Assistant Dean, Student Wellness, Support & Success (Term)

Date Posted: 09/19/2025

Req ID:45213

Faculty/Division: UofT Mississauga

Department: UTM: Student Services

Campus: University of Toronto Mississauga (UTM)

Description:

U of T Mississauga—the second largest campus of Canada’s top-ranked university and the only research university in Ontario’s booming Peel Region—is one of the world’s great catalysts of human potential.

Our employee community hums with the energy of 3,400 faculty, librarians and staff, who power our campus with curiosity, connection and care. We work together to spark life-changing research and innovation, make an indelible mark on the world by building equitable cities and societies, enable healthy lives, create a sustainable future and ignite entrepreneurship. Above all, we prioritize student success, and seek to give our 16,500 students the lift of a lifetime through learning and discovery. We love to open opportunities available nowhere else for our community to achieve their ambitions and make their unique contributions to Canada and the world.

This work all comes together on a spectacularly green campus, alongside the Missinihe-ziibi (Trusting Creek or Credit River), where we seek to honour truth, reciprocity and reconciliation on the traditional land of the Huron-Wendat, Seneca and the Mississaugas of the Credit First Nation. We’re thrilled to welcome those who want to learn more about us and to be part of what we do.

Position Summary:

The Assistant Dean, Student Wellness, Support & Success leads strategic initiatives to address student well-being, persistence/retention and success while advancing the goals and objectives of UTM and the University of Toronto. Reporting to the Dean, Student Experience and Wellbeing, the incumbent has direct managerial responsibility for a broad array of programs and services directed toward these ideals. As part of the Student Affairs & Services senior leadership team and working in collaboration with a broad range of offices internal and external to UTM, this position has primary responsibility for strategic and operational planning and development, implementation, assessment and evaluation of integrative programs and initiatives related to student conduct, student accessibility and accommodation, and student health. The incumbent guides the work of four units, Accessibility Services, the Health & Counselling Centre, Athletics & Recreation, and the Comprehensive Student Support Team, who work with significant and complex student behaviour, policy and crisis matters using an interdisciplinary and collaborative case management approach.

This position takes a leadership role in building UTM’s’ capacity to identify student conduct issues and support students in crisis and/or at risk. The incumbent provides relevant information to the Dean of Student Affairs and other Division executives on issues and incidents involving students of concern and leads actions to mitigate related risks in the campus community. When incidents occur, the Assistant Dean ensures appropriate services are deployed to assist with crisis management and response. The Assistant Dean also works proactively, developing innovative services and programs using a variety of tools and approaches, and manages the development, implementation and systematic review process of policies, procedures and resources. The incumbent liaises with services and completes on-site follow up as necessary with the parties involved, including supporting Human Resources on employee needs when distressing situations involve students.

On behalf of the Dean, the Assistant Dean, Student Wellness, Support & Success serves as the representative on campus and university committees and working groups regarding student welfare, student health, and accessibility. The Assistant Dean also ensures collaborative relationships with the leadership of other UT campuses and counterparts at other post-secondary institutions, to advance innovative student success strategies based on best practices.

The Assistant Dean, Student Wellness, Support & Success has responsibility for ensuring the integration of sound management practices and the optimal use of human and financial resources within the division’s structure.

Qualifications Required:

EDUCATION:

• Master degree in psychology, counselling, social work, or other professional discipline, or acceptable combination of education and experience.

EXPERIENCE:

• Minimum of 10 years of relevant clinical experience in case management of critical incidents and crisis issues, including 10 years of relevant equity experience including review, development and implementation of compliance policies in a complex organization, preferably in a higher education setting;
• Proven expertise and knowledge of best practices in student support, advocacy, and service delivery;
• A commitment to, and demonstrated expertise in, diversity and inclusion as an integral component of a quality university experience, coupled with knowledge of current issues around access, equity and success for a diverse student population;
• Experience working with persons with disabilities in a community or institutional context;
• Expert knowledge of equity and human rights legislation, issues and practices;
• Familiarity with relevant legislation pertaining to risk such as the Mental Health Act, OHRC, CCC.
• Experience complying with privacy legislation in complex situations;
• Strong administrative skills, including strategic planning and evaluation, budgeting, financial management, and human resource management, including a large professional staff;
• Demonstrated ability in leading, managing, mentoring, leading and supporting highly competent and seasoned Student Affairs & Services directors and teams at all levels;
• Proven ability to be innovative, creative and passionate in developing and advocating for new policies, programs, administrative structures and/or modifying existing policies and practices that advance student success;
• Proven ability to develop innovative and concrete solutions to complex institutional problems;
• Extensive knowledge of the University of Toronto, its structures, systems, policies and values, is an asset.
• Demonstrated project management experience, preferably in a complex multi-stakeholder environment.

SKILLS:

• Organizational, administrative and managerial skills including the ability to lead and manage staff in a unionized environment;
• Ability to manage large inter-departmental and inter-campus projects;
• Ability to interpret and apply a broad range of institutional policies and procedures;
• Understanding of accounting principles and effective budget management skills;
• Excellent communication, interpersonal, presentation and relationship management skills, including a high level of political acumen and successful collaborative experience with key campus constituencies including students, faculty, staff, and community partners;
• Ability to deal effectively and efficiently under stressful and emergency situations; must be able to make sound decisions quickly based on available and sometimes limited information, and take prompt decisive action.
• Proficiency in a wide range of computer applications, including MS Office suite, student information systems and data management.

OTHER:

• Uses collaborative approaches to advance issues toward resolutions;
• Proven strategic thinker;
• Ability to deal with sensitive and confidential issues;
• Ability to solve difficult problems, across administrative structures;
• Ability to generate ideas for change or improvement in a collegial manner;
• Strong research (qualitative and quantitative) and assessment skills including program evaluation and performance assessments;
• Demonstrated consensus builder with a broad range of stakeholders, ability to work collaboratively across difference and employ effective conflict resolution skills.
• Ability to effectively interact with individuals at all levels within the University as well as externally
• Ability to deal with senior University Officers in a manner which facilitates cooperation
• Ability to work independently and as part of a multi-disciplinary team
• Ability to manage and resolve escalated conflicts and complaints
• Extensive knowledge of equity data and resources and how to best utilize them.
• Demonstrated ability to act calmly under pressure.

Closing Date: 10/13/2025, 11:59PM ET

Employee Group: Salaried

Personnel Subarea:PM

Appointment Type: Budget – Term

Schedule: Full-Time

Pay Scale Group & Hiring Zone: PM 7 — Hiring Zone: $145,219 – $169,423 — Broadband Salary Range: $145,219 – $242,032

Job Category: Administrative / Managerial

Please note this is a term position, ending September 30, 2026, with the possibility of renewal.

This role is currently eligible for a hybrid work arrangement, pursuant to University policies and guidelines, including but not limited to the University of Toronto’s Alternative Work Arrangements Guideline.

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