Academic Liaison, Health & Life Sciences

NAIT (Northern Alberta Institute of Technology); Edmonton; Hybrid; CAD 85,000 - 114,000; Full time

Job summary

NAIT is seeking an Academic Liaison to support the School of Health and Life Sciences. This senior role combines academic administration, project leadership, student advising, and mentorship to enhance the student experience.

The successful candidate will oversee advising operations, supervise Program Specialists, and drive cross-functional collaboration across NAIT to deliver student-centered service and policy interpretation.

Qualifications

• Diploma or Bachelor’s degree in a related field preferred.
• 5+ years in a mid-level role within post-secondary education.
• Experience supervising teams and leading projects/process improvements.
• Experience running daily front-facing student services in a fast-paced environment.

Responsibilities

• Coordinate with Registrar’s Office and School leadership to support student life-cycle processes.
• Lead projects to reduce barriers and improve efficiency and communication.
• Mentor and supervise Program Specialists delivering front-line advising.
• Oversee daily operations of advising services for the School of Health and Life Sciences.

Skills

Leadership

Project management

Communication

Coaching

Analytical thinking

Process improvement

Student experience focus

Cross-functional collaboration

Policy interpretation

Education

Post-secondary diploma

Bachelor’s degree preferred

Job description

Ready to start your next chapter with NAIT? At NAIT, we’re passionate about building a team of talented, dedicated professionals who share our commitment to excellence and innovation. Your skills and experience can shape the future of education and make a real impact in our community.

Important Application Deadline Notice

Please note that Workday closes job postings at 11:59pm MST on the day before the posting end date listed above. To ensure your application is received, submit no later than 11:59pm MST the day prior to the posting end date.

We are seeking a dedicated and passionate Academic Liaison as part of our advising team supporting the School of Health and Life Sciences at NAIT, who will play a pivotal role in enhancing the student experience.

This senior-level position combines various responsibilities, including academic administration, project management, student advising, and mentorship. Key focuses include continuous process improvement, enhancing the student experience, navigating complex situations, and initiating change. A comprehensive understanding of diploma and certificate programs, NAIT services, and policies, and providing student support is essential for success within the role. The successful candidate will also demonstrate strong intercultural competence, leadership, and a deep commitment to student success.

Academic Liaisons actively contribute to improving advising practices and business processes and collaborate with colleagues across NAIT, while maintaining a student-centered approach. The successful candidate will strongly desire to assist others, demonstrate confidence, composure, and problem-solving abilities, and possess in-depth knowledge to support colleagues (within the advising team, the School of Health and Life Sciences, and across NAIT) and advise students effectively.

Key Responsibilities

• Cross-Functional Collaboration: Act as a subject matter expert in the School of Health and Life Sciences' diploma and certificate programming, coordinating with the Registrar's Office, School and Program Leadership, various NAIT services, and Program Specialists to support various functions of the student life-cycle, such as recruitment, admissions, matriculation, enrolment, student retention, and graduation.
• Project Leadership: Lead and implement projects aimed at reducing barriers, improving efficiency, enhancing communication, and streamlining processes. Apply project management methodologies, foster cross-functional collaboration, and ensure timely delivery of outcomes.
• Communication & Collaboration: Work closely with partner areas to ensure consistent, transparent, and student-centered communication and service delivery.
• Complex Case Management: Lead the response to escalated or complex student situations requiring coordination and collaboration with School and Program Leadership, the Office of Student Conduct & Accountability, and NAIT's Students' Association (NAITSA). Provide advocacy and well-informed recommendations while collaborating with partners within the School of Health and Life Sciences and in key service areas across NAIT. Conduct research and synthesize information from multiple sources to support informed decision-making and policy interpretation.
• Leadership & Supervision: Provide coaching, mentorship, and direct supervision to a team of Program Specialists delivering front-line advising services. Support team development and ensure high-quality, student-centered service delivery.
• Centre Operations: Oversee daily operations of the advising provision for the School of Health and Life Sciences, including supervision of front-line Program Specialists. Provide leadership and guidance to ensure high-quality service delivery.

Skills & Abilities

• Professionalism: The position demands handling inquiries with respect, confidence, and tact to cultivate a positive and supportive atmosphere.
• Institutional Knowledge: A strong understanding of academic programming, student services, and relevant policies is crucial.
• Organizational Leadership: The role requires strong time management and organizational abilities to lead projects, foster collaboration, and meet tight deadlines.
• Research & Decision-Making: Strong research skills to synthesize information from multiple sources to inform decisions and recommendations.
• Leadership & Coaching: Proven ability to lead, mentor, and support team members in a fast-paced, service-oriented environment.
• Project & Process Leadership: Demonstrated ability to lead cross-functional initiatives using structured project management methodologies, while identifying and implementing process improvements with a strong attention to detail and adaptability to change.
• Student Experience Focus: A champion for student success with a strong understanding of student need and developmental advising, and a commitment to delivering high-quality service in a post-secondary context.
• Complex Case Handling: Experience managing sensitive or escalated student matters with tact, discretion, and emotional intelligence.
• Effective Communication & Collaboration: Demonstrated ability to communicate effectively and build strong working relationships with students, staff, and institutional partners, fostering open dialogue and alignment across teams to support shared goals.

Qualifications

• Post-secondary diploma in a related field. A bachelor's degree is preferred.
• 5+ years of experience in a mid-level role within post-secondary education including experience in:
  • Supervising teams
  • Assessing student records, student advising, and conflict resolution
• Experience leading projects and process improvement initiatives would be an asset
• Experience leading daily operations of a fast-paced, front-facing, customer-focused service centre would be an asset.
• Equivalent combinations of education and experience may be considered.

Applicants with education credentials earned outside of Canada should have their credentials evaluated by World Education Services (WES), International Qualifications Assessment Service (IQAS) or the Comparative Education Services (CES).

Classification – Advisor/Specialist III

This position is covered by the Alberta Union of Provincial Employees (AUPE) Collective Agreement.

Remuneration

Refer to salary range noted on this posting, plus a comprehensive benefits package. The compensation range for this job posting is : $85,165.22 - $114,186.44.

NAIT is committed to a transparent, fair, and human-centered hiring experience. All candidates are assessed directly by our recruitment and hiring teams.

About NAIT

We are known as one of Alberta's top employers. Being part of a community that makes a difference in the lives of students, staff, industry clients and partners, NAIT's culture reflects our shared values of respect, collaboration, celebration, creativity, and accountability.

People are what make NAIT great, and we prioritize the employee experience. For eligible positions, we offer benefits and unique perks focusing on health and wellness, work-life balance, recognition, and professional and personal growth. In addition to excellent vacation time, eligible employees receive paid time off between Christmas and New Year's.

NAIT supports a flexible work environment, enabling staff to request approval for on-campus, off-site, or hybrid work arrangements based on the nature of the role. Please note that remote positions require employees to reside within Canada.

NAIT is committed to fostering a safe environment that supports equity and cultivates inclusion through our Centre for Community and Belonging (CCB) and our Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion Strategy. We are a proud partner of the Canadian Centre for Diversity and Inclusion. While we encourage all qualified applicants to apply, only those being considered will be contacted. If you require any assistance or accommodations, please connect with us at [e-mail].