Job Description

Company Biography:

Lambton College is always proud to acknowledge that it is located on the beautiful homeland that is the traditional territory of the Ojibwe, Potawatomi and Odawa Nations. As the second-oldest college in the Ontario publicly assisted system, we have served our learners and communities for nearly 60 years, and with ALL IN: The 2025-2029 Lambton College Strategic Plan, we are charting a strong and steady course towards the next 60.




We are providing our students with the best learning and research experiences to ensure they are well-equipped to contribute to, and thrive in, a world of opportunity.




We are fostering a vibrant culture of community, collegiality, and professional growth for our people to ensure we are the best at being better.




And we are continuing to form academic, research, and community partnerships that create value for our local and global community and elevate student and client impacts at local, national, and international scales.




At Lambton College, we know where we're going. Just as importantly, we know the way we're going to get there. We call it the Lambton Way, and we welcome applications from those who are interested in being part of it.



ALL IN: The 2025-2029 Lambton College Strategic Plan

Specific Accountabilities:

Strategic Leadership and Program Oversight


Lead the planning, delivery, and continuous improvement of Counselling, Accessibility, Health Services, Academic Advising, SCWI, and CICE in alignment with institutional and divisional strategic priorities. Oversee Access Programming to ensure accessible, inclusive, and supportive transitions to post-secondary education and effective marketing and recruitment. Ensure all programs and services meet ministry requirements, institutional quality standards, and student needs, through regular program review, curriculum oversight, and service evaluation. Collaborate with academic leaders, faculty, and service departments to create pathways for student success and strengthen connections between academic programs and support services.


Student Support and Wellbeing


Manage the delivery of academic, career, personal, and crisis counselling, along with mental health initiatives that promote student wellness and retention. Provide leadership for accessibility services, including accommodation planning, learning strategies, adaptive technology, and testing accommodations. Guide strategies for early identification and support of students at risk, including oversight of Day 11/28 interventions and the High-Risk Intervention Team. Support specialized populations, including SCWI and CICE students, by developing safety protocols, troubleshooting behavioural concerns, and engaging with families, caregivers and community supports.


Partnership, Marketing and Outreach

Build and maintain partnerships with school boards, community agencies, employers, and provincial networks to advance program goals and expand student opportunities. Lead SCWI and CICE operational planning with Regional Planning Teams, ensuring alignment with community needs and ministry expectations. Represent the College on relevant local, regional, and provincial committees; advocate for continuous improvement and innovation in service delivery. Oversee marketing and outreach initiatives for all assigned programs, including orientation events, open houses, graduation ceremonies, and targeted recruitment activities.


Financial Management


Develop, manage, and reconcile budgets for assigned areas, ensuring fiscal accountability and compliance with college and ministry guidelines. Prepare and submit funding proposals, operational plans, and required reports to the College and ministries. Allocate resources effectively to maximize student impact and program sustainability.


Health and Safety


Ensure all programs and services operate within college health and safety standards, and that students in community placements or residence settings have appropriate safeguards in place. Partner with Health & Safety to develop and maintain emergency protocols, PPE requirements, and return-to-work/accommodation plans for employees.

About the Position:

The Associate Director, Student Success & Access Programs provides visionary leadership and hands-on operational oversight for an integrated portfolio that bridges academic access programming with comprehensive student success services. This includes strategic direction and management of Counselling, Accessibility, Health Services, Academic Advising, and specialized transition programs such as the School-College-Work Initiative (SCWI) and Community Integration through Cooperative Education (CICE).



Guided by a commitment to equity, inclusion, and the removal of systemic barriers, the Associate Director designs and advances pathways that empower learners to successfully transition into, navigate, and excel in post-secondary education. A central mandate of the role is to champion a proactive and coordinated mental health and wellness strategy, encompassing prevention, early intervention, and responsive supports, to foster student wellbeing, resilience, and academic persistence.



Working collaboratively with academic leaders, faculty, student services teams, and community partners, the Associate Director supports the development and implementation of evidence-informed retention strategies aimed at strengthening student engagement, reducing attrition, and enhancing the overall learner experience. This role requires operational excellence, and relationship-building expertise to ensure programs are student-centered, financially responsible, and fully aligned with institutional priorities and ministry expectations.

Qualifications:

EDUCATION

A Master's degree in Education, Student Affairs, Social Work, Counselling, or a related field is required. A Graduate degree in Social Work, Counselling, or Clinical Psychology with training in counselling approaches relevant to the post-secondary context would be considered a strong asset.


PREVIOUS EXPERIENCE


The ideal candidate will have at minimum 7 years of experience in each of the following:

Specialized experience in student services leadership within a post-secondary environment. Supervising multidisciplinary teams and managing budgets. Developing, implementing, and evaluating programs and services. Supporting students with developmental or learning disabilities, at-risk populations, and diverse learners. Strong knowledge of counselling practices, learning theory, and student development strategies. Expertise in consensus building, conflict resolution, and stakeholder engagement to manage complex student and institutional needs.


ADDITIONAL QUALIFICATIONS


Leadership and management experience within student services/student affairs, with proven ability to deliver quality and timely results. Demonstrated experience supervising staff, managing budgets, and leading multidisciplinary teams in a post-secondary environment. Strong knowledge of counselling practices, learning theory, student development theory, and strategies that promote student retention and success. Experience supporting students with developmental or learning disabilities, at-risk students, and diverse student populations. Proven ability to develop, implement, and evaluate programs, services, and strategies in post-secondary institutions. Skilled in consensus building, negotiation, conflict resolution, and influencing decisions across a diverse stakeholder environment. Strong communication, presentation, facilitation, and interpersonal skills, with experience engaging students, faculty, parents, community partners, and senior administrators. Ability to analyze and use data to inform decision-making, forecast needs, and evaluate programs and services. Demonstrated capacity to manage multiple complex projects concurrently with tact, diplomacy, and sound judgment. Familiarity with client information systems and technology-based tools for student support. Experience in curriculum development, training, and/or teaching at the post-secondary level is an asset. Knowledge of strategic planning, financial management, marketing, and student assessment practices. Self-motivated, adaptable, and committed to fostering an inclusive and supportive learning environment.

Closing Statement:

Lambton College is committed to an inclusive, barrier-free selection process. If contacted regarding this competition, please advise the interview coordinator of accommodation measures you may require during our selection process. Information received relating to accommodation needs of applicants will be addressed confidentially.



We thank all applicants for their interest and wish to advise that only those candidates selected for an interview will be contacted.



Lambton College is an equal opportunity employer seeking to live its values in all we do. We are committed to taking proactive steps to provide and create opportunities for historically marginalized groups. We seek applicants who will strengthen our commitment to diversity, equality, and inclusion. We strongly encourage the following qualified candidates: women, Indigenous peoples, racialized people, persons with disabilities, and those who identify as 2SLGBTQ+ to consider working with and for Lambton College.

We recognize that structural barriers shape experiences and job qualifications, and therefore we seek to use employment equity to differentiate between candidates who meet the required qualifications; and encourage people to apply even if they feel that the position would be a stretch.

Employee Perks:

Lambton College provides a wide range of exciting opportunities for both unionized and non-unionized positions with competitive total compensation packages, wages and benefits.

Investing in our People:

Lambton College is committed to the personal and professional growth of all our employees. Employees of Lambton College are incredibly valued and part of a transformative adventure. They enjoy an engaging and vibrant culture where they are encouraged to realize their full potential via development opportunities and accessible, supportive employee wellness initiatives.



Investing in our People

Lifetime Retirement Pension - Defined Benefit Pension Plan:

Our employee benefit package includes a defined benefit pension to help you create a secure future. The CAAT Pension Plan provides you with a predictable lifetime retirement income, survivor benefits, early retirement options, and more without the stress of making investment decisions. CAAT makes it easy for you to build stable, secure retirement income while you work.



Lifetime Retirement Pension - Defined Benefit Pension Plan: