Campus Life Director (20-Month Contract)

Campus Life Director (20-Month Maternity Leave Coverage)

About NAITSA

The NAIT Students’ Association (NAITSA) is a registered non-profit organization that exists to provide services, representation, and leadership to students enrolled in credit and apprenticeship programs in one of Canada's largest polytechnic institutions, the Northern Alberta Institute of Technology (NAIT). Within NAITSA is our Campus Life department, responsible for curating the ultimate student life experience by delivering vibrant extra-curricular and co-curricular opportunities for NAIT students.

Position Summary

The Campus Life Director is a key leadership role within NAITSA, responsible for setting strategic direction, overseeing daily operations, and driving innovation within the Campus Life department. This role leads a portfolio that includes events, marketing and communications, custom digital tools and integrations, Campus Clubs, volunteer programming, and student engagement software platforms.

Reporting to the Executive Director, the Campus Life Director plays a critical liaison role between NAITSA, various NAIT departments, and student leaders to support a campus environment that fosters belonging, involvement, and a rewarding experience for students outside of the classroom.

Who We’re Looking For

We’re looking for a thoughtful and capable leader who excels at building relationships, supporting others, and driving results. You bring a strong understanding of student engagement and retention, and you’re motivated by the opportunity to make a meaningful impact on the student experience. You lead by empowering your team, creating the conditions for autonomy, trust, and high performance.

You are comfortable navigating complexity, whether working with campus partners, managing external relationships, or guiding cross-functional projects. You bring a strategic mindset, encourage innovation, and have the judgment to balance new ideas with effective risk management. You are technologically savvy, student-focused, and approach your work with professionalism, tact, and a commitment to collaboration.

Responsibilities

Strategic Leadership & Department Oversight:

• Lead the strategic direction of the Campus Life department in alignment with NAITSA’s mission and student needs.
• Develop and implement department-wide goals, project plans, and success metrics.
• Foster a culture of innovation, inclusion, and continuous improvement within Campus Life programming and operations.
• Identify and advocate for changes that reduce barriers and enhance student engagement.

Team Leadership:

• This position has five (5) full-time direct reports: Events Manager, Marketing Manager, Volunteer & Engagement Manager, Campus Clubs Manager, and Systems Analyst.
• Lead and coordinate the Ooks Life Team of 20+ student staff, including hiring plans, budgeting, onboarding, and structural changes, as needed.
• Conduct regular check-ins, performance assessments, and support the personal and professional growth of staff.
• Manage staff recruitment, onboarding, offboarding, performance coaching, and any disciplinary action in collaboration with HR.
• Ensure staff portfolios are current and aligned with organizational strategy and market compensation data, in collaboration with HR.

Stakeholder Collaboration:

• Serve on institutional committees and working groups.
• Liaise regularly with NAIT department leads and student service areas to find opportunities for collaboration and alignment.
• Work closely with NAITSA’s Vice President Internal on shared campus life initiatives.
• Promote NAITSA-developed practices and coordinate efforts between student and institutional programming initiatives.

Budget & Financial Management:

• Lead the annual budget planning process for the Campus Life department in consultation with the Executive Director and Finance Director.
• Review department expenditures, approve purchases, and ensure accurate coding and reconciliation of staff Visa statements.
• Support managers in managing their portfolios’ budgets, risk management, and forecasting needs.

Student Engagement Technology Oversight:

• Provide oversight and strategic direction for the ookslife.ca student engagement platform (Anthology/Engage) and companion app.
• Collaborate with the Systems Analyst to ensure data cleanliness and integrity of backend systems including regular audits and access level reviews.
• Support the Systems Analyst on project roadmap planning, technical integrations, and data analysis initiatives.
• Guide NAITSA departments on best practices for using the platform to enhance student involvement and event participation.

Event & Program Engagement:

• Support the development of the annual event calendar. Approve calendar before submission to NAITSA’s Executive Council for approval.
• Attend and support key campus-wide events and NAITSA flagship events such as New Student Orientation, Pancake Breakfast, Nest Fest, student volunteer celebrations, and club showcases.
• Support staff teams in the planning and execution of student-centered programming across diverse programs and interest areas.
• Ensure visibility and approachability of the Campus Life department among students, club leaders, and volunteers.

Reporting & Internal Communications:

• Prepare and distribute department reports (i.e., Fall Semester Report, First Six Weeks Report, Year-End Summary).
• Share updates with NAITSA Executive Director, leadership team, and student executives on departmental priorities and results.
• Guide and mentor the VP Internal in chairing the Ooks Life Team (OLT), supporting agendas, training, and meeting logistics.
• Maintain oversight of shared project management tools (i.e., Trello boards, strategic planning strategies, etc.) to monitor progress and accountability.

Qualifications

Education & Experience:

• Degree or diploma in business administration, nonprofit leadership, communications, or a related field.
• Minimum 7 years of progressive leadership experience. Working within a post-secondary, nonprofit, or student-focused organization would be considered an asset.
• Proven experience supervising professional staff, guiding team development, and managing full HR processes including performance management and onboarding.
• Demonstrated success leading department-level budgets, financial planning, and operational oversight.
• Experience working across diverse stakeholder groups including students, institutional partners, and external vendors or service providers.

Skills & Attributes:

• Strategic thinker with strong project management skills and the ability to align day-to-day operations with long-term goals. Project management certification is considered an asset.
• A collaborative and empowering leadership style with a focus on coaching, accountability, and autonomy.
• Excellent relationship-building skills and the ability to navigate complex institutional settings with professionalism and discretion.
• A confident communicator who can adapt tone and messaging across audiences including students, colleagues, and senior administration.
• Uses sound judgment, discretion, and professionalism in managing sensitive issues, working relationships, and competing priorities.
• Data-informed and analytically curious—comfortable working with metrics, student participation data, and reporting tools to inform decisions and identify trends.
• Excited by the opportunity to create and present reports that showcase impact and guide strategy.
• Demonstrated understanding of student development, engagement, and retention in the post-secondary context, and values co-curricular learning.
• Technologically savvy, with the ability to support the use and evolution of student engagement platforms.
• Possesses a basic understanding of APIs, CRM systems, and how digital tools can support engagement, integration, and process improvement. Basic coding knowledge or experience is considered a plus but not required.
• Familiarity with Canva, Adobe Creative Suite, or similar tools for creating visual reports is an asset.
• Ability to quickly learn and adapt to new digital platforms; familiarity with Anthology Engage (ookslife.ca) and Navengage is a strong asset.
• Proactive and solutions-oriented, with a willingness to challenge the status quo and champion innovation that supports student success.

Additional Requirements:

• This position requires availability to work a flexible schedule, including occasional evenings and weekends to support events, staff, or student engagement needs.
• While this is primarily an on-campus role, NAITSA supports a limited hybrid work model. Directors may work remotely up to two days per week, depending on operational needs and ongoing projects during the academic year.
• The successful candidate must be based in Edmonton or the surrounding area and available to work on main campus.
• A valid driver’s license and access to reliable transportation is required.
• Must be legally authorized to work in Canada.
• Employment is conditional upon completion of a satisfactory Canadian Criminal Record Check.

Working Conditions:

• Position Status: Full Time Temporary, 20-Month Term
• Term: This position is expected to commence in September 2025, with the contract ending in June 2027
• Work Location: NAITSA, Room O108, 11762 106 St NW, Edmonton, AB T5G 3H4
• Work Hours: Monday to Friday, standard office hours, 37.5 hours/week. Occasional evenings or weekends may be required.
• Physical Requirements: Primarily office-based work with occasional requirements for event participation, booth setup, carrying materials to events (up to 40lbs).

What We Offer

• Compensation: This is a full-time, temporary leadership position. Salary information will be shared with candidates selected to move forward to the initial screening stage of the hiring process.
• Paid time off package including Vacation, Personal Choice Days, 3 Summer Fridays, Fall Break, and two-weeks off at the end of December
• Benefits including Health, Dental, Vision & Drug, and Personal Wellness Spending Account
• Paid parking or transit reimbursement
• Fun staff events and the opportunity to work on a vibrant post-secondary campus
• Please be aware that the NAITSA office is dog-friendly

Accommodations are available upon request for candidates participating in any stage of the selection process and can be requested by contacting [email protected]

How To Apply:

If you are interested in this opportunity, please apply by completing this online application, and uploading the following documents in PDF format:

• Cover Letter: Addressed to Chris Chelmick, Executive Director. Clearly outline your interest in the position and demonstrate how your qualifications align with the key responsibilities. Generic or incomplete cover letters will not be considered.
• Resume/CV: Include your work history, relevant leadership experience, education, and any applicable certifications.

This position was posted on August 6, 2025 and will remain open until August 15, 2025 at 4:00pm or until a suitable candidate is found.

For more information about the NAIT Students’ Association, please visit our website at naitsa.ca

You can expect a confirmation email once we have received your application. We appreciate all applications for employment, however, only those applicants chosen for an interview will be contacted.

We look forward to seeing your application!