Associate Director Academic Advising

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Faculty of Science

SOUSA - Student Office for Undergraduate Advising

Summary:

Reporting to the Associate Dean, Student Affairs, the Associate Director Academic Advising provides senior-level leadership for undergraduate academic advising within the Science Office of Undergraduate Student Advising (SOUSA), serving as a partner to the Associate Director, Student Affairs. The role oversees a team of Faculty Advisors, supporting over 8000+ B.Sc. and B.A. & Sc. students, and drives the development, implementation, and continuous improvement of advising practices, standards, and service delivery models to support academic success and degree progression.

The Associate Director Academic Advising will ensure collaboration between SOUSA, departmental advisors and central university offices to promote consistency in academic policy interpretation and ensure alignment with University and Faculty regulations. As the senior academic advisor within SOUSA, the role reviews complex and high-risk academic cases, exercises independent decision-making within delegated authority, and escalates issues to the Associate Dean when required.

The Associate Director Academic Advising also serves as a voting member on academic committees, contributing to academic policy development, preparing proposals, consulting with stakeholders, and guiding changes through Faculty and University governance structures. By leading advising policies and protocols, the role protects program integrity, supports equitable student outcomes, and ensures compliance with institutional standards.

Primary Responsibilities:

Policy Governance & Academic Standards

• Leads undergraduate advising activities within SOUSA, providing senior-level leadership and direction in partnership with the Associate Director, Student Affairs, to align priorities and practices across SOUSA.

• Develops and implements policies and new initiatives that support the Faculty’s direction in the B.Sc. and B.A. & Sc. degrees, ensuring alignment with Senate‑approved regulations and institutional academic standards.

• Responsible for identifying gaps, conflicts, or ambiguities in B.Sc. and B.A. & Sc. academic policies, and for collaborating with departments to resolve program-level issues.  Creates and prepares proposals for degree-level changes with Faculty-wide implications for formal approval.

• Responsible for translating academic regulations, degree requirements, and policy interpretations into practical advising processes, while ensuring accuracy, consistency, and compliance with academic rules.

• Partners with the Student Wellness Hub and Faculty Advisors to identify and respond to emerging student mental health needs, supporting awareness, prevention, and early intervention efforts across the Faculty.

Advising Leadership & Case Resolution

• Leads a team of Faculty Advisors and provides senior-level leadership in academic advising, including performance management, professional development, and guidance on complex cases.

• Leads the development and implementation of advising practices within SOUSA, works with Science departments to advance best practices and advise on University and Faculty policy and compliance requirements.

• Exercises delegated authority to review and decide on petitions, appeals, and special academic requests, including high-risk cases that affect academic policy and degree integrity.

• Develops tools and processes to document and communicate academic policies and advising practices, ensuring clarity, consistency, and adherence to established standards.

• Responsible for the degree evaluation and graduation process for B.Sc. and B.A. & Sc. students, ensuring accurate academic decisions, university compliance, and timely completion of requirements.

• Partners with the Associate Dean to resolve complex student cases and academic appeals by applying expert judgment, identifying policy implications, and recommending solutions that ensure equitable and consistent decisions.

• Provides senior-level advising expertise to students across Med P, Dent P, B.Sc., and B.A. & Sc. degrees, escalating matters to the Associate Dean when appropriate.

• Provides specialized academic advising for a small number of students with complex needs or challenging circumstances, including incoming B.Sc. exchange students.

Collaboration Liaison & Alignment

• Fosters a collaborative advising environment by promoting clear communication and feedback processes within SOUSA and in collaboration with Science departments.

• Supports and leads advisors by sharing policy updates, promoting consistent practices, and aligning student record processes with Faculty objectives.

• Acts as a liaison between SOUSA, departments, and central university offices (e.g., Enrolment Services), ensuring consistent application of advising and student record policies, and representing the Associate Dean in academic decision-making forums and Faculty committees.

• Liaises with the Faculties of Medicine and Dentistry (including Gatineau Campus) with regards to Med-P and Dent-P students.

Staff Leadership, Development & Human Resources

• Manages a team of Faculty Advisors and provides opportunities for professional development to help staff perform in their current roles.

• Responsible for identifying the staffing needs of the unit and to establish the best staff complement to deal with a diverse student body consisting of approximately 8000+ students. Participate in drafting job descriptions, recruitment, training and the onboarding processes for new staff.

• Conducts annual performance dialogues and assessments of managerial staff. Provides and ensures new employees receive training and ongoing professional development.

Your Qualifications:

• Education: Undergraduate degree; Science related field is an asset.

• Experience: Extensive experience in academic advising within a post-secondary institution, with demonstrated leadership in mentoring and guiding advising teams.

Your Key Strengths:

• Bilingual; excellent verbal and written communication skills, in both English and French.

• In-depth knowledge of academic policies, degree requirements, and student records management, particularly for science-based undergraduate programs.

• Strong interpersonal and communication skills to foster collaboration across departments and central university offices.

• Proven ability to interpret and apply academic regulations in complex or exceptional student cases.

• Experience with student information systems and data integrity practices (Banner/Minerva SIS).

• Strategic thinking and project coordination skills, with a focus on improving advising services and student experience.

• Ability to lead training and professional development initiatives for advisors across the faculty.

• Commitment to equity, consistency, and fairness in student advising and policy application.

• Capacity to manage sensitive student situations with discretion, empathy, and sound judgment.

As one of Montreal's Top Employers, here is what we offer:

• Competitive benefits package (Health, Dental, Life Insurance) (if eligible)

• Defined contribution pension plan (with employer contribution up to 10%) (if eligible)

• Group Registered Retirement Savings Plan (RRSP) and Tax Free Savings Account (TFSA)

• Competitive vacation policy

• Two (2) personal days

• Two (2) floating holidays

• Nine (9) "Summer Fridays" - paid days off between the St-Jean Baptiste holiday and Labour Day

• Paid time off over the December holiday period

• Tuition waiver for regular employees and their dependents

• Up to two (2) days of remote work per week where the position permits

Before applying, please note that to work at McGill University, you must be both authorized to work in Canada and willing to work in the province of Quebec at the campus where the position is based / located.

Knowledge of English: McGill University is an English-language university where day to day duties may require English communication both verbally and in writing. The level of English required for this position has been assessed at a level #4 (qualifier) on a scale of 0-4.

For a definition of our language proficiency levels, please click here.

Minimum Education and Experience:

Bachelor's Degree 5 Years Related Experience with Bachelor’s Degree /

Annual Salary:

(MPEX Grade 07) $90,170.00 - $112,710.00 - $135,250.00

Job Profile:

MPEX-SAF3D - Student Affairs - Senior Professional/Manager

Hours per Week:

33.75 (Full time)

Supervisor:

Associate Professor

Position End Date (If applicable):

Deadline to Apply:

2026-04-01

McGill University hires on the basis of merit and is strongly committed to equity and diversity within its community. We welcome applications from racialized persons/visible minorities, women, Indigenous persons, persons with disabilities, ethnic minorities, and persons of minority sexual orientations and gender identities, as well as from all qualified candidates with the skills and knowledge to productively engage with diverse communities. McGill implements an employment equity program and encourages members of designated groups to self-identify. Persons with disabilities who anticipate needing accommodations for any part of the application process may contact, in confidence, [email protected].