University of Waterloo Looking for Manager, Undergraduate Students and Peer Tutor Programs at Waterloo, ON Full Time

Responsibilities:

• As part of the WCC leadership team, is responsible for advising on and contributing to the strategic direction of the WCC:
  o Leads and/or contributes to portfolio and organizational strategic planning as needed, including but not limited to visioning and planning, space, budget, research agendas, and project development
  o Liaises with campus partners (SSO, WUSA, CEL, CCA, CTE, Library, WatPD, AccessAbility, Arts First, etc.) to determine needs and gaps, consult and advise on initiatives and programs, and provide information back to the WCC leadership team for discussion, planning and action
• Consulting with the Director as needed, is responsible for developing and providing direction and oversight for all programming related to writing and communication for undergraduate students, including developing outcomes, staffing plans, program schedules, proposed budgets, etc.
• Responsible for contributing to policy and process development primarily for, but not limited to, undergraduate and peer tutor programming
• Responsible for ensuring that policies and procedures of the WCC department and the University are communicated to staff and adhered to
• Contributes to strategic planning and reporting documents, for the WCC and Waterloo, including strategic goals and outcomes documents, annual reports, quarterly feedback, etc.
• Advises Director on professional development opportunities and programs for WCC staff
• Coordinates and leads staff meetings, professional development, and other team activities for their portfolio area, and on behalf of the Director for the WCC, as needed
• Sits on relevant committees and groups representing the WCC, as needed
• As a member of the leadership team
  o ensures that program development and teaching/service delivery meets or exceeds pedagogical standards as supported by research and writing centre professional associations
  o fosters a positive, engaging, and inspiring work environment
  o ensures that values of equity and inclusivity are embedded in programs, policies, processes, and relationships
  o promotes the work of the WCC internally and externally within the writing centre community

  Program Management

• Manages the delivery of appointments for undergraduates, all drop-in appointments, undergraduate writing groups, embedded peer tutor program(s), social media teaching sessions, etc.
• Manages a team of undergraduate and graduate peer tutors to facilitate consultations with students, support specific courses as embedded tutors, facilitate writing groups, conduct programs over social media, respond to written submissions and questions, etc.:
  o Hires, onboards, trains, and supervises peer tutors
  o Designs and facilitates ongoing training and professional development to tutors
  o Develops writing and research opportunities for peer tutors, including blog post writing, research project participation, conference attendance and presentations
• Communicates and coordinates with relevant campus partners about drop-in programs, writing groups, embedded tutor programs, etc.
• Coordinates with campus partners to plan and deliver joint programming, including organizing and leading the process to deliver a Long Night Against Procrastination program in fall and winter
• With the Workshops and Integrated Programs Coordinator, collaborates and advises on WCC workshops and customized workshop programs, particularly in relation to undergraduate student needs and Arts First / UCOI workshops
• Ensures that WCC programs for undergraduate students are relevant to scholars across disciplines and are discipline-specific, as needed, and ensures that programs cover pertinent topics and address a range of needs
• Oversees all aspects of undergraduate student programs and service delivery including but not limited to:
  o Developing learning objectives, curricula, interactive and practice-based learning activities, etc.
  o Creating and/or supervising creation of program schedules and teaching and learning materials, including slide decks, handouts, workbooks, and online modules
  o Organizing program facilitators from WCC staff, peer tutor staff, and/or campus partners
  o Training, supporting, and coaching program facilitators
  o Determining the appropriate platform(s) and delivery mode for online programming
  o Developing program assessment tools in consultation with the Director
  o Collaborating with the Operations and Marketing Coordinator to implement evaluation and program monitoring practices; review and refine programming to reflect participant feedback and emerging research and approaches
  o Overseeing appropriate indicators (e.g. workload levels, program policies, client feedback, metrics) in order to direct program delivery
• Reports, formally and informally, on activities and services to the Director
• Proposes and manages the development of proposals for new programs based on identifying needs and gaps in communication skills
• Oversees the WCC’s involvement and participation in campus projects and activities related to undergraduate students, such as pre-orientation and orientation programs, assignment planner, BASE programs, Univ101, etc.
• Works with the Director to liaise with and support first-year communication course programs and initiatives
• As needed, teaches writing and communication skills by facilitating individual appointments, workshops, and programs

  Faculty writer support

• In collaboration with the Director and Manager, Graduate Student and Postdoctoral Fellow Programs supports faculty in writing and communication activities associated with the production and dissemination of scholarship, including grant-writing.
• When requested and in collaboration with CTE, advises faculty and course instructors about teaching writing and communication
• Facilitates individual consultations on faculty projects in progress, designs and facilitates programming for writing retreats, cafés, and writing groups for faculty

  Budgetary and financial oversight

• Responsible for developing and proposing annual program and staffing budgets for the undergraduate students and peer tutor portfolio
• Assists the Director with overall department budget forecasting, recommendations, and mid-year adjustments
• Manages and approves staffing, supply, travel, etc. expenditures for the Undergraduate Student and Peer Tutor portfolio, including
  o Using and reconciling P-Card, petty cash, WatCards as per department and University policy
  o Approving expenditures on relevant University systems (e.g. Concur)
  o Confirming accuracy of tracking and monthly financial reports
• Responsible for managing external funding, including grants and other funding for research and special projects, as required

  Staff and human resource management

• Responsible for the oversight, coaching, direction, and support of full-time staff and undergraduate and graduate peer tutors to ensure excellent and equitable teaching and program facilitation
• Ensures adherence to Policy 18 and all other relevant staff policies as outlined by the Secretariat
• Leads and participates in the equitable recruitment and retention of qualified personnel by
  o Developing and helping with the development of job ads
  o Leading and sitting on hiring committees
  o Participating in onboarding and leading training for new reports
  o Providing ongoing coaching and supervision of direct reports
• Manages the administrative aspects of staff supervision for direct reports, including relevant Workday processes; vacation, leaves and professional development scheduling and approvals
• Provides constructive and pro-active coaching for direct reports
• Makes recommendations regarding new staff positions, as needed

  Research and professional development

• Responsible for maintaining expertise in the fields of teaching, writing studies, writing centre studies, etc.
• Participates in relevant professional associations by attending conferences, webinars, and other professional development opportunities
• Proposes and design research projects, either individually or as part of a collaboration.
• Seeks out funding opportunities for research and other projects
• Conducts research according to relevant policies and guidelines
• Disseminates research by presenting at conferences or submitting articles for publication

Qualifications:

• PhD in writing centre studies, writing/composition, discourse, rhetoric, etc. or equivalent: Master’s degree(s) plus professional experience, as demonstrated by 3-5 years with progressive responsibilities in a writing centre or other writing/communication teaching environment with leadership experience and/or training, staff/tutor management, pedagogical training and support, and a record of research production and dissemination related to teaching writing and communication
• 5+ years of professional experience with progressive responsibility in a university setting is required, ideally in an academic unit, academic support unit or student service department;
• Experience teaching writing at the post-secondary level is required
• Experience coordinating or leading peer tutor programs is required
• Demonstrated experience in program management, project management, staff management
• Research and publication experience
• Demonstrates excellent communication skills, both written and verbal, as well as excellent
• interpersonal skills and diplomacy
• Demonstrated ability to exercise sound judgement and discretion; excellent analytical and problem-solving skills
• Exceptional organizational and time-management skills are required
• Motivated, self-directed, able to work independently and collaboratively;
• Demonstrates sound staff management, including constructive coaching / support
• Demonstrates an in-depth knowledge of writing/composition pedagogy that is culturally competent and grounded in an equity framework
• Demonstrates an in-depth understanding of undergraduate education and a good understanding of work-integrated learning
• Demonstrates a solid understanding of academic research, publishing, and professional expectations for university faculty

Equity Statement: