Manager, Academic Advising

Job Title

Manager, Academic Advising

Job Type

Permanent

Union

Management

Position Classification

MLV5 Management

Salary Grade

FT or PT

Full-time

Hybrid Work

This position is eligible

Position End Date (if applicable)

Location

About this Position

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Academic Advising is a developmental process assisting students in the clarification of their educational goals and the implementation of an educational plan to realize these goals. Advisors play a key role in student retention, advising new and continuing students throughout their tenure at Mount Royal University.

As front-line representatives of Academic Advising and Mount Royal University, Managers play a visible and influential role in shaping the student and public perception of the institution. They are often called upon to speak about MRU, its programs, and its values in a variety of settings including group advising sessions, orientation events, and Faculty engagements. It is essential that Managers consistently demonstrate professionalism, accuracy, and institutional alignment in these interactions.

Equally important is the Manager's ability to build and maintain trust within their assigned Faculty. Success in this role relies on forming strong, respectful relationships with Faculty members—particularly Deans, Associate Deans, and Chairs—through clear communication, responsiveness, and shared commitment to student success.

Managers are expected to lead with integrity, model personal accountability, and foster a culture of proactive problem-solving, continuous improvement, and respect. They must stay current on academic programs, institutional policies, services, and systems in order to guide both students and their advising teams effectively.

Embedded in a Faculty, the Manager, Academic Advising plays a key leadership role in delivering high-quality, student-centred advising services. Reporting to the Associate Director, Academic Advising Services, the Manager provides direct supervision and performance management for a team of Academic Advisors, while also advising students approximately 50% of the time. This dual role ensures the Manager remains connected to the evolving needs of students and advising practices.

As part of the advising leadership team, the Manager contributes to institutional consistency, quality assurance, and continuous improvement in advising, while fostering strong relationships with Faculty leadership to support student success. In addition, the incumbent maintains membership in NACADA - the Global Community for Academic Advising and the Canadian Association of College and University Student Services (CACUSS) and adheres to those Professional Advising Standards.

While the Manager reports centrally to the Associate Director, Academic Advising, they work in collaboration with their assigned Faculty to ensure advising practices align with both institutional standards and Faculty-specific needs. Advising is delivered in partnership with academic departments, and success in this role requires strong, trust-based relationships with Deans, Associate Deans, Chairs, and other Faculty leaders. The Manager must demonstrate respect for the values, priorities, and academic integrity of the Faculty, and adapt advising practices to support shared goals for student success.

This collaborative approach ensures consistency in advising quality while remaining responsive to the unique contexts of each academic area.

• Manage and support a team of Academic Advisors within the assigned Faculty, providing ongoing coaching, mentorship, and performance development. Regularly assess individual and team performance through informal and formal methods, offering actionable feedback and recognizing accomplishments.
• Clearly define and communicate performance expectations, responsibilities, and goals to Advisors, ensuring shared understanding and alignment.
• Address emerging challenges or gaps through timely coaching and resource support, fostering a proactive and solutions-focused team culture.
• Establish and maintain trust-based relationships with team members by demonstrating professionalism,…