Director of Student Services

The Director of Student Services exercises strategic leadership of the services related to student retention and residence life. The Director co-ordinates all aspects of student services and residence life at St. Thomas University, including planning and directing services and resources provided for students; facilitating communication among all student service related areas; ensuring consistent and exemplary service and providing student support by acting as resource for student-related concerns; coordinating responses to student crises; liaising with student government; developing and organizing programs and information; and directing programs, policies and activities for students.

Term: Permanent

Hours of Work: Full-time (35 hours per week)

Classification: E2; Exempt

Closing Date: Tuesday, June 25, 2024

• A University degree, preferably at the master's level (i.e. psychology, educational counseling, education, higher education administration);
• A minimum of five (5) years' experience in the management of student services and residence life in a university setting; Experience leading and managing multiple people with diverse portfolios in a unionized environment;
• Exceptional administrative skills, including time management, organizational skills, attention to detail, and priority setting;
• Proven skills in communication, problem-solving, and judgment to deal with a diverse set of demands;
• Proven ability to effectively respond to crisis situations, to display excellent judgment and communicate clearly with stakeholders involved.
• Highly sensitive to the needs of diverse student populations (First Nations, LGBTQIA+, students with disabilities, first generation learners, etc.).
• Competence in advising and conflict resolution while maintaining a professional distance;
• Knowledge of student development theory, student engagement best practices, and legislation in regard to the Duty to Accommodate and the New Brunswick Human Rights Act.
• Strengths in building relationships and working collaboratively across departments and with faculty;
• Ability to use tact and diplomacy in difficult situations, and to maintain confidentiality of personal information.

Working Conditions:

• Dealing with a diverse set of demands, often in conflict with one another, can cause stress.
• Regular need to give immediate and detailed attention to matters and issues in the student life area.
• Dealing with students' personal crises and conflict during and outside of normal work hours can cause stress.
• Ensuring timely response to student issues and demonstrating support of student events / initiatives can require irregular work hours.
• Dealing with volatile situations that may involve human rights issues on behalf of the university.

T he closing date for receipt of applications is Tuesday June 25, 2024 . All applications are to be received by 4:30 p.m. on the closing date. Candidates are responsible for clearly demonstrating in their cover letters how they meet the requirements of the position. Please forward your cover letter and resume, by clicking the Apply Now button.

An equal opportunity employer, St. Thomas University is committed to employment equity for women, Aboriginal peoples, members of visible minority groups, and persons with disabilities. All qualified candidates are encouraged to apply; however, Canadians and permanent residents will be given priority. Candidates must have proof they are legally entitled to work in Canada.

St. Thomas University is situated on the traditional territory of the Wolastoqiyik, Wəlastəkewiyik / Maliseet whose ancestors along with the Mi'Kmaq / Mi'kmaw and Passamaquoddy / Peskotomuhkati Tribes / Nations signed Peace and Friendship Treaties with the British Crown in the 1700s.

© 2024 St. Thomas University. Fredericton, New Brunswick, Canada.

• Working with the AVPEM, builds and implements a strategic plan that sets objectives based on the University Strategic Plan and enrolment management goals, including annual residence occupancy targets, and maximizes the impact of university resources.
• As part of a comprehensive student-focused portfolio, provides leadership to the following key areas/resources: residence life; accessibility services; campus ministry; student counselling and mental health; international student support; and learning strategy services.
• Provides on-going management, supervision, and administration of the Student Services team, identifying priorities, assigning workload, engaging in performance management, and reviewing existing operations to identify problems and implement revised methods and procedures.
• Manages the operating budgets of Student Services. Contributes to development of funding proposals to attract external funds to support operations.
• Develops and enforces residence policies and procedures in collaboration with the Residence Life Manager/Supervisors. Liaises with Vice-President (Finance and Administration) and Comptroller on issues affecting residence amenities and/or having financial implications.
• Liaises with the Associate Vice-President, Enrolment Management and the Director of Facilities Management regarding facilities management issues in the residences.
• Plays a primary role in administering student conduct procedures as outlined in the Non-Academic Misconduct Policy.
• Responsible for overseeing retention-related initiatives such as peer support programs, drug and alcohol education programs, and prevention and educational programming related to sexual violence.
• Acts as primary contact for the Harassment and Discrimination Policy for students and a resource to the various stakeholders outlined in the Policy.
• Coordinates campus support of students-at-risk, offering training to staff/faculty on identifying and referring students in distress, and managing responses to students in acute distress.
• Acts as a liaison with UNB/STU Counselling Services and the Student Health Centre to ensure that St. Thomas students who seek assistance are receiving appropriate care and attention. Also liaises with other UNB-based student services such as the Career Resource Centre, Campus Security, Student Employment Centre, UCard Office, Library, and Bookstore.
• Liaises with STU-based offices such as Alumni Affairs, Athletics, Registrar's Office, the Writing Centre, Communications, Academic Advising, Indigenous Initiatives, Experiential Learning & Career Development, and Student Government to facilitate communication and coordinate activities.
• Liaises with the Food Services Provider to ensure that services are provided in accordance with the contractual agreement (dining hall operating hours, etc.) and are meeting the needs of residence students.
• Oversees conference services and summer hotel services and provides recommendations to the Vice-President (Finance and Administration) regarding annual setting of rates.
• Works collaboratively with all other key areas (Registrar's Office/Academic Advising, and Recruitment, among others) to achieve student services initiatives, retention goals, and ensure residence renewal and strengthening of support for residence life.
• Plans and directs, or at times collaborates with other offices, to deliver a number of student events with the underlying objectives of enhancing student life, improving student engagement and improving student retention (e.g., Welcome Week, Peer Mentoring Program, STU Cares, Long Night Against Procrastination, JOBS program, student leadership conference, etc.).
• Implementation of a summer outreach program focused on the retention of students.
• Facilitates parent outreach and education programming, particularly for parents of first-year students, including assisting at recruitment events, and facilitating dedicated programming at Registration Open House.