Job Requisition ID:Time Type:Full time
Employee Group:Staff
Job Category:Project and Program Management
Employment Type:Permanent
Department:WatSPEED - Marketing and Brand
Hiring Range:$80,248.28 - $100,310.35
Posting Information:This posting is for an existing vacancy.
There is a qualified internal in the role/department.
The internal posting deadline for this position is August 20, 2026 at 11:59PM.
Job Description:Primary PurposeThe Program Management Specialist will facilitate design, development, delivery and continuous improvement of primarily online educational programs that are integral to the University of Waterloo's lifelong learning strategy.
The incumbent will;
- lead the delivery, management, and on-going refinement of highly marketable professional learning products that reflect the University's brand and enhance its lifelong learning strategy.
- work collaboratively with internal and external stakeholders to facilitate the creation, design, and development of a range of new professional learning experiences.
Programs in WatSPEED's portfolio may include new and existing courses, certificates, and microcredentials in online, in-class, and/or blended formats targeted towards mid-career professionals, executives and corporations in areas of academic strength and strategic importance to the University of Waterloo.
Key AccountabilitiesNew 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 various teams of internal and external resources including subject matter experts, instructional designers, client success coordinators, market researchers, IT systems, and quality assurance specialists to lead the development and management of highly engaging and marketable professional learning programs
- --->Nurtures effective interactions between University faculty / departments / institutes and industry partners to align program and course development to market needs
- --->Ensures quality control, providing program-specific leadership to cross-functional team members
- Develops and manages program budgets and enrolment forecasts
- Facilitates the program approval process
- Provides support to subject matter experts and instructional designers in the development of individual courses
- Incorporates best practices in professional education program development and delivery to design course offerings to meet 21st century market and business challenges
- Monitors research in teaching and learning, and online learning, to inform/refine evidence-based practices related to course design and delivery
- Utilizes a solid understanding of adult education principles and trends, including post-COVID realities, to facilitate the development of a broad suite of non-credit courses, certificates, and microcredentials
- Applies expertise in pedagogy and e-learning to facilitate creation of effective learning outcomes, online teaching strategies, learning activities and tasks, and assessment strategies
- Other duties as assigned
Program Management and Leadership- Identifies strategic areas for market growth in the portfolio of programs
- Works with program team and project manager to establish project milestones based on the expected delivery date of the course and ensures the team meets required deadlines
- Revamps and/or improves 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 course offerings.
- Engages and collaborates with instructors
- Updates appropriate internal and external stakeholders on project progress, proactively informing them of issues or potential delays
- Works collaboratively with broader team to determine design constraints, resource limitations, deadlines, and instructor/ student/ program needs which impact the program planning process.
- Works collaboratively to identify and implement solutions that meet the needs of all involved.
- Effectively manages concurrent projects, including ones with competing deadlines and resources
- Demonstrates effective leadership and coaching of co-op students hired to support the creation and implementation of program content.
Required QualificationsEducation- A Master's degree in a relevant field 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, program coordinator or business development role in corporate training and/or adult learning environment
- Success with initiating and managing collaborative relationships with University faculty, professional associations, corporate clients, and community partners
- Demonstrated success fostering strong and productive relationships across multiple stakeholder groups, including groups combining academia and corporate entities
- Demonstrated success assessing and ensuring the financial viability of new and existing programs
- Demonstrated expertise in the creation and delivery of online learning
- Experience applying sound pedagogical design in online and blended learning at the post secondary level
- Demonstrated capabilities in program evaluation and quantitative and/or qualitative research methods
- Hands-on experience with or significant understanding of the capabilities and limitations of enterprise learning management systems (LMS) and other e-learning technologies
- Experience with new program development in topics related to disruptive technologies, accounting and finance, innovation, and leadership skills including critical thinking, collaboration, and communication is strongly preferred
- Proficiency in sourcing and managing the performance of contractors and instructors.
- A broad understanding and knowledge of the University of Waterloo environment at both the organizational and operational levels is an asset
Knowledge/Skills/Abilities- Superb communication and relationship management 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.
- Ability to recognize business opportunities and refine them to defined product specifications
- Proven ability to collaborate with a broad range of stakeholders in various power relationships to creatively reach consensus on the highest value opportunities and product parameters.
- Project management and coordination skills - able to consistently plan, facilitate, document and follow up on meetings, tasks, decisions and approvals in a consistent and transparent manner.
- 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 apply program context to ground discussions and program decisions.
- Excellent negotiation skills
- Flexible and entrepreneurial mindset
