Director, Co-op, Career

**A Day in the Life **

The Director, Co-op, Career & Experiential Education is accountable for strategic planning, financial & capital management, people leadership, policy development, community engagement and the overall operational effectiveness of the division. The incumbent will oversee a team of professionals who deliver programs and services supporting the University’s diverse and complex co-op program operations, curricular and co-curricular experiential education, and career development operations. The Director also has strategic oversight of industry and employer engagement, career curriculum and skill development research, student engagement, marketing strategies, technology delivery, community outreach, and the Gerald B. Mitchell Centre of Excellence in Career and Experiential Education.

**As the Director, Co-op, Career & Experiential Education, you will**:

- Establish, execute and oversee multi-year divisional strategic and operational plans in collaboration with students, staff, faculty, and departments throughout the University, to support common goals and objectives;
- Establish, track and report on key metrics and performance indicators which demonstrate the effectiveness of core services;
- Oversee the strategic programming with students, industry, faculty, alumni and the Niagara community;
- Research best practices and emerging trends in the domains of Co-op, Career & Experiential Education, investigating the University’s capacity to adopt and operationalize;
- Serve as Chair or member of various Committees or Task Forces, and as a leader within the local, provincial or national network of related associations;
- Create and implement divisional operational and administrative guidelines, procedures, and protocols to ensure compliance with University policies and procedures, leveraging best practices where possible;
- Develop an annual divisional budget, including forecasting and allocation of student fees, fees for services and special event payments;
- Engage in the strategic planning for CCEE capital budget planning to ensure the institutional sustainability and future growth of recruitment and retention of students;
- Create an effective organizational plan that facilitates and supports the successful execution of University and divisional strategy, objectives, and operational goals;
- Develop and monitor metrics to track programs and operational performance;
- Prepare reports, analysis and facilitate presentations for various audiences;
- Lead the development of integrated marketing/communications and recruitment strategies for the division;
- Provide co-op, career and experiential education services that meet the current and emerging needs of the University community;
- Identify, cultivate and maintain relationships with community partners to provide appropriate co-op, career and experiential education opportunities;
- Drive value and revenue-generating opportunities to the University by developing a strategy to optimize programming, fundraising, sponsorship, and philanthropic opportunities;
- Collaborate widely within the University to find synergies and efficiencies in operating with on-campus units, Faculties and Divisions;
- Provide leadership and manage a team of Associate Directors and seasoned administrative support;
- Ensure organizational effectiveness through robust hiring practices attentive to principles of equity, diversity and inclusion, performance management and professional or team development opportunities for staff and students.

**What you need to Succeed**
- Masters degree in a related field and a minimum of ten (10) years of professional experience in the field of co-op, career, and/or experiential education;
- A minimum of ten (10) years supervisory or management experience;
- Demonstrated knowledge of program development and strategic planning;
- Knowledge of academic affairs, including transfer students (internal and external), international students, work term permits, and exchange programs;
- In-depth knowledge of program curriculum and the research agenda of faculty across disciplines;
- Competency with budget development, financial management, and projections;
- Demonstrated ability to develop, interpret and articulate policies;
- Knowledge of developments and principles in the fields of co-op, career consulting, graduate employment and related issues and trends;
- Skilled in Human Resources management, including leading, mentoring, motivating and integrating multi-disciplinary staff teams;
- Solid computer competency using Microsoft Office, including Outlook, Word, Excel and PowerPoint, in addition to online tools such as Orbis platforms;
- Ability to gain cooperation with internal and external stakeholders using advocacy, persuasion and influence;
- Strong consultative working relationships to work with faculty members and staff;
- Demonstrated commitment to personal integrity;
- Service-oriented with exceptional interpersonal skills to work with