Manager, Graduate Programs- Werklund School of Education

Description

The Werklund School of Education is currently seeking a Full-time Regular Manager, Graduate Programs.

The Werklund School of Education (Werklund School) has more than 2500 students currently enrolled in BEd, MA, MEd, MC, PhD and EdD degree programs supported by more than 160 academic and support staff. There are more than 27,000 alumni of the Werklund School that can be found in 148 countries around the world. Research informs all of our programs. In exploring how we learn and how to create conditions that enable learning, the work of our students and researchers provides a better understanding of the broad range of educational issues within our communities.

Reporting to the Associate Dean, Graduate Programs in the Werklund School of Education, the Manager is responsible for the overall management of operations of the Office of Graduate Programs in Education including diverse on-campus and online graduate programs, oversight of budget, program support staff, admissions, scheduling and the timetable.  The incumbent must deal with a cross-section of faculty members and students in a diverse cross-cultural environment.  The job is demanding; requires sound judgment, excellent leadership skills, excellent organizational skills, initiative and discretionary decision making which impacts services and area operations in an environment of change and shifting priorities.  Competing interests must be managed with satisfactory outcomes for all involved. 

Peak periods can be high stress with multiple priorities and simultaneous deadlines.

The Manager works with the Associate Dean to ensure the smooth delivery of student services including: course scheduling/timetabling, admission, registration, fee assessment, program changes, supervision, scholarships, examinations and convocation.  The Manager provides ongoing status reports to the Associate Dean and the School Leadership Team on all operational matters that affect the ongoing success of the programs.

The Manager works with the Associate Dean, Graduate Programs in Education Council to develop the strategy and vision for program administration and financial planning and reporting that is aligned with the School's strategic and programmatic directions.  The work of the Manager requires strong analytical abilities and strategic thinking in contributing to the design and implementation of programmatic and operational changes.

Judgment and decision-making of the Manager has an impact at programmatic and School levels.  This position requires strong collaboration, negotiation, mediation and partnership building skills.  High volume and variety of work demands, much of which are driven by internally and externally imposed deadlines and requirements can be expected.  The nature of the work often includes multiple simultaneous deadlines.  It is necessary to deal with moderate to highly complex issues and, in some cases, conflicts that require direct involvement and resolution.  Moderate to high stress and pressure throughout the year, particularly during peak periods, may be encountered.  The impact of error is high, as administrative decisions made will impact the Werklund School of Education and the University of Calgary.

Summary of Key Responsibilities (job functions include but are not limited to):

• The Manager must provide quality leadership to area support staff. The current complement is approximately ten support staff in multiple roles and phases of development. This includes business process assessments, recruitment, mentoring and discipline of support staff, evaluation of staff performance and feedback to ensure efficient operation of the areas.
• Staff members are well trained, competent, supported in their work, and encouraged in their development.  Work includes establishing policies and procedures, dealing with complaints, liaising with the HR Services team and handling other administrative details (managing time off requests, approving time entries and managing vacation/CTO/flex liability, etc.)
• The Manager recruits, selects, promotes, mentors, disciplines, terminates staff; plans, assigns, schedules, supervises staff and leads the performance reviews and enhancement process for support staff. Emphasis on the identification and mentoring of potential leaders in each area is critical.
• Supports staff in developing a positive, high trust working relationship with each other and with faculty and students. The Manager ensures staff work effectively as a team.
• The Manager works to drive the leadership, strategic planning, and allocation of resources that will allow the Graduate Programs in Education to achieve its objectives, in alignment with the strategic direction of the Werklund School of Education and the University of Calgary.
• Lead the development, in partnership with Marketing and Communications (interviews, events,
  stories, newsletters, websites, etc.) to create a plan for recruitment, in each sphere (local, national, and international) in conjunction with the Werklund School Leadership Team
• Collaboration with the Werklund School Finance team to ensure funding is adequate for future
  growth.
• Report to the Werklund School Leadership Team regularly providing information for strategic decision making including statistical data and analysis on enrolment by program, funding by program, etc.
• Works collaboratively with other administrative leaders within the Werklund School to provide
  outstanding service to students, staff and faculty. This includes creating and implementing integrated service models which permit cross-training and cross-unit support.
• The Manager collaborates with the Associate Dean in the development of a timetable that meet the needs of approximately 1200-1300 distance and on-campus students within GPE. Work includes overseeing the development of the preparation and revisions of the timetable.
• The incumbent works with the Associate Dean to devise and administer an optimal, reliable and cost-efficient strategy and plan to offer courses and program components.
• The incumbent is responsible for the overall planning and monitoring of course enrolments, ensuring enrolment numbers are aligned with Office and School policies and guidelines.
• This role oversees the review of online prerequisites and curriculum changes each year to ensure they are current.
• This role is overall responsible for the management of the area Calendar Submission as per University regulations.
• The Manager works to develop and implement an admissions strategy to admit and assist in the conversion of academically high caliber students, in keeping with the University Strategic Enrolment Plan.
• Monitors the effectiveness of the admissions strategy, analyzes statistical information, and continuously updates and improves practices, processes and plans to meet or exceed enrolment targets in all programs.
• Establish and maintain close and effective working relationships with faculties and other departments across campus; provide ongoing direction and advice to the university community regarding admission strategy.
• Contributes to the development of retention strategies to ensure students remain at the U of C through their academic career, evolving into committed and active alumni of the campus.
• The Manager works closely with the Associate Dean, and the School Finance Team to ensure efficient coordination of critical information related to budgets, operational commitments, staffing requirements and actual expenditures.
• The incumbent has the role of department budget owner and works with the Associate Dean, the Director of Strategic Education Initiatives, and the School Finance Team to articulate spending priorities and monitor adherence to budget commitments.
• This role holds signing authority for GPE budget.
• This role works with the Director of Strategic Education Initiatives and the Finance Partner to investigate discrepancies.
• Working with and supervising of the Team Lead, the Manager ensures appropriate policies and procedures related to grade administration, course evaluations, program exit surveys, text books/case books and other and any other curricular support areas appropriate for centralized management.
• Overall responsible for the coordination of events; works with the marketing team and area staff to ensure student orientations, student led conferences, open houses, speaker series, advertising and School development programs are staffed and achieve successful outcomes.
• Administrative operations/services meet the needs of students, academic and support staff and; opinions and advice are sought by faculty, staff and students and considered reliable; School and program area communications are timely, informative and appropriately represent the program areas, Werklund School of Education and the University of Calgary. Scribe at GPEC and team meetings. Assist with uploading documents at team meetings.

Qualifications / Requirements:

• A minimum of a four-academic year undergraduate degree is required, preferably in Education or Communications. A Masters degree would be an asset.
• Five or more years experience in a management role is required.
• Understanding of issues in human resource management and supervisory experience is required.
• Previous experience with budget preparation and adherence is required.
• Strong organizational, analytical and problem solving skills in order to deal effectively with complex tasks and issues is required.
• Demonstrated leadership skills & communication/conflict management skills in a multi-disciplinary environment is required.
• Must have the capability to successfully manage multiple competing priorities with minimal supervision and direction is required.
• Knowledge of University core business systems is an asset (Peoplesoft, eFIN, enterprise reporting). Highly proficient with Microsoft Office applications (Word, Excel, Access, Power Point).
• Experience providing high quality graduate and undergraduate programs in mixed delivery formats (eg. on-campus and on-line) is an asset.

Application Deadline:  December 05, 2024

We would like to thank all applicants in advance for submitting their resumes. Please note, only those candidates chosen to continue on through the selection process will be contacted.

This position is classified in the Management Career Band, Level 2 of the Management and Professional Staff Career Framework. 

For a listing of all management and staff opportunities at the University of Calgary, view our Management and Staff Careers website. 

About the University of Calgary

UCalgary is Canada's entrepreneurial university, located in Canada's most enterprising city. It is a top research university and one of the highest-ranked universities of its age. Founded in 1966, its 36,000 students experience an innovative learning environment, made rich by research, hands-on experiences and entrepreneurial thinking. It is Canada's leader in the creation of start-ups. Start something today at the University of Calgary. For more information, visit ucalgary.ca.

The University of Calgary has launched an institution-wide Indigenous Strategy committing to creating a rich, vibrant, and culturally competent campus that welcomes and supports Indigenous Peoples, encourages Indigenous community partnerships, is inclusive of Indigenous perspectives in all that we do.

As an equitable and inclusive employer, the University of Calgary recognizes that a diverse staff/faculty benefits and enriches the work, learning and research experiences of the entire campus and greater community. We are committed to removing barriers that have been historically encountered by some people in our society. We strive to recruit individuals who will further enhance our diversity and will support their academic and professional success while they are here. In particular, we encourage members of the designated groups (women, Indigenous peoples, persons with disabilities, members of visible/racialized minorities, and diverse sexual orientation and gender identities) to apply. To ensure a fair and equitable assessment, we offer accommodation at any stage during the recruitment process to applicants with disabilities. Questions regarding [diversity] EDI at UCalgary can be sent to the Office of Equity, Diversity and Inclusion ([email protected]) and requests for accommodations can be sent to Human Resources ([email protected]).

Do you have most but not all the qualifications? Research show that women, racialized and visible minorities, and persons with disabilities are less likely to apply for jobs unless they meet every single qualification. At UCalgary we are committed to achieving equitable, diverse, inclusive and accessible employment practices and workplaces and encourage you to apply if you believe you are right for this role. 

We encourage all qualified applicants to apply, however preference will be given to Canadian citizens and permanent residents of Canada.