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How much do academic director jobs pay per year?

As of Jul 8, 2026, the average yearly pay for academic director in the United States is $86,087.00, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $63,000.00 and $102,500.00 per year, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive as an Academic Director, and why are they important?

To thrive as an Academic Director, you need extensive experience in educational leadership, curriculum development, and a relevant advanced degree such as a Master's or Doctorate in education or a related field. Familiarity with learning management systems (LMS), data analysis tools, and accreditation standards is typically required. Strong leadership, strategic planning, and interpersonal communication skills help drive academic initiatives and foster collaboration among faculty and staff. These competencies are crucial for ensuring academic excellence, institutional compliance, and a positive learning environment.

What is an Academic Director?

An Academic Director is a senior administrator responsible for overseeing the academic programs and curricula within an educational institution or department. Their duties typically include developing and evaluating academic policies, supervising faculty, ensuring academic standards are met, and supporting student success. They often collaborate with other administrators, manage budgets, and may be involved in hiring or training academic staff. The goal of an Academic Director is to enhance the quality of education and maintain the institution's academic reputation.

What is the difference between Academic Director vs Academic Coordinator?

AspectAcademic DirectorAcademic Coordinator
Required CredentialsMaster's or Doctorate in Education or related field, leadership experienceBachelor's or Master's degree, organizational skills
Work EnvironmentStrategic planning, overseeing multiple programs, leadership rolesAdministrative support, program coordination, day-to-day operations
Employer & Industry UsageEducational institutions, universities, private schoolsSchools, training centers, educational programs

The main difference between an Academic Director and an Academic Coordinator lies in their scope and responsibilities. The Academic Director typically oversees multiple programs, sets strategic goals, and provides leadership, requiring advanced credentials and experience. In contrast, the Academic Coordinator handles daily operations, supports program activities, and manages administrative tasks. Both roles are essential in educational settings but differ in level of responsibility and focus.

What are some typical challenges faced by an Academic Director when balancing administrative duties with academic leadership?

Academic Directors often juggle a broad range of responsibilities, from curriculum development and faculty management to budgeting and policy implementation. One common challenge is finding enough time to support both strategic planning and day-to-day operations, which can sometimes compete for attention. Additionally, Academic Directors must foster strong relationships across departments and ensure compliance with accreditation standards while maintaining a positive learning environment. Success in this role relies on excellent organizational skills, clear communication, and the ability to delegate effectively.
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Academic Director jobs near you
Infographic showing various Academic Director job openings in the United States as of July 2026, with employment types broken down into 1% As Needed, 60% Full Time, 37% Part Time, 1% Temporary, and 1% Contract. Highlights an 77% Physical, 1% Hybrid, and 22% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $86,087 per year, or $41.4 per hour.
Director, Retention and Academic Advising

Director, Retention and Academic Advising

Bucks County Community College

Newtown, PA • On-site

Full-time

Medical, Dental, Vision, Life, Retirement, PTO

Posted 7 days ago

Job description

It's great to work at a place where people are truly committed to serving our students! We're committed to bringing passion and energy to our College.
Visit our Life Page on LinkedIn to explore our dynamic campus culture, hear from current employees, and discover what makes Bucks County Community College a great place to work!
The Director of Retention and Academic Advising is responsible for increasing retention and the leadership, administration, coordination, and delivery of academic advising across Bucks County Community College. The Director works across the college to lead retention initiatives, manages personnel and offerings of the professional advisors and support staff, coordinates advising provided by faculty advisors within the academic schools and personnel across all campuses, and leads development and revision of curricular content regarding advising, degree program and course selection. The Director will foster a college-wide community of practice that focuses on retention and the accessibility and impact of advising, use of data to inform improvement retention and advising practices, implementation of effective practices and tools, and assessment of advising and student success.
The Director promotes student persistence through effective academic advising, educational planning, degree progression support, and timely connection of students to campus resources and services.
The Director works collaboratively with colleagues across the College to ensure that advising-related retention efforts are data-informed and effective, and that advising services and strategies effectively meet the needs of students at various stages in their academic careers and life paths. In particular, the Director ensures close alignment with the Office of Admissions, the Registrar, the Academic Success Center, the academic Deans, and the campus directors. The Director works in close collaboration with the Director of Transfer & Prior Learning Assessment and the Director of Cooperative Education & Career Services to help position students for post-graduation success, the Director of Student Engagement & Leadership Development to provide out-of-class offerings for students, and works with instructors of COLL 101 Orientation to College and GUID 101 Introduction to Guided Studies on course content related to advising and degree program and course selection.
The Director serves as the subject matter expert and central point of contact for faculty, staff, and students regarding retention and advising; ensures advising programs, services, resources, and events are in close alignment with the goals of Bucks County Community College and national advising standards; and manages the unit budget and supplies.
ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS
  • Lead, administer, and coordinate retention initiatives and the delivery of academic advising across Bucks County Community College.
  • Manage professional advisors and support staff and evaluate their performance.
  • Lead the development and revision of curricular content regarding advising, degree programs, and course selection.
  • Oversee retention initiatives and advising operations at all three physical campuses and Bucks Online and coordinate advising provided by faculty advisors within the academic schools and personnel across all campuses to ensure the timely and effective delivery of advising.
  • Monitor advising-related student success indicators, including educational plan completion, registration progression, and retention outcomes, and recommend improvements to advising practices and student support processes.
  • Collaborate with colleagues across the College to ensure advising services and approaches meet the needs of students at various stages in their academic careers and points in life.
  • Ensure representation of Academic Advising staff at college functions for prospective, new, returning, and/or current students - including high school dual enrollment students - and participate in such functions.
  • Foster a college-wide community of practice that focuses on accessibility and impact of advising, use of data to inform improvement of retention initiatives and advising practices, implementation of effective practices and advising tools, and assessment of student success.
  • Ensure close alignment with the Office of Admissions, the Registrar, the Academic Success Center, the academic Deans, and the campus directors.
  • Collaborate with the Academic Success Center and other student support units to ensure students are connected to appropriate resources and services that support academic success, persistence, and degree completion.
  • Work in close collaboration with the Director of Transfer & Prior Learning Assessment and the Director of Cooperative Education & Career Services to help position students for post-graduation success; with the Director of Student Engagement & Leadership Development to provide out-of-class offerings for students; and with instructors of COLL 101 Orientation to College and GUID 101 Introduction to Guided Studies on course content related to advising, degree programs, and course selection.
  • Serve as the subject matter expert and central point of contact for faculty, staff, and students regarding retention and academic advising.
  • Ensure retention initiatives, advising programs, services, resources, and events are in close alignment with the goals of Bucks County Community College and national best practices for retention and advising standards.
  • Assess advising effectiveness and recommend improvements to policies, procedures, technologies, and communications that support student progression and retention.
  • Represent the Office of Academic Advising at College events, presentations, and on committees and workgroups, as assigned.
  • Advise students regarding degree requirements and transfer plans with the goal of developing and documenting educational plans for new and current students, as well as those in transition (i.e., changing major, preparing for transfer).
  • Manage unit budget and supplies.

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS
  • Master's degree and 4-6 years of related professional experience in academic advising, student services, retention, enrollment management, or a closely related field.
  • Knowledge of student retention issues, metrics, and practices to increase retention.
  • Strong understanding of academic advising processes and higher education planning.
  • Experience using student success, advising, retention, or enrollment data to inform decision-making and improve outcomes.
  • Demonstrated ability to collaborate across departments to support student progression, persistence, and completion.
  • Experience with transfer and/or community college students is a plus, but not a requirement.
  • Familiarity with student information systems, advising platforms, and emerging technologies, including tools incorporating artificial intelligence.
  • Experience training staff and faculty.
  • Experience managing teams.
  • Working within a collective bargaining environment is a plus, but not a requirement.
  • Excellent collaborative, communication, project management, and interpersonal skills.
  • Strong organizational and supervisory skills.
  • Ability to analyze, interpret, and synthesize data to develop solutions and generate reports.
  • Ability to multitask and thrive in a dynamic, student-focused environment.

SALARY RANGE $73,695 - $96,928 (Commensurate with background and experience)
BENEFITS
Bucks County Community College offers an exceptional benefits package that includes medical, dental, vision, prescription plans, 403B pension plan, life insurance, short & long-term disability, generous paid time off, tuition waivers, tuition assistance, wellness center (Newtown Campus), cafeteria, and free parking on a beautiful Bucks County campus.
BACKGROUND CHECKS/CLEARANCES
Employment with the College will require successful completion of background check(s) in accordance with College's policies.
APPLICATION
Apply online at: https://bucks.wd1.myworkdayjobs.com/BCCC
We are proud to be an organization that embraces the value of bringing diverse, talented, and committed people together. The fastest way to breakthrough innovation is when diverse ideas come together in an inclusive environment. We encourage our colleagues to respectfully challenge one another's thinking and approach problems collectively. We are an equal opportunity employer, committed to fostering an inclusive and diverse workplace.
Please Note: At this time, the College does not provide work visa sponsorships. To be considered for employment at Bucks County Community College, applicants must be permitted to legally work in the United States without employer sponsorship. Bucks County Community College participates in E-Verify and will provide the federal government with your Form I-9 information to confirm that you are authorized to work in the U.S.

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