Director, Student Life

Reporting to the Executive Director, Student Success, the Director, Student Life is responsible for leadership of strategic initiatives and delivery of services relating to co-curricular and extra-curricular student engagement programs, student transitional support services, and athletics and recreation programming. The Director provides oversight for multiple service area managers in several key Student Affairs service areas including new student orientation, peer mentorship and student engagement programs, settlement services (including off-campus housing supports, immigration advising, international student engagement and community connections services), and varsity athletics and recreational programs. The Director leads the development, implementation and evaluation of programs, events and support services for students that support their integration into the College and local community and that facilitate their active engagement with college life. The Director will ensure the values and practices of equity, diversity and inclusion, particularly for individuals and student groups that face systemic and individual access and inclusion barriers, are embedded into programs and services. The Director is a key member of the Student Affairs Leadership Team and works with Academic Faculties and other internal and external community partners on initiatives related to the transition of students as active and engaged members of the community. The Director will provide pan-institutional leadership, consultation and advice to College leadership on these issues and ensure alignment with institutional policies and strategic plans.

**What You’ll Be Doing**
- Providing leadership and direction to supervisory/managerial staff with responsibility for the following portfolios: Student Transitions & Community Connections and Athletics & Recreation:

- Ensuring service delivery excellence, program development, continuous improvement, reporting and compliance for programming relating to new student orientation, student engagement and leadership development, off-campus housing and settlement services, international student supports and varsity athletics and recreational programming;
- Providing leadership, direction and support in the area of vision & strategic planning in all matters related to student transition and engagement initiatives, events and programming, as well as settlement and immigration advising services, and athletics programming;
- Advising on program evaluation, continuous quality improvement, and alignment with the strategic direction of Student Affairs & Sheridan;
- Supporting service area managers and holds accountability for financial and human resources including overseeing leadership recruitment, onboarding, orientation, training and development;
- Recommending best practices in performance management, employee coaching and mentoring, and advises on employee relations matters including grievances;
- Developing and reviewing budgets including costing activities, monitoring variances, approving expenditures, and manages multiple grant funding envelopes;
- Representing Student Affairs with a broad-based understanding of the role and priorities of Student Affairs and how its supports impact the student experience and success;
- Collaborating with Student Affairs leadership ensuring that equity, diversity, and inclusion is embedded across all service areas;
- Promoting a coordinated student support model and delivering a stepped care approach to service;
- Providing leadership, guidance, and acting as a consultant on pan-institutional strategic initiatives relating to student orientation, transition, settlement and engagement;
- Informing senior leadership and stakeholders about emerging trends and anticipated future needs of students, influencing organizational decision-making;
- Performing other related duties and initiatives as required.

**About You**

You have a commitment to advancing equity, diversity and inclusivity, recognize and value the diverse and intersectional identities of our community and promote a sense of belonging.

You are a self-directed natural leader with a highly collaborative spirit which, combined with your keen interpersonal and conflict-resolution skills, empowers you to build positive and collaborative relationships, lead, develop and motivate staff, create and maintain a positive organizational culture.

You exercise sound judgment, diplomacy, discretion, and sensitivity to confidentiality and privacy and are able to handle stressful situations, make decisions, negotiate and handle all levels of conflict in a time sensitive environment.

You are committed to academic excellence and student success and attuned to the development of students, including academic and psycho-social development.

You have familiarity with student service areas of direct supervision, new student orientation, housing, student life, student transition, international student support, athletics & recre