Career Center

The Executive Director serves as the Chief Executive Officer of NACADA: The Global Community for Academic Advising, a not-for-profit professional association for academic advisors, advising administrators, and others in higher education. The Executive Director works closely with the President and Board of Directors in advancing the Association. In concert with the Senior Associate Director and Associate Directors, the Executive Director leads the Executive Office in implementing the strategic plan of the Association and in providing global member services through the development and implementation of programs, services, and international initiatives. The Executive Director is responsible for membership development and the overall financial management of the Association. Global travel is required as the Executive Director supports strategic partnerships. The Executive Director reports to the Kansas State University (K-State) Dean of the College of Education who is the liaison to NACADA for the contract management of the Association.

The Executive Director represents the Association to external constituencies, promoting effective academic advising as integral to higher education and its value in contributing to student success. The Executive Director develops and delivers appropriate presentations for various audiences to increase awareness of the value of effective academic advising to institutions as they strive to enhance student development. Travel is required to represent the association to various stakeholders and to support global collaborators and partnerships. In this role, the Executive Director has a particular focus on developing effective collaborative relationships with other higher education organizations including those for administrators, faculty, and academic specialties.

The Executive Director provides leadership for global partnership development. They work with the Associate Director for Partnerships to identify and strategically engage other entities for program cooperation, collaboration, or shared resource development to further awareness of the importance of academic advising and promote membership in NACADA.

NACADA generates all funding required to operate the Association through revenues from its conferences, institutes, consulting services, publications, and other professional programs and offerings. The Executive Director is responsible not only for these year-round operating funds but also for external funding development. In this role, they identify and develop viable proposals for external funding for ongoing and new initiatives of the Association. They also identify potential funding agencies and foundations and actively cultivate relationships to secure funding for Association initiatives.

The Executive Director provides leadership for program development for NACADA’s global membership. They must be constantly aware of and responsive to member needs and how the Association might best fulfill those needs. The Executive Director works with the Associate Director for Programs to facilitate the development of viable programs to meet member needs in innovative, creative, and efficient ways and supervises the operation of the NACADA Center for Research.

The Executive Director is responsible for ensuring that the professional academic advising needs of all constituents are addressed by identifying the unique needs of each and proposing how NACADA can address their needs and assist them professionally. They are responsible for facilitating membership growth in all constituent groups.

The Executive Director works closely with the NACADA Board of Directors and Council members to orient them to their roles, to keep them informed, and to support their informational needs to facilitate their decision-making in support of NACADA’s strategic goals. They maintain a close and positive working relationship with the President as the connection between the Board and K-State. The Executive Director assists with development of meeting agendas and the scheduling of meetings. The Executive Director, in accordance with NACADA By-laws, serves as an ex-officio member of the NACADA Board of Directors.

The Executive Director consistently and regularly updates the Association’s Strategic Plan by guiding the Board in its continuous review and updating. Being constantly cognizant of the changing higher education landscape globally, the Executive Director advises the Board on issues that will likely affect the Association so that proactive strategies can be developed.

The Executive Director oversees the preparation of an annual Association budget and presentation to the Finance Committee and Board for approval. The Executive Director is responsible for financial oversight and sustainability of the Association. The Executive Director has prepared regular financial reports for the Board and has an annual report developed for presentation to the membership at large. They monitor all NACADA financial accounts and maximize return on investments within current policy guidelines. The Executive Director submits annual IRS and state reports and arranges for annual Association outside financial audits. The Executive Director is responsible for the preparation and presentation of complete meeting minutes for Board and Council approval and ensures their dissemination and archiving.

The Executive Director ensures that the Association is properly covered against risk by ensuring the reviewing and securing of adequate insurance coverage, planning for safe keeping of member records and personal information, adequately planning for impending disasters and their recovery, and being cognizant of potential legal liabilities and their mitigation. The Executive Director serves as the communication link between the Association and the K-State Dean of the College of Education. They work with the Dean on issues relative to space and personnel and consult with the Dean as needed for the day-to-day oversight of the Association. The Executive Director ensures that personnel needs are met in accordance with the K-State human resources system and that Executive Office operations function effectively in accordance with K-State guidelines. The Executive Director also serves as a liaison to the Department of Special Education, Counseling, and Student Affairs and supports the academic advising certificate, master’s degree, and doctoral degree programs. Teaching as a non-tenure track faculty member in the K-State academic advising programs is an option for those who are interested and qualified; teaching rank will be determined based on experience.

Minimum Qualifications: Doctoral degree in applicable field; five years or more in related leadership positions with increasing levels of responsibility; commitment to diversity, inclusion, equity, and social justice and an understanding and demonstration of intercultural humility through effective written and oral communication and interactions with people across cultures; involvement in a higher education or relevant educational association;  experience in academic advising and/or advising administration; demonstrated expertise in program management; demonstrated experience in financial management; demonstrated skills in supervision and human resource management. Global travel is required. Applicants must be currently authorized to work in the United States at the time of employment.

Preferred Qualifications: Sustained, positive and forward-looking involvement in NACADA; 10 years or more in related leadership positions with increasing levels of responsibility; executive leadership experience with a growing member-based, professional association; experience working with volunteers and volunteer leaders. Global travel is required. Applicants must be currently authorized to work in the United States at the time of employment.