Director, Student Wellness

Kwantlen Polytechnic University

KPU offers all learners opportunities to achieve success in a diverse range of programs that blend theory and practice, critical understanding, and social and ethical awareness necessary for good citizenship and rewarding careers.  KPU strives to implement initiatives that will attract, support, engage, and retain KPU’s people and create an environment where all employees see themselves as contributing to student learning.

JOB OVERVIEW:  Director, Student Wellness

This position reports to the Associate Vice President, Student Affairs. Reporting directly to this position are the Manager, Sport and Recreation, and Manager, Student Health Promotion.

The Director, Student Wellness is responsible for providing leadership and developing strategy for broad-based programs and services promoting student wellness, inclusion, and community. The Director monitors best practices in the post-secondary sector and is responsible for ensuring the performance and development of KPU’s programs and services within this portfolio meet the highest standards. The Director ensures that programs and services operate in accordance with continuous quality improvement frameworks, human resource management best practices, KPU’s financial and administrative protocols, and collective agreements. The Director is an institutional leader of healthy university initiatives focused on planning and strategy to enhance organizational capacity, raise awareness, and develop a proactive, preventative approach for student-facing campus health and wellness initiatives, including mental health. They work in collaboration with a leadership team that includes the Director, Counselling and Accessibility Services, the Director, Student Success, the Director, Student Rights and Responsibilities and others to ensure a coordinated approach to student wellness. As part of the Student Affairs Management Team (SAMT), the Director helps to develop and implement the strategic direction of the Student Affairs Division, and plays an active role in assessing KPU student wellness and associated needs to ensure continual enhancement of programming and service quality.

EDUCATION AND EXPERIENCE

  • Master’s Degree in Health Promotion, Public Health, Health Administration or related discipline.
  • A minimum of 5 years’ experience at a management level in a health promotion role or an equivalent combination of education and experience; work experience in a Canadian public post-secondary institution is an asset.

QUALIFICATIONS

  • Knowledge of the challenges, issues, and concerns experienced by both domestic and international post-secondary students of diverse backgrounds and experiences.
  • Knowledge of approaches to wellness and health, including proactive mental health initiatives, in the post-secondary sector.
  • Knowledge of resilience-based approaches to student wellness.
  • Excellent knowledge of health promotion theory including commitments such as the Okanagan Charter and the Ottawa Charter for Health Promotion.
  • Ability to synthesize and utilize research findings to promote best practice.
  • Ability to communicate effectively, orally and in writing, with a broad range of stakeholders.
  • Ability to be self-reflective in constructing egalitarian practices and collegial relationships.
  • Excellent knowledge of wellness issues associated with the experiences of persons who are marginalized on the basis of gender, race/ethnicity, economic status, language, culture, age, disability, sexual orientation/identity, and/or gender identity.
  • Excellent knowledge of wellness issues associated with the experiences of Indigenous people, and that contribute to reconciliation and decolonization.
  • Ability and willingness to work flexibly and towards common goals within a leadership team structure.
  • Knowledge of factors contributing to student well-being, success and engagement.
  • Commitment to providing outstanding customer service.
  • Knowledge of program development and evaluation methods.
  • Demonstrated capacity for managing and prioritizing multiple projects and initiatives.
  • Knowledge of budget planning, development and management.
  • Knowledge of community healthcare systems and practices.
  • Knowledge and experience with collective agreements and working within a unionized environment.
  • Intercampus travel is required, possession of a valid driver’s license and access to a vehicle is preferred.

click here for a more detailed job description

This position will remain open until filled, but applications will be reviewed starting on December 6, 2022.

Does this role sound like it was made for you, yet you don’t check every box?

We at KPU understand that experiences and qualifications may look differently for everyone and, if this job description is of interest to you, we encourage you to apply.

Note to Applicants:

Kwantlen Polytechnic University welcomes and encourages applications from equity deserving groups and diverse experiences including, but not limited to, Indigenous people, racialized people, people with disabilities, and members of the 2S/LGBTQIA+ community.

If there are any barriers that you are experiencing or an accommodation that we can provide to support you through the application process, please reach out to us at humanresources@kpu.ca.

All qualified candidates are encouraged to apply; however, Canadians and permanent residents will be given priority.

We thank all applicants for their interest in employment with KPU. Only those selected for an interview will be contacted. 

Kwantlen Polytechnic University is committed to protecting the safety and welfare of employees, students, and the general public, and upholding the reputation and integrity of the University. For this reason, final applicants will be asked to undergo a background check.