Academic Advisor

Simon Fraser University • Burnaby, BC

19h • Hybrid

About The Position

The Academic Advisor plays a key role in supporting undergraduate student success by providing accurate, developmental, and personally relevant academic advising. Working closely with students from diverse backgrounds and circumstances, the advisor helps students interpret academic requirements and university policies, develop action-oriented academic plans, and connect their learning to longer term educational and career pathways. The role is central to supporting students in transition, and students experiencing academic difficulty, including participation in structured retention initiatives such as Back on Track. This position contributes directly to SFUs retention and student success priorities while collaborating with campus partners across advising, student support, and academic units in a dynamic, student-focused environment.
The ideal candidate is a student-centred professional with strong judgment, empathy, and a commitment to developmental advising. They bring excellent communication and interpersonal skills, confidence interpreting academic policies, and the ability to support students navigating complex personal and academic situations. Successful candidates are collaborative, detail-oriented, and comfortable working both independently and within a team. They demonstrate intercultural competence, professionalism in handling confidential information, and a passion for supporting student success, equity, and belonging in a post-secondary environment.

Requirements

• Bachelor's Degree and three years of related experience which includes staff supervision and training or an acceptable combination of education, training and experience.
• Strong knowledge of best practices in academic advising and student development theory.
• In depth understanding of post-secondary regulations, academic requirements, and university policies.
• Excellent interpersonal, communication, and conflict resolution skills.
• Demonstrated intercultural competence, including understanding of reconciliation and Indigenous ways of knowing.
• Experience supporting students in academic difficulty and complex personal situations.

Responsibilities

• Support undergraduate student success by providing accurate, developmental, and personally relevant academic advising.
• Help students interpret academic requirements and university policies.
• Develop action-oriented academic plans.
• Connect student learning to longer term educational and career pathways.
• Support students in transition and students experiencing academic difficulty, including participation in structured retention initiatives.
• Collaborate with campus partners across advising, student support, and academic units.

Benefits

• 4 weeks’ vacation (prorated for the first year)
• Hybrid-work program for eligible positions
• Employer paid defined benefit pension plan
• On-campus tuition waiver for employees and their immediate family members
• Off-campus tuition reimbursements and professional development funds

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Mid Level