Senior Director, Student Wellness, Access and Support (Student and Enrolment Services)

We would like to take this opportunity to acknowledge the traditional territories of the people of the Treaty 7 region in Southern Alberta. The City of Calgary is also home to Métis Nation of Alberta, Region III.

Position Overview

Student and Enrolment Services is currently seeking a Full-time Regular Senior Director, Student Wellness, Access and Support.

The Student and Enrolment Services (SES) unit at the University of Calgary is comprised of a diverse group of professionals that strive to contribute and continually enhance our learning environment and experiences of our students through delivering inclusive centralized services, programs and resources to support all students in meeting their potential for academic success, personal well-being and career achievement.

The Senior Director, Student Wellness, Access and Support reports to the Vice Provost (Student Experience) and is a key member to the SES senior leadership team to which this role provides collaborative leadership and shared accountability to the overall SES portfolio successes. This position provides leadership, strategic direction and operational oversight to the Student Wellness, Access and Support teams which is comprised of approximately 75 interprofessional employees and oversees a budget of approximately $3.8 million.

The primary function for the Senior Director, Student Wellness, Access and Support is to sustain, develop, and implement strategic and operational plans to ensure the SWAS portfolio's viability meets the needs of the students now and into the future and ensure the operating model is financially self-sustaining and revenue generating. Oversight of the operating model and service delivery teams includes University Health Services, Mental Health Services, the Student-At-Risk portfolio, Student Accessibility Services, Sexual and Gender Based Violence Support, Peer Support and Outreach (including the Women's Resource Centre, Health Promotion, and the Faith and Spirituality Centre). The Senior Director plans and ensures appropriate resource allocation, budget and quality management processes for these areas.

Position Description

Summary of Key Responsibilities (job functions include but are not limited to):

• Develops and implements strategic and operational plans aligned with Student and Enrolment Services and the University of Calgary strategic priorities.
• Provides leadership and direction to the Associate Director, Managers, and Senior Physician on administrative, financial, and human resource issues.
• Implements and effectively leads change management initiatives to support operational and strategic innovation.
• Understands the principles of employment equity and advances EDIA priorities as part of the ethos of all operational decisions, service provision, professional development and approach to recruitment and retention of talent.
• Understands and is committed to the principles of working in parallel paths and ethical space as part of our integrated work with the Office of Indigenous Engagement and the University of Calgary's Indigenous Strategy in service to the community
• Provides leadership and direction for Student Wellness, Access and Support in the recruitment, selection, promotion, discipline, and termination of professional staff and all support staff.
• Supports and sustains the teaching professional setting for volunteer and peer support teams, and ensures study, volunteer and practicum opportunities are available for students in kinesiology, nursing, social work, applied psychology and other faculties.
• Serves as a key role on the Emergency Operations and Threat Assessment teams, providing direction regarding the well-being of students during crisis or emergency and providing key messages to the campus community concerning any health-related advice and procedures.
• Co-chairs the Campus Mental Health Strategy, a major strategic initiative with the University of Calgary that supports a flourishing, resilient, and healthy campus community.
• Develops, implements and manages annual and long-range financial and budget planning, management, control and reporting operating budgets for the Student Wellness Services and supports the same work with Student Accessibility Services.
• Supports the Vice Provost (Student Experience) with business and financial planning for Student Wellness, Access and Support using comprehensive revenue and expense summaries, reports and forecasts.
• Works with the Finance Partner for Student and Enrolment Services to develop financial procedures and implement same for cost accountability. Engages in fund raising opportunities to support Student Wellness, Access and Support and special projects
• Ensures projects undertaken by Student Wellness, Access and Support are managed effectively, on time, and in alignment with the overall objectives.
• Provides support and information for strategic planning and accountability processes to ensure targets are met and standards are maintained through transition periods.
• Communicates effectively and establishes effective working relationships with the staff of Student Wellness, Access & Support.
• Establishes and maintains effective and productive relationships with other departments and external service providers.
• Coordinates advertising and communications regarding Student Wellness, Access and Support to ensure effective marketing strategies are implemented.
• Oversees development, maintenance and communication of procedures and guidelines.

Qualifications / Requirements:

• A postsecondary education in healthcare (e.g. social work, psychology, public health administration, nursing) or business administration (e.g. finance, accounting, leadership) would be preferred and/or 10+ years of experience in an administrative role in a health related or wellness centre and/or combination of business experience and education would be considered.
• Progressive senior leadership experience required, preferably working within a multi-disciplinary healthcare and/or postsecondary setting.
• Experienced leader in leading and delivering results at both an operational and portfolio-based level.
• Ability to lead and manage transformational change within complex operational settings with proven experience in developing successful plans which support outcomes informed by meaningful and authentic consultation.
• Understanding of the postsecondary sector within a student wellness context is considered an asset.
• Experience and understanding of clinical healthcare systems, People Soft, Microsoft Office is preferred.
• Strong working knowledge of Electronic Medical Systems including direct experience with the transition and implementation of electronic medical records (EMR) into clinical practice.
• Effective communicator, problem solver and multi-tasker to determine and lead workload assignment and prioritization for self and others.
• Sound understanding and application of Alberta medical regulations, codes and legislation as well as knowledge of Alberta Health and Wellness, WCB and 3rd party billing procedures that relate to the job is also required.
• Team-oriented leadership style with collaborative approach to deliver shared portfolio successes.
• Proven ability to manage sensitive and confidential matters in a professional manner.
• Excellent writing and communication skills.

Application Deadline:  February 10, 2023

We would like to thank all applicants in advance for submitting their resumes. Please note, only those candidates chosen to continue on through the selection process will be contacted.

Additional Information

This position is classified in the Management Career Band, Level 4 of the Management and Professional Staff Career Framework. Management and Professional Staff (MaPS) Positions are currently under review as part of the Alberta Labour Relations Board exclusion review process. Visit the HR website for more information.

To find out more about management and staff opportunities at the University of Calgary and all we have to offer, view our Management and Staff Careers website.

The University strongly recommends all faculty and staff are fully vaccinated against COVID-19.

About the University of Calgary

The University of Calgary is Canada’s leading next-generation university – a living, growing and youthful institution that embraces change and opportunity with a can-do attitude. Located in the nation’s most enterprising city, the university is making tremendous progress on its Eyes High journey to be recognized as one of Canada’s top five research universities, grounded in innovative learning and teaching and fully integrated with the community it both serves and leads. The University of Calgary inspires and supports discovery, creativity and innovation across all disciplines. For more information, visit ucalgary.ca.

The University of Calgary has launched an institution-wide Indigenous Strategy in line with the foundational goals of Eyes High, committing to creating a rich, vibrant, and culturally competent campus that welcomes and supports Indigenous Peoples, encourages Indigenous community partnerships, is inclusive of Indigenous perspectives in all that we do.

As an equitable and inclusive employer, the University of Calgary recognizes that a diverse staff/faculty benefits and enriches the work, learning and research experiences of the entire campus and greater community. We are committed to removing barriers that have been historically encountered by some people in our society. We strive to recruit individuals who will further enhance our diversity and will support their academic and professional success while they are here. In particular, we encourage members of the designated groups (women, Indigenous peoples, persons with disabilities, members of visible/racialized minorities, and diverse sexual orientation and gender identities) to apply. To ensure a fair and equitable assessment, we offer accommodation at any stage during the recruitment process to applicants with disabilities. Questions regarding [diversity] EDI at UCalgary can be sent to the Office of Equity, Diversity and Inclusion (equity@ucalgary.ca) and requests for accommodations can be sent to Human Resources (hrhire@ucalgary.ca).

We encourage all qualified applicants to apply, however preference will be given to Canadian citizens and permanent residents of Canada.