Associate Director of Academic Advising and Pre-Professional Program

ABOUT SIMMONS

Located in Boston’s historic Fenway area, Simmons University has a strong tradition of empowering women and challenging traditional gender roles. Simmons was founded for equality 125 years ago as one of the first higher education institutions dedicated to helping women become leaders. Today, our university continues to grow and evolve and now offers Boston’s only women’s undergraduate program and graduate programs open to all.

You’re joining our community at an especially exciting time as we continue to innovate for the future. Simmons recently launched a six-school academic structure that leverages our expert faculty and longstanding expertise in professions that make our communities stronger. In addition, we continue to highlight our high-value education proposition that is delivering greater ROI to students and putting them on the fast track to career growth and success. You’ll find that people who work here truly believe in our mission of preparing students to become social justice-oriented leaders who excel in their professions and their communities. This commitment and pride make for a dynamic workplace.

As a university that values diversity, equity, and inclusion, Simmons encourages applications from all under-represented groups. Simmons is committed to creating, developing, promoting, and enhancing inclusive hiring practices–at all levels, for all positions–ensuring diverse talent pools and the delivery of a consistent positive candidate experience. Simmons is an equal opportunity employer and is committed to continuing to develop a more diverse faculty, staff, student body, and curriculum.

JOB SUMMARY

Simmons University is looking for an Associate Director of Advising and Pre-Professional Programs in the undergraduate advising office. This role will oversee the Pre-Professional Programs including Pre-Health Advising. The role is also responsible for supervising staff and will collaborate closely with members of the undergraduate advising team. The Associate Director of Advising and Pre-Professional Programs will work as a liaison between the Simmons community and select external partners. This position will report directly to the Director of Undergraduate Advising.

ESSENTIAL JOB FUNCTIONS

Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform these essential functions.

● Oversee Pre-Professional Programs which includes the Pre-Health Advising (Pre-Med, Pre-PA, Pre-Vet, Pre-Dental, etc.) and Pre-Law Advising programs, establishing articulation agreements, advising a caseload of students/alumni, planning special events, committee letter process, advise Pre-Health Liaisons student group, and preparing students for the medical/law school application process

● Collaborate with Undergraduate Admissions to manage the St. George’s University School of Medicine 4 4 Pathway program/partnership for pre-med students as well as manage any new articulation agreements established with MD or DO schools as well as law schools

● Supervising the Assistant Director for Pre-Law & Barbara Lee Family Fellowship and the Academic Advisor for Pre-Health

● Participate in new student orientation, Admissions events as needed, and departmental events, June Advising month, drop-in advising, and special advising/registration events throughout the year

● Collaborate with faculty, campus partners and other offices within The Division of Student Engagement, Success and Diversity

● In the absence of the Director and Associate Director, the Assistant Director will provide leadership and guidance to the Office of Undergraduate Advising

● Partner with the Dean of the School of Sciences & Health Professions as well as faculty to manage the Pre-Health Committee

● Collaborate regularly with the Career Education Center to develop and implement workshops for Pre-Professional Programs designed for students and alumni around professionalism, mock interviewing, etc.

● Co-Manage the Kaplan contract for discounting preparation testing for students via Touchnet Store in collaboration with IT

● Maintain reports on success of Simmons applicants seeking admission to health professions programs. Oversees all pre-health database systems. Manage the home grown MCAT preparation course implementation, AAMC Advisor Information System, and the Webadmit for the University

● Advise a caseload of undergraduate students to assist them with general education requirements, course selections, major selection/declaration, academic policies/procedures, campus resources, etc.

● Other duties as assigned by the Director

● This position is available for a hybrid work schedule (2-days remote, 3-days on campus)

OTHER DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES

● All remaining duties are considered "nonessential" within the context of the ADA, which means that the function could be reassigned to another employee in order to allow a disabled individual to hold the position. Alternatively, the manager could try to provide a reasonable accommodation so that the disabled individual could perform the function.

● Other duties as assigned.

REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS

• Master's degree in education, health care or a related field plus 3 years of related work experience
• Prior supervising or mentoring experience
• Superior communications skills, both written and oral
• Strong interpersonal skills
• Strong computer skills
• Ability to drive innovative thinking and strong emotional intelligence.
• Ability to think strategically and translate strategies into actionable plans.
• Prior supervisory or mentorship experience
• Proven leadership experience, with the ability to inspire and guide a high-performing team.
• Ability to work independently and in a team environment.

PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS

● At least two years of prior supervisory experience

● Membership or knowledge of NAAHP, NACADA, PLANC, NAPLE, and NASPA

● Prior experience utilizing Webadmit and/or AAMC

● Prior experience creating and implementing assessment and evaluation initiatives

● Master’s degree

COMPETENCIES

● Problem Solving

● Analytical and Strategic

● Customer Service Oriented

● Communication (Written, Verbal, Presentation)

● Commitment to Inclusive Excellence and Social Justice

● Teamwork

● Leadership

WORK ENVIRONMENT & CONDITIONS/PHYSICAL DEMANDS

● Hybrid eligibility (2-days remote & 3-days on campus)

● 12 months full-time role

● 40 Hours / week M-F

● Office environment

● Essential physical requirements, such as staring at a screen, using a phone, and typing.

● Physical effort/lifting, such as sedentary - up to 10 pounds; light - up to 20 pounds; medium - up to 50 pounds; heavy - over 50 pounds.

● A few weekends and/or nights as needed for admissions or special events

● Occasional travel to conferences as well as site visits to law schools or medicals schools