Job Description:

About the Department of Academic Advising

While the Academic Advisor reports centrally through the Manager, Academic Advising, they work in collaboration with their assigned Faculty to ensure their 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 Academic Advisor 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.

About the Role

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. Advisors must be knowledgeable about all aspects of University programs, policies, procedures, services, dates and deadlines related to a student’s academic journey. Advisors engage in proactive, holistic, and inclusive advising practices that reflect professional standards and contribute to a consistent advising experience across the University. Advisors are expected to work independently, exercise sound judgment, and demonstrate personal accountability to deliver highly effective academic advising. Professional development is encouraged through regular participation and attendance in team meetings and campus advising meetings. Membership in NACADA - the Global Community for Academic Advising and/or the Canadian Association of College and University Student Services (CACUSS) is encouraged and the incumbent is expected to adhere to those Professional Advising Standards.

Responsibilities

Advising Students (75%)

The majority of an advisor’s time will be spent advising students in their Faculty, as well as prospective students currently in other MRU programs. Advising may occur through one-on-one appointments, group sessions, distance delivery, or the creation and maintenance of self-directed student resources. Special student populations have multiple, and sometimes competing, needs that add complexity to advising conversations. In any setting, the advisor must establish rapport, accessibility/boundaries, and confidence in the relationship. Academic advising is a developmental process that plays a critical role in student retention and success. Through proactive, student-centered conversations, advisors empower students to make meaningful decisions, build personalized academic plans, and approach their education with clarity and confidence. To effectively advise students, the advisor must engage in a number of tasks, which may include:

• Deliver proactive, developmental advising that supports student retention and success.
• Provide a wide scope of developmental advising and using different approaches support students through admissions, program selection, degree requirements and graduation.
• Establish rapport and trust through active listening, appropriate questioning, and supportive relationship-building.
• Help students clarify their academic, personal, and career goals and build personalized educational plans.
• Support student decision-making through guided exploration of alternatives, evaluating trade-offs and possible consequences.
• Use developmental advising strategies tailored to the needs of each student, incorporating a holistic and learner-centered approach.
• Assist students in understanding and navigating institutional policies, procedures, and graduation requirements.
• Teach students how to access and interpret key advising tools (e.g., mruGradU8, program planning guides, academic calendar, MRU website).
• Perform degree audits and monitor academic progress with a focus on proactive measures.
• Identify and proactively follow up with students at critical points in their academic journey (e.g., new students, those in difficulty, nearing graduation).
• Problem-solve unique and complex student situations (e.g., curriculum transitions, reinstatement, graduation exceptions) and recommend appropriate actions.
• Refer students to campus supports and services (e.g., Access and Inclusion Services, Student Learning Services, Financial Aid, Wellness) to address barriers to success.
• Maintain a deep and current understanding of academic programs, admission requirements, and curriculum structures.
• Maintain a collaborative relationship with the faculty and administrators within their Faculty to ensure seamless support to students, limit negative implications of curriculum changes, and to observe opportunities to enhance academic programs.
• Interpret and communicate complex curricular changes, prerequisites, and program pathways.
• Keep current with important dates and deadlines related to registration, fees, academic standing, and progression.
• Maintain accurate advising records in institutional systems, with an understanding of best practices and ATIA and POPA requirements.
• Support co-curricular and experiential learning by promoting student involvement in research, campus engagement, and career development opportunities.
• Provide accurate and timely information to students, faculty, and staff.
• Guide students in developing help-seeking behaviours, resilience, and self-advocacy.
• Collaborate with Faculty and campus partners to coordinate support and promote student success.
• Participate in institutional events (e.g. orientation), and develop effective tools for outreach (e.g., targeted student communication).

Professional Practice and Continuous Learning (15%)

Advisors are expected to manage themselves with professionalism, clarity, and care. This includes setting and maintaining appropriate boundaries, cultivating habits that support personal well-being, and building the resilience required to navigate emotionally complex work. Advisors are responsible for their own self-awareness and for taking steps to sustain their energy, focus, and capacity to support students effectively. While they do not hold formal leadership roles, their daily actions contribute significantly to the tone, culture, and impact of the advising environment. Advisors are also expected to take ownership of their professional practice—actively engaging in continuous learning, reflecting on their approach to advising, and contributing to improvements in advising services that benefit both individual students and the broader advising community.

• Stay informed of best practices in academic advising and contribute to the continuous improvement of advising services.
• Actively engage in professional development activities to strengthen knowledge of advising theory, policy, and practice.
• Identify common student concerns, emerging themes, and curriculum-related questions and bring forward observations that can inform continuous improvement.
• Provide thoughtful input on curriculum development and implementation from the student lens, including rollout considerations and advising implications.
• Contribute to the consistency and quality of advising services by reviewing and enhancing student-facing tools, resources, and communication materials.
• Perform degree audits and monitor academic progress with a focus on proactive measures.
• Identify and proactively follow up with students at critical points in their academic journey (e.g., new students, those in difficulty, nearing graduation).
• Participate in advising team meetings, institutional training, and other relevant activities to promote shared learning and collaboration.
• Demonstrate personal accountability, self-awareness, and a proactive approach to professional growth and personal well-being.

Administrative Responsibilities (10%)

• Maintain accurate advising notes and records in university systems, understanding ATIA and POPA regulations and best practices for record keeping.

• Engage with student inquiries across multiple channels (email, phone, drop-in) with a focus on timely, accurate, and student-centred communication that reflects advising best practices and builds trust.

• Review scheduling systems to ensure advising services are accessible, well-organized, and responsive to student demand.

• Support communication strategies by developing proactive, student-centred outreach messages that align with advising priorities, promote engagement, and reflect institutional tone and values.

• Assist with reporting, data collection, and documentation to support advising operations.

• Monitor student activity, trends, and feedback to identify opportunities to improve services, systems, and supports.

• Contribute to the culture of continuous improvement by engaging in reflection, innovation, and accountability.

• Test and validate advising-related systems and software following institutional upgrades (e.g., Banner), ensuring updates function as expected and identifying any discrepancies or unintended consequences.

• Take ownership for advising outcomes, ensuring you take full responsibility for the accuracy of information you share, the quality of your work, and the students you support—regardless of a student's program status or stage in their academic journey.

Qualifications

• Three or four year Bachelor Degree or equivalent.

• 2 - 3 years related experience in a post-secondary environment is strongly preferred, although it is required that that experience includes working with clients on a one-to-one basis.

• Understanding and familiarity with Student Services, specifically Admissions and Recruitment, Academic Advising, Transfer Credit, Credit Registration, and Records is extremely valuable.

• Consulting skills - able to research, analyze, resolve and recommend solutions, innovations, or opportunities.

• Communication - must have excellent communication (oral and written) and presentation skills, specifically pertaining to the motivation of young adults and life-long learning, as well as active listening and questioning skills.

• Problem-solving skills - the nature of the advising relationship requires that the incumbent be able to solve complex problems and provide solutions.

• Customer/student service and professionalism - superior skills required in customer service and/or working with the public.

• Ability to work cooperatively in a variety of settings, exercising tact, diplomacy, confidentiality (ATIA and POPA), patience, and the ability to manage stress in all of these settings.

• Organization - must be well-organized, able to meet deadlines, and work under pressure.

• Computer literacy - must possess a strong knowledge of Microsoft Office and Google. A familiarity with degree audit systems and Banner is an asset.

• Knowledge of post-secondary environments, especially within the Canadian context.

• Ability to use sound judgment in making decisions and to work independently.

• Awareness of matters pertaining to disability, race, colour, gender, religion, ancestry, gender expression, family status, and sexual orientation.

• Advisors are often in a position where they are required to respond to political and/or philosophical issues concerning Mount Royal University or education in general in a public forum (e.g. group advising workshops or Open House).

• The image of the University in the community is often a reflection of those representing the University at various functions, including group Advising workshops and Open House. It is essential, therefore, that the incumbent always presents a professional and informed image.

• It is also essential for the incumbent to present an equally professional image to the University community, to be personable, and to display tact and flexibility to the various departments within the University.

• The incumbent is required to keep up to date on academic programs, graduation procedures, University admission policies, physical resources, services, and facilities.

Salary: $59,386.60 - $75,147.80 per annum

Closing Date: April 15, 2026