Academic Program Development Specialist, Future Cities Institute

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Term: 20 months

This position is being offered as a Secondment or contract opportunity.

The internal posting deadline for this position is Wednesday February 12 2026 11:59PM.

Job Description:

Primary Purpose

The Academic Program Development Specialist reports to the Managing Director Future Cities Institute (FCI) to support and manage the administration of the future cities programming. Significant aspects of this position include coordination with central university administration (e.g. registrars office) course and lab scheduling of the academic programs developing and maintaining administrative processes and curriculum review and deployment.

The Academic Program Development Specialist works closely with the leadership group of the Future Cities Institute (FCI) the Director and the Managing Director FCI to manage the design development and delivery of new collaborative academic and life-long learning programs in future cities. The incumbent is responsible for program and curriculum development partnership development program promotions program management and administration and program tracking evaluation and reporting for FCI programs. The position is also responsible for supporting curriculum development updates and approvals for new programs. This unique position will contribute directly to shaping the evolution of Waterloos future cities educational programming.

Key Accountabilities

Future cities programming development and coordination

Support the Director FCI (and/or their delegate) in the program approval process including development of required documentation and undertaking background research and information gathering

Work closely with the Director Managing Director and (when appropriate) a cross-Faculty program advisory committee to design and develop the course content for the future cities graduate and undergraduate course content

Undertake a comprehensive review of the course calendar to identify courses that could be linked to the future cities in each Faculty and identify gaps where new course offerings may be developed

As needed support the coordination of the Master of Future Cities Faculty of Environment and Master of Engineering Future Cities graduate degree programs including budgeting managing logistics tracking milestones reporting and supporting instructors and students

Identify opportunities to integrate experiential learning activities and research taking place in the Future Cities Institute to programs/diplomas

Coordinate events for students to engage in academic program enrichment opportunities

Design and manage a high-profile annual lecture series and associated interactive events for students and the broader community that align with learning objectives and supports network building and exposure to complementary experts and ideas

Coordinate with the Faculty and University level marketing recruitment and communications teams to develop marketing and recruitment plans and materials to promote the future cities programs

Coordinate the adjudication of FCI scholarships

Development and Management of the Life-long Learning Program

Apply best practices and innovative approaches to design new and unique life-long learning courses seminars and workshops for private and public sector professionals that draw on Future Cities Institute experts and leverage existing curriculum

Apply expertise in pedagogy and life-long learning to design effective learning outcomes teaching strategies learning activities and tasks and assessment strategies

Maintain effective input into program development from relevant Faculties departments schools and other support units through the establishment and coordination of an advisory committee to ensure program buy-in alignment with strategic institutional objectives and value

Undertake structured market research to identify opportunities for new life-long learning program offerings related to future cities

Develop and manage a partnership strategy to actively engage external groups organizations and companies to promote the programs and gain an understanding of their training needs

Work closely with the Future Cities Institute Communications Officer to design marketing materials program websites and other communications products to support the promotion of the life-long learning programs

Design and manage networking activities and events for program participants to expand and support strategic opportunities for the Faculty of Environment Faculty of Engineering and Future Cities Institute including with respect to opportunities for interdisciplinary and experiential teaching research learning and outreach and other University-industry collaborations

Work closely with the Managing Director of the FCI to ensure financial accountability and sustainability of the life-long learning programs

Design program metrics and a system to track performance outcomes and the impact of the program over time

Undertake regular program reviews including soliciting feedback from participants instructors and other cross-faculty and external stakeholders

Provide recommendations for updates and changes to the programs based on feedback trends and learning outcomes assessment tools and techniques and develop a feedback loop to facilitate the ongoing refinement of course offerings

Prepare annual reports that summarize program activities achievements changes and results for various internal and external audiences

Manage new program development schedules and processes including setting objectives timelines and milestones and applying strong project management practices

Administrative support

Provide statistical information conduct research develop materials and reports to contribute to discussions decision-making committees and meetings for forecasting reporting purposes long term planning and implementation of ongoing changes

Coordinate compile and edit submissions for the graduate calendar with relevant Faculty graduate administrators

Monitor FCI faculty appointment changes additions of new faculty members revisions to existing programs and/or courses and new program and/or course offerings is required to ensure correct information is submitted

Perform other duties and assists with special projects assigned by the Director and Managing Director FCI

Required Qualifications

Education

Graduate degree (Masters) in a relevant field (future cities engineering planning education)

A certificate diploma or other certification/qualification in adult education online learning instructional design program management or project management is an asset

Experience

Experience related to pedagogical design and curriculum development or educational development at the post-secondary level

Minimum of five years of experience in program management and coordination and partnership/business development in a life-long learning or adult education environment

Experience teaching (or supporting teaching) in higher education is an asset

Demonstrated expertise in the creation and delivery of online blended and in-person learning

Demonstrated capabilities in program evaluation and quantitative and/or qualitative research methods

A broad understanding and knowledge of the University of Waterloo environment at both the organizational and operational levels is an asset

Demonstrated experience and success working with external partners senior leaders and topic experts

Knowledge/Skills/Abilities

Excellent communication and relationship management skills - written verbal interpersonal presentation advocacy - communicates clearly and professionally with a diverse group of internal and external stakeholders including faculty staff administrators partners and clients

Ability to recognize opportunities and refine them to defined programs

Proven ability to collaborate with a broad range of stakeholders in various roles and at various levels of an organization to effectively achieve program objectives

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

Equity Statement

The University of Waterloo acknowledges that much of our work takes place on the traditional territory of the Neutral Anishinaabeg and Haudenosaunee peoples. Our main campus is situated on the Haldimand Tract the land granted to the Six Nations that includes six miles on each side of the Grand River. Our active work toward reconciliation takes place across our campuses through research learning teaching and community building and is coordinated within the Office of Indigenous Relations.

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 Inuk (Inuit) Black racialized a person with a disability women and/or 2SLGBTQ.

Positions are open to qualified candidates who are legally entitled to work in Canada.

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 or ext. 45935.