Associate Director, Student Wellbeing & Accessibility

September 5, 2025

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Job Description

Description

Who We Are

At BCIT , putting people at the core of everything we do is paramount. This idea is the foundation of BCIT’s People Vision , which describes the Institute’s goals and priorities in respect to our people. In a complex and uncertain world, it’s vital our people feel valued, supported and connected. BCIT champions a culture of innovation and global progress through people’s imagination and creativity. With a competitive compensation package, great work-life balance, and career advancement opportunities, see why we’ve earned the title of one of BC’s Top Employers for over ten years running.

BCIT values diverse experiences, ideas, cultures and perspectives and is committed to fostering a diverse and inclusive workplace. As an equal opportunity employer, we encourage applications from members of all groups experiencing barriers to equity. If you require accessibility accommodations during any part of the application or hiring process, please contact so we can best support you. Please note that all applications must be submitted via the careers page portal, email applications will not be accepted .


The British Columbia Institute of Technology acknowledges that our campuses are located on the unceded traditional territories of the Coast Salish Nations of xwməθkwəy̓əm (Musqueam), Sḵwx̱wú7mesh (Squamish), and səl̓ilwətaɁɬ (Tsleil-Waututh).

Position Summary

BCIT’s Student Success department is seeking a regular, full-time (1.0 FTE ) Associate Director, Student Wellbeing & Accessibility . This positions provides strategic direction to development and delivery of student wellbeing and accessibility across the Institute, including student health, counselling, development, disability resources, and other related services. Responsible for oversight of the legal duty to accommodate students. Establishes the Institute’s vision for all areas of accountability, and develops related strategies, plans, policies, practices, standards, and processes. Implements the necessary controls to ensure compliance with internal policies, regulatory requirements and legal obligations. Monitors operations across all areas of accountability for the highest standard of ethics and equity. Provides strategic advice to the Senior Director and other senior leaders on the Institute’s most critical student accessibility and wellbeing strategies, initiatives, practices and challenges.

Duties & Responsibilities

KEY ACCOUNTABILITIES :

  • Participates as a member of the Senior Director’s management team, providing input to development of divisional strategies and sharing responsibility for achievements and success, with emphasis on accessibility & wellbeing. Supports the Senior Director on strategic issues and projects.
  • Establishes the Institute’s vision for all aspects of student accessibility and wellbeing, and related develops strategies, plans, policies, practices, standards, and processes. Reviews operating framework and systems, implementing improvements to ensure optimization for all reporting areas.
  • Provides strategic direction to all aspects of student accessibility and wellbeing, including health, counselling, development, disability resources, and other related services across the Institute. Involves oversight and support to the Province’s Academic Communication Equity program and, serving as a key advisor to the Early Assist program, provides guidance on behavioural interventions.
  • Implements the necessary controls to ensure compliance with internal policies, regulatory requirements and legal obligations. Monitors operations across all areas of accountability for the highest standard of ethics and equity.
  • Establishes and monitors performance expectations for all areas of accountability, evaluates services and initiatives, reports on progress and achievements, and makes necessary adjustments to plans. Works with departments to establish priorities, ensuring consistency with divisional goals.
  • Provides strategic advice to the Senior Director and other senior leaders on the Institute’s most critical student accessibility and wellbeing strategies, initiatives, practices and challenges. Chairs and/or
  • participates on related Institute committees and teams, consults with campus stakeholders on health and accessibility issues and solutions, and leads delivery of critical health initiatives.
  • Leads innovative approaches to campus mental health, ensuring institutional policy, programs, processes, practices, research, and case management models are optimized in addressing community building, respect and inclusion, stigma reduction, proactive prevention, treatment services, training and education, crisis management, and other related aspects of student wellbeing.
  • Maintains awareness of emerging trends, practices, legislation and regulatory requirements in health, counselling, accessibility, and wellbeing in post-secondary education, competing environments, and related business environments. Directs related research, involving developing of external contacts, and participation in professional organizations.
  • Manages reporting staff, including selection, coaching, mentoring, development, performance management and all other people-management practices.

Qualifications

QUALIFICATIONS & REQUIRMENTS :

  • Master’s degree in education, counselling, social work, or related discipline
  • Minimum 7 years’ experience at progressive levels of responsibility in student services/affairs and/or social services environments, involving leadership in health, accessibility, counselling, or social work services
  • An equivalent combination of education and experience will be considered
  • Expert knowledge of the concepts, theories, and practices related to student wellbeing, primary health care, counselling services, disability accommodation, and human rights requirements
  • Solid experience with operational leadership in a unionized environment
  • Strong working knowledge of case management to resolve complex problems and manage high profile, sensitive, and contentious issues
  • Strong leadership skills with ability to foster an inclusive and collaborative approach, including management in a unionized environment
  • Strong familiarity with operational leadership in the context of a diverse student population and with emerging practices in supporting equity across diverse groups
  • Strong communication and interpersonal skills, with ability to provide strategic advice and facilitation at senior levels across the Institute, and to interact with students and internal/external stakeholders
  • Strong business acumen, with ability to develop strategic and operations plans and lead strategic initiatives
  • Strong analytical skills and ability to apply sound judgment in problem solving, evaluating courses of action, and making decisions on complex matters
  • Strong leadership skills and ability to manage a team of professionals and specialists; ability to build a strong team-based environment
  • Flexibility to be available on call after hours to occasionally respond and/or assess critical incidents as designated

Additional Information

Benefits – Why you’d love working with us