Lead, First Year Experience

Position Number: 50013263 /

Department: Student Success Centre

Grade: GR12

Campus: Sir George Williams (Downtown)

Salary: $86,159.93 - $102,917.74 per annum

Union/Association/HR Policy: CUPEU

Posting deadline: August 12, 2026

Applicants are strongly encouraged to include a cover letter expressing their interest and how their profile aligns with the role

Recognized as one of Montreal’s top Employers, Concordia University is the place to be if you are looking to grow, contribute and innovate in a dynamic and multicultural environment.

Be part of a community that addresses society’s big challenges, supports your personal and professional growth, and makes a real impact in building a more sustainable world.

As a member of our community, you will have access to comprehensive benefits, a defined pension plan and numerous on site well-being facilities such as a state of the art gym and health clinic as well as a variety of educational and cultural opportunities.

NOTE: This posting represents a contract for the duration of one year.

SCOPE

Reporting to the Associate Director, Student Success Centre, the incumbent is responsible for the overall coordination of the programming, communications and outreach undertaken by First Year Experience. They are responsible for the design, implementation, maintenance and evaluation of programs and services and the promotion of these activities to the university community. The incumbent also serves as a resource person to the university community concerning the services, communications and activities available to the new and first-year student population. The incumbent directly supervises professional and student staff.

PRIMARY RESPONSIBILITIES

• Design, plan, staff, execute, and assess the services, activities and programming hosted by First Year Experience.

• Design, plan, execute and assess new undergraduate and graduate student communications and outreach initiatives in collaboration with the Associate Director and Communications stakeholders.

• Hire and onboard student employees, coordinate their work, provide guidance, and foster engagement.

• Liaise with and organize stakeholders and campus partners relating to their involvement in new and first-year student events, programming, outreach and communications.

• Chair Concordia’s cross-departmental orientation planning committee and act as a resource person to University members on Orientation and the first-year experience.

• Oversee the design, development, review, and maintenance of communications materials—including presentations, websites, newsletters, print materials assuring accuracy, brand consistency, and compliance with Concordia’s style guide, in collaboration with University Communications Services.

• Liaise with student services units and other internal Concordia contacts on matters related to services provided to students.

• Based on assessment practices, research recommend and implement tools, strategies and logistics to improve unit operations, student engagement and the effectiveness of outreach and programming.

• In collaboration with Associate Director, participate in and contribute to short- and long-term planning and strategic development of the unit and Student Success Centre.

• Perform other duties in support of the unit and Student Success Centre.

QUALIFICATIONS

• Bachelor’s degree in Education or Psychology or Social Sciences or in a related field with four to seven years of related experience in higher education in retention, transition, advising, orientation.

• Experience with leading peer mentors/students.

• Prior experience in designing and delivering programming.

• Very good knowledge (Level 5) of spoken and written English; basic knowledge (Level 3) of spoken and written French.

• Good knowledge (Intermediate level) of Word, Excel, PowerPoint and Teams.

• Excellent interpersonal, relationship-building and communication skills.

• Excellent planning, organizing, decision-making and problem-solving skills.

• Ability to handle multiple, varying tasks, work under pressure and meet deadlines independently.

• Experienced in dealing compassionately with individuals from diverse backgrounds and sometimes in difficult personal situations.

• High attention to detail.

• Ability to work outside normal working hours (9:00 – 5:00) during peak periods.

• Experience working in higher education and/or dealing with the student experience is an asset.

• Experience working in large-scale event planning is an asset.

• Experience working on communications campaigns for university student audiences is an asset

• Approachability (is sensitive and patient with others) and composure (remains calm and in control in difficult/stressful situations) are desirable qualities.

Due to the volume of applications, only selected candidates will be contacted by our Talent Team.

Concordia University is an English-language institution of higher learning at which the primary language of instruction and research is English. Since this position supports academic and administrative functions of the university, proficiency in English and French, as indicated, is required.

IMPORTANT: The language and computer skills of short-listed candidates will be tested.

Territorial Acknowledgement

Concordia University is located on unceded Indigenous lands. The Kanien’kehá:ka Nation is recognized as the custodians of the lands and waters on which we gather today. Tiohtià:ke/Montreal is historically known as a gathering place for many First Nations. Today, it is home to a diverse population of Indigenous and other peoples. We respect the continued connections with the past, present and future in our ongoing relationships with Indigenous and other peoples within the Montreal community.

Employment Equity

Concordia University is strongly committed to employment equity within its community, and to recruiting a diverse faculty and staff. The University encourages applications from all qualified candidates, including women, members of visible minorities, Indigenous persons, members of sexual minorities, persons with disabilities, and others who may contribute to diversification; candidates are invited to self-identify in their applications. As part of your application, you will be asked to complete a diversity survey. This information is voluntary and any information collected for this purpose is confidential and cannot be accessed by search committees or human resources employees. Results will be aggregated and used to help Concordia achieve its goal to see all members of our community not only reflected, but welcomed, included and supported in their efforts to contribute to all areas of university life.

Accessibility

Concordia desires to increase diversity among its community members and we strive to make our recruitment processes as accessible as possible and provide accommodations as required for applicants. If you are contacted for an interview and anticipate needing accommodations during the process, please contact, in confidence, View email address on canada.jobradars.com

Immigration Status

All qualified candidates are encouraged to apply; however, Canadian and Permanent Residents will be given priority. To comply with the Government of Canada’s reporting requirements, the University is obliged to gather information about applicants’ status as either Permanent Residents of Canada or Canadian citizens.