Awards Advisor

**Job Title**
- Awards Advisor (Full-Time) Continuing

**About the University**

**It’s your time to shine**
Work where the world comes to create, discover and learn.
We are one of Canada’s top universities and leading research institutions. With more than 8,000 undergraduate and graduate students, two campuses (Lethbridge and Calgary), seven faculties and schools, and more than 2,500 employees, ULethbridge is Lethbridge’s second largest employer. Faculty and staff come together to contribute, each in their own way, to establishing ULethbridge as Canada’s destination university. In 2022, Lethbridge was recognized as one of Canada’s top small cities.

**Position Details**

**About the Role**

The Awards Advisor plays a vital role in supporting the financial wellness and academic success of our students. This position oversees the administration of the University’s substantial undergraduate awards program while providing compassionate financial advising to students navigating complex financial circumstances.

At its core, this role is about helping students flourish: ensuring that awards are distributed fairly and transparently, guiding students through the challenges of government student aid, and being a supportive presence for those facing financial crises. The Awards Advisor contributes directly to the retention and success of students by promoting financial literacy, creating access to resources, and working one-on-one with learners to address immediate and long-term needs.

**Key Responsibilities**

Student Advising & Support
- Provide confidential, empathetic financial advising to a diverse student body, including those experiencing urgent financial crises.
- Support students in navigating government student loan processes, budgeting, and personal finance planning.
- Offer culturally responsive advising, with specific attention to the unique experiences of Indigenous learners and other equity-deserving groups.
- Facilitate referrals to campus and community resources (e.g., emergency bursaries, mental health supports, housing services).
- Awards Program Administration
- Administer and adjudicate the undergraduate awards program, ensuring fairness, accuracy, and alignment with donor terms and institutional policy.
- Coordinate award nomination and adjudication committees, providing training and guidance to reviewers.
- Liaise with faculties, departments, external stakeholders, and government partners to manage award nominations, verifications, and reporting.
- Oversee award payments and maintain accurate documentation for audits, stewardship, and reporting.
- Financial Literacy & Outreach
- Develop and deliver engaging presentations, workshops, and webinars on student financial success topics (scholarships, loans, budgeting).
- Represent Scholarships & Student Finance at recruitment and retention events such as Open House, New Student Orientation, and high school outreach.
- Create accessible resources (guides, handouts, digital content) to assist students and their families in understanding award and loan opportunities.
- Emergency Financial Aid Administration
- Work with compassion, discretion, and judgment to support students facing urgent financial challenges.
- Maintain up-to-date knowledge of local, provincial, and federal emergency resources.

**Position Qualifications**
- Completion of an undergraduate degree, with at least 3 years of related professional experience in student services, financial advising, or a post-secondary setting (a combination of education and experience may be considered).
- Demonstrated ability to provide empathetic, culturally safe, and confidential advising to students in vulnerable situations.
- Knowledge of Indigenous student experiences and barriers within post-secondary education is considered an asset.
- Strong organizational skills with proven attention to detail, accuracy, and the ability to work independently under pressure.
- The ability to prioritize and manage tasks in a deadline-driven environment.
- Excellent communication skills, including the ability to deliver engaging presentations to diverse audiences.
- Proficiency with Microsoft Office (particularly Excel), student information systems, and award management systems.
- Familiarity with government student aid programs, RESPs, and personal finance principles.

**Starting Salary Range (at 1.0 FTE)**
- $5,291.00 - $5,990.00 monthly

**Full Salary Range (at 1.0 FTE)**
- $5,291.00 - $6,687.00 monthly (AUPE - Grade 12)

**Campus**
- Lethbridge

**Employment Group**
- AUPE

**Position Category