Associate Director, Client & Student Services

Rupertsland Institute; Edmonton; On-site; CAD 80,000 - 100,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading indigenous educational organization in Edmonton seeks an Associate Director of Client & Student Services to oversee education and training programs for Métis citizens. The ideal candidate will have extensive experience in leadership roles, managing budgets, and fostering community partnerships. The role involves strategic oversight and program development, making a significant impact in the lives of Métis students and clients.

Benefits

Competitive salary

Comprehensive benefits

Employer-matched pension plan

Generous vacation

Opportunities for leadership development

Qualifications

• 5+ years in education or workforce development, including senior management experience.
• Experience managing government-funded programs and multi-million-dollar budgets.
• Understanding of Métis education systems and culturally responsive programming.

Responsibilities

• Provide leadership and oversight for client services in education and training programs.
• Manage provincial budgets and ensure compliance with funding agreements.
• Supervise regional and departmental managers to enhance service quality.

Skills

Leadership

Financial management

Project oversight

Communication

Partnership building

Education

Post-secondary degree in Education or related field

Job description

The Role

• Official Position Title : Associate Director, Client & Student Services
• Organization : Rupertsland Institute (RLI)
• Department / Team : Leadership / Client & Student Services
• Reports To : Director, Education & Training

Location & Working Conditions : Edmonton head-office with occasional travel throughout Alberta

Occasional evening and weekend commitments required.

Employment Type : Full-time, salaried. We offer a competitive compensation package aligned with your professional experience.

About Rupertsland Institute (RLI) – Who We Are

RLI is an affiliate of the Otipemisiwak Métis Government, and is dedicated to enhancing the self-sufficiency and well-being of Métis Citizens in Alberta through quality education, training, and research initiatives. Beyond empowering Métis individuals and communities, RLI also plays a vital role in fostering greater knowledge and appreciation of Métis culture, history, and contributions among all Albertans, promoting a more inclusive and informed society.

What Rupertsland Offers

• Competitive salary with comprehensive benefits, including life insurance and health spending account
• Employer-matched pension plan
• Generous vacation and flex-days
• Meaningful, culturally grounded work supporting Métis citizens
• Opportunities for continuous learning and leadership development

The Opportunity – Why This Role Matters

The Associate Director, Client and Student Services is a key leadership role within Rupertsland Institute. It provides a unique opportunity to lead strategic and operational oversight for RLI’s education and training programs across Alberta, making a tangible difference in the lives of Métis students and clients. This role is responsible for ensuring the delivery of high-quality, culturally relevant services that support Métis citizens in achieving educational success, skills development, and employment outcomes.

As the Associate Director, your leadership and expertise will be instrumental in guiding a provincial team—including regional managers and front-line staff. Your voice will be heard as you ensure alignment with organizational goals, funding agreements, and the Otipemisiwak Métis Government (OMG) policy priorities, while leading the direction of services to make a tangible difference in the lives of Métis students and clients.

To Fit the Role

Key Responsibilities – What You’ll Do

Strategic Leadership & Service Delivery

• Provide leadership and oversight for client services across education, training, and employment programs province wide.
• Oversee the design and implementation of culturally grounded support services for Métis students : youth, post-secondary learners, adult learners, and job seekers.
• Champion skills development initiatives, including upskilling, pre-employment training, project-based learning, and work-readiness programming.
• Guide the development and implementation of youth-focused initiatives that support early career exploration, mentorship, and transitions to post-secondary and employment.
• Advance collaborative service delivery models that include wraparound supports tailored to individual goals and community contexts.
• Support job search initiatives for Métis clients, including resume development, interview preparation, job matching, employment coaching, and labour market navigation.

Operations, Programs & Partnerships

• Lead the development of innovative education and training initiatives that align with emerging labour market trends and Métis workforce needs.
• Develop and implement annual workplans for provincial and regional staff that align with departmental business plans and strategic objectives.
• Oversee the delivery of job search services and employment readiness programming through regional offices and online platforms.
• Foster partnerships with employers, post-secondary institutions, Indigenous organizations, and industry associations to create employment pathways, work-integrated learning, and training-to-employment pipelines for Métis citizens.
• Support province-wide career exploration strategies for Métis youth, including job shadowing, career fairs, mentorship programs, and school-to-work transitions.
• Manage and support community-based projects that build local capacity and lead to employment outcomes.

Financial & Contract Oversight

• Manage multi-million-dollar provincial budgets tied to education, training, and employment programming.
• Oversee budgets related to student support (e.g., tuition, living allowances, training supplies), regional service delivery, and workforce development initiatives.
• Ensure compliance with all government and third-party funding agreements, audit requirements, and financial policies.

Team & Leadership Management

• Supervise and mentor a team of regional and departmental managers, providing leadership on staff development, work planning, and service coordination.
• Promote internal collaboration, knowledge sharing, and cross-training to enhance service quality and operational efficiency.
• Lead workforce planning and succession strategies to ensure department continuity and leadership development.

Performance, Evaluation & Reporting

• Lead data collection, reporting, and evaluation efforts to monitor program effectiveness, client outcomes, and compliance with funding agreements.

Collaborate with IT, Data Governance, and Research teams to support evidence-informed service planning and real-time decision-making

Qualifications – Your Passion, Experience & Expertise

Education & Certification

Post-secondary degree in Education, Social Sciences, Business Administration, Public Administration, or a related field.

Experience

• 5 + years of progressive experience in education, workforce development, or human services, with at least 5 years in a senior management or leadership role.
• Demonstrated experience managing government-funded programs, large budgets, and complex provincial operations.
• Proven track record of building employer and community partnerships that lead to sustainable employment opportunities.
• Experience designing and overseeing job readiness or employment support services is an asset.
• Supervisory experience with mid-level managers and cross-functional teams.

Knowledge, Skills, & Abilities

• Deep understanding of Métis education and employment systems, Indigenous governance, and culturally responsive programming.
• Strong leadership, financial management, and project oversight skills.
• Excellent communication, collaboration, and stakeholder engagement abilities.
• Knowledge of Alberta’s labour market, economic trends, and job training resources.
• Ability to travel throughout Alberta as required.

Application Deadline

September 30, 2025

Application Procedure

Let’s Connect – Please Reach Out

We genuinely welcome a conversation to explore how this opportunity can work for you. If this opportunity resonates with your passion and experience, we encourage you to email your application package, including a resume / C.V., to [e-mail]. Alternatively, if you have questions about how this impactful opportunity might fit your professional journey, please email the same address and we will be pleased to coordinate a time for an exploratory conversation.

In alignment with our commitment to Métis self-determination and community empowerment, preferential consideration will be extended to Métis Citizens of Alberta.