Manager Advising and Academic Initiatives

Toronto Metropolitan University; Toronto; Hybrid; CAD 70,000 - 113,000; Full time

Job summary

Toronto Metropolitan University (TMU) is seeking a Manager, Advising and Academic Initiatives for the First-Year Engineering Office (FYEO). This leadership role supervises the Student Advisor and staff, guiding advising programs to ensure academic excellence, accreditation alignment, and high-quality service within budget and timelines.

The incumbent will drive academic initiatives, support project delivery, and coordinate with the Program Director and Dean’s Office to promote student retention,

Qualifications

• Post-secondary degree required.
• Minimum 4 years’ experience in an academic environment; engineering preferred.
• Experience supervising, coaching, and supporting staff or student employees.
• Experience building and maintaining collaborative relationships with internal and external stakeholders.
• Experience with engineering curriculum advising or student advising and developing customized academic direction plans.
• Experience in research support and collection of statistical information.
• Strong oral and written communication, presentation and negotiation skills.
• Strong numerical and financial analysis skills for program planning and budgeting.
• Sound judgement and conflict resolution skills with sensitive student and staff matters.
• Demonstrated cultural awareness and commitment to inclusive advising.

Responsibilities

• Collaborate with the Program Director and faculty to plan, implement, and evaluate advising initiatives.
• Provide guidance on university policies, engineering curricula, course requirements, and progression.
• Monitor student progress and coordinate referrals and follow-up support.
• Lead development of non-credit core engineering courses and bridging programs to improve retention.
• Analyze progression reports and provide summaries to the Program Director.
• Coordinate program and course development processes and new enrichment programs.
• Serve on committees and coordinate seminars, orientations, and workshops for first-year student success.
• Build partnerships with campus units to coordinate advising and student referrals.
• Hire, supervise, train, coach, and evaluate the Student Advisor(s) and staff; manage performance.

Skills

Supervising staff

Student advising

Oral & written communication

Budget & planning

Stakeholder management

MyServiceHub & D2L familiarity

Education

Post-secondary degree

Tools

MyServiceHub

D2L

Job description

For more than 75 years, Toronto Metropolitan University (formerly known as Ryerson University) has been shaping the next generation of leaders through its uniquely innovative, entrepreneurial and career-focused approach to higher education. Driven by bold leadership, cutting-edge research and a deep commitment to academic excellence, TMU collaborates with students, faculties, staff and partners to push boundaries, reimagine solutions and create meaningful change in an increasingly interconnected world.

The team

At FEAS (Faculty of Engineering and Architectural Science), we immerse ourselves in the economic, social and technological communities we serve. As they evolve, we shift to meet their needs, leveraging our strengths and generating novel solutions. It is our mission to be a leader in Canada, where highly skilled, adaptable students and researchers develop as people and professionals and work together for one purpose: to improve quality of life around the world. FEAS has more than 6000 undergraduate students enrolled in eleven programs; over 800 graduate students in 22 master’s and eight doctoral programs; and over 150 faculty members.

The Opportunity

Manager, Advising and Academic Initiatives, First-Year Engineering Office (FYEO) directly supervises the Student Advisor and student staff and will provide leadership with respect to the development and implementation of programs and initiatives ensuring academic excellence, alignment to accreditation requirements, program delivery, service quality, within the time, budget and the framework of the departments and FEAS office. The incumbent will also be tasked with supporting academic initiatives and special projects, to ensure consistency and accuracy in the delivery and support of high-quality student advising to first year engineering students.

Responsibilities

Student Academic Advising

• Collaborates with the Program Director, a team of faculty, and other TMU professionals to plan, implement, and evaluate advising initiatives that support student access, academic progression, and success in the First-Year Engineering Program
• Provides accurate guidance on university academic policies, engineering curricula, course requirements, and academic progression, and supports students in developing individualized academic success plans.
• Monitors and analyzes students academic progress, identifies factors affecting their success, coordinates appropriate advising, referrals, and follow-up support.

Academic Initiatives

• Assists the Director FYEO in identifying the student learning needs, and coordinates with and provides leadership in the design and implementation of academically sound delivery systems of identified non-credit fundamental engineering science courses and bridging programs to optimize first-year student retention and enhanced student experience

Program Director Support

• Analyzes academic progression reports and provides summaries, updated reports and statistical information to the Program Director of First Year Engineering
• Supports the Director in the coordination of the program and course development processes, evaluation and implementation of new enrichment programs.
• Serves on the First-Year Success Committee (FYSC), and coordinates seminars, orientations, workshops and other activities that support first-year student success.

Partnerships Management

• Builds and maintains partnerships with other campus units to coordinate academic advising, student referrals, and student success initiatives across the advising portfolio.

Human Resource Management

• Hires, supervises, trains, coaches, and evaluates the Student Advisor(s), and student staff in FYEO assigned to the advising portfolio, and coordinates and supports volunteers. Establishes work priorities and service expectations, provides performance feedback, and manages staff performance to support consistent service delivery and student academic success.
• Hires, supervises, trains, and evaluates the Student Advisor(s), and volunteers in FYEO. Coaches and performance manages the advising staff to improve performance and student academic outcomes

FYEO Representation

• Represents the FYEO on University-wide and external committees and working groups, as assigned by the Director.
• Supports the FEAS Dean’s Office and Admissions to prepare annual analyses of retention and academic performance.

Leadership Competencies

• Acts with Integrity: Demonstrates behaviors aligned with high ethical standards and personal integrity and acts in accordance with TMU values.
• Builds Relationships of Trust & Collaboration: Actively builds a culture of trust and fosters meaningful relationships.
• Leads Inclusively: Creates an inclusive environment where everyone is respected, recognized, empowered to achieve their potential, and valued for their differences.
• Demonstrates Organizational Acumen: Understands and respectfully navigates complex internal and external environments using sound judgment, diplomacy, and tact.
• Drives Vision & Results: Creates and implements a vision grounded in sound decision-making to achieve desired outcomes.

Qualifications

To help us learn more about you, please provide a cover letter and resume describing how you meet the following required qualifications:

• Post‑secondary degree
• Minimum 4 years’ experience in an academic environment; engineering preferred
• Experience supervising, coaching, and supporting staff or student employees.
• Experience building and maintaining collaborative relationships with internal and external stakeholders.
• Experience with engineering curriculum advising or student advising and developing customized academic direction plans for students.
• Experience in research support and collection of statistical information
• Strong oral and written communication, presentation and negotiation skills, with the ability to communicate effectively with students, faculty, staff and external partners.
• Strong numerical and financial analysis skills to support program planning, budget monitoring, and reporting.
• Sound judgement and conflict resolution skills including the ability to handle complex and sensitive student and staff matters.
• Demonstrated cultural awareness, sensitivity and commitment to inclusive advising and equitable student support.
• Knowledge of TMU's academic policies and practices is an asset.
• Knowledge of TMU Engineering curricula and requirements for academic promotion is an asset.
• Working knowledge of student‑facing university systems such as MyServiceHub and D2L.

Additional Information (MAC)

Position Number 20004343

Reports To Director, First-Year Engineering Program

Department First-Year Engineering Office, (FYEO), Dean’s Office, Faculty of Engineering & Architectural Science (FEAS)

Employee Group MAC

Vacancy Type Term

This is a current vacancy

Work Location Hybrid

Start Date ASAP

End Date 1 year from start date

Hours of Work 36.25

Grade C42

Salary Scale $70,488 - $112,535

Hiring Salary Range $70,488 - $91,492

Posting Date October 14, 2026

Application Close Date October 27, 2026

• An equivalent combination of education and experience may be considered.
• Applicants who do not meet all of the posted qualifications may, at the University’s sole discretion, be considered to fill a vacancy on an underfill basis.
• Candidates must have a demonstrated record of dependability/reliability and a commitment to maintain confidentiality.
• We encourage all First Nations, Metis and Inuit peoples or Indigenous peoples of North America to self‑identify in their applications.
• As part of the selection process, candidates may be required to complete an occupational assessment.
• Applications will only be accepted online through Toronto Metropolitan University's career site.
• Toronto Metropolitan University is committed to the principles of the Accessibility for Ontarians with Disabilities Act (AODA), and aims to ensure that independence, dignity, integration and equality of opportunity are embedded in all aspects of the university culture.
• We will provide an accessible experience for applicants, students, employees, and members of the Toronto Metropolitan University community. We are committed to providing an inclusive and barrier‑free work environment, starting with the recruitment process. If you have restrictions that need to be accommodated to fully participate in any phase of the recruitment process, please submit your request through the AskHR webform. All information received in relation to accommodation will be kept confidential.