Academic Advisor / Student Coach

What is your role?

As an academic advisor, you and your colleague are responsible for ensuring that students make good progress in their studies. You help them make informed decisions within the Academy.

• You are responsible for advising, guiding, and informing students regarding their study approach, program, progress, and course load;
• You inform prospective students about the course content and career prospects;
• You will assist students with study-related questions or problems, conducting one-on-one meetings as needed; 

The academic advisor reports to the director (hierarchically) and to the dean (functionally).

What do you bring to the table?

• Work experience in advising and coaching students, preferably as a dean or academic advisor;
• An understanding of developmental processes in young adults and knowledge of the options available for providing support to students; skilled at identifying and addressing social-psychological problems and sensitive issues;
• Strong social and communication skills, including empathy, the ability to put things into perspective, tact, and organizational sensitivity;
• A talent for organizing events with and for students, and a strong command of English (both spoken and written);
• Experience with MS Office, MS Teams, and student tracking systems; knowledge of the field of spatial design is a plus.

This is us

The Amsterdam Academy of Architecture is one of the leading design schools in the Netherlands. We offer master’s-level education and research in the three disciplines of architecture, urban design, and landscape architecture (MSc). The academy also offers pre-master’s programs and minors in all disciplines. The (partially) interdisciplinary curriculum is one of the pillars of our educational vision. A distinctive feature of the academy’s design programs is the educational model: the combination of study and work, known as the concurrent model. Classes are held Monday through Thursday in the evening and on Friday during the day.

The academy is an inspiring, international community of 350 students. It has approximately 40 full-time staff members and welcomes around 350 guest lecturers each year, drawn from the (international) professional field. The academy is part of the Amsterdam University of the Arts (AHK) and is housed in a national historic monument in the heart of Amsterdam. The AHK consists of the Breitner Academy, the Academy of Architecture, the Conservatorium van Amsterdam, the Netherlands Film Academy, the Reinwardt Academy, and the Academy of Theatre and Dance. You can get to know some of our staff membershere. 

We are building a sustainable future. The academy recognizes the urgency of the situation: many of the challenges surrounding climate change, water issues (sea-level rise and flooding), the circular economy and circular construction, and declining biodiversity (to name just a few) are complex spatial issues. The academy sees it as part of its responsibility to equip future generations of designers in the spatial domain with the necessary knowledge and skills to play a meaningful role.

What do we offer?

The Academy of Architecture consists of a small team of permanent and temporary staff. Within the academy, we strive to create an inclusive learning and working environment that serves as the foundation for quality, new ideas, and creativity. Students, faculty, and staff should feel welcome and valued at every level of the organization and be given the space to develop their talents. This is a priority in the curriculum, the composition of student and faculty groups, and within the team. We form a close-knit community that we cherish.

The Academy of Architecture offers a pleasant working environment in a central location in Amsterdam. The position is classified in pay grade 11 (minimum €4,535.76 and maximum €6,359.47) for a full-time (40 hours per week) appointment. The AHK offers attractive terms of employment in accordance with the collective labor agreement for higher professional education (CAO-HBO), such as an end-of-year bonus of 8.3%, an ABP pension plan, a generous vacation policy, good travel allowance, and opportunities for study and professional development. This is an initial one-year appointment that may be extended to a maximum of three years upon satisfactory performance. If you join the AHK, we will require a Certificate of Good Conduct (VOG) upon commencement of employment.

Would you like to comment?

We look forward to receiving your resume and cover letter. Please send your application to Sanne Blok atvacature-avb@ahk.nl. The deadline for submissions is June 18, 2025. The first round of interviews will take place on Monday, June 23, 2025.

If you have any questions, please feel free to contact Mildred van der Zwan [Dean] atm.vanderzwan@ahk.nl; she will be happy to answer them.

Would you like to know more?

Would you like to learn more about the Academy of Architecture? Visit our website to read more about our programs, research, educational model, and (international) community atwww.bouwkunst.ahk.nl.

With its diverse (international) community of staff and students, the Amsterdam University of the Arts is an inclusive organization that welcomes everyone. For more information about the Amsterdam University of the Arts and the Academy of Architecture, visitwww.ahk.nl.

*We would like to assemble our team ourselves, so we will not be considering any recruitment efforts in response to this job posting.