Description

The Dean's Office - SAPL within the School of Architecture, Planning and Landscape is currently seeking a Full-time Regular Senior Lead, Student Success & Academic Operations.

The School of Architecture, Planning and Landscape (SAPL) offers multiple professional and research degree programs including Bachelor of Design in City Innovation (BDCI), Minor in Architecture Studies, Master of Architecture (MArch), Master of Planning (MPlan), Master of Landscape Architecture (MLA), Master of Environmental Design, PHD in Environmental Design, and a Doctor of Design. The MArch, MPlan, and MLA programs offer the only programs in Alberta that are accredited by regulatory bodies meaning that graduates of these programs are completing the first step in becoming a licensed practitioner in their respective fields. SAPL programs are taught in The Valentine building, located in the heart of downtown Calgary at 801-7th Avenue SW on the C-Train line.

This regular full-time (35 hours per week) position reports to the Manager Faculty Operations, Administration & Facilities and is accountable for programmatic matters. Peak periods occur seasonally and require sustained focus under deadline-driven conditions. Occasional early morning, evening, or weekend work may be required to meet critical operational needs.

Primary Purpose of the Position (key purpose, functions, roles):

This position provides strategic and operational leadership for academic program administration within the School of Architecture, Planning and Landscape (SAPL). The role is accountable for the performance, service standards, and results of the advising and academic administration team (both UG & Graduate), ensuring high-quality outcomes that enable the School to meet its enrollment, progression, and graduation objectives within established timelines and resource parameters.

The incumbent supervises the academic advising team and participates in staff recruitment, performance feedback for annual reviews, work allocation, and the achievement of defined operational objectives. The role adapts departmental plans and priorities to address changing academic, operational, resource requirements, ensuring alignment with University strategies, regulatory frameworks, and SAPL's academic mission. Decisions are guided by University policies, procedures, budget considerations, and strategic direction, while exercising delegated authority to interpret policy and establish local procedures within the School.

The position impacts the level and quality of service delivered to students, faculty, and leadership by identifying and resolving complex technical, operational, and University issues related to academic programming and student administration. The incumbent provides technical and functional leadership in student systems and administrative processes, serving as SAPL's subject matter expert in PeopleSoft Student Administration functionality. This includes oversight of system configuration, data integrity, reporting, and process optimization to ensure compliance and operational effectiveness.

This role guides, influences, and coordinates the work of faculty, academic leaders, and central University partners to achieve shared outcomes. The incumbent provides expert advice and strategic input on academic administrative processes, contributes to cross-campus initiatives, and ensures integration between SAPL and central units. Through this influence, the position strengthens service delivery, mitigates risk, and enhances institutional effectiveness.

Collectively, the role integrates policy interpretation, systems expertise, and cross-campus collaboration to enable the effective delivery of SAPL's academic programs and to strengthen the School's reputation and operational excellence locally, nationally, and internationally.

Summary of Key Responsibilities (job functions include but are not limited to):

Operational Leadership (45%)

• Provide oversight of SAPL's advising and academic administration team, including participation in recruitment, performance mentor ship, workload allocation and staff development opportunities.
• Responsible for timetabling & course scheduling (UG & Graduate).
• Establish team structure, role clarity, service standards, and performance expectations; ensure accountability for results and continuous improvement.
• Lead and coordinate academic program operations across downtown and main campus sites, ensuring consistent, high-quality service delivery and operational efficiency.
• Develop and implement strategic and operational plans in collaboration with the Dean and Associate Deans, aligning unit objectives with Faculty and University priorities.
• Adapt departmental plans and priorities in response to enrollment trends, resource constraints, policy changes, and operational risks.
• Manage complex, sensitive, and high-impact issues with diplomacy and sound judgment, mitigating institutional and reputational risk.
• Oversee compliance with records management, POPA, and related University policies within academic program operations.

Academic Program Administration and Strategic Development (20%)

• Lead planning, implementation, and continuous improvement of academic program administration, including admissions coordination, sessional hiring processes, and academic calendar submissions.
• Provide strategic oversight of curriculum documentation, program reviews, and regulatory compliance.
• Collaborate with Associate Deans and program leadership to support new program development and regulatory revisions.
• Monitor and analyze enrollment, retention, and student success data to inform evidence-based decision-making and operational planning.
• Serve on Faculty and University committees (e.g., curriculum and calendar committees), representing SAPL's academic and operational interests.

Student Experience, Advising Oversight, and Enrollment Strategy (15%)

• Provide strategic oversight of advising systems and student support frameworks to ensure accurate, policy-compliant, and student-centered guidance.
• Serve as senior resource for complex student cases, academic review processes, appeals, and Academic Turnaround Program administration.
• Guide communications related to academic regulations, progression requirements, and student success initiatives.
• Support strategic enrollment management, recruitment, orientation, and retention initiatives in alignment with Faculty objectives.
• Advocate for equitable student access to services and supports across campuses.

Systems Leadership and Institutional Integration (10%)

• Provide functional leadership and subject matter expertise in PeopleSoft Student Administration, Academic Requirements, and Enterprise Reporting.
• Oversee system configuration requests, testing, reporting, security access management, and process optimization in collaboration with IT and central partners.
• Ensure alignment between academic regulations (including Academic Calendar content) and enterprise system functionality.
• Lead integration of downtown campus operations with central campus systems and service models to ensure consistency and compliance.

Cross-Campus Collaboration, Training, and Reporting (5%)

• Serve as SAPL's primary liaison with central service units (e.g., Enrolment Services, Student Success Centre, Student Accessibility Services) to resolve operational issues and enhance student access.
• Develop and deliver training for staff and faculty related to academic policies, systems, and procedures.
• Prepare reports and briefing materials for leadership on operational performance, student success indicators, and strategic initiatives.
• Represent SAPL in cross-faculty and university-wide initiatives related to academic administration and student experience.

Resource Accountability (5%)

• Ensure responsible allocation of staffing and operational resources to meet service standards and strategic objectives.

Overall Accountability

• The position is accountable for the performance, service quality, compliance, and operational effectiveness of SAPL's academic program administration and advising functions. The role impacts student progression and graduation outcomes, regulatory compliance, institutional reputation, and service delivery across multiple campuses.

Qualifications / Requirements:

Education and Experience

• Post-secondary degree required; graduate degree preferred. Equivalent combinations of education and experience will be considered.
• Minimum 4 years of progressively responsible experience in a large, complex organization, preferably within a university environment, including senior-level responsibility for academic program administration or student services.
• Minimum 4 years of people leadership experience with direct supervision of support staff and accountability for operational performance and results.
• Demonstrated experience overseeing complex academic operations and the full student lifecycle (admission through convocation).

Institutional Knowledge and Systems Expertise

• In-depth knowledge of University governance, academic regulations, policies, and strategic direction.
• Extensive experience with enterprise student systems, including PeopleSoft (Student Administration), reporting tools, academic requirements systems, learning management systems, and Microsoft Office applications.
• Demonstrated ability to interpret policy, ensure regulatory compliance, maintain data integrity, and optimize academic administrative processes.

Leadership and Management Competencies

• Proven ability to lead, mentor, and develop high-performing teams, including staff relations within unionized environments.
• Experience influencing cross-functional stakeholders and guiding work beyond direct reporting lines.
• Strong project management skills, including strategic planning, prioritization, and resource allocation.
• Experience managing external partners and service providers.
• Strategic and Operational Capabilities
• Demonstrated ability to establish objectives, assess outcomes, and implement operational plans that advance academic program goals.
• Proven judgment and discretion in resolving complex organizational, administrative, and financial matters.
• Skilled in negotiation, diplomacy, and stakeholder engagement within a high-volume, deadline-driven environment.
• Exceptional analytical, organizational, and communication skills, including the preparation of reports and strategic documents.

Application Deadline: September 22, 2026.

We would like to thank all applicants in advance for submitting their resumes. Please note, only those candidates chosen to continue on through the selection process will be contacted.

This position is classified in the Management Career Band, Level 1 of the Management and Professional Staff Career Framework.

For a listing of all management and staff opportunities at the University of Calgary, view our Management and Staff Careers website .