Director, Undergraduate Student Services

The Director of Undergraduate Student Services (DUSS) position will lead the strategic development and ongoing management of student services, such that it defines, enhances, and supports the student experience for roughly 10,000 Arts & Science students. The effective management of the student experience in Arts & Science affects students university-wide. The DUSS will also be required to provide advice to the College’s leadership (Dean, Vice and Associate Deans), faculty and staff in our College and other colleges, partnering with Student and Enrolment Services (SESD), ICT, and other central support units, helping define, uphold, maintain, and humanely apply the academic standards on which the college and university’s integrity of its programs and degrees depend. The DUSS is expected to lead the College (and by extension, the University) to nationally and internationally acknowledged levels of excellence in student services. This position will also closely collaborate and consult with the Director of Undergraduate Student Advising (DUSA) to ensure that the entire Undergraduate Student Office is performing as a cohesive team. It is anticipated that the DUSS will immediately contribute to the hiring of two Manager positions which will directly report to them.

The University of Saskatchewan and the College of Arts & Science are strongly committed to a diverse and inclusive workplace that empowers all employees to reach their full potential and to be present as role models for students.  The DUSS will play a key leadership role in fostering a positive, diverse and inclusive learning environment.

Nature of Work:

Reporting to the Associate Dean of Student Affairs, the Director of Undergraduate Student Services:

• Plays a critical role in college affairs by providing strategic advice on all matters relating to student services to the Dean, Vice & Associate Deans of the College of Arts & Science, Department Heads, faculty committee chairs, departmental administrative staff, and leaders of other related units on campus.
• Demonstrates empathetic leadership skills as well as conviction when making difficult decisions and/or communicating information.
• Provides direct leadership, training, supervision, and support to two managers within the Student Services portfolio. Is also responsible for the employment and success of different teams managing student records and services, as well as recruitment and retention and learning communities.
• Designs and implements training programs for UGSO front staff, A&S Recruitment Officers, academic coaches, peer mentors, student and recruitment ambassadors and coordinators based on identified best practices in line with the college’s commitment to student services based on the holistic, pro-active, student-first, case-management principles as set forth in the University Advising Charter.
• Promotes and supports the professional development of all direct reports.
• The Director is responsible for helping design, maintain, implement and manage data management systems and protocols for student records in the College (and helping align these systems with University-level systems and priorities).
• Ensures that staff maintain student records and information in a secure and carefully prescribed fashion.
• Works closely with faculty and departmental staff in Arts & Science and other colleges on all matters related to college-level student services.
• Works closely with SESD colleagues in Admissions, Transfer Credit, International Student and Study Abroad Centre (ISSAC), Recruitment, and Student Health and other central support units.
• Represents Arts & Science in meetings and on committees charged with devising the processes and protocols for student services.
• Exercises independent judgement, discretionary and creative decision making, and effective leadership (including knowing when and with whom to consult) on a consistent basis.
• Responds to everyday and emergent issues efficiently in a high-volume, multi-tasking environment; works with unpredictable and highly confidential information and events in a sensitive and timely manner; and is able to deal with administrative personnel and student emergencies as they arise.
• Exerts critical influence on the student experience and impacts the reputation of the College and the University
• Will be able to perform in a high-pressure environment. The standard of the quality of work and timely completion of projects is high, as is the cost of every error: Mistakes cost students time, money, and frustration, and can cost the College money and embroil faculty and staff in time-consuming processes, and can expose the College and the University to reputational as well as legal risks.

QUALIFICATIONS

Education: A Bachelor’s degree in a relevant Arts & Science discipline; a Graduate degree is preferred.

Experience:

• Ten or more years in post-secondary environments working in student advising or academic services or related roles. Knowledge and awareness of best-practices in student services, recruitment and learning communities. Demonstrated success in developing and implementing student service strategies in a post-secondary education environment.
• Experience leading people in an organization through change and innovation to enhance operational effectiveness and efficiency.
• Experience and proficiency building effective and cooperative working relationships. Leading, supervising, coaching, and developing a highly skilled professional and technical staff to maintain a team-focused cooperative working environment.

Skills:

• Exceptional interpersonal and communication skills, with an ability to interact effectively with students, staff, faculty, and the public.
• An understanding and incorporation of adaptive leadership skills to be built into your personal leadership style;
• Leading a team in a style which supports career engagement, career development and mentorship, acknowledging the variety of ways in which people learn, grow and adapt;
• Ability to manage multiple tasks and priorities in a fast-paced environment.
• Ability to effectively set boundaries and expectations, and embrace and implement changes in programs and policies.
• Knowledge and understanding of issues (including cultural, socio-economic and other factors) affecting Indigenous peoples, in support of Indigenous engagement as a strategic priority at the university;
• Ability to master existing and new software packages and protocols relevant to student services and management.
• Familiarity with the University of Saskatchewan environment, policies and practices; a thorough understanding of current Arts & Science programs and policies would be an asset.

ACCOUNTABILITIES

People Leadership

•  Manage the employee life cycle of direct-reporting staff through activities such as: recruitment, retention and separations, orientation and onboarding, coaching and performance feedback, supporting professional growth, training and development, managing performance improvement and addressing disciplinary matters as appropriate.
• Ensure a positive, diverse, and inclusive work and learning environment;
• Encourage staff to participate in activities leading to increased intercultural awareness and competencies;
•  Engage student organizations in collaborative and mutually beneficial working relationships
• Determine the allocation and usage of resources to meet the needs of faculty, staff, students and community partners.
• Participate in and consult with a variety of College- and University-level committees that impact student services and programming within a highly sensitive and confidential environment.

Strategic and/or Unit Level Planning

• Plan, develop, implement, and manage comprehensive best-practices for student services, recruitment/retention and learning communities in consultation and collaboration with the Dean, Vice and Associate Deans, and other leaders within the UGSO.
• Design and implement procedures for assessment of student services in the College.
• Proactively manage change and inculcate a culture of innovation and creative problem-solving.
• Develop innovative strategies to manage workflow.
• Oversee key student services and enrolment technologies.

Financial and Resource Management

• Ensure the effective and accurate exchange of specialized complex information, and oversee the referral of issues, information, students to appropriate stakeholders and off campus personnel.
• Analyze and report College statistics to support policy and decision making.
• Responsibly manage and maintain budget allocations and physical property on behalf of the unit.

Best Practices

•  Research, determine and model best-practices in recruiting and student services, ensuring high levels of standards of practice, understanding and interpreting program requirements, academic regulations, graduation standards and academic policies.
•  Prepares, assesses and evaluates UGSO staff members such that students receive the academic services they require.

Student Enrolment/Retention/Persistence

•  Enhance the student experience and contribute to the efforts of the College to meet enrolment, retention, and completion goals.
•  Demonstrate success by improving measured student recruitment, retention and graduation rates, and raising measured levels of student satisfaction with student services.

Academic Programming and Scholarship

•  Develop student services priorities and practices in the College so they align with other colleges and the university at large.
•  Assess and evaluate processes and systems on a regular basis, coordinating and aligning with on and off campus colleagues, including Recruitment, Admissions, ISSAC, AES, etc.
•  Support practices and policies that proactively encourage and empower all students to assume responsibility for their education.
•  The Director will oversee management of FLEX, LevelUp and USTEP learning communities, as well as recruitment and retention efforts within the College. They will also coordinate college involvement in Convocation activities, pinning ceremonies and college-level awards.

Department: College of Arts&Science-DnOffc
Status: Permanent
Employment Group: Exempt
Full Time Equivalent (FTE): 1.0
Salary: The salary range, based on 1.0 FTE, is $87,000.00 - 145,750.00 per annum. The starting salary will be commensurate with education and experience.
Salary Family (if applicable):
Salary Phase/Band: Salary Band 4
Posted Date: 2/6/2023
Closing Date: 2/26/2023 at 6:00 pm CST
Number of Openings: 1
Work Location: On Campus

The successful applicant will be required to provide the following current verification(s) where 'Yes' is indicated below. Further information is available at: https://careers.usask.ca/tips-for-applying.php

Criminal Record Check: Not Applicable
Driver's License and Abstract Check: Not Applicable
Education/Credential Verification: Not Applicable
Vulnerable Sector Check: Not Applicable

Please review the University of Saskatchewan's health and safety requirements for faculty, staff andstudents in consideration of the COVID-19 pandemic.