Experiential Learning Operations Lead

Date Posted: 12/17/2024
Req ID: 41130
Faculty/Division: UofT Scarborough
Department: UTSC:Ofc of the Vice-Prin (Acad) & Dean
Campus: University of Toronto Scarborough (UTSC)
Position Number: 00052560

Description:

About us:

The University of Toronto Scarborough is a place of energy, enthusiasm and passion. Our commitment to inclusive excellence attracts the brightest learners, scholars and employees from around the globe. Our success has been made possible by the opportunity given to us by our Indigenous hosts to operate on their territory, and we cherish our continuing partnerships with these communities. The University of Toronto Scarborough is an exciting campus with unlimited potential. Join us on our journey.

The Office of the Dean provides leadership in academic programming and services to the campus, ensuring a positive and academically responsive environment to change. Within the broader University community, the Vice-Principal Academic & Dean represents the policies and points of view of U of T Scarborough. Within U of T Scarborough, the Vice-Principal & Dean promotes the teaching, research, and scholarship of the faculty, the career development of the administrative staff, and the over-all well-being of students.

This search aligns with the University’s commitment to strategically and proactively promote diversity among our community members (Statement on Equity, Diversity & Excellence). Recognizing that Black, Indigenous, and other Racialized communities have experienced inequities that have developed historically and are ongoing, we strongly welcome and encourage candidates from those communities to apply.

Your opportunity:

Experiential Learning (EL) is a key priority and longstanding strength at U of T Scarborough. We are a recognized leader in cooperative (co-op) education, delivering close to 50 years of programming excellence. As experiential learning has evolved, so too has the spectrum of opportunities across our campus, with a goal of 100% student engagement. Our success is built upon the energy and passion of our students, the dedication of expert faculty and staff, strong reciprocal relationships with our local and global partners, and our collective commitment to inclusive excellence.

Experiential learning can be found everywhere at U of T Scarborough. This thriving ecosystem builds on connections between academic disciplines, administrative units, and ethical partnerships rooted in reciprocity and shared accountability. Its strong foundations are built on collaborations among a vast network of colleagues who excel in their knowledge of EL, as well as their dedication to creating new, welcoming, and brave spaces for all involved.

Experiential learning at U of T Scarborough is a decentralized model, and as such, we face a unique opportunity in strengthening and expanding operational infrastructure. The Experiential Learning Operations Lead is responsible for developing a set of recommendations toward a long-term plan for managing and sustaining experiential learning at U of T Scarborough. By facilitating working groups and committees, they will gain a strong understanding of the current state of the individual core systems and structures across the U of T Scarborough EL ecosystem. They will be instrumental in recommending an innovative approach that bridges existing experiential learning processes, systems, and structures, and creating new pathways that bolster the foundation upon which experiential learning continues to be built in support of student learning success. The Experiential Learning Operations Lead must be adept at removing barriers, improving collaboration and communication, and supporting data collection. Additionally, they will produce reports for internal and external stakeholders. The ultimate goals are to enhance and strengthen internal processes, systems, and workflows that facilitate clarity and efficiency across all units engaged in experiential learning at U of T Scarborough.

Your responsibilities will include:

• Developing charter, scope, resources and schedule for project(s)
• Developing, revising and operationalizing business processes that support unit activities and objectives
• Building and strengthening relationships with stakeholders and partners of strategic importance
• Advising on cost, feasibility and impact of different implementation solutions and monitoring project accounts
• Implementing communication plans that support outreach goals and objectives
• Advising on the development of promotional/outreach materials and developing and editing standard operating procedures
• Analyzing processes and recommending changes for more efficient coordination of operations and preparing detailed data analysis to support decision making regarding important administrative policy
• Directing a small group in a limited area, including responsibility for scheduling and/or workflow

Essential Qualifications:

• University degree in a relevant discipline and/or acceptable equivalent combination of education and experience. Project Management designation would be considered an asset.
• A minimum of six years' recent and relevant experience in an operations leadership role, preferably within post-secondary, non-profit or public section organization. Experience should include market research and analysis, and a proven track-record of success in designing and developing complex administrative structure and processes. Team management experience preferred.
• Must have experience applying the concepts of experiential learning to existing programs and activities.
• Expertise with a variety of project management and process improvement methodologies. Including proven experience developing project plans, GANNT charts, strategic plans, or other project coordination documents.
• Advanced computer skills in Microsoft Office (must be able to set up templates in Word and Excel, set up Excel spreadsheets and graphics, prepare sophisticated PowerPoint presentations, knowledge of SharePoint), database management, Internet, Acrobat, scheduling and project software, as well as ability to adapt to and learn new technologies.
• Excellent oral and written communications skills to facilitate consultations, presentations, workshops and build stakeholder relationships.
• Knowledge of community engagement practices and demonstrated commitment to cultivating social responsibility, cultural awareness, and an ethic of civic engagement, all through EDIA, anti-racist, and anti-colonial lenses.
• Creative, self-directed, innovative, results oriented.
• Adapt problem solver.
• Exceptional organizational skills and flexibility in adjusting to changing circumstances.
• Ability to manage multifaceted, concurrent projects and tasks.
• Ability to work collaboratively in a team environment to achieve department goals.
• Strong organizational and project management skills with a successful record of accomplishment in managing a variety of creative, persuasive, integrated, and cost-effective projects, from conceptual stages through delivery and follow-up/evaluation.
• Must be a strong team player with excellent interpersonal skills who can also work independently to meet tight deadlines with minimal supervision.
• Applicants are also expected to show evidence of a commitment to equity, diversity, inclusion, and the promotion of a respectful and collegial learning and working environment.

Assets (Nonessential):

• Preference will be given to candidates who are familiar with Provincial mandates related to experiential learning and have experience working in the post-secondary sector, non-profit, and/or public sectors, and/or with familiarity of experiential learning programs and the competitor environments.

To be successful in this role you will be:

• Communicator
• Goal oriented
• Multi-tasker
• Problem solver
• Self-directed
• Team player

Note:

• This is a TERM position ending in February 2026.
• A full job description is available upon request from the UTSC HR Office.
• This role is currently eligible for a hybrid work arrangement, pursuant to University policies and guidelines, including but not limited to the University of Toronto's Alternative Work Arrangements Guideline.

Closing Date: 01/10/2025, 11:59PM ET
Employee Group: USW 
Appointment Type: Budget - Term 
Schedule: Full-Time
Pay Scale Group & Hiring Zone:  
USW Pay Band 15 -- $95,627. with an annual step progression to a maximum of $122,290. Pay scale and job class assignment is subject to determination pursuant to the Job Evaluation/Pay Equity Maintenance Protocol. 
Job Category: Administrative / Managerial
Lived Experience Statement
Candidates who are members of Indigenous, Black, racialized and 2SLGBTQ+ communities, persons with disabilities, and other equity deserving groups are encouraged to apply, and their lived experience shall be taken into consideration as applicable to the posted position.