Manager, Co-operative Education Operations

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Professional and Managerial Group

Manager, Co-operative Education Operations

Experiential Learning Hub

Hiring #: 2024-0091

Please read the Application Instructions before applying

At the University of Guelph, our students benefit greatly from engaging directly in industries and communities where they can apply their learning in real-world contexts, develop essential employability skills, and gain a deeper understanding of the complex issues faced by employers and community organizations today.

The Co-operative Education team is part of the Experiential Learning Hub; a critical department of the Student Affairs division that formally integrates a student’s academic studies with work experience, including a participating employer/industry partner. The University of Guelph Co-operative Education program has over 5,000 co-op students participate in over 60 co-op majors. 

Reporting to the Associate Director of Co-operative and Career Education, the Manager, Cooperative Education Operations provides leadership, initiative, and project management in three key areas: Co-op program process administration, Co-op student support services, and Co-op Operations team leadership and management. The Manager will lead the planning, implementation, and execution of projects and process improvements for the Co-op program. The successful candidate will use their exceptional problem-solving, project and change management skills to engage and communicate with key stakeholders, drive multiple, time-sensitive priorities, and analyze data for decision-making. The Manager also leads the Co-operative Education Operations Team in developing operational activities and processes to maximize the success of students and employers and ensure that the unit’s processes are carried out in an efficient, cost-effective, and service-focused manner.

The Manager, Co-operative Education Operations is responsible for:

• Setting and maintaining service and process standards to ensure and enhance efficiency, access, wellness, and inclusion.
• Lead the identification, development, and implementation of projects to improve access to co-op, service quality, relationships, stakeholder satisfaction, timeliness, staff capability and performance, and attraction, retention, and success of Co-op students.
• Planning and overseeing the implementation of new and/or revised co-op operations processes, including planning assessments and advising on best practices and strategies for effective change management.
• Monitoring satisfaction with service delivered and take action to restore and enhance service quality.
• Developing and continually improving the co-op student feedback processes and use them to inform practice and processes that support student engagement, experience, and learning outcomes.
• Ensuring co-op processes and policies are developed and delivered with an equity, diversity, and inclusion lens, and are practiced consistently across the Co-op program.
• Gathering and interpreting information from systems and databases and prepare detailed data analysis to support decision-making regarding important administrative policies and processes. 
• Recruitment, hiring, supervision and coaching of Co-op Operations staff team in unionized and professional positions.

Requirements of the position include: 

• Undergraduate degree in a related field along with several years of previous experience in a similar role or acceptable combination of equivalent experiences.
• Experience supporting student success within post-secondary.
• Demonstrated commitment to equity, diversity, and inclusion principles and have experience supporting diverse communities, including Indigenous people, women, newcomers, visible minorities, persons with disabilities, and persons of any sexual orientation or gender identity.
• Proficiency with developing project resources, such as charters, critical paths, schedules, roles and responsibilities, etc.
• Proven experience with planning and implementation of improved operational processes within a team.
• Demonstrated experience utilizing data to inform on decision making.
• Knowledge of project management principles, methodologies, techniques, tools, and best practices.
• Demonstrated ability to manage multiple priorities and deliver on time-sensitive initiatives effectively.
• Ability to present information, advice, and guidance in a clear, concise, and supportive manner
• Previous experience and evidenced skillset in leading, managing, and supporting a dynamic and high-functioning team of professionals.
• Ability to identify and leverage digital technologies to support learning, increase service access, and track performance.
• Strong written and verbal communication skills.

Position Number 114-047

Classification P05*

Professional/Managerial Salary Bands

• 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: 2024 03 04

Closing Date: 2024 03 18

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