Senior Program Specialist, Taylor Institute For Teaching & Learning

Position Overview
The Taylor Institute for Teaching & Learning is currently seeking a Full-time Regular Senior Program Specialist.
The Taylor Institute for Teaching and Learning is dedicated to better understanding and improving student learning, and the teaching approaches and practices that affect student learning. This two-pronged commitment puts both instructors and students at the centre of its work to engage in reflection, conversation, exploration, innovation, and research. The Institute thus promotes the teaching development of instructors, high-impact student experiences such as inquiry-based and experiential learning, and the scholarship of teaching and learning. The Taylor Institute’s building was designed according to the values of transparency, collaboration, flexibility, and intention in teaching and learning. Its position at the centre of campus supports its work to facilitate conversations, build communities, link networks, and catalyze a culture of evidence-based teaching and learning across the University.
The Taylor Institute is committed to supporting the implementation of the University of Calgary’s Indigenous Strategy, ii' taa' poh' to' p and to build relationships with people from Treaty 7 & and Metis Region III. The candidate will be committed to shifting the University and the Taylor Institute culture to increase indigenous perspective and worldviews in teaching and learning practice. Experience supporting community dialogue and campus engagement, with universities, Indigenous communities and community stakeholders would be an asset.
Reporting to the Manager of Communications and Programming, the Senior Program Specialist supports program scheduling, planning, technology, processes, evaluation, and reporting. The Senior Program Specialist acts as a resource to the Senior Director and the TI Program Advisory Committee, as well as teammates, addressing complex programming requirements, working closely with academics and leaders in support academic programming, workshops, conferences, and institutional awards programs. The role is independent and outlines clear priorities and deadlines, and acts as a leader with their area of expertise.
Position Description
Summary of Key Responsibilities (job functions include but are not limited to):
Leadership, Program Planning and Process Management

• Resolves issues, including technology troubleshooting, eligibility, and other as needed, in consultation with Manager or leadership as required.
• Lead the UCalgary Teaching Awards Program adjudication process, including communication with nominators, development of support workshops and materials, liaising with the communications team on websites, reporting, and evaluation.
• Lead Conference on Postsecondary Learning and Teaching adjudication process, with support from members of the communications and strategic operations teams, including communicating with conference participants, adjudicators, setting up adjudication sessions, etc.
• Participate and co-chair the Program Advisory Committee (PAC) with the Senior Director and other TI Academic Staff
• Coordinate program facilitators to plan and offer new courses and workshops based on trends, issues and survey feedback.
• Lead and facilitate the planning, scheduling, monitoring and delivery of all TI programming courses, including certificates, badges, and workshops with academic staff, facilitators, and specialists.
• Lead program evaluation processes with 2,000+ participant registrations per year, identifying opportunities for further evaluation.
• Works collaboratively with the TI leadership team on strategic programming decisions, including recommendations on future programming opportunities, evaluation, and other complex issues.
• Collaborate with the Communications Team to ensure programming is communicated broadly across the campus.
• Work closely with all levels of staff across the unit to manage programming, monitoring and continually develop processes to ensure TI programming runs seamlessly.
• Ensure programming is developed and launched on time, in alignment with program cycle deadlines established by leadership.

Program Evaluation and Reporting

• Compile and summarize feedback and assessment data related to the TI programs and events (e.g. number of events, number of participants, workshop evaluation summaries) in order to help inform the continuous improvement and for reporting purposes.
• Consult with colleagues across the Taylor Institute to develop evaluation processes, which includes the development of institutional evaluations, deadlines and timelines
• Prepare infographics and reports on TI workshops, participants and facilitators, in collaboration with the communications team.
• Responsible for quality assessment, enhancement and reporting related to TI programming.
• Responsible for the collection of all registration, feedback and assessment data related to TI workshops, programs and events.
• Prepare and/or review detailed data reports, such as Program Evaluation Briefs, on program offerings, enrolments, and course demand and work closely with the academic leads and managers to analyze trends, identify gaps, and propose long-term strategies for developing future programming.

Program Operations

• Prepare communications and monitor TI programming email; ensures communications are accurate, timely, informative, and professional.
• Maintain accurate records on programs, facilitators, durations and dates.
• Manage the Destiny One registration system, providing in-house expert to train staff on the system
• Develop training materials and templates for academic leads, managers, administrators and professional staff, and directors around programming processes.
• Provide event support as needed and other duties as assigned by the Communications and Programming Manager.
• Maintain accurate and current student records (Destiny One).
• Assign tasks, provide guidance and support, and day-to-day supervision of student programming assistants.

Qualifications / Requirements:

• A master’s degree and 5-7 years of relevant experience with a clear progression in responsibility over time is required.
• Advanced computing skills, including MS Office Suite (including Word, Outlook, Excel, Teams) is required.
• Demonstrated examples of professional acumen and sound judgement is required.
• Experience working in a large, dynamic team with proven examples of personal effectiveness, productivity and project management is required.
• Minimum of 5 years experience with program planning, student advising, or other related field is required, preferably within a postsecondary institution.
• Demonstrated experience in program planning, project management, implementation, evaluation, and reporting cycles is required.
• Demonstrated ability to lead, develop and direct others is required.
• Demonstrated examples of exceptional oral and written communication, interpersonal, and facilitation skills with a client-service orientation.
• Willingness to participate in relevant training and development as necessary for carrying out duties and responsibilities is required
• Demonstrated ability to work independently to tight timelines, dealing effectively and accurately with overlapping and changing deadlines is required.

Qualifications Considered an Asset:

• Demonstrated commitment to fostering a culture and that promotes continuous learning and improvement is considered an asset.
• Understanding of adult education in both in-person and online contexts and how to design training programs and activities would be beneficial.
• Strong understanding of the University and Taylor Institute context, culture, and operations is an asset.
• Ability to provide coaching, mentorship, and training to part-time student positions.
• Experience with Destiny One, Elevate, Power BI is an asset.
• Additional assets include: ability to edit and add content to websites using Drupal as a web content manager; ability to access and leverage tools in PeopleSoft and Outlook; ability to manage site content in the campus learning management system (Desire2Learn) as well as Destiny One for course registration.
• Positive, team-oriented outlook and a willingness to collaborate with colleagues at different leadership levels and across teams / units.

Application Deadline: August 25, 2023
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.
Additional Information
This position is part of the AUPE bargaining unit, and falls under the Specialist/Advisor Job Family, Phase 3 .
To find out more about management and staff opportunities at the University of Calgary and all we have to offer, view our Management and Staff Careers website .
The University strongly recommends all faculty and staff are fully vaccinated against COVID-19.
About The University Of Calgary
The University of Calgary is Canada’s leading next-generation university – a living, growing and youthful institution that embraces change and opportunity with a can-do attitude. Located in the nation’s most enterprising city, the university is making tremendous progress on its Eyes High journey to be recognized as one of Canada’s top five research universities, grounded in innovative learning and teaching and fully integrated with the community it both serves and leads. The University of Calgary inspires and supports discovery, creativity and innovation across all disciplines. For more information, visit ucalgary.ca .
The University of Calgary has launched an institution-wide Indigenous Strategy in line with the foundational goals of Eyes High , 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.