Manager, Career Education & Coaching - Queens University

Career Services delivers programs and services to help students manage their careers now and into the future. Reporting to the Senior Director, Student Experience & Career Development, the Manager, Career Education & Coaching will lead skill development, career education and counselling programs that assist students (and recent alumni) at all levels and disciplines at Queen's University in reaching their career objectives by motivating them, helping them to define and clarify their objectives and informing them of strategies to target educational and work options.

The Manager, Career Education & Coaching, will coordinate and supervise a team of staff, including career coaches, in the department, each of whom share similar duties as well as having their own distinct responsibilities. All staff provide individual and group services to help students clarify their interests, develop their skills, explore options, and connect with opportunities. Committed to equity, diversity, and inclusion the Manager will support both undergraduate and graduate students with a wide variety of backgrounds, including students from traditionally underrepresented groups.

The schedule for this position requires the incumbent to work frequent evenings and weekends.

View the complete job description on the Careers webpage.

RESPONSIBILITIES:

• To provide a leadership role in the areas of student leadership & skill development, career education and career counselling with attention to enhancing students' learning opportunities through varied programs including individual discussions, workshops, online resources and on­site information resources.
• Plan, implement, and evaluate the services and projects offered by the career coaching team in Career Services.
• Operationalize the strategic direction of programs by setting expectations for staff and providing leadership and guidance in program implementation. Supervise team of career coaches and student staff and volunteers. Oversee the delivery of career coaching and resume appointments, drop-in career advising, and career workshops.
• Lead the liaison with academic units, student organizations, and other student support units for the career coaching team. Ensure student and partner needs are met by assessing interest and need, coordinating multiple requests, distributing staff time, and resolving issues.
• Participate in budgeting for career coaching services and projects.
• Coordinate professional development, and facilitate communication to encourage the transfer of knowledge, encourage the development of support teams for program innovation.
• To remain current through research and outreach on relevant issues such as career development, labour market information, economic and employment trends, human rights issues pertaining to the hiring process, immigration policies affecting international students' abilities to work in Canada, and additional specific areas of interest to students in the spectrum of disciplines and levels of undergraduate and graduate programs.
• To plan for and ensure policy review, to ensure that concerns are addressed and individuals affected are treated equitably and with sensitivity. Ensure program innovation and evaluation.
• Write reports, deliver presentations, and suggest program changes. Provide expert information and guidance in development of career education and career coaching programs. Ensure all appropriate guidelines and regulations are met.
• Counsel students, including encouraging and facilitating the development of students' career action plans and personal and professional skills.
• Coordinate the design and development of tools for students that assist them with integrating career and academic decision making. This will involve creating project plans, coordinating meetings, and liaising with stakeholders across campus.
• Strive to maximize the safety, security, and well-being of all constituents. Undertake other activities, as may be delegated from time to time, in support of the department's aims and procedures.
• Act as departmental contact and serve on boards and committees in the University and in external agencies on behalf of the department. Liaise with other professionals as required, including coordinating, managing or delivering career related services.
• Communicate with colleagues and solicit their help in increasing awareness, providing quality services, or exchanging relevant information.
• Provides work direction, and technical/functional guidance to staff. Schedules and assigns work and oversees its completion. Coordinates and monitors workflow.
• Schedules and approves, or recommends the approval of, employees’ hours of work, overtime and absences. Monitors and oversees employee attendance.
• Recruit, onboard, and train staff.
• Identify the need for staff resources, participate on staffing committees, and make effective recommendations regarding employee selection.
• Manage performance by establishing performance standards, reviewing and evaluating performance and conducting formal performance reviews on an ongoing basis.
• Assess staff training and development needs and ensure that employees receive training required to improve and sustain successful performance.
• Investigate, address and resolve employee/labour relations issues, including disciplinary matters. Make decisions or effective recommendations on matters involving possible discipline, discharge and probationary termination.
• Refer students to appropriate resources as required.
• Undertake other duties and special projects as required in support of the unit or department.

QUALIFICATIONS:

• University degree in an area relevant to education, counselling and business with substantial related experience in a combination of the fields.
• Specialized training or professional certification in counselling, curriculum development, human resources.
• Several years (5 to 10 years) progressive experience in leading/supervising staff with demonstrated ability to provide objective, fair, impartial guidance and maintain strict confidentiality.
• Experience and/or training in a range of occupational roles complementing counselling, coaching, education, or administration will be considered an asset.
• Understanding of the Queen's community and typical student issues with an ability to relate to students is crucial, preferably gained through personal experience.
• Extensive knowledge of current research, literature, legislation and trends in career management, labour market issues, and post-secondary education. Knowledge of career development theory, labour market conditions, as well as occupations and professions.
• Demonstrated expertise, competence, and commitment to career education, student development and collaborative program design and delivery.
• Some experience in computing or technology may be an asset.
• Highly developed human relations, interpersonal, and communication skills (written and verbal).
• Demonstrated aptitude and experience working with people with diverse perspectives and backgrounds, upholding the principles of equity, inclusion and healthy communities.
• Satisfactory Criminal Records Check and vulnerable Sector Screening required.
• Consideration may be given to an equivalent combination of education and experience.

SPECIAL SKILLS:

• Managerial, advising, and leadership skills to promote a positive environment.
• Ability to present information, advice, and guidance in a clear, concise, and helpful manner that inexperienced individuals can appreciate and understand.
• Ability to adapt to many personality styles, remain flexible while upholding all ethical and regulatory responsibilities, and be receptive and responsive to suggestions for change. Includes the ability to motivate, direct, persuade and cooperate with others in order to build a consensus within a diverse group.
• Demonstrated personal traits that support and facilitate unit team development:
• common sense, discretion, initiative, empathy, political and emotional sensitivity.
• Creative and innovative problem-solving skills with understanding of implications of research and analysis and interpretation of tests and assessments.
• Leadership ability and solid professional judgement to set goals and objectives for the unit, assess priorities, coordinate multiple services, develop and implement administrative policies, manage time and budget, and handle crisis situations.
• Strong intercultural fluency and fostering competencies in equity, diversity and inclusion including Indigenous cultural awareness and skill to effectively interact and provide leadership in a diverse working environment • Ability to work with diverse student body
• Specialized computer skills that indicate an ability to use technology effectively to support administrative responsibilities and to enhance learning through presentations, publications and online modules.

DECISION MAKING:

• With the Senior Director, Student Experience & Career Development determines content of career programing and the criteria to which effectiveness will be assessed.
• Make recommendations to improve and expand programming to meet the changing needs of the student-body.
• Determine needs of constituents, increase awareness of concerns and decide how to implement changes. Collaborate with others in the unit and in the management team to determine policy and procedure modifications.
• Determine effective strategies for providing services and through semi-annual review decide which new services should be offered or how to improve on existing programs.
• Decide on content, format, timing and delivery method of training and information programs. Facilitate determination of the content of documents/publications produced by the unit.
• Make decisions regarding the most appropriate methods to apply in dealing with students in crisis or delicate policy issues. Evaluate severity of problem and determine appropriate course of action, including referral, if necessary.
• Determine how to allocate time and resources in order to best serve the community. Advise on budgetary decisions as required.
• Make assessments with respect to wellness issues and decisions regarding potential implications of various actions.
• Determines when situations warrant consultation with the Senior Director.
• Evaluates job candidates and makes effective recommendations on suitable hires.
• Makes decisions and/or effective recommendations regarding transfers and promotions.
• Evaluates employee performance and decides on appropriate training or coaching to address lack of proficiency in carrying out responsibilities, or remedial action for staff disciplinary situations.
• Assesses investigation outcome of grievances and makes effective recommendations on appropriate course of action or next steps on grievances.
• Makes effective recommendations on level of discipline up to discharge and probationary termination.