Manager, Student Life

Position Summary

Student Affairs at NIC is dedicated to supporting the academic and personal development of our students.

Reporting to the Associate Director, Student Life & Housing, this role provides day-to-day leadership within the department.

The Manager, Student Life is responsible for key student support services including NIC’s Early Assist program and, in collaboration with the Director and Associate Director of Student Life and Housing, provides case management for student conduct concerns in accordance with NIC policies and procedures.

The Manager, Student Life promotes and creates a positive campus climate to foster student engagement and a culture of inclusion, health and well-being, and to and to support the overall vision and mission of the college.

The Manager, Student Life, is based on the Campbell River campus, but will provide college-wide support. Position Competencies Creates a Positive Climate and Culture – This means they demonstrate a consistent ability to work well with others and foster a sense of belonging among students and staff. They lead by example, promoting respect, interconnection, diversity and inclusion, and health and wellbeing in their interactions with other members of the community.Collaboration – The successful candidate is expected to excel in working with faculty, staff, and students to co-create programs that enhance student life and help students engage in services and processes in a supportive way.Effective Communication Skills – This means the candidate will demonstrate clarity in direct conversations, digital communication, or public engagements, with a sensitivity to the needs of their audience. They will inherently understand that effective communication is just as much about hearing the perspectives of others as it is about making theirs heard.Effectively Develops Goals and Objectives – The successful candidate will consistently set clear, measurable objectives for their work, with tasks planned in a way that logically feeds into broader departmental and college goals, and they will evaluate this work against logical and effective benchmarks determined by themselves, their managers, and the college to self-assess progress and success.Focuses Effectively on Key Results and Priorities – The successful candidate will be able to shift their work priorities in a way that ensures their efforts are targeted towards the work that has the most significant impact on the student experience.Demonstrates a Focus on Continuous Improvement – The candidate should be able to show that they employ a proactive approach to self- and systems improvement, to both seek ways to enhance their professional practice and the student experience at NIC. They will foster a culture of feedback and learning in their team, and encourage innovation and adaptability to shifting student needs.Interpersonal Effectiveness – The successful candidate will build strong, respectful, and supportive relationships across campus, and bring a genuine interest in the well-being of others to their role.Team Leadership – A successful leader will excel in motivating, guiding, and supporting their team by providing clear direction, fostering professional development opportunities, and work to clearly link the efforts of individual team members with institutional or departmental objectives. Duties & Responsibilities STUDENT CONDUCT AND STUDENT CASE MANAGEMENT Provides support and guidance to the college community on student conduct and judicial affairs. Provides policy guidance to faculty.Collaborates with members of the college community to develop education initiatives related to student policies and procedures.Works independently to investigate, adjudicate, and maintain student cases in accordance with institutional policies including student complaints, student conduct, and student appeals.Ensures consistent application of the College’s academic and administrative policies and procedures to provide effective service and processes for students.Manages the SLOLs and their Early Assist processes and procedures, coordinate an annual report on evaluation of the service and, where necessary, responds to referrals to Early Assist (in collaboration with the Student Life and Outreach Liaison).Identifies students at risk, either via interactions at events or via reports to Early Assist or other venues and escalate Students at Risk to the Student Case Management Team or RAPT as appropriate.Ensures adequate record keeping of student behavioural matters.Manages information within area of responsibility and ensure adherence to the requirements of the Freedom of Information and Protection of Privacy Act.Ensures that student complaints, appeals and other student-related issues are managed in a supportive, fair and consistent manner that reflects NIC policies and procedures. STUDENT LIFE Following the schedule and direction set by the Director and Associate Director, plans and executes a calendar of events designed to educate, engage, and connect NIC students to each other and the community. These live and virtual events will cover a range of themes including (but not limited to) Indigenization; mental health; equity, diversity, and inclusion; substance use and harm reduction; healthy relationships and wellness.Delivers student Orientation College-wide, supporting the transition from an events-based orientation to a longer term, outcomes-based orientation that begins at matriculation and ends approximately 6 weeks after the student has formally entered the learning environment.Coordinates the Student Leadership Team including promotion, recruitment and development of programming including the annual student leadership retreat.Promotes Student Life (and College) events and activities through various platforms including social media, media releases and the Student Life Newsletter.Conducts assessment and evaluation of programs and events within their scope of responsibility.Executes key deliverables at the direction of the Sexual Violence Education Team. PLANNING AND PROJECTS Plans and manages projects pertaining to Student Life, as appropriate.Provides support to the Associate Director Student Life & Housing, as required. HUMAN RESOURCES AND EMPLOYEE RELATIONS Manages and supervises designated direct reports, including recruitment and selection of staff, conducting orientation and performance planning and assessment functions, in line with established College policies and processes.Using a teamwork approach, promote an organizational environment that encourages personal productivity, job satisfaction and the professional growth of employees within the division.Implements the values of the College, promoting a learning and working environment where individuals are treated with dignity and respect. Promotes and encourages innovation and creativity and ensure that the College’s practices are conducted openly, honestly and in the public’s best interests.Under the direction of the Associate Director, Student Life and Housing, ensures that College policies, procedures and provisions in collective agreements are observed. Required Education & Experience Master’s degree, or clearly articulated equivalent, in business administration, education, counselling or related discipline from a recognized accredited institution. Formal training and/or certification in conflict resolution is also required.A minimum of five years’ directly related experience in student life function in a post-secondary, unionized environment.An equivalent combination of experience and education in a related field may be considered. Required Knowledge Skills & Abilities 1. Strong interpersonal and intercultural communication skills.2. Experience working with students from diverse backgrounds.3. Strong mediation and facilitation skills.4. Demonstrated successful ability to manage and work with interdisciplinary teams.5. Proven ability to exercise impartiality, discretion, good judgment, sensitivity, prudence, critical thinking, and ability to make sound decisions in a high-pressure environment with multiple, shifting priorities.6. Excellent knowledge of student policy administration and disciplinary adjudication.7. Excellent conflict resolution, negotiation, investigative techniques and report writing skills, including certification in conflict resolution training.8. Demonstrated experience working with risk/threat assessment teams, including certification by a recognized training agency in threat/risk assessment and intervention (preferred).9. Training in Sexual Violence & Misconduct investigations (preferred).10. Excellent research and analytical reasoning skills.11. Proven ability to work independently, to maintain confidentiality, and to initiate action on matters relating to Student Support and Services.12. Experience with an integrated Student Information System.13. Demonstrated competence working with current Microsoft software and databases.14. Demonstrated experience managing an operating budget.15. A personal commitment to an open and consultative communication style.16. Valid BC Driver’s License.

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