Posting Details

Position Information

Job Title
Manager, Indigenous Student Services

Appointment Type
Full Time Continuing

Position Dates

Hours per week/FTE
35

About the Position

The Manager, Indigenous Student Services provides strategic leadership and operational oversight for Indigenous Student Services within the Registrar's Office & Student Experience. Reporting to the Associate Registrar, Student Experience, this role leads the development, delivery, and continuous improvement of programs, services, and initiatives that foster Indigenous student recruitment, transition, retention, belonging, and success.

Working in partnership with Indigenous communities, Elders, Knowledge Keepers, students, and internal and external partners, the Manager advances the Polytechnic's commitment to reconciliation by leading the implementation of the Niitsitapi Strategy and supporting institutional priorities related to Indigenous engagement and learner success. The role champions culturally responsive practices, strengthens community relationships, and ensures Indigenous perspectives are meaningfully reflected in student services and institutional initiatives.

The Manager provides leadership for the Indigenous Student Services team and is accountable for departmental operations, strategic planning, budgeting, policy development, program delivery, and continuous improvement. The position ensures services are delivered in a culturally safe and welcoming environment while supporting the Polytechnic's strategic enrolment goals and aligning with national commitments, including the Truth and Reconciliation Commission Calls to Action, the United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples, and the Colleges and Institutes Canada Indigenous Education Protocol.

Position Details

Operational Management of Indigenous Student Services

• Develop, implement, and maintain Indigenous Student Services annual plans, programs, policies, operational procedures, and culturally responsive service-delivery models that support Indigenous student recruitment, transition, retention, graduation, and overall learner success.
• Lead the implementation and continuous improvement of the Polytechnic's Niitsitapi Strategy and Indigenous Student Services operational plan, ensuring alignment with institutional priorities and strategic enrolment goals.
• Oversee daily operations of the Indigenous Circle of Services and Niitsitapi Gathering Place, ensuring services are welcoming, culturally safe, accessible, and responsive to Indigenous learners.
• Provide leadership for Indigenous cultural programming, Elder services, student supports, ceremonies, and institutional events, including Convocation, New Student Orientation, and other significant Indigenous initiatives.
• Collaborate with Student Success, Academic Advising, Recruitment, Accessibility Services, academic centres, and other institutional partners to provide coordinated support throughout the Indigenous learner journey.
• Ensure Indigenous student communications, websites, publications, resources, and support materials accurately reflect available services and institutional commitments.
• Develop and implement institutional policies, procedures, and operational practices informed by Indigenous ways of knowing and leading Indigenous education practices, including the CICan Indigenous Education Protocol.
• Develop, manage, and monitor operational budgets for assigned functional areas, ensuring alignment with departmental and institutional priorities.

Operational Management of Cultural Development, Indigenous Engagement and Community Partnerships

• Build, strengthen, and sustain relationships with Indigenous communities, Elders, Knowledge Keepers, educational institutions, government agencies, and Indigenous organizations.
• Represent the Polytechnic at Indigenous community events, provincial and national organizations, advisory committees, and sector working groups.
• Lead development and delivery of Indigenous cultural awareness, cultural competency, and reconciliation learning opportunities for employees, students, and institutional leaders.
• Work collaboratively with Human Resources and institutional departments to embed Indigenous knowledge, reconciliation, and cultural understanding into professional development opportunities.
• Advocate for Indigenous perspectives throughout institutional planning, policy development, and operational decision-making.
• Support development of Indigenous recruitment pathways, transition initiatives, retention strategies, and employment partnerships with Indigenous communities and organizations.
• Foster partnerships with Advancement, donors, funding agencies, and community organizations to support Indigenous student initiatives and campus Indigenization.
• Maintain meaningful relationships with Indigenous funding partners, school divisions, post-secondary institutions, and community organizations supporting Indigenous learner mobility.
• Remain informed of emerging Indigenous education research, government priorities, funding opportunities, and sector best practices to continuously strengthen institutional approaches.

Institutional Collaboration and Stakeholder Partnership

• Partner with the Associate Registrar to operationalize strategic direction, provide advice, and support institutional decision-making.
• Foster collaborative relationships with academic and administrative departments, including Associate Deans, faculty, staff, and service units, to advance institutional priorities and learner success.
• Collaborate across the Polytechnic and with external partners to deliver inclusive, equitable, and seamless services.
• Lead or contribute to institutional committees, working groups, enterprise initiatives, and cross-functional projects that advance institutional goals and operational effectiveness.
• Build and maintain productive relationships with external organizations, provincial partners, vendors, and other stakeholders within the scope of the position.
• Analyze operational requirements, priorities, and impacts and translate them into strategic recommendations for institutional leadership and other stakeholders.
• Support stakeholder engagement through meeting preparation, issue analysis, communication, and follow-up actions.
• Develop coordinated internal and external communication plans in collaboration with Marketing, Communications, and Information Technology to strengthen student engagement and ensure consistent information.

People Development

• Lead staff recruitment, selection, orientation, and retention.
• Establish performance expectations and monitor staff performance, providing regular feedback, coaching, and mentoring.
• Conduct performance reviews, support professional development, and ensure adherence to institutional policies and ethical guidelines.
• Manage assigned budgets and resources, allocate project work, and facilitate cross-functional collaboration.

Research and Business Process Enhancement

• Partner with the Associate Registrar to implement strategic projects, quality assurance activities, and continuous improvement initiatives aligned with institutional priorities.
• Oversee operational reporting, performance indicators, and assessment activities to support effective decision-making and service improvement.
• Analyze data, feedback, and best practices to identify risks, process gaps, and opportunities for enhancement.
• Develop, implement, and maintain policies, procedures, and governance practices.
• Review and improve business processes, systems, and technology solutions to enhance operational efficiency and service delivery.

Required Qualifications

Bachelor's Degree in a relevant field; Minimum of five (5) years of relevant experience in a post-secondary or similarly complex environment.

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience developing Indigenous programs, services, and community partnerships.
• Experience working collaboratively with Indigenous communities, Elders, Knowledge Keepers, and Indigenous organizations.
• Experience leading strategic initiatives and implementing Indigenous education or reconciliation frameworks.
• Strong leadership and supervisory skills, with experience in recruitment, selection, and performance management.
• Excellent communication and collaboration abilities to work effectively with diverse stakeholders.
• Proficiency in data analysis, assessment, and program evaluation.
• Strong organizational and problem-solving skills.
• Ability to adapt to technological changes and explore innovative solutions.

Salary
Starting from $81,655 to $96,065 per annum; commensurate with education and experience.

Land Acknowledgement

Located on the traditional lands of the Blackfoot Confederacy, Lethbridge Polytechnic is committed to honouring the land from a place of knowing. We honour the Siksikaitsitapi as both the traditional and current Land Keepers of this area, and we welcome all Indigenous and non-Indigenous peoples who call Blackfoot territory their home to disclose as such when submitting applications.

Posting Detail Information

Posting Number
P26-00690

Open Date
08/07/2026

Close Date
08/21/2026

Open Until Filled

Special Instructions to Applicants

Lethbridge Polytechnic is committed to inclusive recruitment practices by providing reasonable access and accommodations to applicants. If you would like to request an accommodation at any stage of the recruitment process, please contact [email protected]. Private information received in relation to the request will only be used to facilitate the recruitment process and will be kept confidential and shared only as needed with the selection committee.