Position Job Title: Manager Admissions, Pathways and Transfer Credits Location: Niagara Falls, Ontario, Canada (Onsite) Reports To: Associate Registrar Duration: Full-Time, Temporary (14 months contract) Overview The University of Niagara Falls Canada (UNF) is an innovative and digitally oriented institution that prepares graduates for leadership in a digital world. Academic programs are aligned to meet the demands of business and industry, providing students with the skills and knowledge needed now and for the future. UNFs vision is to offer innovative education and research for a digital world. Primary Purpose Reporting to the University Registrar, the Manager, Admissions, Pathways, and Transfer Credit provides leadership and direction to the admission, pathways, and transfer credit teams. The incumbent directs the daily admissions operations and ensures a superior applicant experience built on excellent customer service and integrity in the admissions process. The incumbent is knowledgeable in a diverse range of computer systems and applications, enabling them to effectively oversee and streamline workflow processes. This involves prioritizing enrollment and departmental objectives while fostering a work culture that encourages knowledge-sharing and collaborative workflow among teams. Specific Responsibilities Oversees the daily operations of the admissions, pathway, and transfer credit teams. Continuously refining staff workflows to streamline the evaluation of applications based on the volume of applications in the admissions pipeline for multiple terms, thereby ensuring a consistent and prompt offer turnaround. Serves as the primary institutional expert in admissions, pathways, and transfer credit processing, and requires a comprehensive knowledge and understanding of both domestic and international education systems, English language proficiency testing standards, as well as issue relation to documentation fraud. Works with the University Registrar to outline protocols and best practices that ensure a standard of applicant qualifications which contributes to student success, retention, and graduation; ensures that international academic qualifications and evaluation methods are established to meet program standards and Canadian/Ontario equivalency benchmarks. Responsible for the overall quality, accuracy and timeliness of admissions and pre-admissions advisement, which includes ensuring staff provide prospective applicants, applicants, parents, and agent partners with pertinent and accurate information as it relates to the application, admission, and registration process. Adjudicate and resolve escalated, complex admissions issues/appeals and monitor and maintain reports and appeal records. Research and review non-standard admissions decisions, communicate these decisions to the department and track precedent. Oversee all knowledge-related activities including managing, capturing, sharing, and accessibility to intellectual resources. Works with staff to develop and optimize the usage of the departments knowledge assets. Employ exceptional leadership and change management skills to assist the teams in regular system updates and changes that impact day-to-day workflow and responsibilities. Executes the planning and delivery of training workshops, creation of procedure manuals, and development of all user documentation of the teams. Monitor the release of offers and applicant trends to meet the universitys new student enrolment targets, recognizing the competitive nature of the Ontario post-secondary and the lead time required by all applicants to obtain the required documentation and permits. Work with the University Registrar, and other institutional stakeholders, to optimize new student enrolment. Tracking historical trends, forecasting admission conversion, and proactively employing strategic initiatives to boost enrolment at key points throughout the admissions cycle. Manage ongoing data integrity, ensuring that established processes are followed, staff receive proper training, and standards are consistently met and maintained. People and Change Leadership Ensure direct reports are aligned with the vision and strategic direction of the university. Supports, models, and promotes diversity and respect within university and community. Ensures effective change leadership processes are in place and leads change for assigned unit. Take an active role in the recruitment and onboarding processes for admission, pathway, and transfer credit teams. Assists in the design of the organizational structure for the admissions, pathway, and transfer credit teams. Provide supervision and oversight to teams in their day-to-day duties, which may span multiple campuses or remote working setups. Collaborate with the University Registrar to assess staff performance and ensure that established standards are consistently upheld. Develop and execute strategies focused at motivating and incentivizing staff to meet deadlines efficiently and effectively. Strategically plan and implement training interventions for staff as needed. Develop and implement strategies to facilitate open and consistent communication between Office of the Registrar leadership members and the admissions, pathway, and transfer credit teams. Qualifications and Experience To be successful in the Manager, Admissions, Pathways, and Transfer Credit position, an individual must be committed to developing, maintaining, and demonstrating the following: Completed post-secondary credential in Business, International Business, International Relations, Office Administration, Information Technology, or a related discipline (equivalent combination of education and experience may be considered). Minimum four (4) years of progressive experience within a higher education setting, preferably within an Office of the Registrar or student support department. Prior leadership experience within an Office of the Registrar, or higher education institution setting, directly related and/or supportive to the duties and responsibilities. Demonstrated understanding of domestic and international education relating to admission, the student lifecycle within a post-secondary institution, strategic enrolment management concepts, and academic policies. Hands-on experience providing direct support to cross-functional teams and stakeholders in system enhancements, maintenance, and operations of business information systems. Must be conversant with government, ministry and institutional policies and programs Familiarity with strategies of international education and the economic and political impact of key market areas Competencies Solid planning, analytical, organizational, and strategic thinking skills. Excellent writing abilities and proven abilities to communicate effectively with all members of the university community, including senior administrators. Demonstrated ability to exercise sound judgment, prioritize tasks, proactively plan, and anticipate and problem-solve issues as they arise. Ability to work under pressure, meet deadlines, and work on multiple tasks simultaneously, and ability to work independently. Demonstrated ability to initiate, develop and maintain partnerships, relationships, and regular contacts, and to facilitate collaborative and innovative approaches to business (enrolment) planning. Proven service-oriented focus. Excellent knowledge of registrar processes. Organization: efficient, effective, dependable time and priority management skills. Problem solving and effective conflict resolution. Confident and responsible decision-making. Adaptability and change management skills. Ability to constructively engage with students, faculty, staff and external partners. Proven ability to work independently. Training and mentoring. Interpersonal and communication skills. Evidence of English skills with written skills at a professional business level. Advanced computer skills. Diversity, inclusion and equity The University of Niagara Falls Canada (UNF) is strongly committed to equity, diversity, and inclusivity within its community and especially invites applications from all qualified candidates. Racialized persons / persons of color, women, Indigenous / Aboriginal People of North America, persons with disabilities, 2SLGBTQI+ persons, and others who may contribute to the further diversification of ideas are encouraged to apply. We will accommodate the needs of the applicants and the Ontario Human Rights Code and the Accessibility for Ontarians with Disabilities Act (AODA) throughout all stages of the selection process, please advise to ensure your accessibility needs are accommodated through this process. Information received relating to accommodation measures will be addressed confidentially. We appreciate all applications received; however, only candidates selected for an interview will be contacted.
Job Title
Manager - Admissions, Pathways and Transfer Credits