Lead Academic Adviser

Job Description

• NOTE: Applications will be reviewed beginning May 11th, 2026.

Undergraduate Academic Affairs has an outstanding opportunity for a Lead Academic Adviser to join their team.

Undergraduate Academic Affairs (UAA) shapes, advances and stewards a world-class undergraduate academic experience for students at the University of Washington. Staff, faculty and students in UAA deepen and enrich the learning experience for all undergraduates, recognizing and supporting the unique learning path of each individual student and the commitment of each academic program to excellence in learning and teaching.

Within UAA, UAA Advising provides academic planning services and support for students, including helping them explore academic opportunities and working with them to connect their personal strengths and interests with curricular (including co- and extra-curricular) experiences. UAA Advising works primarily with students who are exploring and undecided or preparing for entrance into a major. UAA Advising is a primary campus contact for prospective transfer students, working closely with the community and technical colleges in Washington State. UAA Advising is the UW’s centralized advising office, providing leadership and support to advisers, departments, and student service units around the institution in the areas of academic advising practice and policy.

UAA Advising works closely with New Student & Transfer Programs, Academic Support Programs, and other campus partners to support advising and orientation programming along with tutoring and course support for students. UAA Advising collaborates extensively around campus, particularly with college and departmental advisers, student services offices, and key campus event organizers. Along with Academic Support Programs and the Office of Minority Affairs and Diversity’s Academic Counseling Services, UAA Advising is physically located at the heart of the university, within the Center for Undergraduate Advising, Diversity, and Student Success (CUADSS) at Mary Gates Hall.

About this Opportunity

The Lead Academic Adviser is a member of a professional team working collaboratively with colleagues in the UAA Advising office and across campus to provide comprehensive undergraduate advising services for students, focusing on those who are clarifying academic interests, preparing for admission to majors, changing academic goals, preparing for application to professional schools and programs, and prospective students intending to transfer to the UW, primarily from Washington community colleges.

This specific lead role will focus on supporting the UW Transfer Center. As such, this position will be responsible for planning and organizing programming for current UW transfer students as well as planning and organizing for prospective transfer students and Washington State Community College Adviser training opportunities.

This position requires professional knowledge and experience with University resources to empower students to identify interests and match personal strengths with educational and career opportunities. Important aspects of the work include mastering the complexities of all academic programs offered at the UW, incorporating learning-centered advising, understanding of the relationship between education and career, attention to detail, and frequent contact with the University's administrative systems. Additionally, this particular position requires a knowledge of and experience working with transfer students and understanding the details and complexities of the transfer process. As this position will be responsible for the programs offered through the UW Transfer Center it will also require experience in event and program planning and execution.

KEY RESPONSIBILITIES

Current, Former, and Prospective Student Services (60%):

• Advise pre-major students
• Assist students with academic planning to maximize students’ and University resources
• Make students aware of the many opportunities to learn beyond the classroom, including study abroad, internships, service learning, volunteer and community service experiences
• Provide students with tools and information for exploring majors
• Assist students with understanding prerequisites and planning for application to departments
• Help students integrate educational and career plans and understand how majors and skills acquired through education translate to careers
• Clarify university procedures and policies for students to help them understand and navigate the university system and avoid or overcome administrative problems
• Respond accurately and within an acceptable time frame to student inquiries via email
• Advise low scholarship students
• Assist students with identifying and overcoming problems that hinder their academic success and progress
• Work with low scholarship students to develop strategies for success, including study plans, time management, balancing class loads, utilizing campus study resources, etc.
• Refer students who are dealing with personal, health, and/or family issues to appropriate campus resources
• Advise students on drop status, reinstatement and returning students
• Meet with students who have been dropped from the university to determine best course of action to facilitate eventual return to the university or best educational outcomes
• Help students develop a plan for successful re-entry into the university
• Assist with filing reinstatement petitions, returning student applications, and hardship withdrawal petitions
• Visit local community colleges to advise prospective UW students 1-2 times per month

Lead Area Responsibility (20%):

• Lead all Transfer Center programming and events including planning, implementing and assessing impact. Create yearly plan for all Transfer Center programming
• Develop expertise and serve as an office resource for advisers on best practices for serving transfer students
• Plan, oversee, and assess the annual UW/CC Advising conference. Including chairing the planning committee
• Coordinate with The Office of Admissions to plan and participate in Transfer Student Preview Day
• Plan and facilitate the annual Highway to Husky Admission workshop
• Support Transfer Center Student Ambassador program by collaborating with Assistant Director and student ambassadors to plan and oversee UW Transfer Center events
• Lead the planning and implementation of the annual Transfer Student Celebration week
• Coordinate with Admissions on Transfer Thursday and the Tuesday Transfer Webinars
• Coordinate with campus partners and those in the Community and Technical Colleges to generate content for regular communication with the Community College Advising Community
• Create learning outcomes for transfer programming and use learning outcomes to evaluate programming. Programs will be evaluated through surveys, center usage data, and focus groups. Assessment will be used to inform plans for future programming.

Advising and Orientation (10%):

• Participate in advising and orientation presentations for new freshmen and transfer students
• Develop and deliver presentations on transitioning to the UW for new freshmen and transfer students
• Staff registration presentations/labs as needed for new freshmen and transfer students
• Participate in training and support of student orientation leaders for Transfer and Freshman Orientation

Professional Services-Campus Partnerships (5%):

• Serve as a contributing member on campus committees on an as needed basis
• Serve as liaison with programs in one of the UW schools or colleges
• Steward professional relationships and communication with programs the school or college
• Attend meetings and report to UAA on activities and changes in the school or college

Office operations/Administrative Work (3%):

• Attend UAA Advising Staff meetings.
• Email, updates and communication with departments

Professional Training and Development (2%):

• Attend on-campus and off-campus workshops, webinars and seminars, e.g. SafeZone, suicide prevention, NACADA, MyPlan training, advising special populations (veterans, first generation, etc.)

Other duties as assigned.

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 a relevant discipline
• Minimum of 4 years experience in advising, student counseling, teaching experience, or related experience

Preferred Qualifications

• Master’s Degree
• Experience working with Transfer Students
• Experience as a UW or Washington CTC staff member
• Familiarity with contemporary concepts in student development

Competencies/Essential Functions

• Accountability and integrity
• Conflict management
• Student focus
• Interpersonal savvy
• Managing and measuring work
• Planning and prioritization
• Race, equity, and difference
• Speaking and presenting
• UW policies and systems
• Ability to handle caseload of 700-925 students
• Ability to do work within office setting
• Ability to work occasional evenings and weekends for events and professional development

Compensation, Benefits and Position Details

Pay Range Minimum:

$81,192.00 annual

Pay Range Maximum:

$81,192.00 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 dso@uw.edu .

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 .