Building on more than a century of history, we are looking for innovative employees wanting to create a future with us. As part of our team, you are encouraged to be bold and inventive, bringing new ideas to the table. Change excites you.
Along with competitive benefits, gourmet on-campus restaurants run by our culinary program and an unparalleled view of downtown Calgary, SAIT offers the chance to do work with a purpose — preparing the next generation of industry leaders, entrepreneurs, advocates and explorers. We develop leaders in the classroom and our workspaces, encouraging lifelong learning for both students and employees.
Your future starts now … at SAIT.
The Opportunity
Reporting to the Vice President Academic, this Director is accountable for the overall leadership of Learner Services. As a valued member of both the Deans Council and Management Council, the Director plays a key role in collaborating with other internal and external stakeholders while helping SAIT to achieve their institutional plan and priorities. The Director will oversee the development and implementation of the overall strategic plan including budgets and setting innovative goals and benchmarks for the Learner Services department.
Learner Services’ mission is to provide students and SAIT employees with intentionally designed inclusive experiences and resources, so all learners are empowered to pursue their personal, academic, and professional goals.
The Director, Learner Services will focus on the strategic direction for the following key service areas:
Library Services
Mental Health Promotion
Indigenous Support Services
Health Clinic
Global Academic Partnerships
Accessibility Services
Career Advancement Services
Student Engagement Services
Financial Advising
Student Counselling
Youth Engagement
Tutoring / Academic Coaching
The Director, Learner Services oversees a total of approximately 100 full-time and part-time employees through 8 Direct Reports including:
Library Manager
Supervisor, Counselling
Learner Success Centre Manager
Student Engagement Manager
Youth Initiatives Supervisor
Health Clinic Supervisor
Career Advancement Services Manager
Indigenous Student Engagement Coordinator
The Role
Lead, coach and supervise Learner Services leadership team, and ensure appropriate oversight of all full time and part time employees.
Hiring and performance management
Involvement in collective bargaining
Delegate in accordance with team responsibilities and priorities in conjunction with overall department goals
Ensure services are delivered in multiple modes (face-to-face, online synchronously and asynchronously, evening and weekends) to meet diverse student needs.
Direct and monitor services for quality, efficiency and goal attainment
Ensure key initiatives are implemented, such as:
Increase activity of Career Advancement Services, including work integrated learning, co-curricular record, industry mentorship, career readiness services and career exploration.
Implement student mental health strategy and mental health funding application.
Increase international opportunities for students that include international internships, semester exchanges and enhanced study tours.
Increase youth initiatives activities (e.g. exploratory programs, dual credit, youth camps) that lead to pathways to post-secondary education and ensure youth engagement policies are followed
Ensure student engagement activities are promoted and grow, including onboarding, orientation, student family room, Interfaith Centre, Pride at SAIT, peer mentoring, student leadership, and Phi Theta Kappa
Implement the Indigenous Learner Success Strategy and ensure Indigenous students have access to and success at SAIT.
Implement Learner Services initiatives identified in the Intercultural Student Success Strategy and Equity diversity and Inclusion Strategy.
Ensure academic accommodations and supports for students with disabilities are provided and policy related to accommodations for students with disabilities is followed.
Ensure tutoring and academic coaching services are effective and utilized.
Increase number of patients utilizing the Health Clinic so that the Clinic operates at a minimum as a cost recovery service.
Develop a strategy for library services to respond to changes in course and program delivery, student and employee needs, including growing Open Education Resources and other digital tools and resources.
Develop and execute strategic activities for Learner Services that align with Advanced Education priorities, SAIT’s strategic plan, the educational plan, and other SAIT strategies.
Ensure appropriate reporting to Advanced Education as required (e.g. comprehensive institution plan, disability funding report, mental health grant report, Foundational Learning)
Ensure implementation of Learner Services initiatives identified in Indigenous Learner Success Strategy, Student Mental Health Strategy, the Equity Diversity and Inclusion Strategy, Intercultural Student Success Strategy
Develop and effectively manage over $5,000,000 operational budget, as well as various restricted funds and various grants (e.g. mental health grant); pursue provincial, federal and private sector funding opportunities to support key activities (e.g. mental health, disability, under-represented groups, indigenous)
Collaborate with various stakeholders on initiatives that support student success and align with Advanced Education key performance indicators (e.g. support for under-represented groups; initiatives that enable student retention, completion, and employment)
Serve on cross-institution committees, such as Strategic Enrolment Management Committee, Academic Quality Council, Sexual Assault and Violence Prevention Committee, and others as assigned.
Ensure appropriate reporting to Advanced Education and external funding sources as required (e.g. comprehensive institution plan, disability funding report, mental health grant report, Foundational Learning funding reporting, restricted fund reporting)
Inform the VP Academic of situations involving risk to the organization, such as legislation non-compliance, human rights complaint, reputation risk, or significant budget impact.
Qualifications
Minimum requirement is a master’s degree in a relevant discipline.
Extensive experience managing several student services areas at the post-secondary level.
Working knowledge of best-practices and in student affairs.
Understanding of provincial legislation that impacts student services, such as the human rights act, medical professions act, and freedom of information and privacy.
Demonstrated ability to influence, collaborate and inform stakeholders while building and maintaining strong relationships.
Ability to problem solve and think and plan strategically.
Proven and demonstrated critical thinking and decision-making abilities.
Demonstrated strong analytical, budgeting and business planning abilities.
Experience in implementing new initiatives that align with institutional strategies in a collaborative and supportive manner.
Project and process management experience.
Proven experience and demonstration of superior conflict resolution and confidence in making decisions that can have a high impact institutionally within the context of meeting and exceeding customer need and following procedural guidelines.
Strong interpersonal skills, engaging people to build and model respectful, diverse and inclusive workplaces where decisions and transactions are transparent and fair.
Superior written and verbal communication skills.
Why Work at SAIT
Enjoy a stimulating work environment, a beautiful campus overlooking downtown Calgary and a great benefits package including: comprehensive health and dental coverage, a defined benefit pension plan, professional development programs, generous paid time off, free access to our Wellness Centre, transit subsidies and more.
Why Work at SAIT
To Apply
All interested parties must contact:
Leaders International Executive Search
Contact: Allan Nelson, Laura Youngberg or Shalini Bhatty
Email: [email protected] indicating the job title in the subject line of the email. Please include a cover letter and tailored resume.
Subject line: SAIT – Director, Learner and Academic Services
Notes
SAIT is committed to equity and diversity within its community and invites applications from all qualified applicants.
MGT: This position is union exempt in our Management group
For information on the collection and use of your personal information, please see our Privacy Policy
Conditions of Employment
In order to ensure and maintain a safe and secure working and learning environment, all applicants to the Southern Alberta Institute of Technology must complete and pass a police security clearance before employment is confirmed. Employment is conditional until a satisfactory police security clearance is obtained and confirmed. Employment with SAIT will not commence until the results have been provided and confirmed.
SAIT’s vision is to be a global leader in applied education
Apply Now
To help us with our recruitment effort, please indicate your email/cover letter where (vacanciesincanada.ca) you saw this job posting.