Associate Director, Student Life

British Columbia Institute of Technology

$108K — $148K *
Education, Government & Non-Profit
5 - 7 years of experience
Job Overview by Ladders

Qualifications

  • Bachelor's degree in Education, Counselling, Social Work or similar field; at least 7 years of relevant post-secondary experience.
  • Advanced negotiation and conflict resolution skills for academic and non-academic matters.
  • Experience working with diverse student populations and in equity-centered support practices.
  • In-depth knowledge of student conduct policies and relevant legislative requirements (FIPPA, Mental Health Act, etc.).
  • Strong interpersonal, organizational, and project management skills with cross-cultural communication capabilities.
  • Demonstrated leadership and team building experience involving student leaders or volunteers.
  • Proficient in case management for complex student issues and able to respond to critical incidents.

Responsibilities

  • Leads student life initiatives aligned with BCIT's Strategic Plan to foster student success and wellbeing.
  • Champions inclusivity, diversity, equity, accessibility, and Indigenous reconciliation in all student services.
  • Chairs the CARE Team to coordinate student intervention and support services effectively.
  • Supports the Decision Review Board in compliance with fairness principles during appeal hearings.
  • Collaborates with Safety, Security, and Emergency Management to enhance student health and safety.
  • Develops programs aiding student transitions and promotes academic integrity throughout the Institute.
  • Oversees Recreation Services ensuring quality recreational programs that strengthen community engagement.

Benefits

  • Minimum of twenty-five vacation days annually.
  • Employer-paid extended health and dental plan with access to a $500 Health Care Spending Account for eligible members.
  • Defined benefit pension plan with employer contributions.
  • Flexible hybrid work arrangements available to enhance work-life balance.
  • Professional Development funds and resources provided.
  • Access to BCIT Flexible Learning courses free of charge for personal growth.
  • Wellness and Employee Assistance programs to support overall wellbeing.
  • Complimentary fitness membership including access to Fitness Centre and Gymnasium.
Full Job Description
Position Details

Position Information

Position Title
Associate Director, Student Life

Position Summary

BCIT's Student Success department is seeking a regular, full time (1.0 FTE) Associate Director, Student Life. This position advances an Institute-wide culture of student success and wellbeing through education, prevention, and proactive initiatives that support student life. Develops and ensures delivery of programs and activities that enhance student success. Oversees the day-to-day operations of departments and services that support student life and the wellbeing of the BCIT community. As a key member of BCIT's Student Success Leadership team, responds to, supports, and resolves complex cases related to student misconduct, conflict, distress, or risky behaviour. Oversees Student Conduct, Entry and Transition, Early Assist, Recreation Services, Student Life Ambassadors, and Health Promotion. Makes policy and procedural recommendations and ensures key partners, such as administrators and faculty, are knowledgeable and trained in matters that impact student success.

Duties & Responsibilities

KEY ACCOUNTABILITIES:

  • Leads Student Life and Recreation initiatives and deliverables that align to BCIT's Strategic Plan and the Student Wellbeing Action Plan with the aim of advancing an Institute-wide culture of student success and wellbeing.
  • Champions the I.D.E.A.S. Lens, grounding Student Life and Recreation services, initiatives, and work in Indigenous reconciliation, inclusivity, diversity, equity, accessibility, sustainability, and student wellbeing.
  • Chairs the CARE Team (Behavioural Intervention Team) and ensures a coordinated approach to intervention and student support, including referring imminent risk situations to BCIT's Threat Assessment Team.
  • Provides administrative and procedural support to the Decision Review Board in conducting appeal hearings ensuring compliance with procedural fairness principles and adherence to BCIT policies and procedures.
  • Works in partnership with Safety, Security, and Emergency Management to support maximizing student health and safety, while minimizing risks to the Institute.
  • Participates in and leads Institute student life initiatives that support, promote and strengthen academic integrity and student success.
  • Provides procedural guidance and advice to faculty and Associate Deans on academic misconduct incidents. Ensures all official records of academic integrity violations are maintained. Supports investigators and decision-makers in complying with policies and procedures.
  • Leads student conduct education, prevention, and response. Strengthens employees' capacity to foster environments that promote respectful conduct and support students in distress.
  • Ensures timely intervention to allegations of student misconduct; facilitates informal and alternative resolutions; implements interim measures; conducts and oversees student conduct investigations; consults with campus partners; determines appropriate sanctions and outcomes; and acts as a decision-maker as delegated by the Senior Director and in alignment with BCIT policy and procedures.
  • Collaborates with campus partners to identify and facilitate appropriate concessions and supports for students whose extenuating or personal circumstances affect their wellbeing and academic success.
  • Acts as a senior case manager to provide assessment and response to affected students in adherence with the Institute's practices, policies, and procedures.
  • Liaises with the BCIT Student Association to understand the student experience, increase understanding of and access to BCIT procedures and student supports; collaborates on complementary services and events, where appropriate.
  • Assesses, develops, and delivers programs and activities that aid in students' entry and transition to BCIT. Collaborates with internal groups such as Student Success units, the BCIT Student Association, Schools, International Student Centre, and Indigenous Initiatives and Partnerships, to support the new student experience and student transitions.
  • Advises and decides appropriate orientation activities and curriculum for incoming students adhering to best practices in student development and student success.
  • Conducts reviews and assessments of Institute academic and non-academic student conduct policies and procedures and makes recommendations for changes as appropriate; participates in and leads policy-related working groups.
  • Remains current with student success best practices, trends, and related policy developments through cross-Institutional connections, professional development, and participation in relevant events.
  • Oversees the operations of Recreation Services to ensure the delivery of quality recreational programs, including revenue generation through facility rentals and the maintenance and development of fitness facilities at several campuses.
  • Fosters collaboration between Recreation Services and campus partners to advance student and employee wellbeing through programs, initiatives, facilities, and education that promote social connection, physical literacy, and leadership.
  • Oversees programming and staff in Health Promotion in partnership with the Associate Director, Student Wellbeing and Accessibility and the Manager, Student Financial Aid and Awards. Provides programming and planning direction for Institute-wide health promotion initiatives, including the Student Wellbeing Action Plan, harm reduction, overdose prevention and response, sexual violence prevention and response, and financial wellbeing.
  • Manages reporting staff, overseeing and participating in selection, coaching, mentoring, development, performance management and all other people-management practices.


Qualifications

QUALIFICATIONS & REQUIREMENTS:

  • Completion of a Bachelor's degree in Education, Counselling, Social work, or related discipline, plus a minimum of 7 years of progressive experience encompassing student services in a post-secondary environment.
  • An equivalent combination of education and experience will be considered.
  • Advanced negotiation and conflict resolution skills for adjudicating academic and non-academic matters, conflict resolution and/or mediation, and facilitation.
  • Experience with working with a diverse student population and is current in emerging practices in supporting equity deserving groups.
  • Advanced working knowledge of student conduct policies and other relevant legislative requirements (FIPPA, Mental Health Act, Harassment and Discrimination) with proven experience in policy writing and administration.
  • Excellent interpersonal skills to build and sustain effective relationships and rapport.
  • Excellent organizational, communication, facilitation and project management skills.
  • Strong cross cultural communication skills and proven experience working with diverse populations.
  • Excellent leadership and team building skills with experience working with student leaders or volunteers.
  • Strong working knowledge in case management to resolve complex problems and manage high profile, sensitive, and contentious issues is required.
  • Flexibility to be available on call after hours to occasionally respond and/or assess critical incidents related to students, as assigned.


Additional Information

Benefits - Why you'd love working with us

  • Competitive pay
  • Minimum of twenty-five days of vacation
  • Competitive employer-paid extended health and dental plan including access to a Health Care Spending Account of up to $500 if eligible!
  • Defined benefit pension plan with employer contributions
  • Flexible hybrid work arrangements available
  • Professional Development funds and resources
  • Access to most BCIT Flexible Learning courses free of charge
  • Wellness and Employee Assistance programs
  • Complimentary membership with free access to the Fitness Centre, Gymnasium, and more
  • Eligibility requirements apply, benefits may vary depending on the employee group the position belongs to and whether the position offered is temporary or part-time. For more information on our generous benefits, click here!


Position Details

Posting Category
Management

Salary Range
$108,294 - $148,904, with a control point of $135,367 per annum

Additional Salary Information

The Compensation Range is the span between the minimum and the maximum base salary for a position. The control point of the range represents an employee that possesses full job knowledge, qualifications, and experience for the position. In the normal course, employees will be hired, transferred, or promoted between the minimum and the control point of the salary range for a job, taking internal equity into account. Salaries above the control point may be considered for extenuating circumstances and must be approved by an external governing body.

Department 2
Student Success Division

Campus Location
Burnaby campus

Bargaining Unit
Management

Job Status
Regular

Full-Time/Part-Time
Full-Time

Number of Vacancies
1

Anticipated Start Date
09/28/2026

Anticipated End Date

Competition Information

Competition Number
26M025

Competition Open Date
08/05/2026

Competition Close Date
08/29/2026

Open Until Filled?
No

Quicklink for Posting
https://careers.bcit.ca/postings/10612

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