Location: London, England, United Kingdom
Reports to: Program Director of Academic Success and Advising and In-Country Director
Type: Seasonal Employment
Min. Experience: Mid to Experienced
Department: Academic Affairs
Division: Student Success/Academic Advising

Verto is on a mission to provide the best possible start to college. We start by making travel and experiential education a core part of every student’s Freshman year. Our students begin college overseas in one of 6 Verto locations, before seamlessly transferring to one of over 70 partner universities in the United States. While completing 1 or 2 semesters with Verto, students become more mature, empathetic global citizens who have a greater sense of purpose and direction for their lives. 

At Verto, we’re creating a different model. We’re driving the costs down and acceptance rates up. We connect students to the world and give them a chance to discover who they are before making them choose a major. We’re out to build a transformational company that makes higher education more accessible and impactful. We are backed by First Round Capital and other top VCs. 

At Verto Education we value voices of all backgrounds and experiences. We know that creating a diverse environment takes dedication and intentional hiring practices. We are cognizant of the gap between our current state and our commitments. In order to bridge that gap, we have to humbly evaluate where we are today.  

DEPARTMENT OVERVIEW

Academic Success and Advising is part of Verto’s Academic Affairs Department, located with Verto Headquarters. The Academic Affairs HQ department works with the University of New Haven as its Academic Provider, which directs all teaching and learning, academic operations, and academic success initiatives across the organization. Academic Success and Advising is the student-facing unit of Academic Affairs, and is the team that works to support students in navigating their transition to and through college.  Academic Success and Advising is committed to supporting current and future organizational objectives through the design, implementation, and execution of strategic, innovative, and research-based practices to elevate academic success for all participants. 

POSITION SUMMARY

Academic Advising & Success Coordinators (ASC) primary goal is to provide comprehensive support to Verto participations throughout their academic journey and help them achieve their personal and professional goals. Through direct partnership with faculty, Student Life Coordinators, and Academic Affairs HQ ASCs ensure the quality of academic support services across Verto’s global network to support new and continuing students. ASCs serve as student-advocates and champions to ensure each and every practice creates an impact towards our participants' learning outcomes and post-Verto plans, and aligns with the mission and vision of Verto Education. Overall, the 

KEY RESPONSIBILITIES 

Program Implementation: ASCs are half of Care Team leadership that provides proactive, strengths-based, and holistic support for approximately 35 participants. In their role as Care Team leader, ASCs work closely with peer Student Life Coordinators and staff to identify and support students throughout their semester with Verto. ASCs are responsible for 

• Tracking participant data
• Enforcing academic policies
• Administering academic interventions/retention strategies 
• Regular communication with assigned participants, including a minimum of 3 meetings with each student to assess academic progress 
• Develop and review participant’s Success Plan and/or College Skills Development targets
• Explore post-Verto options, values, and fit through college, career and life advising

Academic Advising & College Counseling: ASCs are responsible for supporting Verto’s Academic Advising, Academic Success and College Counseling programs throughout students’ time with Verto, from Pre-Departure Advising and throughout their international experience. Such activities and responsibilities include:

• Course Mapping
• Navigating application and processes and timelines
• Facilitating academic orientations, advising and success sessions and other workshops as needed
• Supporting course registration, add/drop and withdrawal processes
• 1:1s, walk in office hours, Study Groups or Study Lab, Writing Center
• College Matriculation plans

Academic Advocacy & Academic Provider Accommodations: ASCs serve as a student advocate and provide ongoing support for student academic success. ASCs are expected to:

• Help students navigate difficult conversations
• Address challenging behaviors with empathy and provide students with a space to grow and learn
• Guide students toward needed interventions with ongoing support while encouraging participants to engage in their study abroad experience responsibly.
• Be cognizant and sensitive to students with special academic needs
• Aid participants to request and receive accommodations from the Academic Provider

Academic Systems, Data Management & Reporting: ASCs carefully track, monitor and respond to key data from the learning management system and other academic technology tools

• Experience with technology such as Canvas, Dropout Detective, Maxient, Salesforce is preferred
• Consistently meet FERPA educational privacy standards.
• Monitor and identify key trends and data to identify early warning & intervention strategies.
• Provide regular reporting and visibility ensuring alignment with academic objectives
• Elevate urgent participant issues or concerns 

Collaboration & Support with Faculty: ASCs communicate frequently with key stakeholders in the community to foster academic success onsite.to monitor participant academic performance, attendance and assignments, and are key to communicating concerns to provide additional support as relevant. ASCs 

• Help students learn to identify strengths, weaknesses and develop and communicate their student identity.
• Collaborate with faculty to consider interventions (inside or outside of class) that can increase communication and academic skills as well as strategies to support in and out of class learning
• Participate in class-related activities, excursions, and offer sessions in-class in partnership with faculty. 
• Recommend review sessions or tutoring outside of class when necessary.

WHO WE’RE LOOKING FOR

• Strategic Thinker: You can plot the chess moves a year ahead of time and develop a credible plan to deliver amazing value to our students.
• Influential communicator: You are a thoughtful communicator who can sell ideas, gather resources, and rally stakeholders.
• Strong Executor: You value getting things done and hitting deadlines. You have a track record of delivering under pressure. 
• Humble Collaborator: You bring kindness and empathy to your working relationships and put the team’s success before your own.  
• Mission-Driven: You deeply believe that education has the power to transform lives and you want to give more young people a chance to thrive. 

MINIMUM REQUIREMENTS & QUALIFICATIONS

• A Bachelor’s degree required; Master’s degree (preferred)
• 2+ years of experience in teaching, tutoring and/or academic advising (preferred)
• 2+ years of experience working with high school or college students (preferred)
• Must be 24 years of age or older
• Experience working with culturally, ethnically, socioeconomically, and linguistically diverse students and demonstrated ability to foster relationships with underrepresented populations
• Experience with experiential learning and/or education abroad programming
• The ability to embody/model kindness, openness, flexibility, curiosity, empathy, integrity, responsibility and professionalism for students
• A passion for learning, experiential education, diversity, inclusivity, travel, global citizenship and, most importantly, for helping students grow and succeed
• Ability to work independently and as a team player and work across time zones
• Patience, optimism, integrity, flexibility, and understanding when working with new college students.
• Ability to have a participant-centric approach to advising by placing empathy, advocacy, and skills-building at the heart
• Must have the legal right to work in the United Kingdom. Verto Education does not sponsor visas or permits of stay.

PREFERRED KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS, AND ABILITIES:

• Excellent communication (oral and written) and interpersonal skills
• Understanding of common learning differences and (dis)abilities and general characteristics of today’s student population entering higher education
• Understanding of academic accommodations, how students qualify for them and how they are applied in college settings
• Ability to explain/recommend targeted learning interventions to meet individual participant needs
• Ability to work collaboratively as a team to establish and maintain positive and effective relationships with Verto participants, faculty, and staff locally and globally 
• Ability to coach participants to build effective habits and executive functioning skills
• Proactively advocate for and with participants and supports participants before they reach the point of failing or needing to withdraw from a class 
• Able to build trust with participant and draw out participant goals through effective inquiry
• Understanding of the value of experiential education and travel 
• Able to respect student privacy and regulations (FERPA), confidentially work with participant information 
• Willingness to learn new systems, databases and learning management platforms for monitoring and reporting student data

WORK AND ENVIRONMENTAL CONDITIONS:

• The work pace is continually fast-paced and work is required for more than 4 hours at time.
• Depending on location, this position requires such physical abilities as lifting, standing, kneeling, climbing, crouching, pulling, pushing, sitting, twisting, and walking in an outdoor setting. Other physical attributes include hearing participants on the phone, and speaking to them constantly in person.
• The environment in which the job is performed outside may include exposure to extreme temperature, noise, heights, or other hazards.
• All of the above remains the same for any additional requirements for training, protective clothing, or monitoring.

EQUAL OPPORTUNITY EMPLOYER

Verto sincerely appreciates candidates providing anonymous answers to our EEO questions. You are helping us be better.

Verto Education is an Equal Opportunity employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex including sexual orientation and gender identity, national origin, disability, protected Veteran Status, or any other characteristic protected by applicable federal, state, or local law.