Manager, Otsenhákta Student Centre
Position Number: 50020590 /
Department: Otsenhákta Student Centre
NOTE: This posting represents a full-time contract position for the duration of five years.
SCOPE
Reporting to the Executive Director, Student Experience, the incumbent manages the Otsenhákta Student Centre (OSC) as well as provides the university community with expertise and advice relating to the challenges and success of First Nations, Métis and Inuit students at Concordia. This management will be in accordance with the University’s commitment to its Indigenous Directions Action Plan.
PRIMARY RESPONSIBILITIES
• Work closely with Concordia departments, both academic and service, to provide timely and comprehensive supports for Indigenous students. Monitor and evaluate service performance of OSC and student satisfaction and develops strategic plans for enhancement of Indigenous student experience.
• Provide leadership to a team of student services providers. Responsible for hiring, onboarding, training, assignation of work, and performance appraisal of personnel, and inspires autonomy, innovation, and adoption of best practices within a culturally safe environment that puts emphasis on Indigenous ways of knowing and doing.
• Lead further development of the OSC in line with strategic review findings, including implementation of culturally-appropriate psychosocial support through counselling and the managing and growing of a new Elder-in-Residence program. Work closely with leadership of Campus Wellness and Support Services to provide comprehensive wellness care.
• Oversee the development and maintenance of best practice guidelines for Indigenous student services with due consideration for Indigenous-specific issues such as alienation, culture shock, tokenism, and racism. Advise University senior leadership and faculty, including developing and delivering training on the needs and experiences of Indigenous students in post-secondary education.
• Conduct research and analysis of Indigenous student trends, satisfaction and attrition, working closely with Student Services data working groups.
• Manage cases that are non-standard, difficult and/or sensitive situations including race-shifting students misrepresenting themselves as Indigenous. Is responsible for implementation of Concordia’s Indigenous Identity Policy with regards to access to specialized supports. Sit on the permanent expert committee on Indigenous Citizenship and contribute to decisions on Indigenous Identity.
• Respond to the concerns of faculty, staff, students, family members, university lawyers, Ombudsperson, Equity, and the Office of Rights and Responsibilities on student issues and is available for consultations with members of the university community for an inclusive Concordia. May be called upon to speak to media representing Concordia about sensitive issues relating to Indigenous post-secondary education.
• Oversee all OSC processes to ensure conformity with Indigenous Directions Action Plan. Prepare reports, proposals, and help prepare funding requests to government and other specialized external agencies and services for programs related to Indigenous students.
• Develop and manage the annual budget, including government envelopes, in collaboration with the Executive Director. Approve budget expenditures for the department and oversee timesheet approvals for student employees.
• Coordinates and oversee services dedicated to integration of Indigenous students into academic life. Work with university partners such as Enrolment Services, Services for New Students, Co-Op and Career and Planning Services to develop programing for students as they enter and leave university.
• Represent OSC on internal and inter-university committees including future campus planning, design and sustainability committees.
• Provide student advising support.
• Participate in and leads various projects assigned by the Executive Director.
• Perform other duties in support of the operation of the unit.
REQUIREMENTS
• Bachelor degree in a related field with four to seven years related work experience in developing and implementing support services for Indigenous students, ideally in a post-secondary environment, and at least three years in a supervisory role.
• Demonstrated knowledge of the unique challenges and needs of Indigenous students.
• Four to seven years of experience working with Indigenous peoples, communities, collectives and organizations.
• Demonstrated expertise in Indigenous ways of knowing and doing, including Indigenous ethics, values and protocols.
• Demonstrated experience in managing complex cases including when Indigenous student issues intersect with social determinants of health such as income, race, and gender.
• Excellent interpersonal and communication skills with the ability to deal sensitively, fairly, and confidentially with individuals in difficult personal situations.
• Compassionate, able to maintain composure and provide a calming presence during critical events.
• Diplomatic and skilled in stakeholder management and change management, and able to encourage constructive discourse and build consensus. Ability to lead through influence, build fruitful relationships with internal departments, faculties, and community organizations.
• Bold, forward thinker who can provide an Indigenous perspective and lead the OSC in implementing its strategic review.
• Experience in developing institutional policies and protocols.
• Strong planning, organizing, decision-making, and problem-solving skills. Ablility to multi-task, manage competing projects to deadline and budget, and work under pressure.
• Proven team management skills and an ability to foster a positive, productive, and cohesive team environment. Team building capacity, ability to inspire autonomy, and promote and enable professional development. Demonstrated knowledge of best practices in hiring and motivating personnel, and in conducting performance management.
• Strong budgeting and financial planning skills to draft administrative budgets and conduct reconciliations for government funded Indigenous initiatives.
• Good knowledge (Level 4) of spoken and written English to communicate effectively and to draft correspondence, documentation, and reports; basic knowledge (Level 3) of spoken and written French.
• Good knowledge (Intermediate level) of Word, Excel, and PowerPoint.
• Aptitude to work in a service-oriented environment as both a member of a team and independently.
• Knowledge of an Indigenous language is desirable.
• Knowledge of provincial and federal legislation and climate that have a direct impact on Indigenous education is highly desirable.
• Experience working in a large university and working in a unionized environment are assets.
• Experience coordinating Indigenous events is an asset
IMPORTANT: The language and computer skills of short-listed candidates will be tested.
Campus: Sir George Williams (Downtown)
Union/Association/HR Policy: HR POLICIES
***PLEASE APPLY DIRECTLY ONTO THE CONCORDIA CAREER WEBSITE FOR THIS POSTING BY FOLLOWING THE LINK BELOW***