Associate Director, Student Success and Access Programs

Job Description

Overview

ABOUT THE POSITION

The Associate Director, Student Success & Access Programs provides visionary leadership and hands-on operational oversight for an integrated portfolio that bridges academic access programming with comprehensive student success services. This includes strategic direction and management of Counselling, Accessibility, Health Services, Academic Advising, and specialized transition programs such as the School-College-Work Initiative (SCWI) and Community Integration through Cooperative Education (CICE).

Guided by a commitment to equity, inclusion, and the removal of systemic barriers, the Associate Director designs and advances pathways that empower learners to successfully transition into, navigate, and excel in post-secondary education. A central mandate of the role is to champion a proactive and coordinated mental health and wellness strategy, encompassing prevention, early intervention, and responsive supports, to foster student wellbeing, resilience, and academic persistence.

Working collaboratively with academic leaders, faculty, student services teams, and community partners, the Associate Director supports the development and implementation of evidence-informed retention strategies aimed at strengthening student engagement, reducing attrition, and enhancing the overall learner experience. This role requires operational excellence, and relationship-building expertise to ensure programs are student-centered, financially responsible, and fully aligned with institutional priorities and ministry expectations.

SPECIFIC ACCOUNTABILITIES

Responsibilities

• Strategic Leadership and Program Oversight •Lead the planning, delivery, and continuous improvement of Counselling, Accessibility, Health Services, Academic Advising, SCWI, and CICE in alignment with institutional and divisional strategic priorities.
• Oversee Access Programming to ensure accessible, inclusive, and supportive transitions to post-secondary education and effective marketing and recruitment.
• Ensure all programs and services meet ministry requirements, institutional quality standards, and student needs, through regular program review, curriculum oversight, and service evaluation.
• Collaborate with academic leaders, faculty, and service departments to create pathways for student success and strengthen connections between academic programs and support services.

Student Support and Wellbeing

• Manage the delivery of academic, career, personal, and crisis counselling, along with mental health initiatives that promote student wellness and retention.
• Provide leadership for accessibility services, including accommodation planning, learning strategies, adaptive technology, and testing accommodations.
• Guide strategies for early identification and support of students at risk, including oversight of Day 11/28 interventions and the High-Risk Intervention Team.
• Support specialized populations, including SCWI and CICE students, by developing safety protocols, troubleshooting behavioural concerns, and engaging with families, caregivers and community supports.

Partnership, Marketing and Outreach

• Build and maintain partnerships with school boards, community agencies, employers, and provincial networks to advance program goals and expand student opportunities.
• Lead SCWI and CICE operational planning with Regional Planning Teams, ensuring alignment with community needs and ministry expectations.
• Represent the College on relevant local, regional, and provincial committees; advocate for continuous improvement and innovation in service delivery.
• Oversee marketing and outreach initiatives for all assigned programs, including orientation events, open houses, graduation ceremonies, and targeted recruitment activities.

Financial Management

• Develop, manage, and reconcile budgets for assigned areas, ensuring fiscal accountability and compliance with college and ministry guidelines.
• Prepare and submit funding proposals, operational plans, and required reports to the College and ministries.
• Allocate resources effectively to maximize student impact and program sustainability.

Health and Safety

• Ensure all programs and services operate within college health and safety standards, and that students in community placements or residence settings have appropriate safeguards in place.
• Partner with Health & Safety to develop and maintain emergency protocols, PPE requirements, and return-to-work/accommodation plans for employees.

Education

• A Master’s degree in Education, Student Affairs, Social Work, Counselling, or a related field is required.
• A Graduate degree in Social Work, Counselling, or Clinical Psychology with training in counselling approaches relevant to the post-secondary context would be considered a strong asset.

Previous Experience

The ideal candidate will have at minimum 7 years of experience in each of the following:

• Specialized experience in student services leadership within a post-secondary environment.
• Supervising multidisciplinary teams and managing budgets.
• Developing, implementing, and evaluating programs and services.
• Supporting students with developmental or learning disabilities, at-risk populations, and diverse learners.
• Strong knowledge of counselling practices, learning theory, and student development strategies.
• Expertise in consensus building, conflict resolution, and stakeholder engagement to manage complex student and institutional needs.

Additional Qualifications

• Leadership and management experience within student services/student affairs, with proven ability to deliver quality and timely results.
• Demonstrated experience supervising staff, managing budgets, and leading multidisciplinary teams in a post-secondary environment.
• Strong knowledge of counselling practices, learning theory, student development theory, and strategies that promote student retention and success.
• Experience supporting students with developmental or learning disabilities, at-risk students, and diverse student populations.
• Proven ability to develop, implement, and evaluate programs, services, and strategies in post-secondary institutions.
• Skilled in consensus building, negotiation, conflict resolution, and influencing decisions across a diverse stakeholder environment.
• Strong communication, presentation, facilitation, and interpersonal skills, with experience engaging students, faculty, parents, community partners, and senior administrators.
• Ability to analyze and use data to inform decision-making, forecast needs, and evaluate programs and services.
• Demonstrated capacity to manage multiple complex projects concurrently with tact, diplomacy, and sound judgment.
• Familiarity with client information systems and technology-based tools for student support.
• Experience in curriculum development, training, and/or teaching at the post-secondary level is an asset.
• Knowledge of strategic planning, financial management, marketing, and student assessment practices.
• Self-motivated, adaptable, and committed to fostering an inclusive and supportive learning environment.