Lead Advisor, Student Housing Development and Operations

POSITION NAME

Lead Advisor, Student Housing Development and Operations

DEPARTMENT/FACULTY

Student Services / Administration and Finance (cross-portfolio role)

EMPLOYMENT TYPE

Casual Service Employee

DATE REVISED

March 2026

ORGANIZATIONAL STRUCTURE

This role reports to the Vice President, Students.

SUMMARY

This position's primary responsibility will be to serve as the lead advisor for KPU's Surrey Campus student housing project, scheduled to open September 2030. Due to the cross functional nature of this role, the position will work closely with and occasionally take direction from the Vice President, Finance and Administration. In addition, there will be close collaboration with Student Services, Facilities, Ancillary Services, Finance, Campus Community Planning, Risk and Security, and other institutional partners.

This position provides senior level leadership, strategic advice, and operational oversight to support the successful planning, development, and long term sustainability of Kwantlen Polytechnic University's student housing initiatives. The role serves as a key liaison between internal departments, external partners, and government representatives, ensuring that student housing is integrated into the broader campus ecosystem and aligned with KPU's student experience, recruitment, retention, and financial sustainability goals.

This position plays a critical role in shaping housing operations, governance, student supports, risk mitigation strategies, and future expansion opportunities across KPU campuses.

KEY RESPONSIBILITIES Strategic Leadership & Governance

• Serve as a senior advisor and institutional liaison throughout the design, construction, and operationalization phases of student housing projects.
• Chair the Student Housing Operations Committee, fostering cross unit collaboration and coordinated planning across student experience, facilities, safety, ancillary services, and operations.
• Provide leadership and advisory support to senior executives and steering committees to ensure alignment with institutional priorities and long term sustainability.

Operational Planning & Integration

• Lead the development and implementation of operational frameworks that integrate Student Affairs supports within student housing, including student conduct, care, mental health supports, and appeals processes.
• Support strategic planning and cross unit collaboration related to KPU's ancillary operations, with a focus on revenue generation and alignment with student housing objectives.
• Provide advisory and operational support for food services, including the integration of the new dining hall within the residence and its connection to the broader campus community.
• Support the food services RFP process, ensuring full integration with residence operations, including meal plan development and non student revenue generating activities.
• Oversee the development of student housing policies, eligibility criteria, and conduct models that align with KPU-wide policies and student success objectives.
• Ensure seamless coordination between housing move in processes and campus wide orientation and transition programming.

Financial Planning, Budgeting & Risk Management

• Collaborate with Finance to develop student housing operating budgets, forecasting tools, and occupancy scenarios in alignment with sector standards.
• Lead the development of risk mitigation strategies to address lower than expected occupancy, including alternative revenue streams and non traditional student cohorts.
• Support ministry reporting, financial updates, and accountability requirements related to student housing initiatives.

Facilities, Safety & Service Integration

• Work closely with Facilities, Procurement and Security Services to develop service level agreements, maintenance models, and integrated safety and emergency response protocols.
• Advise on Furniture, Fixtures and Equipment (FF&E) planning and cost estimation to ensure operational efficiency and a high quality student experience.
• Support the integration of Indigenous artwork and Truth and Reconciliation principles into housing design and programming.

Planning, Assessment & Future Growth

• Support the development of KPU's Student Housing Master Plan aligned with KPU's Campus Master Plan, including exploration of housing expansion at Richmond and Langley campuses.
• Oversee student housing demand assessments and survey instruments to inform occupancy management, future development and recruitment strategies.
• Contribute to long term food services and conference services strategies to enhance residence and campus life and generate revenue.

Marketing, Communications & Partnerships

• Collaborate with Marketing, Communications, and Recruitment teams to develop comprehensive housing marketing and communications strategies.
• Build and maintain strong relationships with internal parties, external partners, and government agencies to support housing initiatives and institutional objectives.

QUALIFICATIONS

• Master's degree in Higher Education Administration, Public Administration, Business, Planning or a related field
• Significant progressive leadership experience in student housing, student affairs, campus planning, ancillary services or complex public sector operations.
• Demonstrated experience in financial planning, budgeting, forecasting and risk mitigation within large, multi stakeholder environments.
• Strong understanding of student development, residence life, student conduct, mental health supports and trauma informed practice.
• Proven ability to lead cross functional teams, influence without direct authority and manage complex institutional initiatives.
• Excellent communication, relationship building and strategic advisory skills.
• Experience working with government ministries, public accountability frameworks or large scale capital projects is an asset.
• Or an equivalent combination of education and experience.

SALARY INFORMATION

Annual salary: $216,350 + 4% in lieu of vacation