academic policies, exceptions, degree progression, and student concerns.
• Promote collaboration and information sharing among advisors and academic programs.
• Monitor advising caseloads and adjust assignments as needed to ensure balanced workloads and high-quality student support.
• Evaluate advising team effectiveness and implement improvements based on assessment findings, student needs, and program priorities.

• Provide comprehensive academic advising to undergraduate and graduate students within the School of Social Work, particularly students with complex academic, progression, or degree-completion needs.
• Advise students regarding course selection, degree requirements, academic policies, progression toward graduation, registration, academic planning, and career or educational goals.
• Conduct and interpret degree audits and monitor student progress toward degree completion.
• Assist students experiencing academic difficulties by identifying barriers to progress and connecting them with appropriate University resources.
• Review and resolve complex academic advising issues and student cases that require interpretation of University, USG, College/School, or program policies.
• Lead the planning, coordination, and execution of annual convocation ceremony for spring graduates in all SSW programs. Serve as primary contact and liaison between SSW, the university community, and external vendors.
• Support students through major academic transitions, including admission, orientation, program progression, change of major, graduation, and degree completion.
• Ensure students receive timely and accurate information regarding program requirements, policies, deadlines, and academic opportunities.
• Maintain appropriate advising records and documentation in accordance with UGA and USG policies.
• Promote student retention, persistence, timely degree completion, and overall student success.

• Provide leadership in the coordination and administration of academic advising activities across the School of Social Work's programs.
• Work closely with program directors, faculty, associate deans, and the Dean's Office regarding curriculum, enrollment, admissions, student progression, academic policies, and program requirements.
• Coordinate advising processes associated with course scheduling, registration, degree progression, graduation clearance, and academic program changes.
• Monitor program enrollment and student progression data and identify trends or areas requiring attention.
• Provide advising and student data to School leadership to support strategic planning and decision-making.
• Ensure accuracy and consistency of advising information presented in the UGA Bulletin, program materials, advising resources, and other student-facing communications.
• Coordinate with offices such as Admissions, Registrar, Financial Aid, Career Center, Student Affairs, Practicum Education, and other University units as needed to address student and program needs.
• Serve as a primary School-level resource for academic advisors regarding UGA academic policies, procedures, systems, and program requirements.
• Develop and maintain advising procedures that promote consistency, efficiency, compliance, and positive student experiences.

• Collect, analyze, and interpret academic advising and student progression data to evaluate program and advising effectiveness.
• Use systems such as DegreeWorks, Athena, and other University systems to monitor student progress and identify students or populations requiring additional support.
• Prepare reports and data summaries for School leadership, program directors, and other stakeholders.
• Forecast enrollment and student progression trends using historical and current data.
• Develop and implement assessment strategies to measure advising outcomes and student success.
• Identify opportunities to improve advising processes, technology, communication, and student services based on assessment findings.
• Participate in University and School advising assessment initiatives and contribute to accreditation and program review activities.

• Represent the School of Social Work on University committees, councils, and working groups related to academic advising and student success.
• Participate in the UGA Academic Advising Council and other professional advising organizations or committees as appropriate.
• Collaborate with faculty and staff across the School to promote a coordinated approach to student success.
• Assist with new student orientation, recruitment activities, student programs, and other School events.
• Participate in advisor searches and contribute to the recruitment and selection of advising personnel.
• Establish and maintain effective relationships with faculty, staff, students, prospective students, and University administrators.
• Represent the School of Social Work professionally with internal and external constituents.