Department: Office of the VP Fin. and Admin. 

Job Type: Continuing

Full-time/Part-time: Full Time (>=1249 hrs/year) 

Campus: Waterloo 

Reports to: Vice President, Student Affairs and Vice President, Finance & Administration

Employee Group: Management 

Application Deadline: March 19, 2026

Requisition ID: 10622 

Wilfrid Laurier University is a leading multi-campus university that excels at educating with purpose. Through its exceptional employees, students, researchers, leaders, and educators, Laurier has built a reputation as a world-class institution known for its rich student experience, academic excellence, and global impact. With a commitment to Indigenization and commitment to equity, diversity, inclusion, Laurier’s thriving community has a place for everyone.

Laurier has more than 21,000 students and 2,100 faculty and staff across campuses in Waterloo and Brantford, as well locations in Kitchener and Milton. The university is committed to providing an inclusive workplace, a flexible work policy and employing a workforce that is reflective of local and national demographics. Laurier's Waterloo, Kitchener, and Brantford campuses are located on the shared traditional territory of the Neutral, Anishnaabe, and Haudenosaunee peoples. This land is part of the Dish with One Spoon Treaty between the Haudenosaunee and Anishnaabe peoples and symbolizes the agreement to share, protect our resources, and not to engage in conflict. Laurier's Milton campus is located on the traditional territory of the Mississaugas of the Credit, and part of the Nanfan Treaty of 1701 between the British Crown and the Haudenosaunee Confederacy.

This job posting is for a current vacancy.

Position Summary

The AVP, Student & Ancillary Services (AVP) is a senior leadership role, jointly reporting to the Vice President, Student Affairs and the Vice President, Finance and Administration. The position develops integrated strategies for the portfolio (e.g. business retail strategy) that are aligned with institutional strategic priorities. The AVP provides leadership and oversight to Housing & Residence Services, Food Services, Laurier One Card, Conference & Event Services, Retail Operations, and Printing within the ancillary fund. The AVP also provides leadership to the departments of Mail & Distribution Services along with Special Constable Services that are part of the university operating budget. 

The Student and Ancillary Services (SAS) portfolio provides an important revenue source for the University, and delivers critical on campus services to students, as well as to faculty, staff, alumni and community members. Leadership of this portfolio requires strong financial management and business leadership, coupled with a commitment to exceptional service, and a commitment to improving the student experience through service. Work within this portfolio recognizes ancillary services not simply as revenue streams, but as essential touchpoints in students’ daily lives that shape connection, well-being, and sense of belonging on campus.

A strong focus on innovation and entrepreneurship is integral to evolving the services and unit mandates to meet the changing needs of the Laurier community. The creation and stewardship of mutually beneficial partnerships (internally and externally) should be used to maximize revenues, minimize costs, and where possible, be grounded in the lived experiences of students. The multi-campus expansion of services requires careful collaboration with all departments and stakeholders. The services provided in Brantford & Milton often include an element of partnership with other institutions or external partners that require strategic leadership and negotiation skills.

The AVP also provides institutional leadership for regulatory compliance, safety and risk management to the department of Special Constable Services (SCS). The development of operational strategies and programs need to ensure that operational risks are effectively managed and mitigated for all members of the Laurier community. 

Decisions related to service design, partnerships, and revenue generation are guided by a commitment to student well-being, accessibility, and value, recognizing that these services are key environments where students experience care, inclusion, and institutional culture in tangible ways.

This position has a university-wide mandate and is based at the Waterloo Campus. The incumbent provides leadership in a multi-campus environment, requiring regular interaction, communication and collaboration with staff and stakeholders at the Waterloo Campus, Brantford Campus, Milton Campus and external partners. The AVP will ensure the unit’s policies, programs and services are delivered equitably across all campuses and reflect the needs of local stakeholders.

Accountabilities

Financial and Business Planning

• The AVP is accountable for business development by building, maintaining and managing solid relationships with internal and external university stakeholders to drive entrepreneurial activities through the business plans for ancillary units, maintain existing ancillary business and develop new ancillary business which meet the needs of the university community.
• Responsible for ensuring that business plans are aligned with university mission and values and have clear stakeholder service objectives and financial targets for the individual units and the overall portfolio.
• Lead the development of comprehensive budget preparation for all units of SAS, working with each Director and the Manager Ancillary Finance.
• Preparation of budget presentation for approval of fees impacting students to the Comprehensive Student Services Advisory Council (CSSAC) for approval as identified in the Comprehensive Student Services Administrative Agreement (CSSA)
• Responsible for the SAS portfolio including budgets within Housing and Residence Services, One Card, Conference Services, Food Services, and Retail Operations (including Hawk Shop and Hawk Print) at approximately $62 million in total revenue
• Plan for the long-term financial stability of the SAS business operations through enhanced product offerings in addition to facility renewals and capital replacement, including reporting to the CSSAC, Senate and Board of Governors on an annual basis. Lead the development of a Brantford Retail Strategic Plan in collaboration with the various departments within Facility & Asset Management
• Review and expand the mandate of ancillary units like Conference & Event Services along with short-term pop-up business opportunities to assist with the financial objectives of the University

Housing and Residence Services

• Acts as a liaison between the respective Director and the Facilities & Asset Management (FAM) department, including participating as a member of several user committees with construction or renovation projects as well as coordinating smaller scale renovations that occur annually, in the best financial interests of both the University and the CSSAC support.
• Lead the long-term Housing & Residence strategy for WLU that includes participating in planning discussions for the type and style of accommodations, as well as a financing solution.
• There is a significant level of deferred maintenance that requires careful planning and coordination with the FAM department
• Provide strategic oversight to the Ezra Bricker portfolio with the Director and the respective management of those properties to optimize the business strategy in balance with the long-term plans and student experience
• Provide support and guidance to the Residence Life and Residence Education teams which are responsible for the delivery of the programs that form the foundation of the student experience in the residence communities

Campus & Retail Services

• Provide leadership to staff and management in the university’s retail, printing, card office, conference & events and mail & distribution operations.
• Work with the management leaders to produce strategic business plans that support service excellence and ensure a financially viable and sustainable ancillary operation.
• Ensures there are appropriate risk mitigation policies and procedures in place to manage inventory security.
• Responsible for the oversight of RFP’s and contract negotiation with outside vendors.
• Works with department leaders to ensure there is a regular focus on strategic planning.
• Continually review the effectiveness of the campus services model on the campuses to balance equitable service, investment in technology and overall efficiency

Contracted Services

• Supports the Director of Strategic Ancillary Initiatives as the designated contact on behalf of Laurier to ensure that the delivery of food services meets the expectations of the campus community.
• Assume joint responsibility with contracted service provider for the financial performance of the food services operation.
• Oversee the cold beverage contract of the University,
• Ensure that the responsibilities for all external contractors are implemented annually. This includes the cold beverage contract, and the food services management contract with contracted service provider.
• Act as Liquor Licence Coordinator on behalf of the VP: Student Affairs. This involves acting as a resource for the student associations, the review of all incident reports related to licenced operations on a regular basis and the review of all requests for special events or licencing before they are sent to the AGCO.
• Provides oversight to all operational aspects of the UFCW Collective Agreement and ensure that the management team are adhering to the contract.
• Responsible for the oversight of the escalated discipline issues within that area and for assisting with leading the negotiations of the collective agreement.

Campus Safety

• Provides senior level leadership to SCS ensuring services provided create a safe and inclusive environment for all members of the Laurier community
• Works collaboratively with SHERM in the development and promotion of a comprehensive safety framework across the University with a focus on continuous education and training
• Works collaboratively with SHERM to ensure that Emergency Management best practices are in place to protect the University community and assets and is trained to current standards.
• Establishes productive relationships with all constituencies (administration, students, student organizations, faculty and staff) to respond to safety needs and involve the community in the delivery of preventative and consultative services.
• Provides oversight to the development and maintenance of policies and procedures through cooperation and mutual benefit of the University and Waterloo Regional Police Service and/or Brantford Police Service.
• Assist with the development of a risk management community of practice, ensuring alignment and coordination between SCS along with SHERM while ensuring risk management principles are embedded into institutional practices
• Plays a lead role in institutional crisis management such as pandemic planning, emergency planning, and site management during situations

Stakeholder Relations

• Keep abreast of both departmental and student issues throughout the year
• Maintains significant amount of confidential communication and awareness to support students and staff when required.
• Act as a resource for the stewardship and development of the operating agreements with the various student associations (WLUSU, GSA, WLUSP, LSPIRG)
• Support the multi-campus strategy of Laurier through active communication and engagement with both campuses.
• Participates as needed with municipal or provincial leaders along with other senior leaders
• Acts as a senior representative to the police chiefs of the sponsoring agencies relating to the operating MOU’s

Leadership & People Development

• Provide leadership to the SAS team, supporting the development of team members and creating opportunity for challenge and professional development.
• Communicate vision and priorities, and set clear goals and expectations for team members, inspiring them and recognizing their contributions and achievements.
• Model and promote a harassment free environment that supports and encourages diversity.

Reporting Relationships

This Position Reports to: Jointly to Vice President, Student Affairs and Vice President, Finance & Administration

Responsibility for other positions:

• Director, Strategic Ancillary Initiatives
• Director, Residence
• Director, Campus Stores
• Manager, Campus Services
• Manager, Print & Imaging Solutions
• Manager Ancillary Finance – co-report with Director, Budgets & Planning
• Director Special Constable Services

Qualifications

• University degree in business or a related field. Master’s degree preferred.
•  At least seven years’ experience in senior leadership positions in a post secondary environment, preferably in Student Affairs or Finance & Administration.
• Experience and knowledge in the development and delivery of effective student services management strategies and programs
• Strong business acumen, with experience in managing retail and/or business operations including financial and operational planning
• Demonstrated strong leadership and management competencies
• Demonstrated skills in policy development, implementation, employee relations and external/public representation
• Demonstrated project and resource management skills
• High problem-solving and critical thinking skills
• Experience and ability in budget management and analysis
• Awareness and understanding of human resource policy and experience working with Collective Agreements.
• Strong financial skills in budget development and analysis of reports (accuracy and attention to detail)
• Project management experience to assist with facility renovation and construction projects.
• Strong communication skills (oral and written) to effectively represent the departments.
• Strong delegation and motivation skills to oversee various departments
• Demonstrated ability to work collaboratively with diverse employee and peer groups
• A commitment to innovation and a desire to work in an operation which is committed to find new and better ways to manage its operations
• Demonstrated commitment to training and development

Hours of Work 

This is a full-time, continuing position. The normal hours of work are Monday to Friday from 8:30am to 4:30pm.

This role offers limited flexibility regarding flexible work arrangements. Please see Policy 8.14 (Flexible Work Policy) for more information. All arrangement must be approved by the direct manager. On occasion, this schedule may need to be adjusted to meet operational requirements.

Compensation

Level: MG-4B

Rate of pay: $191,487- $239,360

When new employees are hired the appropriate base salary is determined using these sub-ranges as a guide while adhering to rules on hiring as defined in our compensation policy. Considerations for new hire salaries include, qualifications and length/depth of required experience, relevant market rates for similar jobs, internal equity, and estimated learning curve in starting the job.

Wilfrid Laurier University endeavors to fill positions with qualified candidates who have a combination of education, experience, skills and abilities to successfully perform the duties of the position while demonstrating Laurier's Employee Success Factors.

Equity, diversity and creating a culture of inclusion are part of Laurier’s core values and central to the Laurier Strategy. Laurier is committed to increasing the diversity of faculty and staff and welcomes applications from candidates who identify as Indigenous, racialized, having disabilities, and from persons of any minority sexual and gender identities. Indigenous candidates who would like to learn more about equity and inclusive programing at Laurier are welcomed to contact the Office of Indigenous Initiatives. Candidates from other equity deserving groups who would like to learn more about equity and inclusive programing at Laurier are welcomed to contact Equity & Accessibility. We have strived to make our application process accessible, however if you require any assistance applying for a position or would like this job posting in an alternative format, please contact Human Resources. Contact information can be found at careers.wlu.ca/content/How-to-apply/

Should you be interested in learning more about this opportunity, please visit www.wlu.ca/careers for additional information and the online application system. All applications must be submitted online. Please note, a resume and cover letter will be required in electronic form.

Please note, when pre-screening questions are used as part of the application process, AI is utilized to score responses. All other aspects of the hiring process are reviewed by our Talent Acquisition team.