Manager of Academic Services

University of Guelph; Ridgetown; On-site; CAD 80,000 - 110,000; Full time

Job summary

University of Guelph in Ontario invites applications for the Manager of Academic Services at Ridgetown Campus. The role provides leadership for student-facing academic services, supervises a small team, and ensures coordinated, policy-compliant student operations.

The manager will oversee admissions, registration, advising, accessibility services, and student success initiatives, while collaborating with programs, instructors, and campus leadership.

Qualifications

• Undergraduate degree or equivalent experience in a relevant field.
• Minimum four years in post-secondary student services or academic administration.
• Experience supervising staff and coordinating workflows.
• Strong organizational and project management skills.
• Excellent interpersonal communication and relationship-building.
• Ability to interpret policies and apply regulations with sound judgement.
• Experience handling confidential information and learning new software platforms.
• Commitment to student-centred services and student success.

Responsibilities

• Provide day-to-day leadership, supervision, and workload coordination for academic services staff.
• Coordinate operations related to admissions, registration, enrolment, examinations, and advising.
• Support interpretation and application of policies and academic regulations.
• Identify opportunities to improve service delivery and the student experience.
• Lead planning of major events including convocation and awards ceremonies.
• Assist with resolving complex or sensitive student service concerns.
• Support strategic enrolment initiatives and recruitment efforts.
• Participate in committees and campus initiatives related to academic operations.
• Support program development, continuing education, and microcredential offerings.

Skills

Staff supervision

Project management

Communication

Policy interpretation

Confidential data handling

Microsoft Office

Collaboration

Education

Undergraduate degree

Tools

Student information systems

Enrolment management systems

Dashboards / enterprise information systems

Job description

Location: Ridgetown, ON, CA, N0P 2C0

Primary Category Page: Staff and Management

Division: Ridgetown Campus

Requisition ID: 3002

Department: Ridgetown - Office of the Director

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

Position Description

The University of Guelph, Ridgetown Campus invites applications for the position of Manager of Academic Services. Reporting to the Associate Director of Academics, the Manager of Academic Services provides leadership, coordination, supervision, and operational support for student-facing academic services at Ridgetown Campus.

The Manager of Academic Services is responsible for supporting the effective day-to-day operation of academic service areas that contribute to student recruitment, admissions, registrarial services, academic counselling, student accessibility services, student success, awards, and convocation. The position supervises the Manager Strategic Enrolment and Registrarial Services, Communications and Engagement Coordinator, Academic Services Assistant, and Program Counsellor.

The Manager ensures that academic service areas operate in a coordinated, student-centred, and policy-compliant manner while also providing direct operational support during periods of high workload or when service needs require immediate attention. The incumbent will work closely with Program Coordinators, instructors, administrative staff, campus leadership, and University colleagues to ensure academic services are delivered efficiently and effectively.

Duties and Responsibilities

• Providing day-to-day leadership, supervision, coaching, and workload coordination for academic services staff.
• Coordinating academic service operations related to admissions, registration, enrolment, examinations, academic advising, student accommodations, and student success initiatives.
• Supporting the interpretation and application of University policies, procedures, and academic regulations.
• Identifying opportunities to improve service delivery, operational processes, and the student experience.
• Leading the planning and coordination of major academic service events, including convocation and awards ceremonies.
• Assisting with the resolution of complex or sensitive student service concerns.
• Supporting strategic enrolment initiatives and contributing to recruitment, retention, and student success efforts.
• Participating in committees, working groups, and campus initiatives related to academic operations and student services.
• Supporting academic program development activities, continuing education initiatives, and microcredential offerings.

Requirements

• Undergraduate degree in a relevant field, together with demonstrated knowledge of post-secondary academic and student service environments. An equivalent combination of education and experience may be considered.
• Minimum of four years of progressively responsible experience in post-secondary student services, academic administration, registrarial services, student advising, recruitment, accessibility services, event coordination, or a related environment.
• Demonstrated experience supervising staff, coordinating workflows, and providing leadership in a service-oriented environment.
• Strong organizational and project management skills with the ability to manage multiple priorities and deadlines.
• Excellent interpersonal, communication, and relationship-building skills.
• Demonstrated ability to interpret and apply policies, procedures and regulations while exercising sound judgement and discretion.
• Experience working with confidential and sensitive information.
• Strong problem-solving, conflict-resolution, and decision-making skills.
• Demonstrated proficiency with Microsoft Office applications and the ability to quickly learn and effectively utilize complex software platforms, databases, dashboards and enterprise information systems.
• Commitment to providing student-centred services and supporting student success.

Preference Given To Candidates With

• Experience working in a post-secondary academic services, registrarial, or student affairs environment.
• Experience leading student service initiatives, recruitment activities, or student success programs.
• Experience planning and coordinating large-scale events such as convocation, awards programs, conferences, or recruitment events.
• Experience supporting accessibility services, student accommodations, or student wellness initiatives.
• Experience with student information systems, enrolment management systems, or other post-secondary administrative systems.
• Graduate degree in higher education, student affairs, business administration, education, public administration, or a related field.
• Formal training or certification in leadership, project management, accessibility, conflict resolution, or student services.

Employee Type: Regular

Position Number: 10928503

Classification: P&M FT- Band 04

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: 10/09/2026

Closing Date: 10/23/2026