SANS Technology Institute (SANS.edu)

About SANS Technology Institute

The SANS Institute (SANS.org) is the world's largest and most trusted provider of cybersecurity training, certification, and research. The SANS Technology Institute (SANS.edu) is the independent, regionally accredited, VA-approved subsidiary of SANS, founded in 2005 to develop technically capable leaders for the information security profession. With over 2,000 students enrolled in its programs, SANS.edu ranks as one of the top programs in cybersecurity.

Our academic programs are unique, augmenting training and certification content from SANS with courses that develop crucial non-technical skills. Students may choose to take courses online, in person, or a mix of both. The school operates year-round admissions, with multiple application windows, and enrolled students can progress at their own pace, unconstrained by fixed academic semesters. Students choose SANS.edu because of our world class SANS instructors and courses, the ability to earn industry recognized certifications during our programs, and the flexibility of the program to fit their work and personal lives.

Join the SANS Technology Institute Team

At SANS, our culture is defined by Mission, Brand, People. Our goal is to hire people who understand the importance of continuing to fight against the cyber security threats (Mission) while delivering the highest quality training (Brand) to our students. We want employees whose personal values align well with our culture of fairness, honesty, customer focus, and pragmatic approach (People).

Summary of Position

Under the supervision of an Assistant Director of Advising, the Senior Student Advisor provides leadership and mentorship to a small team of student advisors. This role manages a caseload of students while also supporting the Assistant Director with program services and initiatives, retention efforts, and training of new advisors. The Senior Student Advisor plays a crucial role in onboarding new hires, providing second-line retention support, and answering daily questions from their teammates. You must be a current employee of SANS to be eligible.

Key Responsibilities

• Mentorship & Team Support
  
  
  
  • Provide leadership and mentorship to a small team of student advisors, ensuring they are equipped to support students effectively.
  • Answer daily questions on Slack or other communication platforms to support advisors in their roles.
  • Assist in the onboarding, mentorship, and training of new advisors, assessing their readiness to work independently.
  • Handle complex student concerns and escalate cases as needed, serving as the primary point of support before issues reach the Assistant Director.
  
  
  
  
• Student Advising & Retention Support
  
  
  
  • Offer general and specialized advising to students enrolled in SANS.edu programs, monitoring academic progress and coaching students toward success.
  • Maintain regular communication with students regarding their academic progress, course requirements, and program completion plans.
  • Provide responsive, timely, and accurate service to students.
  • Identify obstacles affecting student success and provide actionable recommendations and/or referrals.
  • Assist the Assistant Director of Advising by providing second-line retention support, conducting outreach to at-risk students, and helping implement intervention strategies.
  • Manage student enrollments using SANS.edu systems, ensuring compliance with policies and procedures.
  
  
  
  
• Contributions to Team Development & Training
  
  
  
  • Assist in developing and refining advising processes and student support strategies to improve student engagement and retention.
  • Identify areas for improvement in advising workflows and propose solutions to enhance efficiency.
  • Contribute to staff meetings and training sessions, sharing best practices and process improvements.
  • Help maintain a positive and collaborative advising culture, fostering a team environment that enhances student support.
  
  
  
  
• Other duties as assigned

Basic Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree
  
• Minimum of 3 years of professional advising experience, preferably in a higher education setting
• Strong understanding of institutional values, curriculum, policies, procedures, and resources
• Demonstrated leadership and mentorship experience, particularly in a remote setting
• Exceptional communication and interpersonal skills
• Proficiency in using discretion and good judgment in all student interactions
• Ability to work independently while also contributing to a collaborative team
• Strong problem-solving and critical thinking skills
• Proficiency in student engagement strategies and retention practices
• A positive attitude and a commitment to continuous improvement and personal development
• Demonstrated excellence in providing outstanding customer service
• Competence in developing specific goals and plans to prioritize, organize, and accomplish tasks

Preferred Qualifications

• Master's degree
• Experience with Canvas, Salesforce, or other higher education platforms
• Experience using proactive, developmental and/or appreciative advising approaches

Reporting Relationships

This position reports to the Assistant Director of Advising. It does not include supervision of direct reports.

Work Environment

Remote work. Must be comfortable with video conferencing. Occasional travel required for in person meetings.

Equal Opportunity Employer

SANS is an Equal Opportunity Employer and does not discriminate against any employee or applicant for employment because of race, color, sex, age, national origin, religion, sexual orientation, gender identity, status as a veteran, and basis of disability or any other federal, state or local protected class. If, because of a medical condition or disability, you need a reasonable accommodation for any part of the application process, or to perform the essential functions of a position, please contact SANS Human Resources.

In addition, all qualified applicants with arrest or conviction records will be considered for employment.

California residents click here for SANS privacy notice for California job applicants

The base salary range for this position is between $65,000 and $70,000. Base salary ranges may vary by geographic location and relevant experience, education, certifications, and years of experience. There is no guarantee an offer will be at the top of the posted range based on the salary analysis.

In addition, SANS provides the following benefits:

Medical

Dental

Vision

Short-Term Disability

401(k) with company match

Employee Assistance Program

Supplemental Life Insurance and AD&D

Paid Time Off

Company Paid Holidays

Volunteer Paid Time Off