Manager, Student Engagement and Onboarding

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Job Profile

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Department

Compensation Range

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Posting End Date

Note: Applications will be accepted until 11:59 PM on the Posting End Date.

Job End Date

At UBC, we believe that attracting and sustaining a diverse workforce is key to the successful pursuit of excellence in research, innovation, and learning for all faculty, staff and students. Our commitment to employment equity helps achieve inclusion and fairness, brings rich diversity to UBC as a workplace, and creates the necessary conditions for a rewarding career.

Job Summary

UBC Sauder School of Business is one of the world's leading business faculties. The school consistently ranks among the top 100 in the world and is recognized internationally for excellence in research and learning, an outstanding faculty and unmatched global partnerships. A collaborative and respectful culture within which all members of our community can thrive is a key principle in our strategic plan, and one that underpins our educational mission.

We acknowledge that UBC Sauder at the Vancouver Point Grey campus is situated on the traditional, ancestral and unceded territory of the Musqueam. We acknowledge that UBC Sauder at UBC Robson Square is situated on the traditional territory of the Musqueam, Squamish and Tsleil-Waututh.

The Office for Student Academic Services at the UBC Sauder School of Business is responsible for enrolment management, registration, course and exam scheduling, student advising and mentoring, scholarships and awards, academic promotion and graduation, study abroad and exchange programs, international programs, and student orientation and involvement for Graduate Degree programs, the Bachelor of Commerce (BCom) and Diploma in Accounting (DAP) programs.

The Student Engagement and Onboarding Manager is responsible for leading, planning, and overseeing the development, implementation, and evaluation of onboarding programs and initiatives for the BCom, DAP and graduate degree programs. This role manages a broad range of strategic and operational activities designed to support the academic success, personal development, and retention of BCom, DAP, and graduate students. Student Engagement and Onboarding Manager integrates data analysis and committee participation to ensure that onboarding services align with institutional goals and best practices while fostering collaboration across departments and supporting diverse student populations.

This role plays a vital role in ensuring incoming students feel welcomed, informed, and prepared for their academic journey, ultimately contributing to higher yield rates and student satisfaction.

Organizational Status

Reports to the Associate Director, Student Engagement and Development. This role is highly visible to the external community and interacts closely and collaboratively with key stakeholders within UBC Sauder including the Recruitment and Admissions Team, David Lam Library and Canaccord Learning Commons, Business Career Centre, Marketing and Communications unit, UBC International Student Advising, and members of the Office for Student Academic Services, as well as central UBC services.

Work Performed

Onboarding, Engagement and Events

• Develops and implements a comprehensive onboarding strategy for students in the BCom, DAP and RHL graduate programs, ensuring smooth transition from acceptance to arrival.

• Facilitates a sense of belonging to UBC and UBC Sauder through tailored programming and community engagement initiatives.

• Advises students on program preparation and transition to Canada, Vancouver and UBC Sauder.

• Works closely with key stakeholders in the unit and UBC Sauder to coordinate, inform, plan, schedule and execute all aspects of the onboarding plan.

• Liaises with faculty, employees, alumni, and current students to foster collaboration and support for onboarding activities.

• Communicates the values of the school through engagement activities, both virtually and in-person.

• Leads the planning and execution of onboarding events, including community engagement, networking, and socialization activities for students admitted to UBC Sauder.

• Coordinates multi-faceted, complex and high-profile onboarding and student engagement events.

• Liaises programming support with the Undergraduate Commerce Connectors, Graduate Student Ambassador Programs, and DAP team in collaboration with the UBC Sauder Recruitment and Admissions team.

• Liaises with the Student Engagement and Development team in supporting, planning, informing, and coordinating orientation programs for undergraduate, diploma, and graduate students, including Opening Week for MBA, Masters of Business Analytics, and Masters of Management programs.

• Liaises and coordinate with the Hari B. Varshney Business Career Centre to align onboarding activities with career development resources and events.

• Collaborates with various departments to ensure a cohesive and comprehensive orientation experience.

• Liaises with the Academic Services Team in the administrative processes related to transfer credits and course articulation as part of the onboarding experience.

Communication

• Creates and maintains communication plans to keep incoming students informed and engaged.

• Works closely with the Communications Coordinator and the Marketing and Communication team on the development and execution of onboarding email campaigns for undergraduate, graduate and DAP programs, and on the development of onboarding materials, including videos, webpages, etc.

Data Collection and Reporting

• Assesses onboarding programming and communication to support the strategic priorities of the undergraduate, graduate and diploma in accounting programs. Advises on results and creates plans to move forward with presented data.

• Designs visual representations of data analyses and key success indicators for undergraduate, graduate, and DAP programs. Creates formalized findings for the senior managers based on findings.

• Collects data on student satisfaction, engagement, and the impact of onboarding activities.

• Maintains documentation and records related to onboarding activities and student engagement initiatives.

• Generates reports to assess the effectiveness of onboarding initiatives and makes recommendations for improvement.

Student Engagement Center

• Manages staffing and daily resourcing of the Student Engagement Center in the Henry Angus Building. Recruits, onboards and supervises student employees.

• Assesses and addresses the space needs through student feedback.

• Organizes and promotes student engagement initiative through the Center.

Other Duties

• Maintains up to date knowledge and training on best practices in student onboarding and integrates new strategies to enhance the student experience.

• Performs other related duties as required to support the overall mission of the school and enhance student experiences.

Consequence of Error/Judgement

Exercises considerable judgment and initiative in handling matters of a complex and non-routine nature, requiring interpretation of university and departmental guidelines, procedures and policies. This includes planning the sequence of duties, determining work methods, and deciding action to be taken. Consequence of error is high; errors may prevent students from joining programs and lead to inefficiency of operations, unmet deadlines, and loss of valuable opportunities.

Onboarding programs directly impact the quality of the student experience. Inaccurate information or lack of sensitivity affects the reputation and credibility of RHL Graduate Programs, Bachelor of Commerce program, Diploma in Accounting program, the school and UBC. Errors in judgement, poor advising, and/or inconsistency in decision-making can have negative financial, academic and personal consequences for students. Failing to identify students in need of support may delay necessary support services and jeopardize a student's program. Failures can result in students leaving the University or having an overall negative experience while at UBC.

Supervision Received
Works with considerable autonomy under the general direction of the Associate Director, Student Engagement and Development. Has considerable latitude in making decisions and has the authority to exercise judgement and make decisions in accordance with University policy and best practices. Work is reviewed based on identification and achievement of specific goals and objectives.

Supervision Given

Provides work direction to office employees and assists in hiring, orientation, training, and onboarding of members of the Office for Student Academic Services. Provides direction, guidance and project supervision to Senior Program Assistants. Assigns and oversees work of Work Learn and Co-op students and temporary employees. May manage student employees and/or volunteers and be responsible for hiring, training and managing performance.

Minimum Qualifications
Undergraduate degree in a relevant discipline. Minimum of three to four years of related experience, or an equivalent combination of education and experience.

- Willingness to respect diverse perspectives, including perspectives in conflict with one's own

- Demonstrates a commitment to enhancing one's own awareness, knowledge, and skills related to equity, diversity, and inclusion

Preferred Qualifications

• Master's degree preferred.

• Proven experience in program management, academic advising, or a related field, with a strong track record of successful program implementation and management.

• Excellent understanding of academic advising practices, student development theories, and institutional policies.

• Strong leadership, organizational, and communication skills.

• Ability to analyze data, assess program effectiveness, and make data-driven decisions.

• Experience in post-secondary advising or counseling and administration; UBC experience is preferred.

• Ability to manage complexity inherent within a multi-faceted environment focused on broad outcomes.

• Ability to communicate in a tactful and sensitive manner.

• Experience working both independently and on cross-functional teams.

• Must possess exceptional oral and written communication, judgement and interpersonal skills, cross-cultural sensitivity, organizational and time management skills, attention to detail.

• Ability to analyze problems, identify key information and make decisions independently.

• Ability to work in a manner that fosters cooperation, positive relationships and consensus building.

• Effective customer service skills and student-centered approach to work.

• Technical skills, including Microsoft Suite, report design, student systems UBC systems preferred.

• Ability to travel and work flexible hours.