Program Development Officer

Position Information

Position Title

Program Development Officer

Department/Unit

President's Office

Location

Halifax, Nova Scotia, Canada

Posting Number

S144-25

Employee Group

DPMG

Position Type

Regular, On-Going

Duration of Contract (if applicable)

Employment Type

Full Time

Full-time Equivalency (FTE)

1.0

Salary

$59,555 - $79,673 per annum

Classification

ADM-05

Provisional Statement

This is a provisional classification. Formal regular review classification procedures may be initiated at any time by the incumbent or supervisor after the incumbent has worked a minimum of six months in the role.

About Dalhousie University

Dalhousie University is Atlantic Canada's leading research-intensive university and a driver of the region's intellectual, social and economic development. Located in the heart of Halifax, Nova Scotia, with an Agricultural Campus in Truro/Bible Hill, Dalhousie is a truly national and international university, with more than half of our almost 21,000 students coming from outside of the province. Our 6,000 faculty and staff foster a vibrant, purpose-driven community, that celebrated 200 years of academic excellence in 2018.

Job Summary

Reporting to the Academic Quality Assurance Manager, the Program Development Officer is responsible for assisting in the development, approval, and implementation of new and modified credentials and suspensions and terminations of existing programs/credentials – both graduate and undergraduate They ensure proposals meet the standards of both internal and external policies, working directly with academic and non-academic units to complete all aspects of proposal requirements for development, and to ensure proposals follow procedures for recommendation and approval (internal and external).

Key Responsibilities

• Works with units to assist in producing concept papers (as necessary) and proposals for new and modified credentials (programs, diplomas, certificates, degrees), including provision of institutional level information, context, and framing. Informs units of appropriate/required governance processes.
• Assists in procuring data and information (e.g. labour market, enrolment data, etc.) for units required for program development, modification, and suspension/termination as needed.
• Reviews graduate and undergraduate proposals for compliance with policy before submission to approval processes and/or external reviewers (as necessary), suggests adjustments to improve quality of proposal.
• Develops and maintains central resources for production and management of proposal development including tools and techniques to support units completing program changes. Consults with interest holders (e.g. academic support units, especially Registrar's Office, Centre for Learning and Teaching) for input.
• Maintains a database of in progress and completed program changes, and produces reports for the Academic Quality Assurance Manager, Associate Vice-President Academic, Senate, and Board as needed.
• Identifies proactive solutions that will eliminate or mitigate risks in program development/change process; completes all work using a risk management lens.

Note

The successful applicant will be eligible for hybrid work (combination of in-person work on campus and remote work from within Nova Scotia) as agreed by all parties based on operational requirements and university guidelines.

Required Qualifications

• Undergraduate degree with three to five years' related experience working within a post-secondary or regulatory environment (or an equivalent combination of training and experience).
• Experience coordinating multiple projects and managing priorities to meet deadlines and responding to inquiries.
• Familiarity with academic governance structures and external quality assurance frameworks.
• Ability to work with diverse and numerous interest holders to gather and disseminate information, support others in completing work, and facilitating communication among various groups across the institution to ensure compliance with deadlines and policy standards.
• Excellent oral and written communication skills, including ability to apply policy to and edit written communication for clarity and compliance, relay information to individuals and groups effectively.

Assets

• Master's degree
• Certification in project management.
• Experience in academic credential and program development, quality assurance, or related area.
• Experience working with labour market analysis and data.

Job Competencies

The successful candidate is expected to demonstrate proficiency in Dalhousie's core and leadership competencies ), in particular:

• Respect & Inclusion
• Adaptability
• Knowledge & Thinking Skills
• Communication
• Service

Additional Information

Dalhousie University supports a healthy and balanced lifestyle. Our total compensation package includes a defined benefit pension plan, health and dental plans, a health spending account, an employee and family assistance program and a tuition assistance program.

Application Consideration

Applications from current university employees and external candidates are assessed concurrently. Current university employees will be given special consideration.

We sincerely appreciate all applications and note that only candidates selected for an interview will be contacted directly by the hiring department or People and Culture.

Diversity Statement

Dalhousie University commits to achieving inclusive excellence through continually championing equity, diversity, inclusion, and accessibility. The university encourages applications from Indigenous Peoples of Turtle Island (especially Mi'kmaq), persons of Black/African descent (especially African Nova Scotians), and members of other racialized groups, persons with disabilities, women, persons identifying as members of 2SLGBTQIA+ communities, and all candidates who would contribute to the diversity of our community. In accordance with our Employment Equity Policy, preference will be given in hiring processes to candidates who self-identify as members of one or more of the equity-deserving groups listed above. For more information, including details related to our Employment Equity Policy and Plan and definitions of equity-deserving groups please visit

Posting Detail Information

Number of Vacancies

1

Open Date

10/21/2025

Close Date

10/30/2025

Open Until Filled

No

Special Instructions to Applicant

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