The Student Services department’s role in student success is to create a culture and environment that unleashes the full potential of all the students at SAIT. Our primary goal is to support Student-First Culture, by focusing on student success and mobilizing all campus community members in this shared goal.
The Opportunity
Reporting to the Director, Student Services, and working collaboratively with the schools and departments at SAIT, the Manager of Student Development and Counselling leads in the professional operations of student counselling services within SAIT. This role ensures provision of clinical supervision, leadership to SAIT’s counselling staff. The Manager fosters a positive, motivating, and supportive team environment, ensures consistency and cohesiveness across central and embedded services and builds relationships with colleagues within Student Services and throughout, SAIT in addition to promoting the positive reputation of the service. In consultation with the Director of Student Services, the Manager follows through on service priorities, and makes recommendations regarding strategic administrative and staffing decisions regarding Mental Health Services.
The Counselling Services Manager contributes to the strategic goals of Student Services through continuous assessment of student needs and ensures availability of timely, evidenced-based, professional counselling services for SAIT students with regard to their mental health and well-being.
The Manager also provides case management of acute and complex cases as required for students reviewed by the Behavioural intervention Team (BIT) and/or identified by Counselling Services, Lamb Learner Success Centre and Academic Advising, including the provision of information about and coordinating transitions to community mental health resources and specialized treatment programs as well as crisis intervention, hospitalizations and discharge planning.
The Manager is also primarily responsible for the day-to-day operations, budget development and tracking, supervision of salaried and contract staff, and faculty. The Manager serves as the primary link between SAIT schools and departments in the areas of student mental health and wellbeing supports.
The Manager oversees the Post Secondary Mental Health Coordinator and SAIT Student Wellness Promotion team in allocation and utilization of funds and activities related to the post-secondary mental health grant. The Manager is an integral member of the Student Services Leadership team and works closely with the other student services leaders, particularly the Manager of the Lamb Learner Success Centre, the Manager of Natoysopoyiis and the Associate Director of Academic Advising to continually improve the access, retention and success of SAIT students.
The Role
Planning, Strategy and Operational Management - 40%
Implement the strategic goals outlined in the SAIT Institutional Plan, Mental Health Strategy, Indigenous Learner Success Strategy, Intercultural Strategy, and EDI strategy with regard to student mental health and wellbeing
Support the various operational requirements related to program management (i.e. scheduling; budgets; reporting; enrollment management; talent recruitment and onboarding; data analysis; application of the collective agreement; committee membership; student conduct procedures; executing SAIT policy; etc)
Seek continual improvement and refinement of mental health supports for students
Research best practices for student mental health and wellbeing and embed practices into current and expanding support services
Manage the operational budget tied to Student Development and Counselling
Oversee and support the Post Secondary Mental Health Grant Coordinator in oversight of the post-secondary mental health grant at SAIT
Oversee scheduling and caseload of counsellors
Prepare quarterly forecasts
Prepares an annual report
Case Management - 30%
Case management and consultation around acute and complex student related needs as required for students by SAIT
Collect relevant background information and develops relevant support plans in collaboration with colleagues and relevant community support services, drawing on knowledge of mental health, making an initial assessment through a structured judgment process, and when appropriate formulates intervention plans in collaboration with colleagues
Refers students as appropriate to relevant campus and community resources
Assists students in navigating SAIT systems and accessing campus and community support services
Provides additional support and coaching to the staff, advisors, and/or faculty involved in the case
Provides consultation with other counsellors, the Health Clinic, Lamb Learner Success Centre regarding students of concern and liaise with these and other SAIT Schools and Departments to expedite resolution of problems.
Develops and maintain relationships with campus and community resources
Serves as a contact point for external constituents (parents, as well as hospital personnel and other community resources) on behalf of Student Development & Counselling
Maintains accurate case records and prepare necessary reports
Oversees maintenance of a directory of community resources available to students
Interprets SAIT policy regarding students and recommend policy review if indicated
Identifies areas for improvement as indicated, make recommendations for change and participate in review and revision of systems and protocols as appropriate
Assist the counselling team in responding to critical incidents as they arise on campus
Performs other case management related duties as required
Stakeholder Relationships - 10%
Empower Student Development and Counselling team to build strong working relationships with management, faculty and staff in all SAIT schools and departments to support learners through various stages of their academic journey at SAIT
Create and cultivate external partnerships to enhance the all mental health and wellbeing supports available to students at SAIT
Nurture relationships to support Student Services strategic priorities and vision.
Build partnerships with other student service providers at SAIT to create and enhance student success programming
Maintain working relationships with other post-secondary Counselling centres in Alberta
Employee Leadership and Mentorship - 10%
Promote and demonstrate good practices in organizational leadership and teamwork
Lead, direct and review the work of team members in order to accomplish operational plans and results
Recognize high levels of performance
Promote and manage professional development
Nurture a culture of inclusion, community, respect, professionalism and excellence
Qualifications & Experience
Minimum
Master’s level education in Psychology, Clinical Social Work or Counselling, with five or more years of demonstrated experience working as a regulated health professional, providing treatment for mental disorders
5 years leadership experience working with other counselling professionals
Registered and in good standing with a regulatory college of Alberta (Psychology, Social Work, Psychotherapy) for autonomous practice, and in possession of professional liability insurance
Experience providing trauma-informed counselling, and mastery of a variety of therapeutic modalities such as brief solution focused, CBT, DBT or Mindfulness. Certification in trauma processing would be an asset
Extensive experience with cross-cultural and diversity/sexual identity/equity issues
Skills Required
Expert knowledge of current research and professional literature pertaining to effective interventions for a variety of personal behavioural, emotional and cognitive difficulties.
Satisfactory Criminal Records Check and Vulnerable Sector
Knowledge of the unique issues facing post-secondary students and knowledge of college life and the intersecting nature of issues of social identities and health and wellness.
Innate belief in the power and importance of collaboration
Strong interpersonal skills and able to work effectively with a variety of stakeholders
Creative and strategic thinker with sound judgement
Motivated self-starter who thrives on taking initiative and performs well with minimal supervision
Leadership approach rooted in empathy, mentorship and conviction
Comfort with ambiguity and ability to adapt to new and changing priorities
Able to effectively manage competing priorities and work well under tight deadlines
Continuous improvement mindset balancing high expectations with the journey towards excellence
Excellent verbal and written communication skills
Detail-oriented with strong organizational and project management skills
Connection with external resources and ability to build relationships
Discrete and ethical
Proficient in MS Office (experience in SAIT systems - Banner/Tableau/Titanium - an asset)
Competence in providing culturally responsive counselling practices
Strong clinical background, preferably as it relates to a post-secondary setting so as to provide clinical consultation and supervision
Job classification: MANAGER - M1100
Salary range: $120,000 - $128,453.68
Paid Leave: 4 Weeks Vacation / 14 Flex Days per year

of positions: 1

Hours Per Week: 37.5
Posting closing date: Open until position is filled
View a summary of our benefits and perks for salaried employees as one of Alberta’s Top Employers, including health & dental care, pension plan, vacation & special leave and flexible work options at our beautiful inner-city campus.
About SAIT
SAIT is a global leader in applied education. Named one of Alberta’s Top Employers, we offer the chance to work with a purpose — preparing the next generation of industry leaders, entrepreneurs, advocates and explorers.
Building on our 100+ year history, we’re looking for innovative, bold and collaborative employees who embrace change and deliver world-class customer experiences. Your future starts now at SAIT.
Equity, diversity and inclusion (EDI) is essential to achieving SAIT’s vision to be a global leader in applied education. We encourage applications from women, Indigenous people, racialized people, people with disabilities, people from gender and sexually diverse communities, and/or people with intersectional identities. Learn more about EDI at SAIT.
At SAIT, we understand that experience comes in many forms. We’re dedicated to adding diverse perspectives to SAIT - so if your experience is close to what we’re looking for, please consider applying.
SAIT is committed to supporting persons with disabilities throughout the recruitment process. We will work with applicants to provide accommodations upon request to the Talent Advisor.

Please refer the Job description for details