University / Careers Counsellor

Position: University and Careers Counsellor

Terms: Permanent, Full-Time (Starting August 2025)

Reports to: Director of University Counselling and Senior School Principal

Position Summary:

Mulgrave is one of Canada’s leading independent co-educational pre-K – 12 day schools, serving the North Shore of Vancouver. We are an established IB Continuum World School with a reputation for excellence and innovation. We are now seeking applicants for the role of University and Careers Counsellor, to start in August 2025.

Most Mulgrave students pursue the IB Diploma Programme (DP) in Grades 11 & 12, although about 30% each year opt for an Enriched Pathway to graduation that includes a mix of DP and provincial Ministry courses. Teaching and learning are enriched by opportunities for exploration in the arts, athletics, outdoor education, service, leadership, and more. Our graduates go on to study at many of the world’s leading post-secondary institutions; while Canada and the United States are the most common destinations, Mulgravians also regularly apply to universities in the UK, Europe, Asia, and Australia.

Opportunities:

In this role you will:

• Inspire students to achieve their personal best by providing a rich and engaging programme that develops students’ skills, promotes curiosity and love of learning, and prioritises well-being
• Work in a fast-paced, highly collaborative professional environment, where innovation is encouraged and student learning and well-being drive everything we do
• Benefit from a low student-counselor ratio and a stimulating, well-resourced, technology-rich environment
• Provide the best possible learning environment for our highly diverse, multicultural student population
• Provide opportunities to enrich learning through the exploration in the arts, athletics, outdoor education, service, leadership and more
• Appropriately challenge students, allowing them to feel safe, seen and that they belong.

Position Responsibilities:

• Plan and deliver a progressive programme of careers and post-secondary education and individual guidance for students and families in the Upper School (Middle & Senior Schools)
• Support students to make informed decisions about post-secondary education and careers, and acquire the necessary skills to successfully manage their university applications
• Oversee the university applications process for a caseload of students, including assuring the quality of all application materials
• Support students with post-secondary scholarship applications and gap year options
• Advise on course selection for rising Grade 9-11 students and families
• Collaborate in facilitating and leading careers and higher education group sessions, workshops and presentations, including some events taking place outside school hours
• Plan a strategy for “well in time” information on higher education guidance with good information and communication strategies of advice to teachers, students and families
• Partner effectively with families to help them better understand the process in order to more effectively support their children
• Work alongside three other university & careers counsellors and the Middle and Senior School Leadership Teams to continuously refine and improve the delivery of university and careers preparation, information and guidance throughout the Upper School
• Maintain accurate records on higher education applications and matriculation
• Work closely with teachers and advisors in the Upper School to ensure that all students benefit from a well-designed programme of general and individual careers and higher education guidance
• Help to manage the Careers and Post-Secondary Education Centre resources
• Develop and maintain expertise and relationships through conference attendance, campus visits, professional development opportunities, university tours etc.
  

All Mulgrave faculty are expected to:

• Develop a classroom environment that builds positive relationships and fosters an ethic of care
• Design, prepare and deliver learning activities that facilitate authentic engagement
• Identify and select instructional resources and methods to meet students' varying needs
• Use relevant technology to enhance instruction and learning
• Design and implement a range of authentic formative and summative assessments, providing appropriate and timely feedback to students
• Maintain accurate and complete records of students' progress for the purposes of teaching, learning and reporting
• Participate in faculty and parent meetings and special events
• Model respectful and timely communication with students, colleagues and parents
• Attend professional development workshops as required by the school
• Endorse the school’s mission and values

The ideal candidate will have:

• Thorough understanding of International Baccalaureate programmes, and particularly the IB Diploma and its implications for higher education
• In-depth knowledge of testing related to university admissions (e.g. PSAT, SAT, ACT, TOEFL)
• Broad, current knowledge of the higher education landscape in North America and the UK
• Familiarity with higher education application processes and systems (e.g. OUAC, Common Application, UCAS)
• Experience with IT systems that support higher education guidance (e.g. Naviance)

• Strong interpersonal and intercultural skills that motivate colleagues, students and families
• Excellent presentation and group facilitation skills
• A commitment to develop professionally and keep up to date with developments in higher education and careers guidance
• Demonstrated ability to work both independently and collaboratively as part of a team
• Strong organisational and administrative skills

• The ability to establish rapport and build trusting relationships with all stakeholders

Required Qualifications:

• Applicants must be Canadian residents and legally entitled to work in Canada, or be prepared, with our support, to go through the process of applying for the appropriate visa and permissions from the Canadian and BC authorities prior to commencement
• A minimum of 5 years of professional experience as a secondary university and/or careers counselor OR relevant experience in a selective university or college admissions office
• A minimum of a Bachelor's degree
• Excellent communication skills in spoken and written English

Preferred Qualifications:

• Masters degree in a relevant subject area
• Valid certification to teach in British Columbia
• Professional fluency in an additional language

Diversity, Equity & Inclusion Commitment

In order to provide the best possible learning environment for our highly diverse, multicultural staff & student population, Mulgrave actively seeks to recruit from groups that have been traditionally underrepresented in independent and international school faculties. BIPoC and 2SLGBTQ+ applicants and those with disabilities are warmly encouraged to apply, and invited to reach if you require accommodations during the application or interview process. For more information about our commitment to diversity, equity, inclusion, and justice or if you need assistance, please contact info@mulgrave.com.

Compensation:

The base annual salary for this position is competitive and falls within the range of Comment start $90,000.00 - $120,000.00 Comment end . The final salary offer will be determined based on the candidate's qualifications, and relevant experience in accordance with BC labour laws and company