Team Lead- International Student Advising

Studying abroad is an incredible — and sometimes daunting — experience. SAIT’s **International Centre **is focused on attracting international students to study at SAIT, assisting with their transition to the institute and life in Canada and supporting them while they study here. If you have a passion for guiding students to new opportunities, and have experience supporting and mentoring international, we want to meet you.

**The Opportunity**

Reporting to the Manager, International Student Support, the incumbent provides leadership, support and guidance to International Student Advisors and front desk administrative specialists, and carries out strategic directions established by the Manager. The Team Lead is responsible for managing the day to day operations of the International Student Advisors. The Team Lead will participate in creating goals and objectives for the team and will oversee the development and implementation of strategies to improve and expand international student advising at SAIT. The Team Lead is primarily responsible for the development, execution and management of the comprehensive international student advising strategy.

Additionally, the Team Lead works closely with the leaders overseeing advising in individual Schools as well as colleagues from Student Services, Office of the Registrar, etc.

The key indicator of success for this role will be measured by meeting KPIs in the international student advising strategy. The Team Lead will work closely with the Manager to drive international student success.

The individual in this position must be capable of working independently and be a self-starter but with a collegial and collaborative attitude.

Specific responsibilities include:

- Lead the planning and implementation of the international student advising strategy;
- Mentor, train and support staff in achieving team and personal performance objectives aligned with departmental and divisional priorities

Analyze the results of the departmental key performance indicators, recommend strategies for improvement and manage individual and team performances to meet desired objectives and priorities;

**The Role**:
- ** Leadership and Management**:

- Lead, coach, and motivate the international advising team to achieve personal and departmental goals.
- Provide guidance and assessments of workflow/processes within the team/department and identify opportunities to improve efficiencies;
- Identify requirements for changes in staffing needs, adjust existing staff allocations and recommends additional resources as appropriate;
- Ensure efficient use of resources and attainment of department targets;
- Manage and approve scheduling for vacations for advising staff ensuring that there is adequate coverage;
- Assigns work in accordance with team responsibilities and priorities, in conjunction with overall departmental goals.
- Analyze results of departmental key performance indicators and identify opportunities for improvement;
- Monitor activity and performance measures for individual staff by providing feedback and mentoring;
- Ensure best practices are applied in student retention, including adherence to SAIT policies and procedures;
- Ensures policies/procedures are upheld and changes are implemented effectively. Work collaboratively with all members of the International Centre to position SAIT as a global leader in applied education.- **International Advising**:

- In collaboration with the Manager, establish international student advising strategy and targets to support departmental and institutional priorities;
- Research and recommend new opportunities for international student advising based on stakeholder needs and trends etc.;
- Research strategies and evaluate effectiveness of international student advising and engagement activities (create focus groups and or surveys);
- Proactively work with international stakeholders to remove barriers for international learners.
- Participate in various committees to ensure that the international voice is both present and heard.
- Utilize a participative approach working with direct reports during periods of high volume and/or staff shortages.
- **
Relationship Management - Internal and External**:

- Build and manage rapport with all members of the International Centre team;
- Establish and maintain relationships with the leaders overseeing advising in individual Schools and other internal stakeholders in order to strategically manage student supports and retention.
- Establish and maintain effective relationships with external stakeholders including Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC), the Alberta government and Advanced Education as well as colleagues across Canada;
- **
General Responsibilities**:

- Promote a positive work environment
- Other duties as assigned by the Manager

**Qualifications**:
- ** Minimum**:

- Post-secondary degree, preferably in International Relations, International Communications, International B