Graduations manager (academic advisor iii), registrar's office

The Registrar's Office invites applications for a Graduations Manager (Academic Advisor III) to play a key role in helping students reach one of the most significant milestones of their academic journey: graduation. Serving as the University's lead graduation specialist, this position manages degree conferral processes, provides expert guidance on degree requirements and academic policies, and partners with students, advisors, faculty, and administrators to support successful degree completion.

The Graduations Manager combines student-focused service, process management, training, and systems administration to ensure the accuracy and integrity of graduation and academic records processes.

Examples of Duties and Responsibilities

• Lead university graduation and degree conferral processes, ensuring accurate evaluation of degree requirements and academic records.
• Serve as a primary resource for students, faculty, staff, and advisors on graduation requirements, academic policies, and degree completion pathways.
• Provide advanced graduation advising and individualized support to students approaching degree completion.
• Review and process degree audits, petitions, exceptions, and graduation appeals.
• Develop and improve systems, workflows, electronic forms, and business processes that support graduation, advising, and compliance operations.
• Provide training and consultation to advisors, faculty, staff, and students on Degree Works, academic policies, petitions, exceptions, and graduation-related procedures.
• Support commencement operations, graduation communications, and institutional reporting related to degree completion.

Minimum Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree and one (1) year experience in academic advising, student services, enrollment management, records administration, program coordination, higher education administration, or a related field; or an equivalent combination of education and experience.
• Experience using databases, enterprise systems, or comparable technology platforms.
• Demonstrated ability to communicate clearly and provide professional customer service to individuals from varying backgrounds and experiences.
• Ability to interpret and apply policies, procedures, regulations, or complex business requirements.
• Ability to maintain confidentiality and appropriately handle sensitive information.

Preferred Qualifications

• Three (3) years of professional or administrative experience involving complex processes, detailed work, and significant customer or public interaction; or an equivalent combination of education and experience.
• Experience working in a Registrar's Office, Academic Affairs, Student Success, Enrollment Management, Advising, or a related higher education environment.
• Experience interpreting academic policies, curriculum requirements, degree requirements, or graduation eligibility standards.
• Experience using Degree Works, Banner, Ellucian products, student information systems, or comparable technologies.
• Experience developing or improving operational processes, workflows, electronic forms, and related reporting practices.
• Experience working with academic records, degree audits, compliance functions, or student information management, including providing training or support to faculty, staff, or students.

Additional Information

• Compensation Title: Academic Advisor III
• Bargaining Unit: FOCUS-MFPE
• Work Schedule: Full-time, 1.0 FTE (40 Hours a week), Monday through Friday 8:00 am to 5:00 pm, 12 months/year
• Probationary Period: Six (6) months minimum
• Benefits Include: Insurance package, mandatory retirement plan, partial tuition waiver, and wellness program.
• Application Deadline: Sunday, November 8, 2026

A complete application includes: Letter of Interest – addressing your qualifications and experience related to the stated required skills for the position. A general letter salutation such as “Dear Search Committee” or “Dear Hiring Manager” is acceptable. Detailed Resume – listing education and describing work experience. Three (3) Professional References – names and contact information.

The University of Montana is interested in receiving applications from people who would assist the University in demonstrating its five priorities for action: Place student success at the center of all we do; drive excellence and innovation in teaching, learning, and research; embody the principle of “mission first, people always”; partner with place; and proudly tell the UM story.

Must be eligible to work in the United States upon hire. Sponsorship is not available for this position. The Affiliation of the University of Montana (UM Affiliation) is an equal opportunity employer. UM Affiliation does not discriminate against any applicant on the basis of protected class status as described in UM’s non-discrimination policy and any applicable law. Reasonable accommodations are provided in the hiring process for persons with disabilities. For example, this material is available in alternative format upon request. Qualified candidates may request veterans’ or disabilities preference in accordance with state law. Background check is required prior to the offer of employment. In accordance with university regulations, finalists for this position will be subject to background investigations per UM's policy and procedure.

References: References not listed on the application materials may be contacted; notice may be provided to the applicant. UM partners with SkillSurvey for reference checking. Applicants may receive emails from SkillSurvey to submit reference information.

Testing: Individual hiring departments within the UM Affiliation may elect to administer pre-employment tests, which are relevant to essential job functions.

Employment Eligibility: All New Employees must be eligible and show employment eligibility verification by the first date of employment at UM and all affiliated campuses, as legally required (e.g., Form I-9). The University of Montana will require proof of authorization to work in the United States before final hiring. Due to the September 19, 2025 Presidential Proclamation and related guidance from USCIS and the Department of State, the University may be limited in its ability to offer H-1B sponsorship. At this time, we are unable to sponsor new H-1B visas that require payment of the additional fee introduced by the Proclamation.