Associate Dean, Director of Academic and Career Coaching

About SAIC

For more than 150 years, the School of the Art Institute of Chicago (SAIC) has been a leader in educating the world’s most influential artists, designers and scholars. Located in downtown Chicago with a fine arts graduate program consistently ranking among the top four graduate fine arts programs in the nation by U.S. News and World Report, SAIC provides an interdisciplinary approach to art and design as well as world-class resources, including the Art Institute of Chicago Museum, on-campus galleries and state-of-the-art facilities. SAIC’s undergraduate, graduate and post-baccalaureate students have the freedom to take risks and create the bold ideas that transform Chicago and the world—as seen through notable alumni and faculty such as Michelle Grabner, David Sedaris, Elizabeth Murray, Richard Hunt, Georgia O’Keeffe, Cynthia Rowley, Nick Cave, and LeRoy Neiman.

About the Department

SAIC is reimagining how we support students across the full arc of their academic and professional journey. Through the restructuring of Academic Advising, Career and Professional Experience, and Student Success, three interconnected functional areas of First Year Student Success, Academic & Career Coaching, and Employer Partnerships & Internships will create a more integrated, intentional, and forward-looking approach to student success.

Academic & Career Coaching connects students’ academic experiences with their evolving career aspirations through a comprehensive, year-by-year coaching model for second through fourth+ year students and alumni. The area integrates academic planning and career development to help students make intentional decisions, remain on track toward degree completion, build career readiness, and develop a clear sense of direction for their futures.

Position Summary

The Associate Dean, Director of Academic and Career Coaching provides strategic leadership for academic and career coaching initiatives serving second through fourth+ year students and alumni. The position oversees staff, programs, and policies that shape the development and implementation of strategies of a coordinated coaching model that connects academic planning with career development and strengthens students’ pathways toward completion and professional success. Through data-informed leadership and cross-functional partnership, particularly with First Year Student Success  and Employer Partnerships and Internships, the position advances clear success markers, strengthens academic and career guidance, and ensures students and alumni have the support and resources needed to navigate their academic and professional journeys.

Responsibilities

• Provides leadership and strategic direction for academic and career coaching for second- through fourth+ year students and alum.


• Oversees hiring, training, supervision, and evaluation of coaching staff to ensure high-quality, student-centered services


• Develops, implements, and assesses departmental policies, procedures, and initiatives while contributing to institutional policy development


• Collaborates with the Director, Associate Dean of First Year Student Success to ensure alignment across the student lifecycle


• Leads initiatives to improve retention, persistence, and six-year graduation rates, including targeted support for at-risk students


• Oversees the student affairs side of the academic misconduct procedures


• Oversees academic and career coaching budget and resource allocation


• Partners with the Director, Associate Dean of Employer Engagement and Programming to enhance academic and career programming and resources


• Uses data, assessment, and reporting tools to evaluate effectiveness and inform strategic planning and continuous improvement


• Oversees systems for advising and career outcomes, including tracking student engagement and success metrics


• Ensures coordinated services that support academic progress, career readiness, and post-graduate outcomes, including strong academic departmental connections and collaborations


• Serves as a liaison across Student Affairs, Academic Affairs, and other stakeholders to promote integrated student support


• Represents the department on committees and initiatives related to student success, retention, and academic policy; stays current on trends and best practices


• Participates in Dean on-call rotation

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in student affairs, counseling, or a related field, Masters preferred.


• Minimum of 7–10 years of progressively responsible experience in higher education or student affairs, with an emphasis specifically on academic and career advising or coaching


• Demonstrated experience in academic and career advising or coaching and student success initiatives required


• Supervisory and leadership experience required


• Experience with student retention strategies, program assessment, and policy development strongly preferred


• Strong leadership and team management skills, with the ability to supervise, mentor, and develop staff


• Deep understanding of academic advising, career development theory, and student success best practices


• Demonstrated ability to develop and implement strategic initiatives and assess outcomes using data-informed approaches


• Excellent interpersonal, communication, and collaboration skills, with the ability to work effectively across diverse constituencies


•  Ability to manage complex student issues, including academic challenges and conduct processes, with sound judgment and discretion


•  Strong organizational and project management skills, with the ability to prioritize multiple initiatives in a fast-paced environment


• Experience with student information systems, advising technologies, and data reporting tools


•  Commitment to equity, inclusion, and supporting a diverse student population


•  Ability to think strategically while also managing operational details effectively

Compensation & Benefits

Please click on the links below to view our competitive, comprehensive benefits package:  

•  Hiring Range

The expected hiring range is an estimated amount for positions based on the grade. Final offers are based on various factors, including skill set, experience, qualifications and other job-related reasons. 

• Benefits          


• PTO Overview 


• Job Classification: Exempt 


• Employment Category: Full Time Staff


• Grade Level: 10

If you are accessing this listing from a third party, not all links to salary and benefits information may work. Please visit our career page at saic/artic.edu/employment for complete information

Application Instructions

Please submit your resume and cover letter to be considered for this position.

Accessibility

If you are a job seeker with a disability and require a reasonable accommodation to apply for one of our jobs, you will find the contact information to request the appropriate accommodation by visiting the following page:

Accessibility Accommodation for Applicants

Equal Opportunity Statement

The Art Institute of Chicago is an Equal Opportunity Employer that recruits, hires and promotes qualified individuals compliant with federal and state laws. If reasonable accommodation is needed to participate in the job application or interview process, please contact the Department of Human Resources at  [email protected].