Academic Change Specialist

Description:

Position Summary:

Working under the general direction of the Director, Academic Programs, Planning and Quality Assurance, the Academic Change Specialist is responsible for managing and supporting a wide-range of high-level and confidential activities related to the creation, review and closure of academic programs and units as part of the University of Toronto Quality Assurance Process which encompasses all undergraduate and graduate programs (more than 150) and 50-70 units at the University of Toronto.  With a particular responsibility for coordinating  and providing expert advice relative to academic change across the University, key responsibilities include managing a large volume of complex correspondence for the Director, Academic Programs, Planning and Quality Assurance and the Vice-Provost, Academic Programs that is directly relevant to confidential strategic planning and decision-making around the delivery of academic programs, the selection of senior academic administrators, and faculty resource decisions; supporting the development and implementation of new policy initiatives involving assessment of the norms at peer institutions, analysis of existing policies, tracking and analyzing input from assessments of how these may be received by sectors of the community; and acting as a liaison with members of the Provost’s Office at every level, with senior academic administrators and staff across all Faculties; and with senior staff in external institutions including other Universities, COU and MTCU.

Qualifications Required:

Education:

• Master’s degree in a relevant discipline required or an equivalent combination of education and experience.

Experience: 

• Minimum five (5) years’ recent and related experience in a university environment. 
• Demonstrated knowledge of and experience in undergraduate and graduate program structures, standards, and expectations across the full range of diverse programs within a University environment. 
• Knowledge and understanding of University governance processes. 
• Familiarity with University structures, Faculty priorities, governance practices, and University policies and procedures.

Skills:

• Computer experience required.

Other:

• Superior oral and written communication and interpersonal skills.
• Strong analytical and organizational skills.
• Proven ability to assimilate and interpret accurately significant amounts of data.
• Proven ability to synthesize large bodies of complex material accurately without losing a sense of the critical elements.
• Ability to take initiative in everything, to identify and address problems, seek out solutions, and act without instruction/direction.
• Exceptional attention to detail and accuracy married with the capacity to think creatively and exercise appropriate flexibility in the application of policy and norms
• Demonstrated ability to coordinate complex projects and see them to completion.
• Demonstrated ability to track, manage, and compile information and data.
• Managing multiple deadlines in context of heavy workload.
• A sensitivity to how apparently unconnected activities and programs may have unintended repercussions.
• An ability to adjust established procedures to accommodate the unique characteristics of each specific case.
• Ability to understand and respond to the discrete nuance of individual cases/ circumstances.
• The ability to identify urgent matters of high importance.
• Supervisory skills.
• The ability to resolve issues and respond to enquiries that may involve sensitivity to complex issues and delicate negotiations.
• Ability to develop and deliver briefings on decisions, operational issues and reports.

• Ability to handle complex issues with multiple participants requiring careful thought, consultation, and action.
• Good judgment about when to consult before taking action in sensitive situations must be applied regularly.
• Exercises accuracy and attention to detail with confidential information and correspondence.
• Exercises a high degree of sensitivity and discretion with confidential strategic and labour relations information.

Note: This is a one (1) year term position. 

Closing Date: 10/06/2026, 11:59PM ET
Employee Group: Salaried
Personnel Subarea: PM
Appointment Type : Budget - Term
Schedule: Full-Time
Pay Scale Group & Hiring Zone:  PM 4 -- Hiring Zone: $106,705 - $124,491 -- Broadband Salary Range: $106,705 - $177,843
Job Category: Administrative / Managerial