Associate Director, International Enrolment, Recruitment

The Associate Director, International Enrolment, Recruitment & Regulatory Compliance is a key leadership position at Douglas College, responsible for providing strategic direction and oversight to the College's international operations. This role requires a high level of expertise in international student recruitment, admissions, and regulatory compliance.

• Enrolment & International Admissions
  • Oversee the efficient processing of international admissions, articulation, and transfer credit requests, ensuring timely communication with applicants and students.
  • Manage application cycle timelines, review and monitor international admission deadlines, targets, and capacity, and ensure effective offer management practices are in place.
  • Monitor the effective issuance of required verification (e.g., Provincial Attestation Letters (PAL)) and ensure an efficient workflow exists at all times.
  • Use professional judgment and exercise delegated authority to make discretionary decisions that are exceptions and variances to established regulations and institutional procedures on matters related to international admissions.
  • Work collaboratively with Enrolment Services and Information Technology Services (ITS) in the development and/or enhancement of systems, processes, and initiatives related to applications, admissions, and articulation, ensuring the needs of international students are met.
  • Develop and maintain training plans/materials for staff, including Offshore Recruitment Specialists, and documentation for activities related to international applications, admissions, articulation, and transfer credit; consult with various departments of the College regarding international admissions.
  • Maintain effective working relationships to ensure consistency in the admissions process and the integrity of the portion of the student record under DCI's jurisdiction.
  • Collaborate with the international recruitment team and the international advising team on applicant follow-ups and overall international student enrolment initiatives.
  • Analyze admissions patterns looking for trends and making recommendations to DCI Senior Administration; provide supporting data for evidence-based decision-making.
  • Liaise with other departments such as Institutional Effectiveness, to ensure the correct interpretation of operational admission and transfer student data, and to ensure that the data captured satisfies institutional reporting needs.
  • Prepare and provide material and training to other admission and recruitment staff on international admission and education systems.
  • Consult and work collaboratively with various departments of the College regarding international admissions (e.g., Faculty Chairs, Coordinators, etc.).
• Marketing & Recruitment
  • Develop communications plans and marketing materials designed to convert new international applicants to registrants by providing timely information to students regarding admissions processes; manage the quality and consistency of messaging to target groups.
  • Develop and oversee international outreach and communications, including Customer Relationship Management (CRM) campaigns, to future international students and current applicants.
  • Represent DCI at national and international recruitment and admissions events, fairs, conferences, and working groups, contributing to the development of DCI's brand and reputation internationally.
  • Draw up regular reports and reviews of marketing activities and strategy for analysis.
  • Use highly developed communication and negotiation skills to protect and develop DCI's international brand presence.
  • Identify, nurture, and manage new commercial opportunities for DCI which may include short-term programs, student recruitment, international corporate training, etc.
• Compliance & External Relations
  • Oversee third-party and Education Agent Relations, including contractual obligations, and outcomes.
  • Liaise with the College's internal privacy and contracts offices to create, formulate, and receive approval for all legally binding documents, contracts, and MOUs (education agents, Offshore Recruitment Specialists, Pathway Partners, etc.).
  • Oversee the development of a network of educational advising partners or agents. Maintain relationships, oversee the development of ongoing training, and ensure compliance with College policies and processes. Review, approve, manage, and terminate agent contracts as needed. This includes understanding and overseeing the financial implications of these contracts for the College.
  • Maintain marketing and admissions compliance for all provincial, federal, and international regulatory and accrediting bodies (EQA, IRCC, etc.).
  • Support the AVP International Education and Director in establishing and managing relationships with relevant federal and provincial departments and ministries (e.g., Global Affairs Canada, Council of Ministers of Education, BC Ministry of Post-Secondary and Future Skills, BC Ministry of Jobs, Trade, and Technology, British Columbia Council on International Education, etc.).
  • Lead and manage all DCI compliance reporting to IRCC.
  • Maintain quality assurance for admissions and/or immigration documents, including Letters of Offer, Letters of Acceptance, applicant emails, refusal letters, deferral letters, pending letters, etc.
  • Manage high-level relationships and partnerships associated with specific international markets, including identifying, developing, and maintaining links with key external stakeholders, including sponsorship bodies, government ministries, embassies, university partners, and agents.
• Operational Administration
  • Manage the operating budget of the unit by projecting annual expenses; administering and approving invoices; reconciling monthly commitment reports; and liaising with Finance staff to resolve discrepancies, etc.
  • Lead, interact, and work with cross-functional teams as needed to create and promote DCI's strategic goals in line with the College's strategic plan.
  • Serve on a variety of committees as delegated.
  • Ensure the effectiveness and competence of administrative team members in their areas of responsibility through selecting, developing, evaluating, and disciplining direct reports, as needed.
  • Prepare workforce plans to meet current and anticipated future needs of the department through human resource strategies that optimize staff roles and contributions.
  • Evaluate and collect feedback from stakeholders on the quality of the College's international marketing and admissions activities and to provide expert advice on the level of support, resources, and change needed to deliver a high-quality service.
  • Foster and maintain relationships with key Canadian and international government offices, i.e., trade commissioners, visa offices, and embassies/consulates, for the purpose of Pathway and Partnership programs.
  • Ensure that appropriate professional development opportunities are made available to International Marketing and Recruitment staff, to support the team's ongoing need for growth and change.
  • Undertake a variety of special projects related to international activities.
  • Establish a high personal standard of service and performance by actively participating in other duties as assigned, education seminars, training programs, etc.
  • Contribute to and promote a safe, respectful, and inclusive work environment by adhering to College policies and procedures and completing mandatory training.
  • Actively model the Douglas College Core Competencies.
  • Act on behalf of the Director in their absence, as requested.
  Requirements
  • Minimum of Bachelor level studies in a relevant field (e.g., Marketing, Education, International Studies, Administration, Social Sciences, Organizational Leadership); graduate or postgraduate level preferred.
  • Minimum of 5-7 years of related work experience, including at least three years of diversified management experience in the International Education field.
  • An equivalent combination of education, training, and experience may be considered.
  • Demonstrated knowledge of and experience in international strategic enrolment management (SEM); evidence of successful recruitment and retention results using SEM.
  • Significant experience and successful results in international marketing and recruitment, and student services.
  • Extensive knowledge of the post-secondary system and trends in Canada and internationally.
  • Successful experience in working with faculty members, administrators, and senior management to accomplish International Education goals, including facilitating work-related experiences and placements for international students.
  • Thorough knowledge of the federal Immigration, Refugees, and Citizenship Canada policies and procedures, and other national/provincial policies related to international students in post-secondary education.
  • Strong interpersonal skills, including negotiation, mediation, diplomacy, conflict resolution, and intercultural communications, with a demonstrated commitment to collaborative and consultative processes.
  • Excellent English language written and verbal skills, including strong skills in report, letter, and speech writing, and in public speaking; Second language preferred.
  • Demonstrated success in the development and management of significant budgets.
  • Experience in employee recruitment, selection, and performance management, particularly in a unionized environment.
  • Regulated International Student Immigration Advisor (RISIA) and/or Regulated Canadian Immigration Consultants (RCIC) certification preferred.
  • Demonstrated abilities that align with the Douglas College Core Competency Framework.