Director of Advisement and Recruitment

The University of Southern Mississippi is currently accepting applications for the position of Director of Advisement and Recruitment.

Position Details LocationGulf Park

730 East Beach Boulevard
Long Beach, Mississippi, 39560
United States DivisionOffice of the Provost - GP Position TypeStaff Employment StatusFull Time Grant FundedNo Posting Close Date2 Weeks After Posting

Job Summary
The Director of Academic Advisement & Recruitment holds primary responsibility for leading a staff of embedded advisors, academic advisors, and recruitment staff at the Gulf Park campus. The Director is charged with integration, facilitation, coordination, synthesizing, enabling, and fostering of outcomes-driven efforts in academic advisement and recruitment that support student success (e.g., retention, persistence and graduation).

Primary Duties and Responsibilities

1.Supervises Gulf Park embedded advisors, academic advisors, and recruitment staff to include personnel matters (e.g., scheduling, approval of leave, rotation of duties, and assignment of responsibilities), evaluation of staff, and oversee ongoing training of staff. Other duties as assigned including assuming the responsibilities of other department staff during absences and as workload dictates.

2.Responsible for strategic planning, continued development of the academic advisement and recruitment areas, working with faculty and staff, and referencing national best practices and protocol to promote student success through academic advisement. Serves as a resource for faculty regarding issues of academic advisement, including development and implementation of training for the campus advisement community.

3.Maintains constant evaluation of recruitment efforts, including collecting and analyzing data, assessing satisfaction, and making appropriate changes and improvements in a data-driven way to ensure alignment with the University's mission.

4.Participate as an active team member with the Vice Provost’s leadership team to develop programs and services aimed at insuring success for students.

5.Oversees the Complete 2 Compete program, its administration, coordination, and attends all Institutes of Higher Learning meetings related to Adult Learning and C2C.

6.Performs additional duties as assigned.

Minimum Qualifications Bachelor's degree and 5-7 years academic advisement and/or recruitment and admissions experience. Previous supervisory experience also required.

Knowledge, Skills & Abilities Business Strategy & Acumen: Understands higher education and can use industry/professional terminology fluently. Thinks strategically and seeks to align department services and goals with institutional strategic goals. Asks critical questions to delve to root cause to identify solutions. Understands the interconnection of decisions, actions, outcomes and measures.
Professional Knowledge and Application: Takes initiative to develop and apply professional knowledge and skills in order to enhance individual effectiveness and improve organizational performance. Creates opportunities to apply new learnings and best practices into innovative solutions that positively impact results. Seeks opportunities for development for both self and the team.

Business Execution: Leverages professional expertise and University knowledge to assess areas of opportunity, identify solutions and effectively execute the plan. Demonstrates a high level of planning and organizational skills and the ability to move projects forward to completion. Self-motivated and accountable for results. Seeks advice and input from others and recognizes when to escalate issues or seek help.

Communication: Demonstrates the ability to deliver accurate, concise and quality communication (verbal and written) in a timely manner. Encourages an open exchange of ideas and differing perspectives. Adapts communication style to meet the needs of diverse audiences and situations. Listens to understand others. Provides quality feedback.

Relationship Management: Works to build and manage productive relationships with peers, leaders and customer groups. Effectively engages and interacts with others to collaborate and provide value-added support that enhances department results and team effectiveness. Affects outcomes and direction of customer’s decisions through effective relationships, trust and credibility.

Leadership: Demonstrates an openness and flexibility towards new ideas and concepts and effectively influences or facilitates during times of change. Helps others become more effective through development and coaching. Utilizes candid feedback, knowledge, resources and opportunities to improve the performance of others and to increase their contributions. Sets clear expectations for performance, provides meaningful feedback, holds employees accountable and recognizes successes.

Preferred Qualifications Direct experience with an academic or University environment

About The University of Southern Mississippi
The University of Southern Mississippi (USM) is a comprehensive public research institution delivering transformative programs on campuses in Hattiesburg and Long Beach, at teaching and research sites in central and southern Mississippi, as well as online. Founded in 1910, USM is one of only 130 universities in the nation to earn the Carnegie Classification of Institutions of Higher Education's "R1: Doctoral Universities - Very high research activity" designation, and its robust research enterprise includes experts in ocean science and engineering, polymer science and engineering, and sport venue safety and security, among others. USM is also one of only 40 institutions in the nation accredited in theatre, art and design, dance and music. As an economic driver, USM generates an annual economic impact of more than $600 million across the state. USM welcomes a diverse student body of approximately 15,000, representing 71 countries, all 50 states, and every county in Mississippi. USM students have collected four Truman Scholarships and 36 National Science Foundation Graduate Research Fellowships, while also leading Mississippi with 24 Goldwater Scholarships, an honor that recognizes the next generation of great research scientists. Home to the Golden Eagles, USM competes in 17 Division I sports sponsored by the National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA). For more information, visit www.usm.edu.

As an Affirmative Action/Equal Employment Opportunity employer/Americans with Disabilities Act institution, The University of Southern Mississippi encourages minorities, women, veterans and persons with disabilities to apply.