Program Manager, Black Student Initiatives

Job Category

Job Profile

Job Title

Department

Compensation Range

The Compensation Range is the span between the minimum and maximum base salary for a position. The midpoint of the range is approximately halfway between the minimum and the maximum and represents an employee that possesses full job knowledge qualifications and experience for the the normal course employees will be hired transferred or promoted between the minimum and midpoint of the salary range for a job.

Posting End Date

Note: Applications will be accepted until 11:59 PM on the Posting End Date.

Job End Date

In alignment with a Special Program approved under BCs Office of the Human Rights Commissioner the Student Experience Office will be restricting the hiring of this position to an individual who self-identifies as your cover letter please explain your interest in this position outline your previous experience and indicate whether you self-identify as Black.

At UBC we believe that attracting and sustaining a diverse workforce is key to the successful pursuit of excellence in research innovation and learning for all faculty staff and students. Our commitment to employment equity helps achieve inclusion and fairness brings rich diversity to UBC as a workplace and creates the necessary conditions for a rewarding career.

Job Summary

Aligned with UBCs Student Strategic Plan and the institutional priorities outlined in the Anti-Racism and Inclusive Excellence (ARIE) report the Program Manager Black Student Initiatives position plays a critical role in supporting two distinct but intersecting student populations: Black-identifying students and Beyond Tomorrow Scholars. The Program Manager works to advance equity inclusion and student success by providing tailored support to both graduate and undergraduate students within these communities.

Reporting to the Director Student Engagement and Learning at UBC Okanagan with a dotted-line report of partnership and collaboration to the Program Manager Beyond Tomorrow Scholars Program at UBC Vancouver the Program Manager Black Student Initiatives is responsible for developing implementing and evaluating a range of wrap-around support services student success programs and community-building initiatives. These services promote holistic personal growth create conditions for full participation and support academic and professional development for Black-identifying students. This is not a formal advocacy position.

The Program Manager collaborates with campus partners to build supportive and inclusive environments and referral pathways for all Black-identifying studentsincluding those not affiliated with the Beyond Tomorrow Scholars Programwhile also coordinating the wraparound supports and programming unique to Beyond Tomorrow Scholars. Programming reflects student feedback and leverages evidence-informed practices to help all students thrive in alignment with UBCs institutional commitments.

Organizational Status
This position is based at UBC Okanagan and works as a member of the Student Experience Office (SEO) within the Student Engagement & Transition portfolio. The Program Manager collaborates closely with the Equity & Inclusion Office Academic and Career Development Wellbeing and Accessibility Services Enrolment Services the College of Graduate Studies faculty partners and the Program Manager Beyond Tomorrow Scholars Program (based in Vancouver). The Program Manager engages in collaborative work across both UBC campuses to ensure strategic coordination and cultural relevance in all supports offered.

Work Performed

• Provide one-on-one and group advising and case management for Beyond Tomorrow Scholars supporting academic progress personal wellness and institutional navigation.
• Develop referral pathways for Black-identifying students to specialized resources across both campuses including mental health accessibility academic career leadership human rights and financial support services.
• Design coordinate and lead culturally responsive workshops and dialogue spaces focused on identity development community healing and resilience.
• Establish and maintain relationships with Black-affiliated student clubs and groups; support their student-led initiatives and leadership development.
• Initiate and nurture relationships with community organizations to support the goals of Beyond Tomorrow Scholars Program and the Black student population.
• Design plan and implement pre-arrival orientation and transitional programming for Beyond Tomorrow Scholars and the Black student population.
• Design and administer mentorship programs that connect students with faculty staff alumni or community mentors who reflect their identities and professional interests.
• Collaborate with the BTSP Vancouver team on shared initiatives student support structures and long-term engagement plans for program alumni.
• Manage the operations of the Black Student Space including scheduling programming staffing resource curation and physical environment.
• Conduct needs assessments and implement program evaluation frameworks using both qualitative and quantitative methods to inform ongoing improvements.
• Hire train and supervise a team of student staff and volunteers supporting their professional growth and capacity to serve their peers.
• Lead or contribute to campus committees focused on equity anti-racism or student inclusion ensuring Black student needs and priorities are considered.

Consequence of Error/Judgement
The Program Manager exercises judgment in complex and sensitive situations involving student wellbeing and identity. Failure to support students effectively or to follow institutional policy may result in harm to individuals loss of trust among Black-identifying communities and reputational damage to the university. Errors in program delivery or advising may impact student persistence and satisfaction.

Supervision Received
Works independently under the general direction of the Director Student Engagement and Learning with a dotted-line report of partnership and collaboration to the Program Manager Beyond Tomorrow Scholars Program at UBC Vancouver (for functional purposes).

Supervision Given
May supervise professional staff. Provides supervision to student staff volunteers and peer mentors. Responsible for recruitment onboarding training scheduling and performance management. Supports leadership development of student staff.

Minimum Qualifications
Undergraduate degree in a relevant discipline. Minimum of four years of related experience or an equivalent combination of education and experience.

- Willingness to respect diverse perspectives including perspectives in conflict with ones own

- Demonstrates a commitment to enhancing ones own awareness knowledge and skills related to equity diversity and inclusion

Preferred Qualifications

• Demonstrated experience working with Black communities and a nuanced understanding of the diverse experiences of Black-identifying students in Canada.
• Advanced advising skills with a strong foundation in case management and support planning within a university setting.
• Proficiency in program development that centers identity cultural affirmation and inclusion including experience using frameworks in designing multi-session series and co-curricular learning pathways.
• Knowledge of student development theory and best practices in equity and anti-oppression frameworks.
• Familiarity with academic and student support structures for both undergraduate and graduate students.
• Experience with community engagement including building external partnerships with Black-led organizations and alumni networks.
• Excellent organizational and time-management skills - planning and managing programs and events from inception to follow-through.
• Demonstrated proficiency in program design and development.
• Demonstrated ability to design program assessment plans using mixed methods approaches and present findings to diverse audiences.
• Strong written communication skills including preparing proposals assessment reports and briefing documents.
• Excellent interpersonal facilitation and communication skills.
• Experience working across multiple institutional units and with community organizations.
• Proven ability to exercise sound judgement adjust prioritization and apply critical thinking to work with evolving scope.
• Ability to work independently and collaboratively across a multi-campus environment
• Ability to set and maintain professional boundaries.
• Familiarity with university student systems (e.g. Workday) and proficiency with Microsoft Office Excel and digital communication tools.
• Though not frequently required must be able to travel within British Columbia and to other national/international locations and to work in evenings and on weekends.