Director, Student Wellness Services

University of Guelph; Guelph; On-site; CAD 90,000 - 115,000; Full time

Job summary

University of Guelph seeks a Director of Student Wellness Services to lead a comprehensive portfolio including health services, counselling, accessibility and wellness promotion. You will report to the Senior Director of Student Affairs and guide a student-centered approach to health, wellbeing and academic success.

You will oversee a multi-million-dollar budget, build strong teams, and collaborate with campus partners to align services with institutional priorities and evolving student needs.

Qualifications

• Master's degree or equivalent in a relevant field as listed.
• Significant leadership experience in a complex health/wellness environment.
• Experience in university or college settings is required.
• Approximately 10+ years of progressive leadership experience in a large multidisciplinary service portfolio.

Responsibilities

• Provide strategic vision and leadership for Student Wellness Services, aligning priorities with institutional goals.
• Lead the development, implementation and evaluation of integrated health, counselling and wellness programs.
• Foster an integrated model of care across professional/service areas for a seamless student experience.
• Oversee quality, evaluation and continuous improvement using data and service analytics.
• Build partnerships with students, faculty, staff and external organizations to strengthen referrals and outcomes.

Skills

Strategic leadership

Budget management

Stakeholder engagement

People management

Data-driven decision making

Education

Master's degree or equivalent in health care administration/public health/medicine/psychology/social work/nursing

Job description

Location: Guelph, ON, CA, N1G 2W1

Primary Category Page: Staff and Management

Division: Student Affairs

Department: Student Wellness Services

This position is represented by the agreement between the Professional Staff Association and the University of Guelph

If you are a current employee of the University of Guelph you must apply on the internal Career Page in order to be considered as an internal applicant.

General Purpose

The Director, Student Wellness Services provides strategic and operational leadership for a comprehensive portfolio of student wellness services within a post-secondary institution. Reporting to the Senior Director, Student Affairs and serving as a member of the Student Affairs senior leadership team, the Director leads an integrated, student-centred approach to supporting student health, wellbeing, accessibility and academic success. The portfolio encompasses a broad range of services, including health services, counselling, accessibility, wellness education and promotion, sexual and gender-based violence supports, and health and performance services. The Director ensures these services are accessible, responsive, evidence-informed, well-coordinated and aligned with institutional priorities and legislative requirements. The Director is a collaborative and strategic leader who builds strong teams, develops effective partnerships, champions continuous improvement, and ensures Student Wellness Services is positioned to respond to the evolving health and wellbeing needs of a diverse student population.

Duties and Responsibilities

Strategic Leadership & Service Integration

• Provide strategic vision and leadership for Student Wellness Services, aligning departmental priorities with institutional and Student Affairs goals.
• Lead the development, implementation and evaluation of integrated programs and services that promote student health, wellbeing and academic success.
• Foster an integrated model of care across multiple professional and service areas, creating a seamless student experience.
• Establish quality, evaluation and continuous improvement practices supported by data, evidence and service analytics.
• Identify emerging student wellness needs, trends and risks and develop innovative responses and service strategies.
• Ensure services comply with relevant legislation, professional standards, privacy requirements and institutional policies.

People & Organizational Leadership

• Lead a diverse team of managers and professional staff across the Student Wellness portfolio.
• Provide direction, coaching and support to leaders, including goal setting, performance management, organizational development and change management.
• Strengthen communication, collaboration and role clarity across service areas.
• Ensure staffing structures and resources are aligned with student needs and service demand.

Partnerships & Collaboration

• Build strong relationships with students, faculty, staff, senior university leaders and campus partners.
• Collaborate with internal partners across Student Affairs and the broader university to support coordinated responses to student needs.
• Develop and maintain partnerships with community health, mental health, public health and social service organizations to strengthen referral pathways and continuity of care.
• Engage with provincial, national and sector partners to advance best practices in student health and wellness.
• Support education and training for faculty and staff who interact with students experiencing health and wellbeing challenges.

Financial & Operational Accountability

• Provide oversight of a complex, multi-million-dollar operating budget and associated revenue streams.
• Align financial and human resources with strategic priorities and student demand.
• Identify opportunities to improve operational efficiency, sustainability and service capacity.
• Oversee contracts, service agreements, technology and other resources required to support effective service delivery.

Professional & Sector Leadership

• Monitor emerging trends, legislation, research and best practices affecting student health, mental health, accessibility and wellbeing.
• Represent the institution through relevant professional associations and sector networks.
• Promote innovation, evidence-informed practice and applied research within Student Wellness Services.
• Provide strategic advice to senior leadership on emerging student wellness issues and their implications for the institution.

Requirements

Education & Professional Background

• A Master's degree or equivalent in a relevant field such as health care administration, public health, medicine, clinical or applied psychology, social work, nursing or a related discipline.
• Professional registration, certification or licensure where required by the candidate's professional discipline.
• Significant leadership experience in a complex health, mental health, wellness, accessibility or community health environment.
• Experience working in a university or college environment is required.
• Approximately 10+ years of progressive leadership experience, ideally including responsibility for a large, multidisciplinary service portfolio. The current role profile identifies approximately 10 years of prior experience and two years to develop full competency in the role.

Leadership & Management

• Demonstrated success leading complex organizations and multidisciplinary teams.
• Strong strategic thinking and organizational leadership skills.
• Proven ability to integrate services, lead organizational change and build high-performing teams.
• Demonstrated experience managing significant and complex budgets.
• Strong understanding of risk management, privacy, human rights, accessibility and relevant health legislation.
• Excellent interpersonal, communication, facilitation and relationship-building skills.

Knowledge & Expertise

• Deep understanding of student health and wellness issues within a post-secondary environment.
• Knowledge of accessibility, mental health, health care and related legislation and regulatory requirements.
• Understanding of the unique organizational, cultural and operational environment of post-secondary institutions.
• Experience with health information systems and electronic medical records; familiarity with health care billing and data systems is an asset.
• Experience using data, evaluation and applied research to inform service planning and improvement is an asset.

Employee Type: Regular

Position Number: 10598001

Classification: P&M FT- Band 11

Professional/Managerial Salary Bands

The target hiring salary for this position is minimum and up to 96% of midpoint for the salary grade.

• Tentative evaluation; subject to committee review.

At the University of Guelph, fostering a culture of inclusion is an institutional imperative. The University invites and encourages applications from all qualified individuals, including from groups that are traditionally underrepresented in employment, who may contribute to further diversification of our Institution.

Posting Date: 08/24/2026

Closing Date: 08/31/2026