Student Advisor

OCAD University acknowledges the ancestral territories of the Mississaugas of the Credit, the Haudenosaunee, the Anishinaabeg and the Huron-Wendat, who are the original owners and custodians of the land on which we live, work and create. OCAD University, Canada’s largest and oldest art and design university, is a vibrant community of bold, curious and compassionate artists, designers and scholars who are imagining and creating a joyful, equitable and sustainable world. The University is an internationally renowned hub for art, design, digital media, research, innovation and creativity, and arts administration. It embraces collaborative and interdisciplinary approaches to change-making through art and design-thinking curriculum and research, making OCAD U a local, regional, national and global leader in art and design. It is an exciting time to join the OCAD U community as the University is at a key stage in its institutional transformation, with the implementation of its Academic and Strategic Plan and guiding principles — driving positive impact; decolonization, indigenization and equity; environmental sustainability; emerging as a vibrant hub; student centered approaches; innovation in learning teaching and research; and financial stewardship. Reporting to the Associate Registrar, Student Advising & Special Projects and working with the Faculty Offices and Student Affairs staff across the University, the Student Advisor serves as the first point of contact for students for the Office of the Registrar at OCAD University, providing timely and compassionate in-person support. This role is central in fostering a welcoming and inclusive environment for all students, guiding students through institutional processes, and connecting them with appropriate resources to support their academic, creative and personal goals. The Student Advisor maintains a broad knowledge and understanding of relevant university policies and procedures, services and resources, and works both proactively and collaboratively with staff and faculty to identify systemic barriers to success and refer students to other resources as appropriate. Student Advising is committed to decolonization and centering the student journey, and the Student Advisor will be instrumental in our ongoing efforts to dismantle systemic and structural barriers, fostering diversity, equity and inclusion in approaches to student engagement and retention efforts. Responsibilities Student Engagement & Support Greet and assist students and visitors at the front desk, ensuring a professional and welcoming environment Respond to walk-in inquiries and provide support in navigating institutional systems and resolving concerns Maintain a visible and approachable presence in the Office of the Registrar to encourage student trust and engagement Monitor student traffic and triage needs to ensure timely and effective service delivery Build a trusting relationship with students based on mutual respect and shared expectations Empower students to take ownership of their academic journey by supporting goal-setting and informed decision-making Recognize and respond to students’ holistic well-being—including physical, emotional, spiritual, and social factors—as essential to their academic success Academic Advising Deliver comprehensive advising on course selection, academic standing, program and degree requirements, registration, and available support services Advise students experiencing academic challenges, including steps to regain good standing and referrals to appropriate resources Provide exploration and explanation of options and assist students in prioritizing and developing personalized action plans aligned with their academic and creative goals Demonstrate effective referral skills and maintain knowledge of campus resources and institutional protocols Maintain current knowledge of University policies, procedures, and best practices in student advising Administrative & Operational Support Support daily operations of the Office of the Registrar, including appointment scheduling, email triage, case documentation, and general administrative tasks Assist with intake processes including case escalation Maintain compliance with university policies on privacy, confidentiality, and record-keeping Ensure the office space is organized, accessible, and stocked with current informational materials Assist in coordinating advising events, workshops, and orientation activities, including setup and front-facing logistics Collaboration & Outreach Collaborate with campus partners to ensure seamless referrals and coordinated student support Maintain regular communication with student service areas to facilitate timely and effective referrals Support the Associate Registrar in advancing advising initiatives, including the development of informational materials and workshops Qualifications Post-secondary degree in a relevant field, or equivalent, with a minimum of three (3) years of related experience in a post-secondary environment Possess direct experience and a deep awareness of the structural and systemic barriers faced by marginalized communities Demonstrate an acute understanding of intersectionality and the impacts of social location on accessing and navigating support resources Experience in a high-volume, customer-facing role, preferably in a postsecondary or student services setting Demonstrated ability to manage multiple priorities in a fast-paced, in-person environment Strong interpersonal skills with a focus on empathy, active listening, and problem-solving in real-time Experience with student information systems and learning management systems Proficiency with Microsoft Office applications Familiarity with policies and procedures related to Registrarial services at the post-secondary level Strong oral, written and visual communication skills Strong interpersonal and analytical skills Demonstrated professionalism, and the ability to exercise tact, good judgement and diplomacy Strong organizational and time management skills Demonstrated attention to detail, and the ability to meet strict deadlines and work effectively under pressure of high volume and constantly changing priorities Demonstrated ability to take initiative and be an active contributor in the planning, and implementation of student-centred services Demonstrated ability to work independently and participate collaboratively in a team environment Demonstrated commitment to the principles of equity and diversity and experience promoting a respectful work and learning environment for students, staff and faculty This posting is for an existing vacancy. Mode of Work: On Campus (5 days per week). Compensation: Hiring Range - $57,486.45 to $65,772.56 per annum, commensurate with experience, plus benefits; Salary Range - $57,486.45 to $75,566.13 per annum. Hours of Work: Monday to Friday, 35 hours per week. Application Deadline: Interested applicants are invited to submit an updated resume and cover letter (PDF) by selecting "Apply Now" below. Please apply no later than Thursday January 15th, 2026. Candidates are encouraged to address in their cover letters how their social location / lived experience informs their approach to this work. Please upload your resume and cover letter as one PDF. Please name your upload: FirstName_LastName-Job Code As an employer committed to employment equity, we encourage applications from members of equity-deserving communities including women, racialized and Indigenous persons, persons with disabilities, and persons of all sexual orientations and gender identities/expressions. OCAD University is committed to providing an inclusive and barrier free experience to applicants with accessibility needs. Requests for accommodation can be made at any stage during the recruitment process. Please contact People & Culture for more information or refer to OCAD U’s Policy of Accommodation in Employment for Persons with Disabilities. All qualified persons are encouraged to apply; however, Canadians and permanent residents of Canada will be given priority. While we thank all candidates for their interest, only those short-listed will be contacted. #J-18808-Ljbffr