Senior Advisor, Academic Operations

SAIT’s
Academic Services
team is dedicated to serving SAIT’s schools and learners by providing training in essential and transferable skills. Join a team passionate about creating transformative learning environments that provide access to, and support post-secondary journeys.
The OpportunityJob classification : P5932 - Supervisor
Salary range:
$78,385 - $90,000. Placement within the range is typically based upon a review of skills, experience, and internal equity.
Hours per week:
37.5
Paid leave:
4 Weeks Vacation / 14 Flex Days per year
Position End Date:
December 31, 2027
Deadline to apply:
9am November 2, 2026
As the Senior Advisor, Academic Operations, you play a key role in ensuring pathway programs run smoothly from planning through delivery. You will oversee program staffing, scheduling, enrolment, course administration, faculty loading, and student progression while driving process improvements that enhance the student and faculty experience.
Working closely with Academic Chairs, Associate Deans, faculty, and service areas across the institution, you will provide operational leadership and help ensure programs are delivered efficiently and effectively. This role allows academic leaders to focus on curriculum, teaching excellence, and student academic matters while you lead the operational execution that keeps programs on track.
If you thrive in a collaborative environment, enjoy optimizing processes, and are passionate about supporting student success through operational excellence, we'd love to hear from you. Apply today and help shape an exceptional learning experience from behind the scenes.
How you'll contributeProgram Operations and Administration
Oversee day-to-day operations for English Language Foundations, Open Studies and other assigned pathway programming
Translate approved enrolment plans, program requirements and funding commitments into executable semester and annual operating plans
Ensure administrative processes and program activities are completed accurately and on schedule
Manage course and section planning, scheduling requirements, registration capacity, instructional loading, operational calendars and program readiness
Coordinate the administrative systems supporting adjunct faculty recruitment, appointment, contracting, onboarding, access and teaching readiness
Coordinate implementation of approved program and operational changes
Provide operational direction to administrative and advising staff, ensuring students receive timely, consistent information and support
Manage the operational delivery of government-funded programs, including participant eligibility, enrolment targets, funding requirements, expenditures, milestones and reporting deadlines
Coordinate the implementation of approved program changes without assuming responsibility for curriculum, course content or academic quality
Develop and maintain procedures, workflows, records and service standards that ensure consistent delivery across all assigned programs
Enrolment and Faculty Loading
Monitor enrolment, course fill rates, waitlists, student progression and available capacity, taking timely action to address delivery requirements
Develop and maintain semester course and section plans based on approved program requirements, enrolment forecasts and available resources
Initiate and administer section additions, cancellations, consolidations and capacity adjustments within approved parameters
Manage the administrative processes required to recruit, appoint, contract, onboard and schedule adjunct faculty
Support the work of Academic Chairs by providing accurate enrolment and capacity information;
coordinating the administrative requirements associated with program planning and governance;
and escalating matters involving academic quality, curriculum, teaching standards, faculty performance, labour relations or significant delivery risk
Collaborative Operational Leadership and Coordination
Work alongside Administrators, Analysts and other operational support roles to coordinate workflows, timelines and service coverage required for program delivery
Provide functional guidance, mentoring and operational expertise to employees performing program administration and student-support activities
Support administrative employee recruitment, onboarding, training and orientation by coordinating documentation, system access, procedures and program-specific information
Monitor service levels, workflow effectiveness and operational risks, implementing or recommending process improvements within the role’s authority
Work with Academic Chairs at a planning and governance level by providing operational data, identifying risks and translating approved academic decisions into implementation plans
Work directly with faculty to coordinate scheduling, loading, onboarding, classroom and other operational requirements, without responsibility for faculty performance or academic supervision
Coordinate with institutional service areas to ensure registration, scheduling, staffing and program-delivery requirements are completed accurately and on time
Escalate faculty-related, academic, labour-relations, and student conduct matters to the appropriate academic leader
Student Pathways and Program Processes
Coordinate operational processes supporting admission, registration, progression and transition through pathway programming
Identify administrative barriers affecting student progression and coordinate resolution with appropriate service areas
Ensure processes and student communications are clear, consistent and timely
Coordinate with Advising, OTR and other institutional areas supporting pathway students
Support effective transitions from pathway programming into further SAIT studies
Identify opportunities to improve student-facing administrative processes
Reporting and Continuous Improvement
Monitor operational information related to enrolment, retention, progression, course utilization and pathway outcomes.
Maintain regular program reports and operational updates
Identify recurring operational issues, inefficiencies and process gaps
Implement practical improvements to workflows, documentation and administrative processes
Coordinate operational requirements associated with REFRESH sessions, cyclical reviews and approved curriculum or program changes
Provide regular updates to the Senior Manager and academic leadership regarding program operations, risks and emerging issues
What you bring
Diploma or Bachelor's degree in business administration, education administration, operations, management, or related discipline
3-5 years progressively responsible experience in program operations, academic administration, post-secondary administration, student lifecycle management, or related environment
1-2 years experience coordinating scheduling, enrolment, program delivery or administrative processes
An equivalent combination of education and experience may be considered
We sincerely thank all applicants for their interest in this opportunity. We understand how important communication is, and we are committed to following up with every candidate. Please know that each application is thoughtfully reviewed, and you will hear from us either way.
Together, we build bold futuresAt SAIT, we equip you with the resources you need to shape bold futures for yourself and our communities. We offer a comprehensive package including:
- Generous time off to pursue other passions and support your wellbeing
- SAIT paid premiums for medical, dental, and vision benefits so you, and your family, are well supported
- Benefits supporting mental health and access to Greenshield + for virtual therapy at a reduced rate
- Access to a Health Spending or Taxable Spending Account
- Professional development opportunities through our Free Seat Program, tuition support, access to LinkedIn Learning and discounted Continuing Education & Professional Studies courses
- Defined Benefit pension through LAPP to help you retire with confidence
- Excellent dining options on campus
- Free access to our fitness facilities and group fitness classes
And the perks keep on coming!
About SAITAt SAIT, we’re building bold futures. We’re a community of tenacious problem-solvers, inventive thinkers, and passionate collaborators who believe in doing work that matters.
Named one of Alberta’s Top Employers, we’re driven by a desire to create an impact in our community. If you’re looking for a place where purpose meets possibility, you’ve found it here.
We’re committed to community and belongingCommunity and belonging is essential to achieving SAIT's vision to be a global leader in applied education. We encourage applications from women, Indigenous people, racialized people, people with disabilities, people from gender and sexually diverse communities, and/or people with intersectional identities. Learn more about Community and Belonging at SAIT.
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