Director, Academic and Student Affairs, College of Agriculture and Bioresources
Primary Purpose: The Director of Academic and Student Affairs provides leadership and expertise in the strategic development and management of services that enhance and support the student experience. In addition, this position provides expertise and advice to the college’s senior management (dean, associate deans) in the formulation of policies and procedures regarding student affairs. The director implements and manages projects related to academic programs management.
Nature of Work: Reporting to the Associate Dean (Academic), the Director works closely with college leadership to collaboratively engage students, faculty, department heads, central resources, and other university units to accomplish the college teaching and learning mission. The position is responsible for the efficient administration of six undergraduate degree programs, four diploma programs, four certificate programs, and provides support for academic oversight of non-credit programs. The Director is a resource to college faculty and students, and a liaison with administrative units within the Teaching, Learning, and Student Experience portfolio, as well as counterparts in other colleges and institutions. In addition to working collaboratively with college and university colleagues, the Director establishes working relationships with industry and partner groups outside of the university, as well as supports college actions toward Indigenization and Reconciliation.
The work is unstructured and involves a high volume of work, complex problems, tight deadlines and a need for accuracy. This position requires discretion, a high level of integrity and independent judgement. The Director must deal with emerging and unpredictable events in a sensitive and timely manner. The position requires a commitment to accountability, a high standard of service and continuous improvement.
The Director makes creative decisions on a variety of issues and exercises discretionary decision making which impacts academic decision-making, individual students and policy development. Working conditions can be stressful given the high volume of work, the complex and sensitive nature of problems, tight deadlines and the need for accuracy and creativity.
The Director is responsible for the supervision of the Recruitment and Advising Officer, the Academic Program Advisor, and the Academic Program Assistant.
Typical Duties or Accountabilities:
Enhancing Student Experience:
- Ensure guidance and support to a diverse student population: Responsive to their academic needs, facilitates the pursuit of their educational goals and works to ensure a positive university experience.
- Plan, develop and implement initiatives and projects to effectively support student success and retention. This includes developing and maintaining advising practices and policies, and proactively encouraging, supporting and empowering all students to assume responsibility for their education.
- A first contact for students and faculty seeking help for students in distress; a liaison to Student Affairs and Outreach, Student Wellness Centre, and Access and Equity Services.
- Ensure accuracy of faculty advising and conformity of academic programs, providing support and training as appropriate; provide direct student advising to support to college advising team when necessary;
- Establish collaborative and mutually beneficial working relationships with student organizations;
- Foster activities that support student participation in experiential and exchange programs within the college and university;
- Implement information gathering on the student experience through surveys, and develop reports and recommendations based on gathered information;
- Manage projects that enhance the student experience, and work as a member of college project teams.
Academic Resources:
- Provide expertise, information and advice on development, implementation and management of academic programs, policies and procedures;
- Provide administrative support for undergraduate curricular development, revision, and approval
- Provide support for the AgBio Undergraduate Affairs Committee;
- Ensure staff are appropriately trained and supervised in the areas of admissions, academic programs, awards, maintenance of student records, accuracy of information transmitted to students, faculty and the public;
- Is the senior staff contact for student academic and personal support services. Ensures students are counselled for academic success and provided with support and referrals for students at risk;
- Verify statistics related to programs, faculty and enrolment;
- Supervise student record system and convocation preparation
- Make recommendations on faculty actions and student appeals, based on college policies, university regulations and professional judgement;
- Support faculty and department heads in the development of course proposals and revisions;
- Make recommendations and/or decisions based on a thorough knowledge and assessment of relevant, objective data and information.
Administrative Resources:
- Provide leadership in the establishment of transfer articulation agreements with post-secondary institutions and facilitate training for faculty about transfer articulation;
- Provide recommendations for development of awards; supervise the administration of scholarships and bursaries and provide recommendations to award committees for allocation of scholarships and bursaries;
- Ensure that advising-related content on all on-line outlets is accurate, pertinent, up-to-date and effectively presented;
- Collaborate on budget recommendations in support of initiatives; ensure projects are completed within assigned budgets and timelines;
- Contribute to the direction of the college and university through membership on committees as appropriate.
People Resources:
- Challenge self and others to achieve desired results, recognize opportunities and follow through on them; draw on a variety of resources and services to support these efforts;
- Hold staff accountable for high standards of performance and outcomes that are aligned with the vision and direction of the college and university;
- Support the success of staff by supervising, mentoring, coaching and managing performance;
- Understand and appreciate diversity; ensure sensitivity to and knowledge of cultural differences;
- Deal with sensitive and confidential issues using discretion, judgement and compassion;
- Accept responsibility for self-development and personal career development. Maintain awareness of developing trends and methodologies.
Education: A minimum of an undergraduate degree is required.
Experience: Minimum of seven years directly related experience. Demonstrated effective supervisory experience. Direct experience using University of Saskatchewan student and operating systems; experience in the interpretation and application of policies, procedures and academic regulations of the University of Saskatchewan; experience using MS Office and web-based applications; familiarity with project management processes. Ability to inform students of current opportunities and careers available to graduates. Experience advising students is an asset.
Skills: Effective and flexible communication skills; effective planning and project management; the ability to work effectively as a team member to further the goals of the college and university; effective organizational skills and the ability to work to deadlines; the ability to respond to change in programs and policies; the ability to perform job functions with accuracy, sensitivity and diplomacy; knowledge of basic counselling techniques; ability to apply practical ethical judgements and recognize potential ethical problems; ability to use a variety of processes to manage crisis and to know when to refer to another area of the organization; effective listening skills; the ability to facilitate groups.
Inquiries regarding this position can be directed to Associate Dean, Tom Yates at Tom.Yates@usask.ca.
Department: College of Agriculture and Bioresources
Status: Term 1 year with the possibility of extension
Employment Group: ASPA
Full Time Equivalent (FTE): 1.0
Salary: The salary range, based on 1.0 FTE, is $87,266.00 - 145,353.00 per annum. The starting salary will be commensurate with education and experience.
Salary Family (if applicable): Managerial
Salary Phase/Band: Phase 3
Posted Date: 4/23/2025
Closing Date: 5/6/2025 at 6:00 pm CST
Number of Openings: 1
Work Location: May be eligible for hybrid work under the terms of USask's Alternative Workspace Guidelines
The University is committed to employment equity, diversity, and inclusion, and are proud to support career opportunities for Indigenous peoples to reflect the community we serve. We are dedicated to recruiting individuals who will enrich our work and learning environments. All qualified candidates are encouraged to apply; however, in accordance with Canadian immigration requirements, Canadian citizens and permanent residents will be given priority. We are committed to providing accommodations to those with a disability or medical necessity. If you require an accommodation to participate in the recruitment process, please notify us and we will work together on the accommodation request. We continue to grow our partnerships with Indigenous communities across the province, nationally, and internationally and value the unique perspective that Indigenous employees provide to strengthen these relationships. Verification of Indigenous Membership/Citizenship at the University of Saskatchewan is led and determined by the deybwewin | taapwaywin | tapwewin: Indigenous Truth policy and Standing Committee in accordance with the processes developed to enact the policy. Successful candidates that assert Indigenous membership/citizenship will be asked to complete the verification process of Indigenous membership/citizenship with documentation. The University of Saskatchewan’s main campus is situated on Treaty 6 Territory and the Homeland of the Métis. We pay our respects to the First Nations and Métis ancestors of this place and reaffirm our relationship with one another. Together, we are uplifting Indigenization to a place of prominence at the University of Saskatchewan.