Assistant Dean, Students

University of British Columbia; Vancouver; On-site; Full time

Job summary

A leading educational institution in Vancouver is seeking an Assistant Dean, Students to provide leadership and strategic direction for student services in the law school. This role manages comprehensive student services, ensures compliance with national standards, and collaborates with faculty to support JD students' success and satisfaction. Ideal candidates will have a JD and extensive experience in academic services management. This position offers a dynamic environment focused on student wellbeing and development.

Qualifications

• 7–8 years of related experience or equivalent combination of education and experience.
• Willingness to respect diverse perspectives, including those in conflict with one’s own.
• Commitment to equity, diversity and inclusion.

Responsibilities

• Leads the implementation of the law school strategic plan as it applies to law student services.
• Develops and oversees student services from orientation through graduation.
• Provides leadership to enhance student engagement and the student experience.

Skills

Leadership

Strategic planning

Interpersonal skills

Cultural awareness

Counseling

Communication

Education

Undergraduate degree in a relevant discipline

Juris Doctor (JD)

Tools

MS Word

Excel

PowerPoint

UBC systems like WorkDay

Job description

Job Description Summary

The Assistant Dean, Students provides leadership and strategic direction for the Law Student Services and Academic Services unit, which provides services to Juris Doctor (JD) students in the Peter A. Allard School of Law. This position develops a strategic model to support law students and oversees the development, implementation, delivery and assessment of comprehensive student services including academic policies, academic advising, academic support and success, student engagement and satisfaction, orientation, health and wellbeing, financial aid, awards and other student development and services for law students. The role is responsible for developing, delivering and assessing student-centred practices and systems relating to all aspects of student services (except admissions and career planning). It advises the Dean, the Associate Dean, Academic Affairs, faculty and program directors on policies and practices relevant to supporting student success and satisfaction.

Organizational Status

Reporting to the Associate Dean, Academic Affairs, the Assistant Dean partners with the Dean and Associate Deans and may serve as the Associate Dean’s delegate on university and community committees. The role provides strategic leadership and supervision of the Law Student Affairs unit and its CUPE 2950 and M&P staff, and oversees student staff and volunteers delivering student services, experiential learning, wellbeing, awards, orientation, peer tutoring, the Ambassador Program, and Pro Bono Students Canada. When delegated, it directs the Associate Director, Indigenous Legal Studies. The Assistant Dean sets policy direction for Admissions, Career Services, Student Affairs, Indigenous Legal Studies, and the Graduate Program, and collaborates with VP Students and allied units and faculty advising offices while cultivating relationships with faculty, Allard Law Students’ Society leaders, adjuncts, and external partners.

Work Performed

Strategic Leadership and Management Responsibilities

• Leads the implementation of the law school strategic plan as it applies to Law student services, student development, wellbeing and academic support to provide high-quality service to students and the law school.
• Draws on knowledge of complex requirements, policies and practices in the law school, the legal profession and university-wide to foresee and respond to changes in policies and curriculum impacting JD students and student services.
• Advises senior leadership on strategic planning of new and revised academic programs and related policy and regulatory considerations.
• Develops and makes recommendations on policy decisions within the law school and strategic development of programs and services.
• Develops and makes recommendations to the Dean, Associate Deans, Committee Chairs and Program Directors on policy decisions, program development and curricular reform.
• Leads development and enhancement of comprehensive student services from orientation through graduation.
• Develops and monitors the annual budget for Student Affairs, Orientation, Peer Tutor Program and Pro Bono Students Canada to align with strategic priorities.
• Provides leadership to enhance student engagement and the student experience at Allard School of Law.
• Directs development of law student financial aid and awards in consultation with relevant offices and ensures alignment with university policies.
• Recommends strategies to address student concerns and monitors trends in legal education and accreditation requirements.
• Ensures compliance with national accreditation standards and oversees reporting processes.
• Directs joint legal education programs with international partner universities as applicable and oversees the UBC chapter of Pro Bono Students Canada.
• Creates and implements communication strategies for student affairs events and maintains Currents content for Allard Law.

Student Development, Advising and Academic Support

• Develops, implements, evaluates and oversees a comprehensive strategy for student services integrated with university and legal profession offerings.
• Leads academic and registration advising for current and prospective students on courses, specializations and experiential offerings; responds to evolving needs in the legal profession.
• Manages highly sensitive and confidential student issues; counsels JD students on academic, personal and financial concerns and provides referrals.
• Interprets and applies university and law school policies regarding academic concessions, withdrawals, leaves of absence, admissions, grade appeals, awards, student conduct and accommodations; upholds administrative fairness.
• Serves as first point of escalation for difficult student matters and manages Early Alert concerns and conduct/wellbeing issues.
• Promotes student wellness and leads wellbeing initiatives and proactive health programming.
• Oversees academic accommodation and concession processes for JD students in collaboration with relevant committees and accessibility services.
• Liaises with the Centre for Accessibility to support accommodated students and acts as liaison on disability-related matters.
• Identifies students with unsatisfactory academic standing or difficulties and provides guidance and support.
• Advises on student progress to the Associate Dean and Academic Procedures Committee and identifies service needs for program enhancements.
• Oversees orientation for first-year JD students focusing on academic preparedness, wellbeing, cultural competencies and professional development.
• Directs the academic success program, including workshops and sessions to improve study skills and wellbeing.
• Manages Peer Tutor and Academic Success Program: recruits, trains and supervises tutors; matches tutors with students; promotes the program; adapts to changing needs.
• Oversees the Allard School of Law Student Ambassador program and manages JD Awards applications, nominations and adjudication.
• Works with Go Global and the Associate Dean, International, to manage student exchanges and advise students on options; collaborates with Go Global partners on enrollment numbers and issue resolution.
• Collaborates with campus units to develop programming and services for law students; evaluates transfer credits for exchange and incoming transfer students, and reviews readmission applications.

Administrative and Personnel Leadership

• Identifies staff training needs and provides development opportunities; coaches and mentors staff, student employees and volunteers.
• Creates and oversees job descriptions, recruitment, training, supervision, development and evaluation of staff and student staff and volunteers listed under responsibilities.
• Maintains professional memberships and encourages ongoing professional development for the student services team.
• Serves on university-wide committees and represents the law school on various functions; attends required meetings as directed.
• Leads special projects and assists with duties as required; supervises and coordinates the Student Affairs unit and related staff; collaborates with Indigenous Legal Studies leadership as needed.
• Consults with Admissions, Law Career Services, the Graduate Program, External Relations and the Dean’s Office; sits on committees related to Admissions, Awards, Curriculum, Academic Procedures and Equity.
• Forges productive relationships with UBc units and external partners to support student needs and events.
• Supports student events and programming through collaboration with Allard Law Students’ Society leadership.

Consequence of Error/Judgement

This is a senior staff position with a high degree of autonomy and discretion. Decisions affect the operation of Student Affairs and the JD student experience. Incorrect advice could impact academic progress and graduation and may create legal liability. Strategic decisions rely on thorough knowledge of university and law school policies and procedures; the role requires tact, discretion and cross-cultural sensitivity. Consequence of error is high.

Supervision Received

Reports to the Associate Dean, Academic Affairs, and the Dean on certain matters. Works independently within university and law school policies to provide strategic direction for student services and academic support. Coordinates with other unit leaders to achieve broad objectives.

Supervision Given

Directs and supervises the Director, Academic Services; Manager, Student Affairs; Student Wellbeing Counsellor; and Student Affairs Program Assistant; may direct other staff as needed. Oversees awards portfolio and student employees/volunteers involved in orientation, recruitment, student development and experiential learning.

Minimum Qualifications

• Undergraduate degree in a relevant discipline; Juris Doctor (JD) required.
• Seven to eight years of related experience or equivalent combination of education and experience.
• Willingness to respect diverse perspectives, including those in conflict with one’s own.
• Demonstrates commitment to equity, diversity and inclusion.

Preferred Qualifications

• LL.M degree preferred.
• Eligibility for membership in a law society in a Canadian jurisdiction strongly preferred.
• Experience in a senior managerial and supervisory capacity in a university, and in student academic services, preferred.
• Understanding of law student academic and student affairs issues; excellent interpersonal, counseling and communication skills.
• Demonstrates cultural awareness of Indigenous and other equity-deserving groups; proactive support.
• Ability to lead, motivate and collaborate with a leadership group; strong organizational, analytical, multitasking and supervisory skills.
• Ability to work under pressure and with interruptions; outstanding research skills.
• Ability to build productive relationships across campus and with external partners.
• Commitment to hard work and to the teaching and research mission of the Faculty.
• Computer proficiency (MS Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Internet, databases, email) including UBC systems like WorkDay.
• Flexibility to work weekends and evenings as required.

Posting End Date: September 30, 2025. Job End Date: Ongoing. Applications will be accepted until 11:59 PM on the Posting End Date. At UBC, we believe in a diverse workforce and employment equity to promote inclusion and fairness.