Department: International Recruitment
This position is represented by the agreement between the Professional Staff Association and the University of Guelph
Number of Openings: 2
If you are a current employee of the University of Guelph you must apply on the internal Career Page in order to be considered as an internal applicant.
Career Opportunities (sapsf.com)
General Purpose
The International Recruitment Advisor provides front‑line, student support to prospective international students across the recruitment and admissions journey, serving as a primary point of contact from initial inquiry through offer and acceptance.
The role is responsible for responding to a high volume of general inquiries across a broad range of topics (e.g., programs, application processes, offers, timelines, housing, student life), providing clear, timely, and accurate information while identifying when issues require escalation or referral. The position works closely with internal stakeholders—including recruitment, admissions, marketing, colleges, and the Global Pre‑Arrival Support (GPS) team—to ensure prospective students are connected to the appropriate expertise as needed. This role operates within the International Recruitment team and supports recruitment efforts by managing and responding to leads generated through multiple channels, including digital campaigns, general inquiries, agent and counsellor referrals, and recruitment activities. It works in close coordination with Recruitment and Marketing to support lead flow, follow‑up, and engagement strategies.
A key function of the role is maintaining consistent, proactive engagement with applicants and offer‑holders, including re‑engaging inactive or stalled prospects and addressing common periods of disengagement. The position manages communication across the offer‑to‑offer acceptance timeline, balancing early and late offer-holder needs, and facilitating timely, needs‑based referral to the GPS team. The position contributes directly to improving conversion outcomes by ensuring responsive service, reducing drop‑off, supporting student decision‑making, and reinforcing a coordinated institutional approach. The role supports prospective international fee‑paying students, both within and outside Canada, with a focus on undergraduate and course‑based master’s programs.
Duties and Responsibilities
- Lead Engagement, Conversion, Prospect Ownership (30%)
- Serves as the primary point of contact for an assigned caseload of international prospects
- Supports events designed to move prospects from interest through application and offer acceptance
- Supports and responds to follow up on leads from:
- digital inquiries (via Marketing)
- general inbox
- recruitment staff and regional officers
- agents, counsellors, and in‑country representatives
- webinars, events, fairs, and campaigns
- Ensures all inquiries are: acknowledged promptly, followed up consistently, tracked in institutional systems
- Re‑engages inactive or stalled students where intent is high
- Stakeholder Management, Student Support & Customer Service (35%)
- Applies a relationship‑based / concierge model to support students through decision stages
- Provides tailored, hands‑on support, from broad guidance to more direct engagement where needed
- Works across teams to take over and manage leads: recruitment, marketing, colleges
- Provides clear, non‑advising explanations of:
- offer details and conditions
- timelines and required actions
- enrolment processes
- Supports students to: reduce uncertainty and anxiety, make informed decisions, overcome barriers to enrolment
- Supports and reinforces conversion communications including:
- welcome packages (as appropriate), follow‑up campaigns, chat‑based engagement
- Shares institutionally approved information related to:
- scholarships and funding, timelines and student journey, housing, studying and living in Guelph
- Student Navigation & Supported Referrals (15%)
- Acts as a first point of contact for applicants (and their families/supporters) following admission denials, engaging with individuals to support mental health related to international student experience/journey
- De-escalates emotionally charged situations and provides clear, empathetic guidance before referring applicants to Admissions for decision details
- Supports applicants experiencing high stress throughout the process (e.g., difficulty submitting documents, awaiting decisions, or concerns about safety, life abroad, policy changes, etc.)
- Maintains professionalism and composure in challenging interactions, using strong communication and cultural sensitivity to manage a diverse range of applicant needs
- Assists students in navigating processes without providing regulated advice
- Identifies out‑of‑scope questions and: connects students to the appropriate unit, and supports continuity until transitioned
- Provides supported referrals to GPS at offer acceptance
- Reinforces a sense of coordinated institutional support
- Systems, Tools & Platform Use (10%)
- Uses institutional platforms including: Slate CRM, WhatsApp Business, Email and messaging tools, Other supported systems as required
- Logs interactions and tracks engagement consistently
- Supports a coordinated view of the student journey across systems
- Coordination, Documentation & Continuous Improvement (10%)
- Works collaboratively with: International Recruitment, Admissions (Undergraduate & Graduate), Graduate Recruitment, Marketing and Communications, Colleges, Student Experience (including GPS)
- Documents engagement activity and key themes
- Identifies barriers, risks, and opportunities for improvement
- Contributes insights to improve conversion strategies and communications
Requirements
- Undergraduate degree and 2+years of experience working in a student-facing, service-oriented role within higher education, international education, or a related field
- Recruitment or student services experience preferred
- Fluent in more than one language is an asset
- Clear understanding of customer service to other cultures
- Ability to think and act quickly and effectively under pressure, exercising tact, diplomacy, discretion and good judgment
- Ability to multi-task and use technology to compliment communication
- Strong verbal and written communication skills, with the ability to adapt messaging for diverse international student and parent/supporter audiences
- Demonstrated experience in high-volume, student-facing environments requiring responsiveness, accuracy, and attention to detail
- Experience with CRM systems (e.g., Slate) and digital communication platforms (e.g., email, chat, WhatsApp Business or similar tools)
- Understanding of the international student journey, including recruitment, application, admissions, and transition processes, and the ability to guide students appropriately within defined role boundaries
- Ability to build relationships and provide a high-touch, customer-focused experience in a cross-cultural context
- Strong interpersonal and de-escalation skills, with the ability to manage sensitive or high-stress student and/or parent/supporter interactions with professionalism and empathy
- Ability to assess situations, exercise sound judgment, and determine when to resolve issues directly or refer to appropriate teams
- Strong organizational skills with the ability to manage multiple priorities and maintain consistent follow-up
- Ability to work collaboratively across teams including recruitment, admissions, marketing, and student support units
- FLEXIBLE WORK ARRANGEMENT: University of Guelph, located in Guelph, Ontario, Canada, about 1 hour/90km west of Toronto. This is role requires the successful candidate to work three days a week on Guelph Campus, with Tuesdays as a common day in the office.
Employee Type: Regular
Position Number: 10927169
Classification: P&M FT- Band 03
Professional/Managerial Salary Bands
The target hiring salary for this position is minimum and up to 96% of midpoint for the salary grade.
- Tentative evaluation; subject to committee review.
At the University of Guelph, fostering a culture of inclusion is an institutional imperative. The University invites and encourages applications from all qualified individuals, including from groups that are traditionally underrepresented in employment, who may contribute to further diversification of our Institution.
Posting Date: 06/11/2026
Closing Date: 06/25/2026
