Manager, International Student Recruitment

Description

The Recruitment Team in the Office of the Registrar is currently seeking a Full-time Temporary Relief Manager for approximately 12 months.

The University of Calgary student recruitment team is committed to attracting top-quality candidates to the institution by utilizing creative and compassionate methods to meet, listen to, inform, and advocate for prospective students from diverse backgrounds. Working within institutional policies and goals, student recruiters provide clear advice about how to choose, apply for, accept, and enhance best-fit academic programs, as well as empowering inadmissible applicants to create suitable academic pathways to actualize their goals.

The Manager, International Student Recruitment is a pivotal position in the recruitment team and an expert in current recruitment practices, ensuring support for 1,500+ international engagements and \~6000 international applicants annually. Reporting to the Assistant Registrar, Student Recruitment and Applicant Relations, the Manager provides direction, supervision and coordination of undergraduate international student recruitment activities in supporting the University of Calgary‿s enrolment goals to attract top undergraduate students from around the world. This is done through marketing and recruitment initiatives, including the delivery of in-person and virtual connections to more than ten thousand contacts each year (prospective students, applicants, parents, counsellors, trade commissioners and other key stakeholders). A key accountability is oversight of relationships between the University of Calgary and International high schools and Trade Commissions. This position is responsible for the day-to-day activities and scheduling of the international recruitment team. The position works collaboratively within the recruitment team and across units, identifies and resolves issues while upholding service integrity.

As a member of the leadership team for Admissions and Recruitment, a collaborative and consultative leadership style will contribute to the development and maintenance of effective working relationships with academic units and other departments and groups on campus. This position is directly accountable for a team that travels internationally and therefore requires flexibility, including working evenings and weekends and travelling as necessary. The work is in a fast-paced, dynamic environment requiring flexibility, high energy, and strong analytical and problem-solving abilities. The position exercises judgment within established guidelines to make decisions that impact the public image of the University of Calgary.

Stress levels may be moderate to high and driven by multiple deadlines and competing priorities in keeping with annual student recruitment and admission cycles. This position may lead designated projects when required and supervises all International recruitment staff, including hiring, training, performance management and discipline.

Summary of Key Responsibilities (job functions include but are not limited to):

Leadership and Operational Management of International Recruitment

• Works closely with the Assistant Registrar, Student Recruitment and Applicant Relations and the Associate Registrar, Information, Admission and Recruitment on implementing the International recruitment strategy.
• Participates in goal setting for the unit; assesses and evaluates progress in meeting established goals and objectives, makes recommendations on recruitment strategy and works to implement those changes, often leading a group of staff to achieve the desired outcomes.
• Assists in organizing and conducting team meetings and planning sessions.
• Managerial responsibilities of 5-10 unionized staff and student employees. This includes hiring, training, supervising, performance management, and discipline.
• Coaches staff on effective decision-making and policy interpretation.
• Monitors the volume of work of the unit, works with staff to ensure staff levels and assignments are adjusted appropriately.
• Provides a positive leadership model to staff; is a willing mentor and shares knowledge and expertise freely, and creates a safe and productive working environment.
• Researches internal and external resources for information regarding international education to support continuous development of regional recruitment plans and targets, including travel and virtual recruitment as well as promotional materials.
• Makes recommendations and supports new approaches to improve recruitment and conversion of prospective students in support of UCalgary enrolment objectives.
• Oversight of timely and accurate response to inquiries from prospective students.
• Provides support to the international recruitment team while the reports-to staff are travelling, including check-in communication.

• Oversight of annual travel planning for the international student recruitment team, collaboratively working with the Assistant Registrar, Student Recruitment and Applicant Relations.

• Accountable for oversight of recruitment expenses in meeting the University Expense requirements and maintaining the Admissions and Recruitment handbook.

• Provide support and work closely with the CRM to help manage and support international recruitment efforts.
• A key task of this role is relationships with International counsellors and work with the International recruitment and admissions team to understand and highlight changes in the international academic landscape or credentials and collect and advocate for admission policy review to ensure International student success and a supportive student experience in working with the Associate Registrar, Admissions and Recruitment.
• Works with the international team to propose and plan travel and virtual recruitment strategically to meet the University of Calgary's student enrolment goals and make recommendations to the Assistant Registrar, Student Recruitment and Applicant Relations and the Associate Registrar, Information, Admissions and Recruitment as appropriate.
• Identifies and targets key contacts/organizations in student recruitment to facilitate the University of Calgary's recruitment initiatives, conversion strategies, and applicant follow-up.
• Develops contacts, including government representatives abroad, and networks for the purpose of strengthening the ongoing presence and reputation of the University and to encourage applications to the University.
• Develops a wide range of contacts within the University community; e.g., faculty offices, departments, faculty members, administrative areas, etc., to sustain both a broad information base about the University and to be able to draw on such resources as part of recruitment-related activity. Risk, responsibility, and accountability overlap all aspects of this role.
• Ensures a strong understanding of immigration policies and their impact on prospective students in support of planning and proactive responding to ensure meeting strategic enrolment plans.
• Responsible for assessing the benefit of partnership requests from educational agents and third-party education consultants and responding or recommending to the Assistant Registrar, Student Recruitment and Applicant Relations and Associate Registrar, Information, Admissions and Recruitment.
• Accountable for hiring and performance management of educational agents and third-party education consultants to ensure UCalgary's international targets are met.
• Provides training and support to ensure high-quality representation of UCalgary abroad.

Student Experience and Student Recruitment Coordination

• Supports the international team to recruit qualified undergraduate applicants and reach recruitment targets, goals and objectives. The team would accomplish this through tactics such as personal visits, presentations, one-on-one meetings (both in person and virtually), and telephone, email, mail, and electronic media correspondence.
• Equip the international team to recruit for the English Language Proficiency program and provide supportive pathways for prospective students not currently qualified for undergraduate programs; this may include recruitment activities in conjunction with continuing education.
• Responsible for ensuring the team has up-to-date, accurate information about the University and its programs in order to actively promote and market those programs to prospective applicants.
• Provides advisement to prospective students and their families on the University of Calgary programs, admissions criteria, requirements and processes. Coordinates and supports the international team who may pre-screen application credentials to facilitate the application and admission process.
• Organizes varied informational/promotional sessions for prospective applicants (in-person and virtual).
• By working with the other members of the Recruitment and Admissions team and other university units, identify innovative ways of bringing information to its stakeholders in an efficient and effective manner.
• Develops effective relationships with high schools and other key stakeholders internationally.
• There is a degree of risk associated with international recruitment travel, and this role is accountable to ensure team members understand the risks and have training and support for travel.
• Oversight of international events to ensure attendance, communications, follow-up and success.

Operational Management and Communications

• Using their well-developed knowledge of intercultural customs and traditions, the Manager International Recruitment, assists the Assistant Registrar, Student Recruitment and Applicant Relations, the Manager, National Student Recruitment, the Coordinator, Prospective Student Engagement, the Associate Registrar, Information, Admissions and Recruitment, and the Director, SES Communications, with input for marketing publications and other materials required for direct mail campaigns, electronic media, presentations, etc. that target prospective students and key influencers (e.g. guidance counsellors, teachers, parents, etc.).
• This position regularly demonstrates strong communication, analytical and negotiation skills and acts as a resource to leadership within the Office of the Registrar for long-range planning initiatives related to international enrolment.
• Utilizes internal reporting mechanisms to monitor trends and determine approach for supporting recruitment and conversion.
• Assists in the planning and implementation of multi-channel marketing and communications plan which may include: region-specific social media, direct-mail, electronic communications (e.g. e-mail newsletters/bulletins) and telephone campaigns related to the recruitment objectives of the University for both attracting students and conversion activities.
• Uses a CRM and other recruitment tools to support recruitment plans and goals.
• Assist with the editing of copy, writing of electronic invitations, suggestions for content in print and on the Web, conducting research, etc.
• Conducts research and remains current on major trends, issues, and developments (e.g., demographic, economic, political, etc.) affecting the University's prospective applicants.
• Maintains knowledge of past and present accreditation standards for foreign secondary and post-secondary institutions (e.g., grading systems, credit practices, etc.).
• Tracks and keeps abreast of competitors' activities.
• Prepares recruitment reports regarding international recruitment activities.
• Responds to emails, phone calls, and other inquiries from prospective students when required.
• Approves accurate and timely expenses related to costs incurred for recruitment travel.

Qualifications / Requirements:

• A four-year University Bachelor's Degree from a recognized post-secondary institution.
• Ability to travel internationally and meet all entry requirements for individual nations is required.

• 2-4 years of undergraduate recruitment or admission experience is required.

• Ability to speak another language is considered an asset.

• Previous management and leadership experience is preferred.
• Demonstrated knowledge of the organizational structure of the University of Calgary with regard to such factors as location, student population and academic programs is considered an asset.
• Must embrace change and have demonstrated successful experience supporting and leading change in a complex, people-oriented environment.
• Comprehensive knowledge of the University's admission regulations, admission procedures, educational programs and services.
• Strong skills in event coordination and time management are essential.
• Strong scheduling, organizational, and time management skills.
• Demonstrated skill in conducting market research.
• An ability to establish objectives and to implement the strategic plans to meet those objectives.
• Ability to pick up and learn new technologies and social media platforms.
• Ability to lead, manage, and supervise in a unionized environment.
• Student experience oriented.
• Demonstrated ability to lead and direct others, including student volunteers.
• Excellent written and oral communication skills.
• Demonstrated ability to work, communicate, and build relationships with diverse groups of people.
• Demonstrated ability to establish and maintain cooperative working relationships with staff, colleagues, school administrators, officials, and representatives.
• Demonstrated ability to work in a fast-paced, high-pressure, team-based environment and meet deadlines
• Strong computer skills including Word, database management, Excel and Internet are required to produce plans, reports, text, and materials and to conduct research.
• Knowledge of PeopleSoft would be an asset.
• CRM knowledge is an asset.
• Ability to work independently with minimal supervision.
• Willing to work evenings and weekends as required.
• Must be able to travel for extended periods of time.
• A valid Class 5 driver¿s license (cannot be a graduated license) with proven good driving record (abstract required).

Excellent attention to detail due to high impact of error.
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Application Deadline: June 19, 2026

We would like to thank all applicants in advance for submitting their resumes. Please note, only those candidates chosen to continue on through the selection process will be contacted.

This position is classified in the Management Career Band, Level 1 of the Management and Professional Staff Career Framework.

For a listing of all management and staff opportunities at the University of Calgary, view our Management and Staff Careers website.

About the University of Calgary

UCalgary is Canada's entrepreneurial university, located in Canada's most enterprising city. It is a top research university and one of the highest-ranked universities of its age. Founded in 1966, its 36,000 students experience an innovative learning environment, made rich by research, hands-on experiences and entrepreneurial thinking. It is Canada's leader in the creation of start-ups. Start something today at the University of Calgary. For more information, visit ucalgary.ca.

The University of Calgary has launched an institution-wide Indigenous Strategy ii' taa'poh'to'p committing to creating a rich, vibrant, and culturally competent campus that welcomes and supports Indigenous Peoples, encourages Indigenous community partnerships, is inclusive of Indigenous perspectives in all that we do.

The university's commitment to the Indigenous Strategy is evident through the oversight of 18 Elders serving on the Circle of Advisors and the many unit-based circles working towards implementation of the strategy including the Faculty Advisory Circle and teams such as the Office of Indigenous Engagement, the Writing Symbols Lodge, and the Indigenous Research Support Team. Many Indigenous-based events and processes are impacting curriculum, programming and polices at the University of Calgary.

As an equitable and inclusive employer, the University of Calgary recognizes that a diverse staff/faculty benefits and enriches the work, learning and research experiences of the entire campus and greater community. We are committed to removing barriers that have been historically encountered by some people in our society. We strive to recruit individuals who will further enhance our diversity and will support their academic and professional success while they are here. In particular, we encourage members of the designated groups (women, Indigenous peoples, persons with disabilities, members of visible/racialized minorities, and diverse sexual orientation and gender identities) to apply. To ensure a fair and equitable assessment, we offer accommodation at any stage during the recruitment process to applicants with disabilities. Questions regarding [diversity] EDI at UCalgary can be sent to the Office of Institutional Commitments ([email protected]) and requests for accommodations can be sent to People \& Culture ([email protected]).

Do you have most but not all the qualifications? Research show that women, racialized and visible minorities, and persons with disabilities are less likely to apply for jobs unless they meet every single qualification. At UCalgary we are committed to achieving equitable, diverse, inclusive and accessible employment practices and workplaces and encourage you to apply if you believe you are right for this role.

We encourage all qualified applicants to apply, however preference will be given to Canadian citizens and permanent residents of Canada.