At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead and innovate counselling services to support student mental health and well-being.
- Company: Dalhousie University, a top research institution in Halifax, Nova Scotia.
- Benefits: Comprehensive health plans, pension, tuition assistance, and employee support programs.
- Other info: Join a diverse community committed to equity, inclusion, and student success.
- Why this job: Make a real difference in students' lives while shaping the future of mental health services.
- Qualifications: PhD in Psychology with significant clinical leadership experience required.
The predicted salary is between 82800 - 101200 $ per year.
The department of Counselling & Psychological Services is responsible for the leadership, management, renewal, and continuous improvement of counselling services for Dalhousie. Reporting to the Assistant Vice-Provost, Campus Living and Student Well-being, Student Affairs, the Director, Counselling & Psychological Services provides strategic, clinical, operational, and people leadership for Dalhousie’s counselling services within Student Health & Wellness. The Director ensures students have timely, inclusive, and evidence-informed mental health supports that promote well-being, academic success, and persistence.
Key Responsibilities
- Provide clinical supervision, consultation, and case guidance to counsellors and related staff, supporting sound clinical judgment, ethical practice, professional accountability, and the delivery of evidence-informed care.
- Provide consultation on complex, high-risk, or specialized cases and support clinical decision-making, risk assessment, and care planning across the counselling team.
- Lead continuous renewal, and optimization of the counselling service delivery model, ensuring services remain responsive to evolving student needs, emerging best practices, and organizational priorities.
- Build and sustain a high-performing clinical workforce through effective leadership, talent development, workforce planning, succession management, and the cultivation of a collaborative and psychologically safe culture.
- Drive innovation, assessment, and data-informed decision-making, leading strategic initiatives, outcome measurement, quality improvement efforts, and service transformation projects that strengthen institutional capacity and student outcomes.
- Serve as a key institutional leader and trusted partner, fostering collaboration across Student Affairs, academic and administrative units, health system partners, and sector organizations to advance a coordinated, care-first approach to student mental health and well-being.
Required Qualifications
- PhD in Psychology, or equivalent doctoral-level qualification, with registration or eligibility for registration as a psychologist in Nova Scotia, plus significant experience in clinical leadership and management in a related field.
- Significant senior leadership experience in clinical, counselling, mental health, or psychological services, preferably within a post-secondary, community health, or integrated health care environment.
- Demonstrated success leading multidisciplinary teams, including clinical supervision, workforce planning, talent development, and fostering high-performing, inclusive workplace cultures.
- Deep knowledge of clinical governance, ethical practice, confidentiality, risk assessment, documentation standards, and regulatory compliance.
- Proven experience designing and transforming service delivery models, including access pathways, intake and triage systems, stepped-care approaches, and capacity management strategies.
- Strong strategic, analytical, and relationship-building capabilities, with experience using data, assessment, and quality improvement methodologies to drive service excellence and organizational outcomes.
Assets
- Experience within a university or post-secondary student mental health environment.
Job Competencies
The successful candidate is expected to demonstrate proficiency in Dalhousie’s core and leadership competencies, in particular:
- Integrity
- Respect & Inclusion
- Adaptability
- Knowledge & Thinking Skills
- Communication
Additional Information
- Defined benefit pension plan
- Health and dental plans
- Health spending account
- Employee and family assistance program
- Tuition assistance program
Diversity Statement
Dalhousie University commits to achieving inclusive excellence through continually championing equity, diversity, inclusion, and accessibility. The university encourages applications from Indigenous Peoples of Turtle Island (especially Mi’kmaq), persons of Black/African descent (especially African Nova Scotians), and members of other racialized groups, persons with disabilities, women, persons identifying as members of 2SLGBTQIA+ communities, and all candidates who would contribute to the diversity of our community.
Director, Counselling & Psychological Services in Halifax employer: Dalhousie University
Dalhousie University is an exceptional employer, offering a vibrant and inclusive work culture that prioritizes employee well-being and professional growth. Located in the heart of Halifax, Nova Scotia, employees benefit from a supportive environment with access to comprehensive health and dental plans, a defined benefit pension plan, and tuition assistance programs. The university fosters collaboration and innovation, making it an ideal place for those seeking meaningful and impactful careers in higher education.
