JOB DESCRIPTION

JOB SUMMARY:

The Manager, Student Experience will establish strategic initiatives and help develop programs to shape an engaging and supportive environment for all Cape Breton University students. This includes initiatives that support student success as it relates to orientation and transition, leadership and life skill development, including the ongoing development and delivery of peer mentorship and peer support programs and community engagement opportunities. The Manager leads a team of student life professionals committed to student success and engages with students regularly to offer meaningful employment and volunteer opportunities primarily on-campus.

The Manager will be knowledgeable of the needs of postsecondary students and best practices in higher education service delivery while being mindful of the unique needs of CBU’s diverse student body including domestic, international, Indigenous, African descent and first-year (direct from high school and transfer) students.

The Manager will be expected to ensure integration and coordination of new programs and services with programs currently being offered by campus and community partners.

The Manager will be supportive of other Manager’s in the Student Affairs Department and will work with the Director on key initiatives.

SPECIFIC RESPONSIBILITIES:

• Provide leadership and direction to the Student Development Officer - First Year Experience; Campus Life & Community Engagement Coordinator; Program Coordinator, African Nova Scotian Youth in the areas of student engagement, development, and student success.
• Lead peer mentorship and support programs for new incoming students with clear goals established to meet needs of incoming students.
• Build partnerships with services and departments on campus with the goal of enhancing and streamlining the student experience.
• Provide excellent leadership to staff including setting clear and reasonable expectations, providing on-going feedback and establishing a strong foundation for performance through comprehensive training.
• Develop plans for Student Experience across multiple locations, including, but not limited to main campus, Cineplex, in-community and online programming.
• Collaborate across the Cape Breton University community with the academic faculties, additional service partners, and Students’ Union, to advance a seamless student intake experience for all students.
• Act as the delegate to the Director to implement Code of Student Conduct processes when infractions occur
• Work collectively and regularly with the Students’ Union to ensure there is a strong connection to student life and experience with special events.
• Liaise between Students’ Union, Conference Services, and Food & Beverage Services on events that utilize the CBU Liquor License. Work with Principal Person on CBU Liquor License to ensure all policy elements related to Alcohol & Gaming are current and relevant.
• Establish and/or strengthen community partnerships with organizations who can be helpful in providing connections for students.
• Establish performance indicators and assessment methods to measure achievement in all areas of responsibility including learning outcomes, program goals and objectives and individual program success.
• Knowledgeable and up to date on the needs of students attending post- secondary institutions including best practices at other institutions, current trends, and forecasting future developments in strategies to enhance the student experience.
• Knowledgeable and up to date on the unique needs of Cape Breton University students and particularly knowledgeable of priority populations including domestic, international, indigenous, African descent and first-year students.
• Provide leadership and direction for the office as it relates to the student experience portfolio. This leadership will be informed by a solid understanding of the student experience based on research, literature and best practice knowledge related to student retention, engagement and development.
• Work closely with other departments to ensure programs and strategies complement one another and are consistent in delivery and outcomes for all students.
• Lead the creation and delivery of strategies and initiatives designed to enhance the student experience with ability to build capacity in programming for all students (i.e. mentorship and student leadership programming).
• Participate in and contribute to regular staff, department and meetings with campus partners as appropriate.
• Engage campus partners in meaningful conversations about factors that contribute to student success, retention and student engagement.
• Establish a network of strategic relationships with campus partners and external organizations to remain up to date on new research, strategies and initiatives and to disseminate this to the broader campus community and within the office as appropriate.
• Have a solid understanding of institutional strategic priorities as they relate to the student experience.

QUALIFICATIONS:

• Baccalaureate degree in a relevant area with knowledge of CBU academic programs and policies. Graduate degree would be considered an asset.
• Five years of relevant postsecondary experience in the areas of Student Experience.
• Enthusiastic about university student success.
• Able to demonstrate the ability to identify and implement innovative and effective programs.
• Experience leading professional staff within a student service environment.
• Experience developing, delivery and evaluating strategies at postsecondary institutions
• Program/project management experience is an asset.
• Proven ability to take initiative and be both creative and flexible.
• Strong oral and written communication skills, solid organizational skills, and sound judgment.
• Demonstrated ability to work collaboratively, build consensus and be sensitive to the needs and interests of various stakeholders, and contribute to the functioning of a diverse team both within the department and across the institution.
• Demonstrated ability to contribute to and thrive in a collaborative environment and to apply a positive team approach to working with colleagues.
• Demonstrated ability to use and interpret data to make decisions, and communicate results effectively to various stakeholders.

Applications must be received by August 9, 2024