Pennsylvania State University
Senior Director of Academic Advising, Smeal College of Business
🇺🇸 University Park, PA
🕑 Full-Time
💰 $68K - $102K
💻 Academic Advising
🗓️ November 26th, 2025
Edtech.com's Summary
The Pennsylvania State University is hiring a Senior Director of Academic Advising for the Smeal College of Business. This role leads all academic advising operations and related programs for over 6,000 undergraduate students, overseeing strategic initiatives to enhance student engagement, success, and retention. The Senior Director manages a team of more than 30 professional staff and collaborates with university partners and committees to align advising with academic policies and curricula.
Highlights
- Lead academic advising, student engagement, and student success initiatives including New Student Orientation and First Generation Programs.
- Supervise and support a team spanning Student Success, Student Engagement, and Academic Advising with over 30 professional staff members.
- Oversee daily operations of the Smeal Undergraduate Advising Center and manage escalated student and parent concerns.
- Collaborate with academic departments and represent the college on university-wide committees such as the University Advising Council.
- Develop strategic plans and policies to enhance the undergraduate experience and foster student belonging.
- Require a Master's Degree with 10+ years of academic advising experience, including 3+ years of supervisory management.
- Skills include strong interpersonal and communication abilities, effective time management, and sensitivity to diverse student needs.
- Salary range between $68,200 and $102,300, with access to comprehensive benefits including medical, dental, vision, retirement plans, paid time off, and a 75% tuition discount for employees and dependents.
- Employment contingent upon successful background check and authorization to work in the U.S.; no visa sponsorship provided.
- Engage with external stakeholders and alumni to support student development initiatives.
Senior Director of Academic Advising, Smeal College of Business Full Description
APPLICATION INSTRUCTIONS:
- CURRENT PENN STATE EMPLOYEE (faculty, staff, technical service, or student), please login to Workday to complete the internal application process. Please do not apply here, apply internally through Workday.
- CURRENT PENN STATE STUDENT (not employed previously at the university) and seeking employment with Penn State, please login to Workday to complete the student application process. Please do not apply here, apply internally through Workday.
- If you are NOT a current employee or student, please click "Apply" and complete the application process for external applicants.
Approval of remote and hybrid work is not guaranteed regardless of work location. For additional information on remote work at Penn State, see Notice to Out of State Applicants.
POSITION SPECIFICS
The Smeal College of Business at Penn State is seeking a strategic and student-centered leader to serve as the Senior Director of Academic Advising. This position leads all academic advising operations and related programs supporting over 6,000 undergraduate students. The Senior Director plays a critical role in fostering student engagement, success, and retention through strategic oversight of advising, student support, and engagement initiatives.
Reporting to the Assistant Dean for Undergraduate Affairs, the Senior Director is a key member of the Undergraduate Education Leadership Team. The position directly supervises the Director of Engagement and Outreach, the Director of Student Success, the Assistant Director of New Student Orientation and two Advising Supervisors that manage a total team of more than 30 professional staff. The position also collaborates with campus partners and represents Smeal on University-wide committees.
Primary Duties
Strategic Leadership
- Provide strategic leadership and oversight for key initiatives across the Academic Advising, Student Engagement, and Student Success teams such as New Student Orientation, First Generation Programs, and The Smeal Ethical Leadership Challenge.
- Develop and implement plans to enhance the overall undergraduate experience.
- Advance student engagement, foster a sense of belonging, and support holistic development through a diverse portfolio of established programs within Smeal Undergraduate Education.
- Lead and contribute to strategic planning and policy development as part of the Smeal Undergraduate Education leadership team.
Team Leadership
- Supervise and support a team of professional staff across three functional areas; Student Success, Student Engagement and Academic Advising.
- Foster a culture of collaboration, accountability, and continuous improvement in a large high performing unit.
- Lead recruitment, onboarding, and professional development efforts.
- Establish performance expectations and conduct evaluations of Direct Reports.
- Promote staff excellence, engagement, and innovation across a multi-functional, highly diverse unit.
- Policies and Procedures · Oversee daily operations of the Smeal Undergraduate Advising Center.
- Interpret and apply University and College policies related to undergraduate education.
- Collaborate on budget planning and resource allocation.
- Manage escalated student and parent concerns.
- Evaluate study abroad courses and review special case admissions.
Collaboration and Outreach
- Build strategic partnerships across the University to enhance advising and student success.
- Represent Smeal on the University Advising Council and other committees.
- Support outreach to Penn State campuses.
- Collaborate with academic departments to align advising with curricular changes.
- Engage with external stakeholders and alumni to support student development initiatives.
The successful candidate will have:
- Master's Degree with 10+ years of academic advising experience, including 3+ years as a manager hiring, training and completing performance evaluations for full-time employees.
- A strong background in academic advising and managing people with a proven track record and commitment to serving students with varied life experiences and educational needs.
- Excellent interpersonal and communication skills, strong attention to detail, commitment to honor and integrity, sensitivity to the needs of others.
- Efficiently manage time, balance multiple responsibilities, and adapt to change.
MINIMUM EDUCATION, WORK EXPERIENCE & REQUIRED CERTIFICATIONS
Master's Degree10+ years of relevant experience, includes 3+ years of supervisory experience; or an equivalent combination of education and experience
Master's Degree10+ years of relevant experience, includes 3+ years of supervisory experience; or an equivalent combination of education and experience
acceptedRequired Certifications:None
BACKGROUND CHECKS/CLEARANCES
Employment with the University will require successful completion of background check(s) in accordance with University policies.
Employment with the University will require successful completion of background check(s) in accordance with University policies.
Penn State does not sponsor or take over sponsorship of a staff employment Visa. Applicants must be authorized to work in the U.S.
SALARY & BENEFITS
The salary range for this position, including all possible grades, is $68,200.00 - $102,300.00.
The salary range for this position, including all possible grades, is $68,200.00 - $102,300.00.
Salary Structure - Information on Penn State's salary structure
Penn State provides a competitive benefits package for full-time employees designed to support both personal and professional well-being. In addition to comprehensive medical, dental, and vision coverage, employees enjoy robust retirement plans and substantial paid time off which includes holidays, vacation and sick time. One of the standout benefits is the generous 75% tuition discount, available to employees as well as eligible spouses and children. For more detailed information, please visit our Benefits Page.
CAMPUS SECURITY CRIME STATISTICS
Pursuant to the Jeanne Clery Disclosure of Campus Security Policy and Campus Crime Statistics Act and the Pennsylvania Act of 1988, Penn State publishes a combined Annual Security and Annual Fire Safety Report (ASR). The ASR includes crime statistics and institutional policies concerning campus security, such as those concerning alcohol and drug use, crime prevention, the reporting of crimes, sexual assault, and other matters. The ASR is available for review here.
EEO IS THE LAW
Penn State is an equal opportunity employer and is committed to providing employment opportunities to all qualified applicants without regard to race, color, religion, age, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability or protected veteran status. If you are unable to use our online application process due to an impairment or disability, please contact 814-865-1473.The Pennsylvania State University is committed to and accountable for advancing equity, respect, and belonging. We embrace individual uniqueness, as well as a culture of belonging that supports equity initiatives, leverages the educational and institutional benefits of inclusion in society, and provides opportunities for engagement intended to help all members of the community thrive. We value belonging as a core strength and an essential element of the university's teaching, research, and service mission.
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