Program Manager

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2026-00733

Time Type

Full time

Employee Group

Staff

Job Category

Research and Innovation

Employment Type

Temporary

Department

Office of the Vice-President, Research and International - Corporate Research Partnerships

Hiring Range

$80,248.28 - $100,310.35

Posting Information

This posting is for an existing vacancy.

Term: 6 months

This position is being offered as a temporary contract

Primary Purpose

We are seeking a visionary and entrepreneurial program manager to provide leadership over a portfolio of research and engagement programs that are integral to the University of Waterloo.

Reporting to Associate Director, Research Partnerships, the incumbent will lead the creation, design, development, delivery, management, and on-going refinement of highly marketable faculty, staff and student opportunities that reflect the University’s brand and enhance partnership and engagement strategy. This includes new and existing programming targeted towards mid-career professionals, executives, external partners, and University faculty, staff and students who value innovative, cross-disciplinary opportunities in a rapidly changing world.

Key Accountabilities

New Program Development

• Collaborates with internal and external partners to understand the target audience, goals, revenue targets, etc. for new programs and products to be delivered by the business unit.
• Collaborates with the marketing team to identify new opportunities and ensure they are supported at all phases of the program's lifecycle from new launch to repeatable offers to scale.
• Works with a team of internal and external resources including subject matter experts, facilitators, instructional designers, client service coordinators, market researchers, and quality assurance specialists to lead the development and management of highly engaging and marketable programs
• Nurtures effective interactions between University faculty / departments / institutes and industry partners to align program development to market needs
• Ensures quality control, providing program-specific leadership to cross-functional team members
• Forms and manages program advisory committees to ensure programming addresses partner needs
• Develops and manages program budgets and forecasts
• Manages the approval process for new opportunities
• Provides direction to subject matter experts and in the development of individual program opportunities

Industry Engagement Expertise

• Incorporates best practices in client engagement program development and delivery to design offerings to meet 21st century market and business challenges
• Monitors research in relevant industry sectors, to inform/refine evidence-based practices related to program design and delivery
• Utilizes a solid understanding of client engagement principles and trends, including post-COVID realities, to facilitate the development of a broad suite of opportunities
• Applies expertise client engagement to oversee creation of effective learning outcomes, strategies, activities and tasks, and assessment strategies

Program Management and Leadership

• Identifies strategic areas for market growth in the portfolio of engagement programs
• Works with program team to establish project milestones based on the expected delivery date of the program engagement activities and ensures the team meets required deadlines
• Revamps and/or improves engagement programs and courses based on client feedback, industry trends, and learning outcomes assessment tools and techniques. Develops a feedback loop to facilitate the ongoing refinement of program engagement offerings
• Hires and manages co-op students
• Updates appropriate internal and external stakeholders on project progress, proactively informing them of issues or potential delays
• Determines design constraints, resource limitations, deadlines, and faculty/student/program needs which impact the program planning process
• Effectively manages concurrent projects, including ones with completing deadlines and resources
• Demonstrates effective leadership and coaching of co-op students hired to support the creation and implementation of program content

Required Qualifications

Education

• A Masters degree or an equivalent combination of education and experience.
• A Certificate, Diploma, or other certification/qualification in adult education, online learning, instructional design, program management, or project management is an asset.

Experience

• 5+ years of experience in a program management role in corporate training business development and/or building adult learning programs
• Success with initiating and managing collaborative relationships with professional associations, corporate clients, and community partners
• Demonstrated success managing multiple stakeholders in a matrix environment
• Demonstrated success assessing and ensuring the financial viability of new and existing programs
• Demonstrated expertise in the creation and delivery of engagement programming
• Experience applying sound event and program management
• Proficiency with operationalizing program delivery and executing on plans to bring ideas to fruition
• Demonstrated capabilities in program evaluation and quantitative and/or qualitative research methods
• Experience with new program development in topics related to disruptive technologies, innovation, information and communications technology, and leadership skills including critical thinking, collaboration and communication is strongly preferred.
• Proficiency in sourcing and managing the performance of contractors
• A broad understanding and knowledge of the university environment at both the organizational and operational levels is an asse

Knowledge/Skills/Abilities

• Superb program design skills
• Creativity
• Proven ability to ask open-ended questions, analyze data, see connections and recognize strategic opportunities
• Superior communication, collaboration and relationship skills - written, verbal, interpersonal, presentation, advocacy - communicates clearly and with tact with a diverse group of internal and external stakeholders including faculty, staff, administrators, partners, and clients Project management skills. Superior organizational and self-management including time management and the ability to prioritize, multi-task and attend to detail
• Proactively anticipates challenges and takes initiative in resolving issues
• Thorough understanding of adult learning principles and ability to ensure these are embedded into all programs
• Excellent negotiation skills
• Flexible and entrepreneurial mindset

Equity Statement

The University of Waterloo acknowledges that much of our work takes place on the traditional territory of the Neutral, Anishinaabeg, and Haudenosaunee peoples. Our main campus is situated on the Haldimand Tract, the land granted to the Six Nations that includes six miles on each side of the Grand River. Our active work toward reconciliation takes place across our campuses through research, learning, teaching, and community building, and is coordinated within the Office of Indigenous Relations.

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+.

Positions are open to qualified candidates who are legally entitled to work in Canada.

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 View email address on ca.snapjobsearch.com or View phone number on ca.snapjobsearch.com.