Director of Advising at Florence-Darlington Technical College (SC) – Florence, South Carolina

General Responsibilities:

The Director of Advising provides strategic leadership, vision, and operational oversight for the Academic & Career Advising Center. This role is responsible for designing, implementing, and evaluating a college-wide advising model that supports all students—new, continuing, transfer, adult learners, and undecided majors—through holistic, equity-minded academic and career guidance. The Director serves as the institutional leader for advising outcomes and plays a critical role in advancing Florence-Darlington Technical College’s student reform agenda for centralized advising at FDTC.

Job Functions:

•Serve as the institutional lead for academic and career advising strategy and student success outcomes. Completes annual updates to the advising model, ensuring alignment with institutional strategic goals.

•Ensures 100% of programs have updated, accurate academic pathways for advisor use.

•Executes at least 2–3 major process improvements per year (onboarding workflow, early alert process, advising communication plan, etc.).

• Receives positive feedback (=85%) from Academic Affairs, Enrollment Services, and Student Services regarding advising alignment and collaboration.

• Achieves at least 90% of annual departmental goals set with the Dean of Enrollment Services.

• Advising Center procedures, manuals, and FAQs updated annually and disseminated campus-wide.

•FERPA and institutional compliance maintained with zero violations.

• Completes evaluations and development plans for 100% of advising staff on time.

• Ensures all advisors meet annual professional development goals and complete required training modules (target 100%).

•Reduces staff turnover and improves advising team engagement scores (target improvement =10% year over year).

• At least 90% of advisors meet or exceed performance expectations in core advising competencies (holistic advising, documentation, early alerts).

•Staff scheduling and caseload distribution optimized so that wait times for advising decrease by 15–20% during peak periods.

•Ensures 100% of advisors regularly use all required technologies (degree audit, CRM, early alert, scheduling).

• Leads at least one major system enhancement or workflow optimization per year (e.g., improved advising notes, scheduling automation).

• Achieves target for students completing education plans (e.g., 80% for new students, 95% for completers).

• First-to-second semester retention improves by 3–5%, with progress toward closing equity gaps.

• Advising team achieves outreach goals (e.g., 100% outreach to probation students, 85% outreach to Early Alert students).

• Increase in the percentage of full-time students completing 15+ credits per semester and part-time students completing 6+ credits.

• Advising satisfaction improves to =85% on surveys or feedback forms.

• Ensures accurate documentation and processes meet internal audit standards.

• Establishes or improves at least 3 new collaborative processes (e.g., faculty handoff system, Career Services referrals, Financial Aid alignment).

• Actively contributes to enrollment, retention, and Guided Pathways committees with documented action items and follow-through.

•Receives positive faculty feedback (=85%) regarding clarity of advising roles, communication, and support tools.

• Reduces barriers in the student onboarding process, measured by fewer incomplete applications, fewer advising bottlenecks, and improved student readiness.

•Implements consistent advising communication flow (email, text, CRM campaigns) for 100% of key milestones (registration, deadlines, alerts.

• Produces accurate advising reports each term with 100% on-time delivery.
•Uses data to identify at-risk populations and deploys at least 2 targeted interventions per semester.
•Advising documentation meets standards (95% accuracy/completeness in system audits).
•KPI Tracking: Tracks and reports on KPIs (retention, probation recovery, advising volume, equity gaps). Shows measurable improvements in at least half of the tracked areas annually.
•Survey Implementation: Conducts at least one advising effectiveness survey per semester and uses results to drive improvements.
Minimum Requirement:

Bachelor's degree and experience in student services programs.

Preferred Requirements:

Master's degree in education, counseling, student services, higher education administration, or related field with three to five years of progressive experience in academic advising, student support, or enrollment management. Supervisory experience with professional staff. Strong understanding of advising best practices, Guided Pathways, and student development theory. Candidate should possess strong leadership, communication, and organizational skills, with the ability to service and develop advising staff; analyze student success data, and implement advising models that support diverse student population. Proficiency in student information systems, CRM platforms, and data-informed decision-making is essentials. Ability to collaborate effectively with academic affairs, enrollment services, and student support offices while maintaining compliance with FERPA and other applicable regulations. Advising certifications (e.g., NACADA) and prior leadership experience in academic advising or student success are highly desirable.
Anticipated Work Hours:

Monday - Thursday, 8:00 am - 5:30 pm, Friday, 8:00 am - 11:30 am. This position may require some travel and occasional work on evenings or weekends.

How to Apply:

Please complete the State application to include current and previous work history and education. A resume' may be attached, but not substituted for completing work history and education sections of the application. Please upload copies of all College transcripts with your application and resume'. Florence-Darlington Technical College, P.O. Box 100548, Florence, SC 29502-0548. EOE/AA/ADA/M/F/D/V are encouraged to apply.

To claim Veteran’s Preference, all eligible persons must select their veteran’s status on the application and submit a DD Form 214. Certificate of Release or Discharge from Active Duty upon request and prior to an interview. Persons claiming veteran status without accompanying documentation (DD Form 214) shall not receive preference. “Veteran” means a person who served in any branch of the United States Armed Forces on active duty, for reasons other than training, and was discharged under honorable conditions.

Classification:

Full-time permanent Position #61162707 Legacy #149626 CB75 - Band 6 (Higher Education)