Manager of Graduate and Seminary Academic Advising in Saint Paul, Minnesota at Bethel University

About Bethel University

Bethel University is a leader in Christ-centered higher education with approximately 4,700 students from 50 states and 32 countries enrolled in undergraduate, graduate, seminary, and adult education programs. Based in St. Paul, Minnesota, Bethel offers bachelor's and advanced degrees in nearly 100 fields. Educationally excellent classroom-based and online programs equip graduates to make exceptional contributions in life-long service to God and the world.

Bethel University’s Christ-centered mission includes a commitment to equal educational opportunity and equal employment opportunity. Bethel does not unlawfully discriminate on the basis of race, color, creed, national origin, sex, marital status, disability, status with regard to public assistance, familial status, or age in its admissions, educational programs, or employment practices.

Position Overview

Our Manager of Graduate and Seminary Academic Advising leads a team of dedicated advisors while helping shape an advising experience that is proactive, collaborative, and focused on student success.

This role is ideal for an experienced professional who enjoys developing people, improving systems, and bringing others together around a shared purpose. You’ll coach and equip a team of Advising Specialists as they support students through important academic decisions and transitions. You’ll also have a meaningful voice in how advising evolves—using data, retention research, and creative problem-solving to strengthen practices, simplify processes, and better serve students.

Collaboration is at the heart of this position. You’ll build trusted partnerships with Program Directors, faculty, and colleagues across the university, helping navigate complex academic questions and find solutions that work across departments. You’ll bring curiosity, sound judgment, and a steady presence to conversations where perspectives may differ, keeping the focus on what matters most: creating pathways for students to thrive.

While this is a leadership role, you’ll remain connected to students through a caseload of your own and by serving as a resource for more complex student situations. You’ll have the opportunity to influence both the day-to-day experience of students and the larger systems that support their persistence and completion.

At Bethel, we believe education is about more than earning a degree—it’s about preparing students to live lives of leadership, purpose, and impact. If you’re energized by developing people, strengthening partnerships, and building an advising program where both students and staff can flourish, we’d love to hear from you.

The starting salary for this position is $55,100 to $61,000 annually. This is an in-person role located in Arden Hills, MN.

Primary Responsibilities

Strategy, Assessment and Development 35%

• Strategic Planning: Contribute to the broader advising unit’s strategic plan and lead all work specific to the unit.
• Metrics & Assessment: Track unit goals and oversee the compilation of data regarding student-advisor interactions, advisor performance, and student persistence.
• Retention Research: Implement best practices and align unit policies with current research on student retention, completion, and change management.
• Resource Management: Grow and maintain advising resources specific to student needs while contributing to the department’s general resource library.

Team Leadership and Development 30%

• Supervision & Growth: Supervise, hire, train, and mentor a team of Advising Specialists; and conduct performance evaluations.
• Culture & Development: Build a cohesive unit culture and lead the planning and execution of professional development initiatives for staff.
• Continuous Improvement: Stay current on innovative advising strategies and higher education developments to apply directly to student interactions.

Unified Institutional Engagement and Communication 20%

• Program Liaison: Act as a primary resource for Program Directors and Department Chairs, supporting them and Advising Specialists with complex academic policy questions.
• Cross-Functional Collaboration: Partner with the Registrar, Director of Early College, Career Development, Admissions, and Faculty on special projects and student services.
• Recruitment: Direct the unit's involvement in university-wide recruitment efforts and represent the advising department in ad hoc committee meetings.
• Communication Oversight: Manage all communication streams tailored specifically to the unit.

Direct Student Support (Caseload) 15%

• Advising Excellence: Maintain a caseload performing all duties of an Advising Specialist, including degree planning and proactive outreach
• Escalation Support: Serve as the second-tier point of contact for complex learner concerns and interdepartmental alignment challenges.

Required Skills & Qualifications

Education: Master’s degree required

Experience: : 5+ years in academic advising or higher education administration, with at least 2 years in a supervisory or lead capacity.

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities

• Proven leadership and people-development skills, with the ability to coach, mentor, develop, and hold advising staff accountable while fostering a positive and collaborative team culture.
• Exceptional interpersonal and communication skills, with the ability to build trust, navigate differing perspectives, and communicate effectively with students, faculty, administrators, and staff across the University.
• Strategic and analytical thinking, with the ability to use data, assessment, and research to identify trends, evaluate effectiveness, and improve advising practices and student outcomes.
• Strong problem-solving and decision-making skills, with the ability to navigate complex situations, interpret policies, exercise sound judgment, and develop effective solutions.
• Ability to lead through change and ambiguity, with the initiative and adaptability to move work forward when circumstances, priorities, or processes are evolving.
• Strong organizational and project management skills, with the ability to balance strategic initiatives, team leadership, institutional partnerships, and a student caseload while maintaining quality and follow-through.
• Commitment to student-centered service and continuous improvement, with a proactive approach to identifying needs, strengthening processes, and creating an excellent advising experience.
• Knowledge of academic advising and student success practices, including retention, persistence, degree planning, and the needs of undergraduate, early college, and online learners.

Bethel is committed to offering meaningful benefits to our employees including health insurance, retirement plans, and a generous time off package. Learn more about these offerings here.

Learn more about our commitment to diversity in hiring .

Applicants must be authorized to work in the U.S. We are unable to sponsor or take over sponsorship of an employment Visa at this time