Assistant Dean of Students, Residence Life

Reporting dually to the Vice Provost and Dean of Students and the Associate Vice President, Ancillary Services, the Assistant Dean of Students, Residence Life (ADSRL) plays a critical role in implementing the academic plan in the university’s residence system. This is accomplished through the delivery of an intentional curricular program which ensures the provision of caring, student-focused, residential environments. This assists students to be academically successful, teaches them how to live respectfully with diverse groups of people, provides leadership opportunities, and builds a sense of community responsibility among residents.

The University of Alberta’s residence system accommodates 5170 students on its Edmonton and Camrose campuses in combinations of apartment and traditional style units with an additional 800 spaces currently under development.  The University of Alberta has an aggressive student housing building plan for all campuses.

The ADSRL carries the prime accountability for current and adaptive programs and training that address potential mental health and substance abuse issues, support services and leadership opportunities; developing and enforcing appropriate community standards; managing crises, conflicts and other student issues; regular assessment and research; managing large projects; and acting as a campus and community resource. The ADSRL is also responsible for maintaining contacts with Student Services and faculty colleagues and works with them to develop innovative programs and services for residents.  This is accomplished through the strategic oversight of both the residence life team and joint oversight of the Occupancy Management and Assignments team.

For Occupancy Management, the ADSRL carries joint accountability with the Associate Director of Residence Operations (ADRO). Together with the ADRO, the ADSRL writes and amends the Occupancy Management Plan, which is then operationalized by the Assignments Supervisor and the Assignments Team.  The ADSRL will also work with the Associate Director of Residence Operations and the Assignments Supervisor on strategic occupancy partnerships such as University of Alberta International, Visiting Student Programs, and various Faculties. 

The ADSRL also has joint accountability with the General Manager Hospitality Services (GMHS) for coordinating the overall strategy and tactics for Marketing and Communications for the Ancillary units.  Together with the GMHS and Communications Team, manages relationships with external contractors and campus stakeholders to develop and execute major projects such as branding exercises, development of collateral, recruitment activities, and targeted marketing campaigns. 

The ADSRL is a member of Ancillary Services senior leadership team and is expected to provide advice and guidance across all business lines ensuring the requirements of the university’s diverse community are front and centre at all times. This position will also supervise a team of 26 full-time staff and two Faculty in Residence positions and be responsible for a budget of approximately $2.6 million. There are over 125 student staff positions and over 300 student volunteer positions.

Qualifications

• The ideal candidate will have an undergraduate degree from Arts, Law, Student Affairs, Education, or Social Services or similar program; Master's degree preferred
• 5 to 10 years of experience in a senior leadership role in an educational institutional environment where the individual had accountability for the research, strategic planning, development and implementation of student programs and support services
• Thorough understanding of operational issues as related to a large, diverse student housing portfolio is an asset 
• Demonstrated leadership, interpersonal, judgment, and human resource management skills
• Excellent financial planning and budget management skills
• Strong dedication to promotion of diversity and inclusion in both working and living environments
• Effective communication skills (written, verbal and public presentations)
• Experience with strategic planning, having evolved programs and services
• Excellent understanding of student residence environments and their links to student development, program delivery and monitoring
• Strong problem solving skills, supplemented by crisis management and intervention experience
• Project management experience
• Ability to collaborate and work effectively with a diverse range of people particularly the delivery of results through others external to this portfolio
• Understanding and application of Canadian student legal and discipline issues and approaches
• Knowledge of the application of relevant legislation (Residential Tenancies Act)
• Computer literacy, including current knowledge of social media programs/applications

In accordance with the Administrative and Professional Officer Agreement, this full time continuing position offers a comprehensive benefits package found at: www.hrs.ualberta.ca and annual salary range of $77,211 to $128,683.