Director, APSC Student Services

Applied Science Central Student Services is a shared service unit across the Faculty of Applied Science (APSC) including Engineering the School of Community and Regional Planning the School of Biomedical Engineering and the School of Architecture and Landscape Architecture. The unit is dedicated to being an efficient and consistent source of academic career and professional development services and support for students through their academic journey in APSC. APSC Central Student Services unit has 4 teams; the APSC Co-op Experiential Learning and Professional Development team the Undergraduate Academic Advising Team the Graduate Academic Programs and Advising Team and the Academic Systems Team all under the leadership of the Director APSC Student Services.

The Director holds comprehensive strategic leadership for a broad portfolio of student services and initiatives in APSC. This includes direct oversight of academic advising academic integrity enrolment management experiential learning work-integrated education (APSC Co-op) and professional development programs. The role is responsible for supporting over 5500 undergraduate and 400 graduate students across six Engineering departments the School of Engineering at UBC Okanagan the School of Architecture and Landscape Architecture and the School of Community and Regional Planning and over 30 programs. This role has a high-level of ownership of these areas including the design development and continuous improvement of student-facing systems and services. This includes stewardship of multiple enterprise platforms and advising systems overall responsibility of cross-functional teams and leadership of faculty-wide student experience initiatives. While reporting to the Associate Dean the Director is empowered to drive strategy and lead transformative changes across all student service functions.

As a key member for the Deans senior management team this role is expected to lead with vision innovation and a deep commitment to student success. The Director is responsible for shaping and executing strategic initiatives that enhance the student experience and contribute to the overall success and reputation of the Faculty; including establishing and refining policies systems and practice that reflect best-in-class standards and are responsive to the evolving needs of a diverse student population long-term financial planning and building strategic partnerships that strengthen the Facultys capacity to deliver on its mission. This role will require proactive collaboration with academic leadership administrative units and external partners to ensure alignment with institutional goals. Fostering a culture of continuous improvement and using data-driven insights and stakeholder feedback to evaluate and evolve programs and services the Director plays a pivotal role in ensuring every students journey is supported enriching and aligned with the Facultys commitment to excellence.

Organizational Status
The Director oversees the APSC Co-op Experiential Learning and Professional Development Undergraduate Academic Advising Graduate Academic Programs and Advising and the Academic Systems Team teams serving the Facultys student body at both the Vancouver and Okanagan campuses. This role will spend considerable time working with the Dean Associate Deans (Academic and Equity Diversity Inclusion and Student Services) Department Heads and School Directors faculty staff and students to develop priorities and direction for enrolment management academic integrity academic advising and experiential learning. The Director contributes to the development of Faculty-wide strategic priorities and collaborates with internal and external partners including units within VP Academic and VP Students.

Work Performed

Consequence of Error/Judgement
The Director is responsible for managing relationships within a multi-cultural and ethnically diverse student body. This position has the complex task of coordinating and balancing the distinct objectives of various constituents often with conflicting interests. Decisions must be in line with Facultys goals and integrated with the vision and direction of the university. Decisions impact the quality of academic programs overall student experience and influence the effectiveness of student management. This position is critical to the long-term success on a broad base of functions as the responsible resource to provide expertise on continually improving organizational capabilities and the student experience. The consequence of decisions may have catastrophic financial operational and reputational impact for students the Faculty of Applied Science and UBC.

Supervision Received
Works independently under the broad direction of the Associate Dean Equity Diversity Inclusion and Student Services. The Director proceeds on their own initiative on most matters new developments and procedures. Work is reviewed in terms of overall achievement of strategic goals by the Associate Dean.

Supervision Given
Leads a team of five professional staff and holds overall responsibility for the strategic direction and performance of the student services portfolio.

Minimum Qualifications
Masters degree in a relevant discipline. Minimum of ten years of related experience with experience in area of specialisation or an equivalent combination of education and experience.

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

• Previous experience in senior level leadership role preferably in an academic setting

• Senior level experience in planning directing and managing a complex service program

• Extensive knowledge of academic environments and culture an asset.

• Demonstrable professional experience in student engagement student services and post-secondary educational programming

• Excellent leadership skills with a consultative and collaborative approach to management and the ability to effectively develop and maintain cooperative and productive working relationships

• Previous experience driving large complex projects including experience planning and developing strategic plans and setting direction in a complex and multi-faceted work environment.

• Must have the ability to exercise a high level of diplomacy and discretion in both internal and external interactions. This position requires the ability to thrive in a complex interrelated organizational setting.

• Must be able to effectively meet deadlines and time constraints.

• Ability to effectively create and manage budgets.

• Requires excellent writing and communications skills excellent organizational skills and the ability to work well under pressure.