Thank you for your interest in working at William Paterson University.

William Paterson University is a purpose-driven, proudly diverse community—designated as both a public Hispanic-Serving Institution and Minority-Serving Institution—committed to creating transformative academic, professional, and personal experiences as a powerhouse of progress. We foster a workplace that values growth, flexibility, and community, and we are recognized as a 2024 and 2025 Forbes’ Best Employers by State, 2025 Great College to Work For, and honored with the NJBIZ Empowering Women Award. 

Our 1,000 dedicated staff members enjoy competitive benefits, a four-day summer workweek, tuition support, and strong opportunities for internal promotion. Situated on a scenic suburban campus just 20 miles from New York City, WP offers a diverse, inclusive environment where your contributions fuel student success, economic and social mobility, and community engagement. Together, we empower our students through intentional, holistic support within flexible, innovative, and inclusive settings—preparing graduates to thrive professionally and personally, and to lead with a commitment to progress in New Jersey and beyond. 

JOB SUMMARY

Reporting to the Executive Director of Academic Achievement, the Senior Associate Director of Academic Advisement provides strategic oversight for advisement operations that promote undergraduate student retention, persistence, and success. The Senior Associate Director supervises a team of professional advisors and ensures that comprehensive, student-centered advising services are delivered to undergraduates, from matriculation through graduation.

This role serves as a key partner in developing and implementing advisement strategies that enhance academic progress, student engagement, and institutional outcomes. The Senior Associate Director oversees the day-to-day management of the Advisement Center, ensuring alignment with university goals and compliance with academic policies and standards. Responsibilities include training and evaluating staff, monitoring key performance indicators, assessing program effectiveness, and fostering collaboration across academic and student support units to remove barriers to degree completion.

Grounded in a holistic advising philosophy, the Senior Associate Director champions innovation, equity, and excellence in advising practice, creating a culture where students are empowered to make informed decisions, achieve their goals, and thrive throughout their academic journey.

PRINCIPAL RESPONSIBILITIES

• Manages the team of at least fifteen professional advisors through regular supervision, training, program development, and as-needed support.
• Responsible for outlining directives, managing distribution of caseload, and long-term assessment of advisor progress and outcomes.
• Maintains a caseload of undergraduate advisees and works with them on key concerns (as needed) and documents interventions around major selection and change, goal setting and transition, navigating barriers to success, course sequencing, registration, and decision making around course withdrawal and repeat, and pathways to graduation.
• Chiefly responsible for overseeing advisor outreach and intervention around alerts and concerns raised through student success platforms.
• Utilizes technology to review advisor performance, delivery of services and strategy development towards persistence and retention.
• Also responsible for content management and communication plans within the platform.
• Teaches at least one section of a year-long first-year success program, supervises advisors’ teaching of their sections, develops materials and Blackboard master shell for program, and supports development of first-year programming.
• Contributes to Will. Power curriculum development and partners with the Registrar to manage advisor and facilitator placements.
• Leads the creation and integration of Blackboard course materials to support instructional delivery.
• Manages the development of university-level events and programs, including Major/Minor Fairs, Group Advisement and Registration events, Orientation, and other advisement–focused programs to support the success of undergraduate students. This includes oversight of advisor development and the implementation of the Center's programming portfolio.
• Responsible for managing advisor assignments, including auditing caseloads to ensure accuracy, addressing student concerns around advisor interactions, and managing the assignment system and updates.
• Collaborates with campus partners around allied programs, supports the development of collaborations in programming, services, and advocacy across campus.
• Assists in managing year-round Center coverage to ensure drop in availability, advisement presence at Orientation and other key University events, including evening and weekend presence.
• Responsible for managing logistics and expectations around vacation, time, attendance, and other Center procedures.
• Supervises referrals and serves as a student advocate around complex concerns when needed.
• Responsible for overall tracking of the Professional Advisement program, including longitudinal tracking, outcome reporting, key performance indicators, collaboration with Division and Departmental assessment teams, and documentation of program effectiveness and outcomes through annual and other reporting requirements.
• Collaborates closely with faculty advisors to assist with advisement and academic-related concerns.
• Conduct regular training needs assessments, direct, develop and administer advisor training as well as organize and lead regular staff meetings.
• Establishes and maintains a cooperative and collaborative working relationship with the public, faculty, and administrators.
• Represents the University at meetings, events, and conferences.
• Performs other duties as assigned that are appropriate for the position.

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS

• A master’s degree from an accredited college or university is required; a degree in Higher Education Administration, Counseling or related discipline is required.
• Five years of full-time professional experience in academic advisement or cohort management in a Higher Education setting is required.
• Three years of experience directing and supervising staff; demonstrated understanding of and experience with supervision and management of large complex organizations is required.
• Experience in higher education with diverse and at-risk populations is strongly preferred.
• Strong cohort management, outreach, and tracking skills are required.
• Ability to utilize technology in the delivery of student programs, advising materials, and assessment is required.
• Experience using Banner Student Information System, Workday, and Navigate is preferred.
• Must possess excellent interpersonal, presentation, written, and oral communication skills.
• Proven ability to think analytically, work independently, and collaboratively with all levels in an organization.
• Ability to work a flexible schedule, which may include evenings and/or weekends as needed.

Starting Salary - Non - Aligned - Grade 27 - $74,251.80 - $99,002.40

This position may be eligible for a comprehensive benefits package, which includes health and dental insurance and retirement plans. To learn more, please visit: Benefits Package Pamphlet (NAL)

Invitation to apply
Interested candidates will be prompted to complete an application and submit a cover letter and resume/CV.

Submission of all documents listed is required for consideration and all documents should be uploaded where prompted to upload your resume/cv.

General questions related to this application process, please contact humanresources@wpunj.edu .

Please include with your inquiry the Job Requisition number beginning with R as well as the job title and department.

Salary Range:

Please see job posting

Total Rewards and Benefits:

Click here to view the total rewards of working at WP

William Paterson University is committed to protecting your privacy and will not sell your personal information.

EEO Statement

William Paterson University is dedicated to providing equal opportunities and equal access to all individuals regardless of race or ethnicity, sex/gender (including pregnancy), gender identity or expression, sexual orientation, age, disability, genetic information, marital status, civil union status, familial status, religion, national origin or citizenship, military service status, or any other category protected by law. William Paterson University does not discriminate on the basis of any category stated above or as prohibited by applicable law. Individuals from historically underrepresented backgrounds are encouraged to apply.

For more information, visit University Facts