Co-op Consultant

Application Deadline: July 22, 2026

Requisition ID: 11575 

Wilfrid Laurier University is a leading multi-campus university that excels at educating with purpose. Through its exceptional employees, students, researchers, leaders, and educators, Laurier has built a reputation as a world-class institution known for its rich student experience, academic excellence, and global impact. With a commitment to Indigenization and commitment to equity, diversity, inclusion, Laurier’s thriving community has a place for everyone.

Laurier has more than 21,000 students and 2,100 faculty and staff across campuses in Waterloo and Brantford, as well locations in Kitchener and Milton. The university is committed to providing an inclusive workplace, a flexible work policy and employing a workforce that is reflective of local and national demographics. Laurier's Waterloo, Kitchener, and Brantford campuses are located on the shared traditional territory of the Neutral, Anishnaabe, and Haudenosaunee peoples. This land is part of the Dish with One Spoon Treaty between the Haudenosaunee and Anishnaabe peoples and symbolizes the agreement to share, protect our resources, and not to engage in conflict. Laurier's Milton campus is located on the traditional territory of the Mississaugas of the Credit, and part of the Nanfan Treaty of 1701 between the British Crown and the Haudenosaunee Confederacy.

This job posting is for a current vacancy.

Position Summary

Experiential Learning & Career Development at Laurier is recognized nationally as a leader in the field within the post-secondary sector. It is comprised of two primary units – Co-operative Education & Workplace Partnerships and the Career Development Centre. The strategic direction of Experiential Learning & Career Development is guided by the Laurier Strategy 2024-2028 through emphasis on supporting the development of a thriving community and the future-readiness of our students. This includes a focus on such themes as experiential learning, the development of enduring skills, enriching partnerships, and a commitment to embracing the values of equity, diversity and inclusion.

Through its accredited Co-operative Education programs offered in most disciplines, experiential learning embedded in curriculum supported by Community & Workplace Partnerships, award-winning Career Development Centre and engagement by students in co-curricular experiential learning, the unit’s focus is on learning and experience directed at preparing our students for their future. As a priority, it provides comprehensive services to meet the recruiting needs of over 2500 employer organizations annually through consultation, collaboration, and service delivery and is committed to partnerships that support the work of community organizations.

Co-operative Education and Community & Workplace Partnerships operate in a centralized delivery model through collaboration with academic Faculties in our multi-campus environment. There are approximately 3000 students enrolled in both undergraduate and graduate degree co-op programs at Laurier in Waterloo, Brantford, and Milton and our business undergraduate degree co-op program is the largest in Canada. With the development of Laurier’s new campus in Milton, co-op programs are an integral component of undergraduate degree programs there.

Reporting to the Co-op Manager, Brantford and Milton Campuses, the Co-op Consultant will work out of the Milton Campus office and manage an assigned geographic territory conducting approximately 350-400 visits annually to develop, co-ordinate and monitor career-related work opportunities for co-op students. 

As the central liaison between co-op students, employers and the Laurier community, the Co-op Consultant ensures the success of the program and the satisfaction of all parties.

The Co-op Consultant serves employers by responding to their recruiting needs, coordinating the hiring process, and procuring their satisfaction with students hired during work terms. Accountable for contributing to the education, career planning and personal growth of Laurier students, the Co-op Consultant interviews and selects students for admission to co-op, prepares them for their job search and employment, and helps them resolve issues in the workplace.

While Co-op Consultants work autonomously to manage their assigned territory, they also work in conjunction with Waterloo campus-based and GTA Consultants and other co-op staff to provide overall services to students, employers, and the Laurier Community.

Accountabilities

1. Work independently to develop appropriate co-op work term positions and meet the departmental goal of 100% employment each term.

• Prepare a marketing plan to promote Business & Economics, Liberal Arts, Masters, Arts and Science students which includes researching, defining and developing job opportunities within an assigned territory.
• Conduct development calls (in-person and remote) with potential employers across all levels of the organization, including senior executives, line managers, and human resources representatives. Approximately 65-75 job development calls, plus follow-up employer meetings are conducted annually, depending on the size of the territory and other program responsibilities.
• Prepare appropriate presentations for employers.
• Build effective relationships with new and current employer clients through personal, proactive and responsive service to develop opportunities in the areas of management accounting, finance, chartered accounting, operations, marketing, HR, business technology management and for all arts/science disciplines.
• Co-ordinate the recruiting process. Advise employers on ethical recruiting strategies and guidelines; guidance on salaries, academic programs, including multiple options within business, double degrees, arts, science and graduate co-op programs.
• Track and update recruiting database, which includes 8,500+ employers and 11,000+ contacts. 

1. Contribute to the educational, professional and personal growth of participating students by helping them explore career options, develop job search skills, secure rewarding work term opportunities and gain marketable employment skills.

• Interview and select students for admission to co-op in those programs where enrolment is limited, and admission is competitive.
• Guide and support newly admitted students one-on-one and in sessions throughout each of two terms. Prepare and present workshop on introduction to co-op for assigned group, respond to questions and provide feedback, ensuring their understanding of the co-op process and requirements.
• Advise students on job search strategies to prepare them for the work term; guidance on resume and cover letter writing, interview preparation, career and industry opportunities through a co-op speakers’ series, report writing, social adjustment and appropriate work habits.
• Advise students on the development of learning objectives for their work terms and assess their initial written submissions. Review progress in meeting objectives with both students and their employers at the work term visit, and in student work reports and their final self-evaluation at debrief meetings.

1. Monitor the quality of positions, student performance during work terms and satisfaction levels of stakeholders.

• Assist employers in developing job descriptions and approving them prior to posting, approximately 500-700 job postings annually.
• Schedule and conduct work term visits, 250-300 annually, to monitor quality of positions and satisfaction of stakeholders.
• Provide mediation and guidance to students and employers during the work term, including availability after hours to resolve issues such as performance problems, inappropriate job responsibilities, and interpersonal conflicts which can result in highly charged, emotional situations.
• Investigate terminations and provide students with guidance about the appeal process when their status in co-op is reviewed.
• Ensure employers complete evaluations of students and they are reviewed all stakeholders as appropriate.

1. Promote and provide information about co-op at Laurier.

• Establish and maintain linkages with assigned professional associations for networking and professional development; organizations may include Human Resources Professionals Association of Ontario, Insurance Institute of Canada, Supply Chain Canada, CPA Ontario, Chambers of Commerce and various boards of trade.
• Provide information and guidance to faculty, high school students, and parents at events such as the Ontario University Fair and Campus Open Houses; communicate and meet individually with students and their parents.

1. Manage individual projects to support the department.

• Collaborate in the development of policies and procedures to facilitate the effectiveness of the Co-op Office.
• Ad hoc projects as required.

Qualifications

• Minimum undergraduate degree plus three (3) years related experience in job development, employment advising, and sales/marketing.
• Comprehensive understanding of the private, public, and not-for-profit sectors, current employment market conditions, job search techniques, and of opportunities that exist for work-integrated learning.
• Knowledge of Laurier’s academic and co-op programs and principles of experiential learning.
• Effective verbal and written communication and interpersonal skills, strong presentation skills.
• Excellent organizational skills, results driven and ability to focus on multiple priorities.
• Able to work autonomously and collaboratively, balance competing priorities in a fast-paced work environment.
• Flexibility and willingness to a) respond to students and employers after hours and b) travel within a defined geographic territory and to the Waterloo and Milton campuses. including overnight stays in Waterloo potentially each term as needed.
• Valid driver’s license and a reliable vehicle as travel is required including travel on the 400-highway series.
• Ability to support a culture focused on a commitment to equity, diversity, inclusion and Indigenization.

Hours of Work:This is a full-time, continuing role. The normal hours of work are 8:30 am to 4:30 pm, Monday to Friday. Flexibility in hours will be required, including evening and/or weekend work due to special events, employer development and travel to campus and within an assigned territory. Travel is required to the Waterloo campus throughout the term. When possible, the manager will adjust the work schedule so that no more than 35 hours are worked in a week.

This position is eligible for a flexible work arrangement, as per Policy 8.14 (Flexible Work Policy). All arrangement must be approved by the direct manager. In-person attendance for events, as required to meet operational needs, is expected. On occasion, this schedule may need to be adjusted to meet operational requirements.

Compensation:

Level: F

Rate of Pay: $47.26 to $49.97 per hour with an annual step progression on anniversary date up to $54.01 per hour.

Considerations for new hire step placements include, qualifications and length/depth of required experience, relevant market rates for similar jobs, internal equity, and estimated learning curve in starting the job.

Wilfrid Laurier University endeavors to fill positions with qualified candidates who have a combination of education, experience, skills and abilities to successfully perform the duties of the position while demonstrating Laurier's Employee Success Factors.

Equity, diversity and creating a culture of inclusion are part of Laurier’s core values and central to the Laurier Strategy. Laurier is committed to increasing the diversity of faculty and staff and welcomes applications from candidates who identify as Indigenous, racialized, having disabilities, and from persons of any minority sexual and gender identities. Indigenous candidates who would like to learn more about equity and inclusive programing at Laurier are welcomed to contact the Office of Indigenous Initiatives. Candidates from other equity deserving groups who would like to learn more about equity and inclusive programing at Laurier are welcomed to contact Equity & Accessibility. We have strived to make our application process accessible, however if you require any assistance applying for a position or would like this job posting in an alternative format, please contact Human Resources. Contact information can be found at careers.wlu.ca/content/How-to-apply/

Should you be interested in learning more about this opportunity, please visit www.wlu.ca/careersfor additional information and the online application system. All applications must be submitted online. Please note, a resume and cover letter will be required in electronic form.

Please note, when pre-screening questions are used as part of the application process, AI is utilized to score responses. All other aspects of the hiring process are reviewed by our Talent Acquisition team.