Reporting to the Dean of Students, the Manager aids the Dean in setting and operationalizing the strategic goals of the Athletics and Student Life departments, as well as the larger division of the Dean of Students and achieving the relevant strategic goals established by Red Deer College.
The Manager, Athletics & Student Life is responsible for the day-to-day management and supervision of staff members working in the Athletics and Student Life departments. In addition, the Manager, Athletics & Student Life provides leadership and mentoring to coaches to inspire a culture of excellence, respect and team. The Manager, Athletics & Student Life works collaboratively with others in the Division and other College departments.
The Manager, Athletics & Student Life is responsible for department budgets including general operating, capital, as well as revenue generation and fundraising. This position requires a high degree of administrative and interpersonal skill. This position requires experience in athletics programming in a post-secondary environment, experience working with elite coaches and the ability to motivate students and staff. Demonstrated experience in sponsorship and media relations is required as the Manager will work to further strengthen and cultivate relationships with stakeholders, alumni, sponsors, media, and the greater athletic community. The Manager represents Red Deer College as an active member of the Alberta Colleges Athletics Conference (ACAC), the governing body responsible for college collegiate sport in Alberta.
The Manager, Athletics & Student Life ensures that all programming under their direction meets an exceptional standard of excellence while promoting a safe, respectful environment for students, coaches and staff. They will have a vision for creating programs and services that meet the evolving needs and diversity of our student population and provide students with an unparalleled experience.
Job Duties
Athletics
Ensures proper representation at ACAC meetings and gathers and disseminates information to and from ACAC and CCAA meetings to the appropriate individuals
Acts as the liaison between RDC Athletics Staff and community groups throughout the province to share information and develop partnerships in Central Alberta
Ensures the coordination of season media kick off night, press releases and press conferences, in collaboration with Marketing & Communications
Facilitates the scheduling of interviews with coaches, athletes with news media
Ensures that the coaching staff is familiar with the ACAC constitution and bylaws and adhere to them and work with coaches to educate all student athletes, about applicable ACAC and RDC policies and procedures
Facilitates the coordination of all athletic endorsed events for which the Athletic Department is fully responsible, including ACAC and exhibition events
Educates athletes on the athletic awards and scholarship programs that are available
Collaborates with the Health Safety & Wellness Office, Security and other departments to arrange and provide additional insurance information for student-athletes, in collaboration with Student Funding & Awards and the Coaching staff
Develops and implements initiatives to enhance student-athlete success, working in consultation with the departments within the division and other RDC areas
Ensures all requirements are met for student athlete eligibility as per ACAC rules
Identifies and demonstrates the philosophy of athletics in an educational setting and ensuring that this philosophy and related policies are within the parameters of the College philosophy, goals, and values, maintaining a balanced focus between Athletic Excellence and Academic Excellence for the Athletics Staff and student-athletes
Facilitates development and maintenance of effective and timely information on internal and external websites
Develops and administers an effective marketing and fundraising plan for the Athletics area (i.e. bingos, casinos, and adopt-an-athlete) to ensure that the fundraising goals and budgeted targets are achieved each year, as determined in collaboration with the Dean
Works with Partnerships & Advancement and develops annual Service Level Agreements to renew and retain current corporate sponsorships-initiatives and consistent prospect identification as well as actively participate in donor relations and initiatives in order to build the Athletic Leadership Fund
Student Life
Provides leadership to projects and initiatives that enhance and enrich student life, cultural connections and the overall student experience on campus
Supports efforts to improve student retention by collaborating with other departments (including but not limited to Residence, Students Association, Counselling Services, Ancillary and Sport Services, Indigenous Student Services and International Students) in the offering of social, recreational, cultural and wellness-based programs
Actively engages students to enhance their experience at Red Deer College
Works with program areas and faculty to provide students with work integrated learning (WIL) opportunities in student life/experience as well as coordinate and supervise WIL students to assist them in meeting the requirements of their WIL outcomes
Provides leadership and decision-making support to program, wellness, cultural and special event related internal committees
Strategic Planning and Management
Collaborates with the Dean to ensure that Athletics and Student Life programs are aligned with College policy, strategic plan, mission and values and develops annual operational plan for departments
Acts as a member of Dean of Students Leadership team and Cross Functional Student Services Advisory group
Participates in College committees as appropriate, as well as relevant external committees
Plans, directs, coordinates and evaluates existing and new comprehensive competitive programs to ensure that they are beneficial to student-athletes, the College, alumni, and the community in collaboration with the Dean and Athletics staff and coaches
Resolves issues related to athlete and learner success
Provides leadership in ensuring effective communication, collaboration, and liaison with internal and external parties; including consultation between athletics and academic programming, coordinating communication with college committees, and acting as a liaison with other post-secondary institutions
Personnel Management
Responsible for effective recruitment and selection, retention, coaching, supervision, performance management in compliance with Human Resources policies and procedures, FOIPP, and collective agreements in support of a high performing team
Represents assigned work area at first level grievance reviewer and attempts resolution in consultation with HR representatives for direct reports
Facilitates, where necessary, discipline and dismissal of reporting staff, in consultation with the Dean
Develops, reviews, and is accountable for the fluid support structure and processes to ensure the effective and efficient distribution and delegation of work
Operationalizes and applies Collective Agreements and ensure Policy Compliance
Provides leadership by disseminating information, providing feedback, advising, and coaching for all staff under direct supervision
Manages complex behavioural issues in the area of conduct, use of appropriate language, discipline, ethics, performance management, discrimination, harassment and workplace investigations
Maintains confidentiality of personal information in accordance with College policy, procedures, and the Freedom of Information and Protection of Privacy Act
Ensures that all regulations of Occupational Health and Safety (OH&S) are adhered to in order to provide a safe work environment and follows up on reports generated by HR to ensure compliance with OH&S and WHMIS training
Approves, monitors, and reports vacation and other absences for all staff under the direct supervision; arrange coverage for all vacation and long-term absences as required
Plans, organizes and coordinates the onboarding of new employees as well as maintains a current awareness of new staff and faculty orientation activities
Oversees the coordination of the exit procedures to ensure the appropriate collection and tracking of information
Supports a strong health and safety culture and has the authority to implement the RDC health and safety management system and related programs, policies and services
Financial Management
Oversees operating and personnel budgets for the department and reports status to Operating Manager and Dean
Contributes to the preparation, development and monitoring of operating, personnel and capital budgets, and works with the Dean and Operations Manager to manage the budget process
Coordinates the implementation of approved budgets including personnel, capital, operations, & renovations budgets in collaboration with contacts
Provides coaching, information and advice on budget projections and processes to various budget holders within the department
Coordinates and monitors budget transactions within scope of authority and resolve issues as they arise, such as preparing and signing off purchase orders, annual and long-term purchasing contracts, and coordination of capital purchases
Assembles information and data in order to analyze current budgets for year-end projections
Solves budgetary and financial issues within scope of authority and communicate results to budget holder
Provides signing authority for relevant budgets within the Dean of Students division and is assigned to be acting Dean of Students when the Dean is absent for two days or more
Required Qualifications
Education
Four (4) year undergraduate degree in Sports Administration, Kinesiology or similar field is required
Experience
5-7 years of progressive experience working in a sport environment
5-7 years of progressively responsible leadership experience including direct supervision of staff (recruitment and selection, and performance coaching)
Experience with effective program promotion (promoting athletic excellence to the community)
Demonstrable success in media relations and experience working with the press
Skills and Abilities
Demonstrable understanding of wellness and its impact on post-secondary student success
Ability to facilitate and oversee wellness programming as it relates to student success
Ability to work and thrive in an interdisciplinary team in the support of student wellness
Budget management experience
Demonstrable understanding of elite sport and experience in sport administration at a Post-Secondary level an asset
Highly developed leadership skills and proven ability to influence, problem-solve, develop and implement plans and initiatives in a collaborative manner that engages both internal and external stakeholders
Demonstrated collaborative approach that values open and honest communication, integrity, respect, consistency and fairness
Understanding of athlete recruitment in a competitive Post-Secondary environment
Demonstrated capacity to exercise sound judgement in sensitive situations and maintain strict confidentiality
Demonstrated ability to establish credibility with broad and diverse constituencies within a complex organization based upon integrity, critical thinking, outstanding operational performance, customer service orientation and excellent interpersonal skills
Preferred Qualifications
Minimum 5 years’ experience in fund development and fundraising experience an asset
Minimum 5 years’ previous coaching experience with elite athletes an asset
Graduate degree in an applicable field such as Physical Education, Recreation or Business Administration would be strongly desired
Salary or Hourly? Salary Salary $84,757 – $103,022 annually Benefits and Compensation Information
Red Deer College offers a comprehensive benefits package including extended health and dental care through Blue Cross, access to a health spending account, pension plan, generous vacation allotments, credit tuition waivers and opportunities for professional development funding. Additional time off due to College closures between Christmas and New Year general holidays. *Eligibility to access the above-mentioned benefits dependent upon the EXEMPT Terms and conditions of Employment and related RDC policies.
About Red Deer College
Red Deer College’s story began in 1964 when our first group of students attended classes. Building on our history, we proudly serve our learners and communities with diverse programs, as well as impressive learning spaces and facilities.
RDC offers more than 100 programs, including applied and collaborative degrees, skilled trades, certificates and diplomas and micro-credentials. The College continues to grow programs across a breadth of credentials as it transitions to become a polytechnic institution. Once this transition is complete, the institution will offer the same breadth of programs and credentials it offers students now, in addition to its own degrees.
Applied research and innovation are among the ways in which we provide opportunities for students and faculty to collaborate with businesses and entrepreneurs to find solutions to real-world problems.
The College estimates that 6,200 full-and part-time credit and apprenticeships students will enrol for the 2020/2021 academic year. RDC also provides lifelong learning opportunities to 34,000 youth and adult learners annually in the School of Continuing Education. Our core business, teaching and learning, are at the heart of our institution’s mandate, as well as our vision, mission and values.
RDC’s main campus is located on Treaty 7, Treaty 6 and Métis ancestral lands. This is where we will strive to honour and transform our relationships with one another. Our people – students, instructors, staff, and community members – make RDC a vibrant and welcoming post-secondary institution.
Apply Now
To help us with our recruitment effort, please indicate your email/cover letter where (vacanciesincanada.ca) you saw this job posting.