Manager of Advisor Training and Professional Development

How to Apply

NOTE:  A cover letter is required for consideration for this position and should be attached as the first page of your resume in a single document to be uploaded in the online application. The cover letter should address your specific interest in the position, as well as highlight the skills and experiences that directly relate to this position.

Job Summary

The Manager of Advisor Training and Professional Development in the College of Literature, Science, and the Arts (LSA) Newnan Academic Advising Center is responsible for designing training initiatives for Newnan and LSA advisors. The manager will also support onboarding training for new staff in Newnan and assist in providing professional development opportunities across the College. 

The Newnan Advising Center is situated in the LSA, the unit and plays a critical role in the undergraduate educational mission of the College of Literature, Science, and the Arts (LSA) at the University of Michigan. As the largest college on the Ann Arbor campus, LSA serves over 19,000 undergraduate students in over 100 degree programs.

This position is primarily on-campus with allowances for hybrid work (i.e. three days in office, 2 days remote during the academic year) and reports to the Senior Director in the Newnan Academic Advising Center. 

Responsibilities*

The Manager of Advisor Training and Professional Development in the Newnan LSA Academic Advising Center is responsible for leading the development and delivery of a wide range of innovative and inclusive advisor training and professional development programs. These initiatives are designed to equip both new and experienced advisors with the knowledge, skills, and practices needed to support student development and academic success within the liberal arts environment.

In collaboration with the Senior Director in Newnan, the Manager coordinates a variety of programs and initiatives that enhance advisors' ability to support the academic, personal, and holistic experiences of undergraduate students. The role also includes responsibility for the ongoing assessment and evaluation of programmatic efforts to ensure effectiveness, continuous improvement, and alignment with the center's mission and goals.

The successful candidate will play a key role in enhancing the knowledge, skills, and abilities of professional advisors and staff through training and development opportunities grounded in advising best practices, standards, and competencies. They will be expected to build and maintain strong collaborative relationships with advisors and administrative staff within the center, as well as with colleagues across the college and university, in order to foster professional learning, growth, and development within the advising profession.

KEY AREAS OF RESPONSIBILITY (KARs) - Detailed Characteristic Duties

Manager of Advisor Training and Professional Development (70%)

• Lead onboarding and training experiences for new personnel with general, student success, and/or pre-professional advising responsibilities, ensuring a comprehensive and supportive transition into the advising profession and the Newnan LSA Academic Advising Center.
• In collaboration with the Senior Director of Newnan, design and deliver training and professional development initiatives for departmental advisors, including foundational training for new departmental advisors.
• Cultivate partnerships with LSA advising units, including Honors, Residential College, and Comprehensive Studies, to develop and facilitate cross-functional training opportunities that strengthen collaboration and shared advising practices across the college.
• Partner with subject matter experts and campus stakeholders to develop, enhance, and maintain training curricula, instructional resources, and professional development materials aligned with advising best practices and institutional priorities.
• Oversee the administration, continuous improvement, and strategic use of the new advisor training Canvas course to support advisor learning and engagement.
• Lead the development, promotion, and implementation of ongoing training and professional development opportunities designed to enhance advisor effectiveness, staff growth, and student support practices.
• Guide the ongoing assessment and evaluation of training and professional development initiatives to measure effectiveness, identify areas for improvement, and inform future programming decisions.

Advising Support (10%)

• Conduct general liberal arts advising for LSA students 
• Maintain contact through email with advisees, including responding to progress reports, outreach to students in academic difficulty, and alerting students to options and new opportunities consistent with their growth and development
• Maintain timely and accurate records of interactions with students, referrals, exceptions to standard procedures, and decisions affecting degree progress
• Review, troubleshoot, and resolve student concerns - advising, degree exceptions, graduation requirements
• Communicate with faculty and other administrators as needed

Newnan Administrative Responsibilities (20%)

• Serve as a strategic partner and liaison with University of Michigan academic departments, schools, colleges, and administrative units, including the Office of the Vice Provost for Undergraduate Education (OVPUE) and the Advising Council at the University of Michigan (ACUM)to strengthen collaboration, support institutional initiatives, and advance advising, advisor training, and student success efforts.
• Provide leadership in the development, implementation, and assessment of workshops, group advising initiatives, and educational programming that support advisor effectiveness, student engagement, and academic success.
• Represent the Newnan LSA Academic Advising Center and the College in recruitment, retention, and student success initiatives, serving as a visible and collaborative leader at campus events and outreach activities.
• Contribute leadership and subject matter expertise through active participation in committees, task forces, working groups, and other cross-functional initiatives that advance divisional, college, and university priorities.
• Engage in ongoing professional development and continuous learning to remain informed of emerging trends, best practices, and innovations in academic advising, higher education, and student support services.
• Demonstrate initiative and leadership in advancing organizational effectiveness, fostering innovation, and continuously improving the quality, accessibility, and impact of services and programs.

SUPERVISION RECEIVED

Supervision is received from the Senior Director for the Newnan Academic Advising Center and the General Studies Program within the LSA Academic Advising Center.

SUPERVISION EXERCISED

Functional and administrative supervision over student workers (if applicable)

Required Qualifications*

• Master's degree in higher education, student affairs, a liberal arts discipline, or a related field that demonstrates an understanding of the undergraduate student experience; or an equivalent combination of education and relevant professional experience.
• Evidence of strong collaborative leadership skills with the ability to build partnerships, foster trust, and work effectively across teams, departments, and organizational levels.
• Exceptional interpersonal and relationship-building skills, with the ability to engage positively and professionally with students, staff, faculty, and campus partners.
• Excellent written, verbal, and presentation communication skills, including the ability to facilitate learning, communicate complex information clearly, and engage diverse audiences.
• Demonstrated ability to exercise sound judgment and maintain the confidentiality and integrity of sensitive information and student records.
• Strong organizational, project management, and prioritization skills, with exceptional attention to detail and the ability to manage multiple initiatives simultaneously.
• Demonstrated initiative, adaptability, and problem-solving skills, with the ability to independently lead projects and contribute to organizational improvement efforts.
• Experience utilizing learning management systems and educational technologies, such as Canvas or Blackboard, to support training, instruction, and professional development initiatives.

Desired Qualifications*

• Demonstrated experience leading, designing, and facilitating training and professional development initiatives for staff, advisors, or higher education professionals.
• Proven track record of developing, implementing, and assessing innovative programs and initiatives that support professional growth, organizational effectiveness, and student success outcomes.
• Evidence of active engagement and leadership within the National Academic Advising Association (NACADA) or comparable professional organizations, networks, or initiatives related to academic advising and higher education.

Modes of Work

Positions that are eligible for hybrid or mobile/remote work mode are at the discretion of the hiring department. Work agreements are reviewed annually at a minimum and are subject to change at any time, and for any reason, throughout the course of employment. Learn more about the work modes.

Additional Information

As one of the world's great liberal arts colleges, LSA pushes the boundaries of what is understood about the human experience and the natural world, and we foster the next generation of rigorous and empathetic thinkers, creators, and contributors to the state of Michigan, the nation, and the world.

To learn more about LSA's Mission, Vision and Values, please visit https://lsa.umich.edu/lsa/about/vision-mission-values.html. 

Union Affiliation

This position is included in the bargaining unit represented by the University Staff United (USU), which represents bargaining unit members in all matters with respect to wages, benefits, hours and other terms and conditions of employment.

Background Screening

The University of Michigan conducts background checks on all job candidates upon acceptance of a contingent offer and may use a third party administrator to conduct background checks.  Background checks are performed in compliance with the Fair Credit Reporting Act.

Application Deadline

Job openings are posted for a minimum of seven calendar days. The review and selection process may begin as early as the eighth day after posting. This opening may be removed from posting boards and filled any time after the minimum posting period has ended.

U-M EEO Statement

The University of Michigan is an Equal Opportunity Employer. We are committed to providing an environment of mutual respect where equal employment opportunities are available to all applicants, including protected veterans and individuals with disabilities.