Associate Director, Business Services in Kelowna

When you join Okanagan College, you’re joining a team that’s transforming lives and communities. Every course you create, every student you support and every connection you build, it all matters. Be a part of a vibrant campus community, where the work you do every day truly makes a difference.

Your Opportunity

Under limited direction from the Director, Ancillary & Business Services, the Associate Director, Business Services provides strategic leadership, operational management, and financial stewardship for all Business Services units across Okanagan College’s campuses and centers. This portfolio includes oversight of Campus Stores, Central Stores, Fleet management, Card Services, Food Services, Vending, Concessions, and related third-party Business Services contractors. The Associate Director is responsible for delivering high-quality, student-focused, and financially sustainable services while guiding planning, operations, service improvement, and cross-department collaboration across the portfolio. The position supports alignment with the College’s mission, values, policies, and strategic priorities, and promotes consistent service standards across campuses and centers.

Operating within a complex, unionized, and publicly funded environment, the Associate Director supports service modernization, digital transformation, business continuity, and operational excellence. The role leads managers and supervisors and oversees approximately 15-20 employees, including full-time, part-time, sessional, and auxiliary staff, as well as 10-15 on-campus Business Services contractors, cultivating a high-performance, service-oriented culture across all areas of responsibility.

Functions and Duties

• Strategic Leadership & Institutional Alignment: Provides leadership in the strategic planning and development for all Business Services units, ensuring operational alignment with the College’s long-term goals. Champions integrated, student-focused service models that enhance campus life and support academic delivery.
• Comprehensive Portfolio Oversight: Oversees a broad portfolio of diverse Business Services, including Campus Stores, Food Services, Central Stores, Print Services, and Card Services. Leads the development and execution of comprehensive service strategies that balance operational excellence, fiscal responsibility, and customer satisfaction.
• Financial & Resource Management: Leads the financial planning and budget management for multiple business units, ensuring financial goals are met and that resources are allocated effectively across all service areas. Evaluates financial performance, identifies areas for cost optimization, and implements measures to drive profitability while maintaining service quality.
• People & Organizational Development: Provides high-level leadership and direction for all teams within the Business Services portfolio, promoting a culture of professional growth, service excellence, and innovation. Oversees recruitment, talent development, and performance management for staff across all operational units.
• Strategic Vendor and Stakeholder Relations: Leads the negotiation, development, and management of strategic vendor contracts and service agreements, ensuring alignment with the College’s objectives. Maintains effective relationships with contractors, vendors, partners, government agencies, and external stakeholders.
• Operational Excellence & Regulatory Compliance: Drives operational excellence by setting and monitoring key performance indicators (KPIs) for service delivery, financial performance, and customer satisfaction. Identifies risks related to operations, policy compliance, and service disruptions.
• Service Innovation & Digital Transformation: Leads digital transformation initiatives across all Business Services units, integrating new technologies, automation, and data analytics to enhance operational efficiency and service delivery.
• Cross-Functional Leadership & Stakeholder Relations: Assumes Director-level responsibilities and leadership in the absence of the Director, Ancillary & Business Services. Actively contributes to cross-functional committees and strategic planning initiatives.
• Compliance and Governance: Supports the development, maintenance, and consistent application of Business Services policies and procedures to meet institutional requirements, industry standards, and applicable legal obligations.
• Change Management and Continuous Improvement: Leads change initiatives within the Business Services portfolio, ensuring smooth transitions during organizational changes or shifts in operational priorities.

Education and Experience

• Undergraduate degree in a relevant field (e.g., Commerce, Business Administration, Retail Management).
• A minimum of 7 years of progressive leadership experience in managing multi-site or multi-unit Ancillary & Business Services operations.
• Strong financial acumen with a track record of managing complex budgets and achieving revenue goals.
• Extensive experience providing strategic oversight in customer experience and revenue-generating environments.
• Demonstrated success in vendor negotiation, contract management, and service modernization.
• Experience leading organizational change and implementing technology solutions across diverse business units.
• Proven ability to build high-performing teams and foster a service-driven culture.
• Exceptional communication, strategic thinking, and stakeholder engagement skills.
• A valid Class 5 BC Driver’s License, as travel to regional campuses will be necessary.

Skills and Abilities

• Strategic Leader: proven strong leadership and management competencies.
• Commitment to equity, diversity, inclusion and social justice.
• Strong Team Mentor: demonstrated ability to develop and lead strong teams.
• Excellent communicator: strong written, verbal, negotiation, and influencing skills.
• Trustworthy decision-maker: provides creative solutions to complex problems.
• Effective Manager: demonstrated knowledge and skills in managing financial, governance and quality management systems.
• Creative and Innovative: demonstrated ability to develop and assess new approaches to complex organization processes.
• Effective conflict management and dispute resolution.
• Technically competent: excellent computer skills with proficiency using Microsoft Office and online collaborative platforms.

Our Values

• Students first: Creating meaningful life-long educational opportunities of the highest quality.
• Community: We are one College, embracing collaboration.
• Respect: We celebrate uniqueness and value every individual.
• Courage: We act ethically with honesty and fairness.
• Relationships: We steward meaningful relationships built on reciprocity.
• Distinction: We choose activities that achieve excellence and positively impact society.

Okanagan College is committed to increasing the equitable and inclusive participation of marginalized people in all aspects of college life. We welcome and encourage applications from Indigenous Peoples, Black People, members of racialized groups/visible minorities, people with disabilities and people with diverse gender identities or expressions.