Academic Advisor Job Description: Roles & Responsibilities

To effectively recruit the ideal academic advisor, developing a clear and comprehensive job description is key. Not only does it set the tone for what your institution values, but it also outlines the expectations and responsibilities required. In this article, we provide a detailed template for academic advisor positions that will help recruiters like you attract the most qualified and passionate individuals ready to guide students on their academic paths.

What Is an Academic Advisor?

An academic advisor plays a pivotal role in higher education institutions (and sometimes in secondary education settings) by guiding students through their academic journey. The academic advisor will serve as a key member of the student-success team, supporting students in planning and achieving their academic, personal, and career goals. The advisor will provide individualized academic counselling, coordinate student progress monitoring, collaborate with faculty and support services, and contribute to institutional retention and graduation initiatives.

Where to Find an Academic Advisor?

• Higher Education Job Boards: Many colleges/universities post academic advisor jobs on platforms like HigherEdJobs, ChronicleVitae, and the institution’s own HR portal.
• Professional Associations: The National Academic Advising Association (NACADA) is a key community; members often include full-time and part-time advisors with training in advising theory and practice.
• LinkedIn & Academic Networks: Search for “academic advising,” “student success advisor,” and “student academic support,” and look for professionals already working in student services, advising centers, registration and records, or retention offices.
• Internal Promotion/Internal Mobility: For institutions, promoting staff familiar with the institution’s culture (e.g., departmental coordinators, student success coaches) may be an efficient approach.
• Higher Education Conferences or Career Fairs: Many advising professionals attend conferences (e.g., the NACADA annual conference) or higher-ed career fairs, which are ideal for passive candidate sourcing.

Academic Advisor Job Description Template

We are seeking an experienced and knowledgeable academic advisor to join our team. We are seeking an ideal candidate who can demonstrate a proven ability to support students effectively throughout their academic journey and possess excellent organizational skills. The focus of the role is to provide guidance, support, and advice to students in order to help them achieve their academic goals.

Academic Advisor Responsibilities

• Advise assigned students on program/major selection, registration, course sequencing, and degree requirements.
• Monitor academic progress, identify at-risk students, intervene appropriately, and refer to support services (tutoring, counseling, career center).
• Interpret and explain institutional academic policies, procedures, graduation/transfer requirements, academic standing, and appeals processes.
• Develop and maintain four-year academic plans (or term-by-term plans) aligned with students’ interests, abilities, and career goals.
• Collaborate with faculty, departments, student affairs units, and external partners to promote student success, retention, and timely graduation.
• Maintain accurate records of advising interactions, follow-up tasks, and referrals (using the institution’s advising systems).
• Participate in orientation, registration events, retention initiatives, and workshops (e.g., study skills, goal-setting).
• Stay current on institutional and external changes (curriculum, accreditation, transfer articulation, student supports).
• Provide data and reports on advising metrics (e.g., number of meetings, student outcomes, retention rates) and contribute to continuous process improvement.
• Engage in professional development, including advising on theory, best practices, and technology in student support.

Required Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in education, counseling, or a related field
• At least two years of experience in academic advising or a related field
• Knowledge of academic policies, procedures, and requirements
• Familiarity with student information systems and computer applications
• The ideal candidate should have the ability to handle sensitive information with tact and discretion and maintain confidentiality
• The candidate should be able to work independently as well as collaborate effectively as part of a team

Required Skills

• Strong communication skills, both written and verbal, with the ability to effectively interact with students, faculty, and staff
• Excellent organizational and time-management skills with the ability to prioritize and manage multiple tasks
• Good interpersonal skills, with the ability to build strong relationships with students and colleagues

Challenges in Hiring an Academic Advisor

• Candidate Awareness & Engagement: Many students are not aware of advising services, which reflects on how institutions prioritize and fund advising.
• Advisor Workload, Burnout & Retention: Many advisors report heavy workloads, crisis management, and burnout.
• Finding Advisors with Both Theoretical and Practical Skills: Advising is a specialized field with competencies in student development theory, institutional policy, relational skills, and sometimes data/analytics. The overlay of career advising adds complexity.

How Much Does It Cost to Hire?

When budgeting for hiring an academic advisor, recruiters should consider both cost per hire (CPH) and the ongoing total cost of employment (salary + benefits + development) plus the cost of poor fit/turnover.

• An academic advisor's salary varies by experience, with entry-level positions typically starting in the low to mid-$30,000s, and mid-career professionals earning between the mid-$40,000s and low-$60,000s. Senior-level and highly experienced advisors can earn over $60,000, with salaries potentially exceeding $80,000 or more, depending on location, institution, and specialization.
• The average national salary in the US is around $50,000-$63,000
• According to HR benchmarks, the average cost-per-hire in the U.S. has been about US$4,700
• Agency fees, recruitment advertising, onboarding, etc., for typical roles, and emphasizes that roles requiring specialized skills cost more.
• Though not specific to academic advisor roles, these figures give a baseline: expect that hiring an advisor may cost several thousand dollars when including job posting, interviewing, background checks, onboarding, and ramp-up.

Conclusion

Recruiting an academic advisor is more than filling a position; it’s investing in student success, institutional retention, and overall educational outcomes. A well-crafted job description helps attract candidates who bring both the relational skills and the technical/advising competencies required. Understanding where to find such professionals, being aware of the challenges (workload, burnout, candidate awareness gaps), and budgeting realistically for the cost of hire and ongoing support are all key. With thoughtful recruitment, onboarding, and professional development, institutions can build advising teams that meaningfully contribute to student achievement.

Frequently Asked Questions

Q: What should be included in an academic advisor's job description?

A: A strong job description should outline the role’s summary, responsibilities (advising, monitoring progress, referrals, student success initiatives), required and preferred qualifications, competencies, working conditions, salary/benefits, and application instructions.

Q: How does an academic advisor differ from a career advisor or student success coach?

A: While roles overlap, an academic advisor typically focuses on curriculum, course planning, degree requirements, and academic policies. A career advisor tends to focus on career preparation, internships, and job placement. A student success coach may focus more broadly on retention, study skills, engagement, and holistic development. As noted, the blending of career advising into academic advising is less well-studied.

Q: Where can recruiters find qualified candidates for academic advising roles?

A: Use higher-ed job boards, professional associations such as NACADA, LinkedIn, internal promotions, and higher-education career fairs. Filter for candidates with experience in advising, student services, or academic support.

Q: What competencies should the ideal candidate possess?

A: They should have strong interpersonal skills, knowledge of academic policies and degree planning, the ability to work with diverse student populations, data tracking capability, and a student-centered mindset. Preferred candidates may have a master’s, previous advising experience, and familiarity with advising systems.