Overview:
Term: 13 Months
We are seeking an account and new program manager to play an active role in cultivating and growing WatSPEED’s key client relationships by identifying business needs and delivering effective learning solutions. Key accountabilities include building relationships, identifying opportunities for growth, and helping clients identify their needs ongoing. In addition, the Account and New Program Manager will lead the needs assessment and initial scoping activities for new program concepts from internal or external stakeholders for both open enrollment and corporate engagements. Reporting to the Managing Director, Client Partnerships, the incumbent will facilitate discussions, validate program elements and decisions against industry and sectoral needs, ensuring that the proposed program design is high potential and market aligned. Finally, this role collaborates closely
with the Products team to transition a program proposal into a development project centered around the value proposition for the customer and market realities such as timing, scope and revenue potential.
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.
Responsibilities:
New Program Development
Collaborates with internal and external partners to understand market opportunities for WatSPEED programs, clearly identifying the target audience, goals, revenue targets, learning experience, client expectation and needs, constraints etc. for new programs and products to be delivered by the business unit
Collaborates with the marketing team and client partnerships team to identify new opportunities and ensure they fully specified and validated to ensure ongoing success
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 shape the program design for 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 and areas of strategic priority for the University
Provides sufficient specification for new programs for hand off to production team
Facilitates the program approval process
Collaborates in the planning phases of a development project with subject matter experts and instructional designers 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
Other duties as assigned
Account Management
Identifies strategic areas for market growth in the portfolio of programs and client partnerships
Develops KPIs and success metrics for key client accounts, establishing best practices in the management of client relationships
Establishes WatSPEEDs SOPs in managing client relationship, refining understanding of partner needs, and identifying new opportunities for growth
Implements feedback loop with partners to inform improvement activities ensuring that B2C and B2B programs remain industry aligned and relevant
Engages and collaborates with instructors, institutes, departments and other University stakeholders in the identification and evaluation of opportunities for partners
Effectively manages concurrent relationships, including ones with competing priorities, leveraging support from the rest of the client partnerships team
Qualifications:
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
5+ years of experience in a program management, business development or account management 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
Experience conducting client needs assessments using various methods such as facilitating focus groups, interviewing, and surveying
Demonstrated success assessing and ensuring the financial viability of new and existing programs
Demonstrated capabilities in program evaluation and quantitative and/or qualitative research methods
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
A broad understanding and knowledge of the University of Waterloo environment at both the organizational and operational levels is an asset
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
Ability to prepare and present compelling client training proposals that clearly outline training needs via needs assessment results and articulate a viable recommended solution
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
Generally, regular working hours with some evening/weekend work required
Vaccination Requirement Statement:
Effective May 1, 2022, the University suspended its Vaccination Requirement. Prior to May 1, pursuant to this Requirement, all University employees were required to submit proof of full vaccination against COVID-19 (subject to the University’s obligations under the Human Rights Code to accommodate employees who were unable to receive a vaccination). The University’s Vaccination Requirement website can be found here: https://uwaterloo.ca/coronavirus/return/vaccination-requirement.
The pandemic is ongoing and public health advice continues to evolve. Accordingly, the University reserves the absolute right to reinstate the Vaccination Requirement on short notice, and upon such reinstatement you will be required to comply. You shall also be required to comply with any new health and safety policies/requirements implemented by the University from time to time, including new policies/requirements related to mandatory employee vaccination. As the University may need to reinstate the Requirement on short notice, it will continue to collect and maintain up-to-date information on employee vaccination status. Please submit your Covid-19 vaccine status (QR code) to: https://checkin.uwaterloo.ca/
Failure to comply with the Vaccination Requirement if it is reinstated, including failure to comply with any future amendments to the Vaccination Requirement, or failure to comply with new health and safety policies/requirements implemented by the University, including those related to new mandatory employee vaccination, shall result in discipline up to and including termination of employment.
The requirement to be vaccinated, if reinstated, will be subject to the duty to accommodate pursuant to the Human Rights Code. If you are unable to be vaccinated for reasons related to a ground protected under the Human Rights Code, you may submit a written request for accommodation with an explanation of the reasons and/or any supporting documentation. If you request accommodation, the University may follow up with you for further information if necessary.
Equity Statement:
The University of Waterloo is committed to implementing the Calls to Action framed by the Truth and Reconciliation Commission. We acknowledge that we live and work on the traditional territory of the Neutral, Anishinaabeg and Haudenosaunee peoples. The University of Waterloo is situated on the Haldimand Tract, the land granted to the Six Nations that includes six miles on each side of the Grand River.
The University values the diverse and intersectional identities of its students, faculty, and staff. The University regards equity and diversity as an integral part of academic excellence and is committed to accessibility for all employees. The University of Waterloo seeks applicants who embrace our values of equity, anti-racism and inclusion. As such, we encourage applications from candidates who have been historically disadvantaged and marginalized, including applicants who identify as First Nations, Métis and/or Inuit/Inuk, Black, racialized, a person with a disability, women and/or 2SLGBTQ+.
All qualified candidates are encouraged to apply; however, Canadians and permanent residents will be given priority.
The University of Waterloo is committed to accessibility for persons with disabilities. If you have any application, interview, or workplace accommodation requests, please contact Human Resources at hrhelp@uwaterloo.ca or 519-888-4567, ext. 45935.