Lead, WIL Programs Manager

Term: 2 years.

The Centre for Work-Integrated Learning (Centre for WIL) is a part of the Co-op and Experiential Education (CEE) portfolio. Centre for WIL fosters excellence in the pedagogy and practice of Work-Integrated Learning as a thought leader and key provider of curriculum, courses, and programs in this field.

The Lead, WIL Program Manager plays a key role in the positioning and delivery of the Centre’s centrally administered Work-Integrated Learning Programs (beyond co-op). This position has three main areas of focus:

1. Develop and implement student service and experience standards for inclusive, quality WIL Programming through collaboration with campus and external partners
2. Direct, WIL Programs operations and services, including contributing as a leader, subject matter expert, and decision maker, to ongoing operations of the EDGE Certificate, WE Accelerate program, and new forms of innovative WIL programming
3. Initiate and implement operational and incremental program improvements aligned with quality WIL program design including supporting new program and stream development and building capacity for staff to successfully deliver WIL programming

Inclusive WIL Programming and Student Services

• Lead the identification, development, and implementation of projects to improve access to WIL programs, service quality, relationships, stakeholder satisfaction, timeliness, staff capability and performance
• Operationalize the standards for quality WIL, with an emphasis on advising, student support, and student experience via the development and delivery of WIL-related professional development resources for staff orientation and training
• Develop strategic approaches to strengthen WIL programs uptake and curricular integration through collaboration across faculties
• Develop and execute strategies to support the development of WIL programs students’ skills and self-awareness to navigate the future of work and lifelong learning in collaboration with CEE colleagues, faculty, and campus partners
• Identify opportunities and participate in the development and implementation of initiatives and processes that enhance and support student access, wellness, and inclusion
• Ensure ongoing engagement with a wide variety of stakeholders (e.g., WUSA, GSA, CEE, faculty, campus and external partners) to recognize barriers and collaboratively identify/implement sustainable processes, policies, and practices
• Develop and continually improve WIL programs student feedback process and use to inform practice and processes that support student engagement, experience, and learning outcomes in WIL
• Utilize WIL subject matter expertise to inform work with programs and faculties related to recruitment, admissions, student communications, WIL preparatory activities, etc.

Program Operations & Services

• Provide leadership and guidance in the ongoing operations of the Centre’s WIL programs (EDGE, WEA, etc.)
• Support and guide program staff in program operations as a decision maker of program requirements, exceptional or escalated situations, and stakeholder support
• Set standards and priorities for program operations, establishing, and aligning business and staff processes with best practices in WIL programming
• Collaborate with campus and industry/community partners to support student experiences, program requirements, and integrating partner goals into WIL programming
• Leverages deep subject matter expertise in WIL program operations and student service support, to provide leadership and direction around the development and execution of:
  • The WIL programs communications strategy (including student engagement, industry/community partnerships, and promotion of Centre for WIL programming)
  • The WIL programs evaluation plan (including program level assessment, student evaluation, storytelling with data for various stakeholders
• Lead working groups, stakeholder consultations, program meetings, and regular meetings
• Provide oversight and guidance to the operation of the Centre’s WIL programs ensuring they adhere to Waterloo’s policies and processes including:
  • Calendar regulations and policies related to WIL program milestone requirements, academic integrity, accommodation, petitions, and exceptions
  • Safety Office and Waterloo International policies, guidelines, and regulations on international student travel
  • Faculty specific guidelines for completion of academic requirements and reporting on student completion of academic requirements to the faculties
• Support the Senior Manager, WIL Programs to ensure that WIL Programming is high quality and advances the goals and objectives of the University as they relate to innovation, reputation, WIL leadership and employer and alumni engagement

Program Improvement

• Oversee and occasionally directly engage in all WIL advising and program delivery processes across WIL programs to help develop training processes for the WIL programs team
• Sets services standards in student advising and WIL support models, develops metrics, andsets targets and goals for programs enrollment, engagement, and success
• Explores opportunities for innovation, including making recommendations to Senior Manager for incremental program improvements, technologies, tools, and/or processes
• Assess and evaluate program partners, participants, and stakeholder feedback; monitor satisfaction with service delivered and take action to restore and enhance service quality
• Liaise with student leadership regarding WIL programs and solicits their feedback
• Maintain and strengthen relationships with external stakeholders, including employers, community, and program partners, and where necessary enlist program staff and/or management in relationship building and maintenance
• Determine priorities and areas of focus for WIL program and process improvement based on available resources and funding
• Initiate and implement program and process improvements based on all available data and WIL best practices
• Collaborate, as a leader, with the Centre for WIL Curriculum team and program staff regarding operations and program improvements
• Collaborate, alongside the Senior Manager, WIL Programs, Centre for WIL leadership and project manager to provide updates on initiatives and strategic work

• Master’s Degree, or equivalent combination of education and experience required in student development, organizational leadership or a related field
• 3-5+ years working with students in an advisory or student development/success capacity ideally in a WIL capacity
• 3-5+ years working on strategic initiatives with an emphasis on program improvement, operations, and alignment with strategic planning
• Experience in providing functional and operational guidance to team members
• Experience with research design and methodology, creating and implementing program assessment and evaluation plans, and making data driven decisions in support of program improvement and success
• Experience working with students and making decisions affecting student progression
• Demonstrated knowledge of work-integrated learning, including knowledge of WIL pedagogy and goals and challenges associated with all main stakeholders in WIL
• Expert communication skills, with an emphasis on presentations and preparing documents for discussion and review
• Strong data analysis skills, including the ability to reach and articulate complex conclusions
• Highly developed interpersonal skills, including maintaining relationships and fostering collaboration between stakeholders with different goals and needs
• Demonstrated decision making abilities and the ability to work autonomously
• Able to navigate a complex matrix organization within the unit with agility and resourcefulness
• Familiar with university governance, policies, and processes, particularly those pertaining to CEE and to student progression
• Demonstrated continuous improvement mindset with a strength to work effectively with others, as both a team player and a team leader
• Demonstrated ability to manage and align stakeholders, including industry, community, and faculty partners and their input on issues
• Demonstrated ability to use data to understand and relate information to business needs and objectives
• There may be unusual hours or schedules
• Occasional travel for professional development, networking purposes, and external collaboration purposes

The University of Waterloo is committed to implementing the Calls to Action framed by the Truth and Reconciliation Commission. We acknowledge that we live and work on the traditional territory of the Neutral, Anishinaabeg and Haudenosaunee peoples. The University of Waterloo is situated on the Haldimand Tract, the land granted to the Six Nations that includes six miles on each side of the Grand River.

The University values the diverse and intersectional identities of its students, faculty, and staff. The University regards equity and diversity as an integral part of academic excellence and is committed to accessibility for all employees. The University of Waterloo seeks applicants who embrace our values of equity, anti-racism and inclusion. As such, we encourage applications from candidates who have been historically disadvantaged and marginalized, including applicants who identify as First Nations, Métis and/or Inuk (Inuit), Black, racialized, a person with a disability, women and/or 2SLGBTQ+.

All qualified candidates are encouraged to apply; however, Canadians and permanent residents will be given priority.

The University of Waterloo is committed to accessibility for persons with disabilities. If you have any application, interview, or workplace accommodation requests, please contact Human Resources at hrhelp@uwaterloo.ca  or 519-888-4567, ext. 45935.