Manager, Student Counselling and Wellness Office

Aga Khan University; Pakistan; On-site; PKR 1,400,000 - 2,000,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading educational institution in Karachi is seeking a Manager for the Student Counselling and Wellness Office. The successful candidate will oversee mental health programs, promote student well-being, and manage a team. Requires a Master's degree and a minimum of 5 years' experience in student wellness or mental health services. This role emphasizes leadership, crisis management, and program development.

Qualifications

• 5+ years of experience in student wellness or mental health services.
• Experience in program management within higher education.
• Strong skills in staff supervision and budgeting.

Responsibilities

• Lead planning and implementation of mental health programs.
• Develop culturally sensitive wellness initiatives.
• Oversee budgeting and resource management.
• Supervise counselling and support staff.

Skills

Leadership

Crisis management

Interpersonal communication

Data analysis

Education

Master's degree in Clinical/Counselling/Educational Psychology or related field

Job description

Manager, Student Counselling and Wellness Office

Location: Karachi, Pakistan

Introduction:

Aga Khan University (AKU), chartered in Pakistan in 1983, is a private, self-governing international university recognized for excellence in teaching, research, and service in health and higher education across the developing world. AKU has campuses and teaching programs in Pakistan, East Africa, the UK, and Afghanistan, and is a core institution of the Aga Khan Development Network (AKDN).

As an equal opportunity employer, AKU is committed to fostering a respectful, inclusive, and safe environment for its faculty, staff, students, volunteers, and community stakeholders, including children and vulnerable adults. All members of the University community are expected to uphold these values.

Aga Khan University invites applications for the position of Manager, Student Counselling and Wellness Office.

Responsibilities

Reporting to the Director, Student Counselling and Wellness Office, the Manager will lead the planning, implementation, and coordination of mental health and well‑being programs and services to support students across the University. The role requires strong leadership, operational management, crisis response, and innovative program development to foster a supportive and resilient campus culture.

You will be responsible for:

• contributing to strategic planning and policy development to translate departmental vision into actionable and impactful wellness initiatives.
• developing and implementing inclusive, culturally sensitive programs that promote mental health, reduce stigma, and support student success.
• overseeing budgeting, financial planning, and resource management to ensure efficient service delivery.
• supervising and mentoring counselling and support staff, ensuring quality care, confidentiality, and adherence to ethical and safeguarding standards.
• preparing reports and evaluations using data and feedback to guide continuous program improvement.
• incorporating technology and digital tools to enhance student engagement, service accessibility, and outreach.
• providing direct support to students during crises and ensuring timely and appropriate intervention.
• designing and delivering workshops, seminars, and awareness campaigns to enhance mental health literacy and resilience.
• developing educational and communications content for wellness campaigns, including digital and social media platforms.
• designing and delivering training programs for faculty and staff to enhance early identification and referral for students in distress.
• collaborating with student bodies, academic departments, and external partners to strengthen wellness programming.
• managing and overseeing crisis response protocols for student emergencies.

Requirements

You should have:

• at least Master’s degree in Clinical/Counselling/Educational Psychology, Educational Management, Health Administration, or a related field. (Training and experience in psychotherapy/counselling is strongly preferred)
• minimum of 5 years of experience in student wellness, mental health services, or health/education program management, ideally within a higher education setting.
• demonstrated experience in leadership, staff supervision, budgeting, and program coordination.
• strong skills in data analysis, report writing, and evidence-based planning.
• experience integrating technology and innovation to enhance service delivery and engagement.
• excellent communication, interpersonal, and crisis management skills.
• ability to work sensitively with diverse student populations, maintaining confidentiality and professional ethics.
• creativity, adaptability, and a commitment to continuous improvement and student‑centered service.

Comprehensive employment reference checks will be conducted.