Team Lead, International Student Advising

Studying abroad is an incredible — and sometimes daunting — experience. SAIT’s International Centre is focused on attracting international students to study at SAIT, assisting with their transition to the institute and life in Canada and supporting them while they study here. If you have a passion for guiding students to new opportunities, and have experience supporting and mentoring international, we want to meet you.

The Opportunity

Reporting to the Manager, International Student Support, the incumbent provides leadership, support and guidance to International Student Advisors and carries out strategic directions established by the Manager. The Team Lead is responsible for managing the day to day operations of the International Student Advisors. The Team Lead will participate in creating goals and objectives for the team and will oversee the development and implementation of strategies to improve and expand international student advising at SAIT. The Team Lead is primarily responsible for the development, execution and management of the comprehensive international student advising strategy.

Additionally, the Team Lead works closely with the leaders overseeing advising in individual Schools as well as colleagues from Student Services, Office of the Registrar, etc. The key indicator of success for this role will be measured by meeting KPIs in the international student advising strategy. The Team Lead will work closely with the Manager to drive international student success.

*Please note this role is on-campus

The Role

• Leadership and Management (35%)

• Lead, coach, and motivate the international advising team to achieve personal and departmental goals

• Provide guidance and assessments of workflow/processes within the team/department and identify opportunities to improve efficiencies

• Identify requirements for changes in staffing needs, adjust existing staff allocations and recommends additional resources as appropriate

• Ensure efficient use of resources and attainment of department targets

• Manage and approve scheduling for vacations for advising staff ensuring that there is adequate coverage

• Assigns work in accordance with team responsibilities and priorities, in conjunction with overall departmental goals

• Analyze results of departmental key performance indicators and identify opportunities for improvement

• Monitor activity and performance measures for individual staff by providing feedback and mentoring

• Ensure best practices are applied in student retention, including adherence to SAIT policies and procedures

• Ensures policies/procedures are upheld and changes are implemented effectively

• Work collaboratively with all members of the International Centre to position SAIT as a global leader in applied education

• International Advising (35%)

• In collaboration with the Manager, establish international student advising strategy and targets to support departmental and institutional priorities

• Research and recommend new opportunities for international student advising based on stakeholder needs and trends etc.

• Research strategies and evaluate effectiveness of international student advising and engagement activities (create focus groups and or surveys)

• Proactively work with international stakeholders to remove barriers for international learners

• Participate in various committees to ensure that the international voice is both present and heard

• Utilize a participative approach working with direct reports during periods of high volume and/or staff shortages

• Relationship Management - Internal and External (20%)

• Build and manage rapport with all members of the International Centre team

• Establish and maintain relationships with the leaders overseeing advising in individual Schools and other internal stakeholders in order to strategically manage student supports and retention

• Establish and maintain effective relationships with external stakeholders including Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC), the Alberta government and Advanced Education as well as colleagues across Canada

• General Responsibilities (10%)

• Promote a positive work environment

• Other duties as assigned by the Manager

Qualifications & Experience

• Minimum Required

• Post-secondary degree, preferably in International Relations, International Communications, International Business, etc.

• A minimum of 5 years of directly related experience in International Education, preferably in a post-secondary setting

• Experience as an Advisor and a Supervisor in a college and/or university setting

• Experience developing a high-level student success plan and seeing it through to completion

• Preferred

• Masters in a related field would be considered an asset

• RISIA and/or RCIC certification would be considered an asset

• Demonstrated excellence in supervision, including leveraging the capabilities of a wide range of people and units

• Ability to foster collaboration and trust, superior interpersonal and communication skills, including excellent ability to communicate with people from a wide variety of cultures and linguistic backgrounds

• Experience with student information systems preferred

• Second language would be an asset

• RISIA and/or RCIC certification would be considered an asset

Job classification: Supervisor - P5939

Salary range: $75,000 - $87,000

Paid Leave: 4 Weeks Vacation / 14 Flex Days per year

Hours Per Week: 37.5

Posting closing date: July 16, 2024

View a summary of our benefits and perks for salaried employees as one of Alberta's Top Employers, including health & dental care, pension plan, vacation & special leave and flexible work options at our beautiful inner-city campus.

About SAIT

SAIT is a global leader in applied education. Named one of Alberta’s Top Employers, we offer the chance to work with a purpose — preparing the next generation of industry leaders, entrepreneurs, advocates and explorers.

Building on our 100+ year history, we’re looking for innovative, bold and collaborative employees who embrace change and deliver world-class customer experiences. Your future starts now at SAIT.

Equity, diversity and inclusion (EDI) is essential to achieving SAIT’s vision to be a global leader in applied education. We encourage applications from women, Indigenous people, racialized people, people with disabilities, people from gender and sexually diverse communities, and/or people with intersectional identities. Learn more about EDI at SAIT.

At SAIT, we understand that experience comes in many forms. We’re dedicated to adding diverse perspectives to SAIT - so if your experience is close to what we’re looking for, please consider applying.

SAIT is committed to supporting persons with disabilities throughout the recruitment process. We will work with applicants to provide accommodations upon request to the Talent Advisor.

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