Manager Cultural Diversity Services

University of Guelph • Guelph, ON

4d

About The Position

The department of Student Experience is committed to supporting all students at the University of Guelph. Student Experience houses many specialized supports for students identifying as First Nations, Inuit, Métis, Black, racialized, and/or members of the LGBTQ2IA+ community, and members of cultural, international, religious, and spiritual communities. We welcome applicants sharing through their application the ways in which they believe they can contribute to the diversity of thought, approach, and practice in Student Experience.

Reporting to the Associate Director, Student Experience, the Manager, Cultural Diversity Services is a strategically important leadership role supporting Black and racialized students. Cultural Diversity Services works primarily with Black and racialized students, with a particular emphasis on Black learners, by providing advising, mentoring, student advocacy, and social, cultural, and transition‑focused programming.

Requirements

• A Master’s Degree in social work, social justice, race relations, higher education, or another related field, coupled with 5 years of progressive experience working with Black and racialized populations.
• Understanding of the complexity of student identity, intersectionality, and education experiences -- including higher education, particularly the experiences of Black and racialized communities.
• Strong understanding and practical experience applying anti-oppression and anti-racist principles in programs and services.
• Expertise and practical experience in supporting and advocating on behalf of individuals working through all forms of oppression, discrimination, anti-Black racism, white supremacy, colonialism, racism, and colorism that is informed by both lived experience and practical experience working with Black and racialized communities.
• Demonstrated excellent human relations, and advising skills, especially the ability to empathize, and communicate effectively in intercultural, and postsecondary settings.
• Proven leadership, and administrative responsibility to direct teams, foster staff motivation, and manage employee performance to implement operational plans.
• Proven success serving as a consultant and collaborating with university faculty and staff on a broad range of topics, including the student experience of Black and racialized students.
• Proven ability to assess needs and to research, design, implement, and evaluate programming, including educational and training programs and curricula.
• Proven ability to exercise a high level of judgement, diplomacy, and tact.
• Proven ability to respect and maintain confidentiality in sensitive and/or volatile situations.

Responsibilities

• Provides overall direction and leadership for Cultural Diversity Services, including researching, designing, implementing, and assessing high‑quality programs and services for Black and racialized students.
• Recruits, hires, trains, supervises, and evaluates Cultural Diversity Services staff, including direct supervision of the Cultural Diversity Advisor and three Coordinators.
• Formulates recommendations, prepares reports and updates, and ensures that senior administrators, faculty, and departmental and divisional colleagues are informed of trends, outcomes, and emerging issues.
• Represents Cultural Diversity Services on University and community committees, providing expertise informed by the lived experiences of Black and racialized students.
• Serves on the Student Experience leadership team and contributes to the strategic direction and daily operations of Student Experience and Cultural Diversity Services, including participation in action planning, annual budgeting, and forecasting processes.

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Manager