Job Description
Candidates must be current employees of the SANS Institute to be eligible for this position.
About SANS
Founded in 1989, SANS Institute (SANS) began as a cooperative research and education organization. Over the next 25 years, it grew to become the most trusted and widely recognized provider of information security training and certification in the world. Today, SANS has served more than 300,000 cybersecurity professionals around the world, with more than 60,000 earning Global Information Assurance Certification (GIAC) security certifications—the leading certification that provides assurance to employers that their people and prospective hires can do the job.
At the heart of SANS is a community of practitioners, from auditors and network administrators to CISOs, who share their lessons learned and collaborate on solutions to the challenges they face. These experts, working across corporations, government agencies, and universities, come together to support and strengthen the global information security community.
Why SANS?
At SANS, our culture is defined by three pillars: Mission, Brand, and People.
- Our Mission is to hire people who understand the importance fighting against cybersecurity threats.
- Our Brand reflects a commitment to delivering the highest quality training.
- Our People are grounded in a culture of fairness, honesty, customer focus, and a pragmatic approach.
What You'll Achieve at SANS
We are seeking a Senior Student Advisor to join our SANS Technology Institute team. This role plays a key part in
providing 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.
As a Senior Student Advisor, you will:
- 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.
- Perform other related duties as assigned.
What We're Looking For
- Every SANS employee brings something unique. For this role, we’re looking for candidates with:
- 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
- Unrestricted authorization to work in the USA; visa sponsorship is not available.
Preferred qualifications include:
- Master’s degree
- Experience with Canvas, Salesforce, or other higher education platforms
- Experience using proactive, developmental and/or appreciative advising approaches
Benefits and Perks of Working at SANS
We’re committed to fair and equitable compensation. The expected salary range for this position is $65,000- $70,000, depending on geographic location, skills, and experience. At SANS, pay equity and transparency are priorities.
We offer a comprehensive benefits package that supports your total well-being so you can be and deliver your best. This means caring for you and your loved ones' physical, financial, and mental health, as well as providing the flexibility you need to thrive personally and professionally:
- Financial Benefits: Competitive base salary, bonus opportunities, and a 401(k) plan with company match.
- Health & Wellness: Robust medical, dental, and vision plans; company-provided short term disability; optional long-term disability, supplemental life and AD&D insurance for employees and dependents; voluntary benefits including accident insurance and identity theft protection; fitness and wellness programs; and a company paid employee assistance program (EAP).
- Time Off & Flexibility: Generous paid time off, including volunteer time.
- Learning & Development: Access to professional development and SANS training opportunities.
Flexibility and Balance at SANS
We support our colleagues with the tools and flexibility they need to thrive, both professionally and personally. As a primarily remote work environment, we are committed to maintaining strong connections, collaboration, and a vibrant culture across virtual teams. While most roles operate remotely, some positions may require occasional in-person presence depending on role-specific or business needs.
SANS is an Equal Employment Opportunity Employer
SANS is proud to be an Equal Opportunity Employer. We do not discriminate based on race, color, sex, age, national origin, religion, sexual orientation, gender identity, veteran status, disability, or any other federal, state, or local protected class.
If, because of a medical condition or disability, you require a reasonable accommodation during the application process, or to perform the essential functions of a position, please contact SANS Human Resources.
US Job Seekers: Click here to view the “Know Your Rights” poster.
SANS complies with all applicable state and local laws regarding the consideration of applicants with arrest or conviction records. For positions governed by federal and/or state banking regulations, SANS will adhere to relevant requirements when evaluating candidates with criminal histories.
Employment eligibility in the United States is required. SANS does not provide visa sponsorship for this position.
Originally posted on Himalayas
