Edtech.com's Summary

University of Alberta is hiring a Director, International Student and Visitor Services. The role leads the team in International Education and Enrolment that supports the university's community of more than 8,000 international students and helps advance its goal of growing international enrolment to over 15,000 by 2033. Reporting to the Executive Director of International Education and Enrolment, the director provides strategic and operational leadership for services ranging from immigration and student advising to settlement programming and training for global clients.

Highlights

Build strategic direction and operational plans with the International Education and Enrolment senior leadership team, aligned with university priorities and implemented by assigning the right resources.
Lead a team of professionals delivering immigration and student advising, settlement and transition programming, and services to faculties and units that support student outcomes.
Oversee the visiting cohort and inbound research internship program, along with training programs for global clients.
Educate the university on emerging immigration policy trends, anticipate their effect on compliance requirements and service delivery, and work with campus units to update processes and policies.
Design, implement, and manage services and programs with defined, measured outcomes, driving continuous process improvement and testing new approaches.
Negotiate and oversee contracts with external vendors, and identify and assess revenue-generating opportunities and client relationships.
Develop staff capability and the competencies the unit will need, so the team understands the diverse needs of international students.
Bachelor's degree required, with a Master's degree preferred, and at least 10 years of progressive leadership experience in international student services, post-secondary administration, or global programming.
Deep knowledge of Canadian immigration regulations, student advising practice, and intercultural theory, plus a track record of budgeting, resource allocation, and operations management.
Proven mediation and conflict resolution skills for handling highly charged situations and complex inquiries, with strong facilitation skills for community development and global client training.

Director, International Student and Visitor Services Full Description

Location - This role is in-person. Work primarily takes place at North Campus, Edmonton.

Do you have a deep commitment to the value of international education and the transformative opportunities it provides for students?

Are you an entrepreneurial, collaborative and service focused professional who thrives in dynamic environments?

International Education and Enrolment (IEE) is hiring a Director, International Students and Visitor Services (ISVS) to lead a team with passion and vision in the pursuit of service excellence. Within an integrated student experience network, the unit plays a critical role in supporting the current community of over 8000 international students and advancing the university’s goal of growing international enrolment to over 15,000 by 2033.

Reporting to the Executive Director IEE, you will provide strategic and operational leadership to create exceptional student experience, strengthen the university’s advising ecosystem and deliver high impact programs that advance the university’s reputation and expand unit resources.

Understanding rapidly changing policy and geopolitical environments you anticipate impact, support advocacy, seek solutions and embrace the adaptations required to achieve goals.

The Director leads a team of professionals responsible for delivering consistent, high-quality and professional services to students and campus colleagues and ensures the team has the skills and competencies to work with students across diverse national, cultural, linguistic and social diversity.

Core services and programs include

immigration and student advising services
settlement and transition programming for students and visitors
services to faculties and units to support student outcomes
visiting cohort and inbound research internship program
training programs for global clients

Responsibilities

In collaboration with the IEE Senior leadership team, builds strategic direction and defines operational plans in alignment with university and IEE strategic priorities. Implements action plans based on these objectives by assigning the right resources to achieve concrete results and respond to organizational priorities.
Champions the development of proactive strategies or initiatives. Educates the university on emerging trends in areas of expertise, in particular immigration policy; anticipates impacts of these trends on impacts to compliance requirements and future service delivery. Works with campus units to update processes or policies.
Designs, implements and manages efficient and effective services and impactful programs. Service and program outcomes are defined and measured.
Proactively identifies the need for change within areas of responsibility. Searches beyond the university for new methods, trends and innovative approaches. Challenges the status quo. Develops, tests, and delivers new methods or approaches. Negotiates and oversees contracts with external vendors.
Engages in continuous process improvement to enhance effectiveness and efficiency in the administration of the unit and design and implement solutions to operational challenges. Seek feedback on operations, services and processes from across the University.
Develops the talents of staff; builds capacity and capability, ensuring staff understand the diverse needs of international students. Identifies future competencies and expertise required by the area and develops/ acquires talent accordingly.
Fosters collaboration within the area and across the university to ensure exceptional student experience.
Skillfully handles complex, on-the-spot questions and concerns. Assigns resources to assist quickly and addresses any conflict with well considered responses.
Demonstrates persuasive, engaging, clear and credible communication to gain support and commitment in varied situations from a wide variety of audiences.
Identifies and assesses revenue generating opportunities, develops plans, and builds strong client relations.

Qualifications

Education & Experience

Education: Bachelor’s degree required; Master’s degree preferred.
Leadership Experience: Minimum 10 years of progressive leadership experience in international student services, post-secondary administration, or global programming.

Technical & Regulatory Competencies

Immigration & Advising: Deep knowledge of Canadian immigration regulations, student development, sojourner adjustment, and student advising theory/best practices.
Intercultural Expertise: Proven mastery of intercultural theory and practice, with demonstrated application to program planning, delivery, and advising for diverse populations.
Global & Geopolitical Literacy: In-depth understanding of international education systems, academic cultures, and global geopolitical dynamics.

Strategic Leadership & Operations

Strategic & Operational Planning: Strong administrative, organizational, and strategic planning skills with a track record of budgeting, resource allocation, and operations management.
Change Management & Innovation: Proven analytical and problem-solving skills to address complex institutional challenges, drive continuous process improvement, and lead institutional change.
Business Development: Demonstrated ability to identify revenue-generating opportunities, conduct client needs assessments, and design/evaluate impactful programs.

Communication & Relationship Management

Interpersonal & Stakeholder Engagement: Excellent communication, presentation, and relationship-building skills across all organizational levels, establishing trust across diverse cultural, gender, and religious backgrounds.
Conflict Resolution & Mediation: Proven ability in mediation, conflict resolution, and handling highly charged situations or rapid, complex inquiries with sound judgment.
Facilitation & Training: Strong facilitation skills for community development and global client training programs.

This position will remain open until a suitable candidate is found; however, application review will begin on December 1, 2026.

This position is excluded from the bargaining unit.

In accordance with the Handbook of Terms and Conditions of Employment for Non-Union Employees, this position has a comprehensive benefits package and an annual salary which will be commensurate with qualifications.

International Education & Enrolment (IEE) supports the university community in the development and delivery of impactful international experiences and opportunities to foster global citizenship.

At the University of Alberta, we are committed to creating an inclusive and accessible hiring process for all candidates. If you require accommodations to participate in the interview process, please let us know at the time of booking your interview and we will make every effort to accommodate your needs.

We thank all applicants for their interest; however, only those individuals selected for an interview will be contacted.

The University of Alberta is committed to creating a university community where everyone feels valued, barriers to success are removed, and thriving connections are fostered. We welcome applications from all qualified persons. We encourage women, First Nations, Métis and Inuit persons, members of visible minority groups, persons with disabilities, persons of any sexual orientation or gender identity and expression, and all those who may contribute to the further diversification of ideas and the University to apply.

Let me find your next job.

Thanks - you're signed up.

Director, International Student and Visitor Services

Edtech.com's Summary

Director, International Student and Visitor Services Full Description

Online Enrollment Advisor

Regional Coordinator, Georgia Recruitment

Enrollment Services Specialist - (Temp)

Admissions Counselor III (Perimeter Nursing Program)

Admission Service Representative