Academic Counselor Job Description Template
Academic counselors guide students and parents through course selection, career pathways, admission processes, and education financing. In India's rapidly growing EdTech sector - valued at over $7 billion and growing at 20%+ annually - academic counselors serve as the bridge between learners and educational products, helping students choose the right programmes and achieve their career goals. Use our academic counselor job description template to attract sales-oriented counselors with empathy. It covers key responsibilities, required skills, Indian education requirements, salary insights (Cost to Company (CTC)), and the selection process.
Job title:
Academic Counselor
Location:
Bengaluru, Karnataka (or Gurugram / Mumbai / Pune / Hyderabad - remote options available for select EdTech companies)
Job type:
Full-time, Permanent
Reports to:
Admissions Manager / Team Lead (Sales)
Experience:
1-4 years
Employment type:
Permanent
About the role
We are looking for an Academic Counselor to join our admissions team. You'll counsel prospective students and parents via phone, video calls, and email about our online degree programmes, certification courses, and upskilling bootcamps. You'll guide them through course selection, explain financing options (EMI, education loans), and convert leads into enrolled students. This role is ideal for someone who combines strong sales acumen with genuine interest in helping students make the right educational choices.
About the company: - Established: 2018 - Employees: 1,200+ - Industry: EdTech (online degree programmes, certification courses, and professional upskilling) - Certifications: UGC-DEB compliant (Distance Education Bureau), ISO 9001, AICTE-approved partner for select programmes - Presence: HQ in Bengaluru; sales offices in Gurugram, Mumbai, and Pune; students across 500+ cities in India and 30+ countries - Known for: India's top 3 online education platform by enrolment; partnered with 10+ UGC-recognised Indian universities; featured in EdTech Review Top 50 2025
Academic counselor roles and responsibilities - Make 40-60 outbound calls per day to leads generated through digital marketing, partnerships, and referrals - Counsel prospective students and parents on course options, curriculum, duration, fees, and career outcomes - Understand each student's academic background, career aspirations, and constraints (budget, time, location) to recommend the right programme - Explain fee payment options - upfront discounts, no-cost EMI (3-24 months), education loan partners (Avanse, HDFC Credila, Propelld) - Convert leads into enrolled students - manage the full sales cycle from first contact to fee payment confirmation - Maintain accurate records of all interactions in the CRM (Zoho, Salesforce, or HubSpot) - call logs, email follow-ups, lead stage updates - Follow up with prospects who have not converted - address objections, share additional information, and re-engage at the right time - Coordinate with the university partnerships team for admission-related queries - eligibility, documentation, exam schedules - Participate in weekly team training sessions on new courses, objection handling techniques, and sales best practices - Achieve monthly enrolment targets and contribute to team revenue goals
Academic counselor qualifications and skills - Excellent verbal and written communication in English and Hindi - ability to explain complex course information in straightforward, compelling terms - Strong sales aptitude - experience in consultative selling or B2C sales is preferred - Empathy and active listening - understand student concerns and respond with relevant solutions, not scripted pitches - Knowledge of the Indian education system - UGC, AICTE, DEB regulations, university affiliations, and degree recognition - Familiarity with EdTech products - online degrees, certifications, bootcamps, and their value proposition in the Indian job market - Basic computer proficiency - CRM tools (Zoho, Salesforce, HubSpot), MS Excel, and Google Sheets for lead tracking - Goal-oriented mindset - ability to work in a target-driven environment and handle rejection without losing motivation - Prior experience in EdTech, education sales, or academic counseling is strongly preferred - Bachelor's degree in any discipline; candidates with a background in sales, education, or psychology have an advantage
Education and Experience Requirements - Degree: BA, Bachelor of Commerce (BCom), Bachelor of Business Administration (BBA), BSc, or Bachelor of Technology (BTech) - any discipline from a UGC-recognised university - Master of Business Administration (MBA) (Marketing / Sales) is a plus but not mandatory - Minimum 50% in graduation - 1-4 years of experience in academic counseling, education sales, B2C sales, or tele-sales - Freshers with strong communication skills and demonstrable sales aptitude may be considered - Prior experience in EdTech (upGrad, Simplilearn, Great Learning, Unacademy, BYJU'S type companies) preferred
Academic counselor average salary
In India, Academic Counselors earn 2.5-4.5 Lakhs Per Annum (LPA) fixed CTC plus variable incentives of ₹1,000-5,000 per enrolled student. Top performers earn 6-10 LPA with incentives in high-ticket EdTech companies selling programmes priced at ₹1-5 lakhs. Bengaluru and Gurugram EdTech hubs offer the best earning potential.
Source: Naukri Salary Index 2025-26; TeamLease EdTech Employment Outlook 2025.
Benefits - CTC includes: Basic + HRA + Travel allowance + Performance incentive (variable - per enrolment, slab-based, or monthly target-based) - Statutory: Provident Fund (PF), Employees' State Insurance Corporation (ESIC) (if eligible), Gratuity (payable after 5 years) - Additional: Group medical insurance (self), annual bonus based on team revenue achievement - Perks: Learning budget (free access to all platform courses - ₹1 lakh+ value), internet reimbursement (₹1,500/month), flexible work options
Other details - Probation period: 3-6 months - Notice period: 30 days (15 days during probation) - Immediate joiners preferred: Yes - within 15 days - Bond / Service agreement: None typically for counseling roles - Working days: 5-6 days a week (rotational week off; Saturday working for some EdTech companies) - Work mode: Work from Office or Hybrid (2-3 days office). Remote available for select EdTech companies. - Shifts: General shift (10 AM-7 PM) primarily. Some EdTech companies operate 11 AM-8 PM to cover evening student calls. - Relocation support: Not provided
Selection process
1. Resume screening: Based on sales/counseling experience, education background, and communication skills
2. Voice assessment: 5-minute telephonic call to evaluate English and Hindi communication, clarity, and confidence
3. Sales simulation: 10-minute role-play - counsel a prospective student who is unsure about enrolling (evaluate empathy, objection handling, closing ability)
4. Personal interview: 30-minute interview with Admissions Manager - discuss sales approach, target achievement history, understanding of Indian education system
5. HR interview: Salary expectation, incentive structure understanding, working day flexibility, and joining timeline
6. Offer rollout
How to apply - Platform: Apply through the company careers portal, LinkedIn, Naukri, or via employee referral - Documents: Resume (PDF), latest degree certificate, latest salary slip (if applicable) - Timeline: Rolling applications; interview process completed within 1 week
Frequently asked questions
1. What does an Academic Counselor do in India?
An Academic Counselor guides students and parents on course selection, admission processes, and career pathways for online degrees, certifications, and upskilling programmes. They handle 40-60 outbound calls daily, explain fee financing options, and convert leads into enrolments. They work in EdTech companies, coaching institutes, and university admissions.
2. What qualifications do I need to become an Academic Counselor in India?
A bachelor's degree in any discipline is required. Strong English and Hindi communication is essential. Prior experience in education sales or B2C sales is preferred. Knowledge of the Indian education system and UGC/AICTE regulations is a plus.
3. What is the average salary of an Academic Counselor in India?
Fixed salary ranges from 2.5-4.5 Lakhs Per Annum (LPA) with variable incentives of ₹1,000-5,000 per enrolment. Top performers at high-ticket EdTech companies earn 6-10 LPA with incentives. Bengaluru and Gurugram offer the best earning potential.
4. How can I hire the right Academic Counselor in India?
Use a sales simulation as the primary assessment - give a realistic scenario of a hesitant student and evaluate the candidate's empathy, objection handling, and closing ability. Prioritise candidates who understand the Indian education landscape and can explain complex course information simply. Look for consistent target achievement in previous sales or counseling roles.