Director, International Student Services, Competition # SCHII-22-36, Thunder Bay, ON

Category: 
Administrative/Staff Positions
Campus: 
Thunder Bay
Department: 
Lakehead International
Application Deadline: 
Friday, August 26, 2022 - 4:30pm

Director, International Student Services

Thunder Bay, Ontario

Full-Time, Permanent

Schedule II

 

Competition # SCHII-22-36

 

Reporting to the Vice-Provost International, the Director, International Student Services leads a dynamic team of staff responsible for the pre-arrival preparation, onboarding, orientation, and ongoing support services provided to international students. Working with a range of Lakehead departments and other Lakehead University International colleagues, the Director is responsible for building a broad set of supports and services for international students, helping to ensure their success and retention at Lakehead.

 

Highlighting a few of the primary responsibilities of this position includes:

- Developing and implementing international student orientation, onboarding and supports

- Creating programming that ensures student success and retention

- Collaborating with various departments on support programs

- Managing a team of international student advisors

- Engaging in interactions with international students involved in major life events/crisis intervention and working with other areas on campus to provide solutions for students

- Creating and overseeing unit specific budgets

 

The position of Director, International Student Services at Lakehead University requires an informed and thoughtful approach to supporting international students from over 70 countries. The Director provides vision and leadership to staff in developing strong international student onboarding and support mechanisms, growth and development opportunities, student social engagement, and other success and retention initiatives. Team members must be trained and capable of providing support to international students on a broad range of international student life issues: safe arrival and excellent onboarding and orientation, adjustment to life in a new country, personal growth and development, leadership and engagement, as well as how to succeed academically and ultimately prepare for employment and possible immigration.

 

The responsibilities of the Director, International Student Services are closely linked to the international student retention rates of the institution, the employment rates of our international graduates, as well as student satisfaction and engagement rates as reported on the National Survey of Student Engagement (NSSE). In addition, because of the highly consultative nature of this position, it is essential that the Director be knowledgeable of and engaged in all aspects of services on campus, including those offered through centralized support mechanisms as well as by the academic units and programs.

 

The Director must ensure that all International Student Services support the overall strategic mission of the University and more specifically the internationalization goals. The Director must have good knowledge and experience in dealing with adjustment issues most often confronted by international students. A strong understanding of intercultural competencies and cultural intelligence and their development in staff and students is essential to success in this role.

 

The Director must have a bachelors degree, preferably in education, international relations/development or student development, or an equivalent combination of education and experience. In addition, the successful applicant will have 5-7 years of progressive experience and demonstrated accomplishment in areas of student support and development at the management level in a post secondary environment. They will be able to work with a wide variety of constituents, to present and to persuade through ideas. Developing strong relationships with other administrative offices in order to ensure a shared understanding of university services and how they are best delivered to international students is paramount to success. In addition, due to the diverse range of future goals of our international graduates, relationship building and communication with local, national and international partners, employers and other stakeholders is essential in maximizing the employment rates of Lakehead’s international graduates.

 

Strong presentation and communication skills are essential, as this position is often required to develop and present on a wide variety of topics, to a number of different groups, including, but not limited to, current students, parents, overseas partners, agents, federal immigration officials, international student advisors, faculty, staff, chairs, deans, media and employers.

 

This position must have strong budget management experience, be able to manage and control spending over various areas. Budget forecasting is essential, and the ability to develop cost-effective programs and services. In addition, the development of staff training and professional development is essential in ensuring the quality of services being provided.

 

This position offers a competitive remuneration package including salary, comprehensive benefits package, life insurance, pension plan, and tuition waiver.

 

Interested applicants may apply by clicking on this link to a Google Form and attaching your cover

letter and resume in word or PDF format by August 26, 2022.

 

If you have any technical difficulties in accessing the link, please reach out to careers@lakeheadu.ca.

 

 

 

 

We appreciate your interest; however, only those selected for an interview will be notified.

 

Lakehead University is committed to creating a diverse and inclusive environment and welcomes applications from all qualified individuals including women, racialized persons, Indigenous people, persons with disabilities and other equity-seeking groups. All qualified candidates are encouraged to apply; however, Canadian citizens and permanent residents will be given priority.  This is in accordance with Canadian immigration requirements.

 

Lakehead University is committed to supporting an accessible environment. Applicants requiring accommodation during the interview process should contact the Office of Human Resources at (807) 343.8334 or human.resources@lakeheadu.ca to make appropriate arrangements.