Regular/Temporary

Temporary

Job Title

Program Manager, Work-Integrated Learning & Professional Experience - Science Careers & Experience Centre

Job ID

71286

Location

Central Campus

Open Date

08/06/2025

Job Type

Limited Term (>12 months)

Close Date

08/23/2025

Employee Group

Unifor Unit 1, Staff

Favorite Job

Department

Science Careers & Exp Centre

Salary Grade/Band

Grade 10

Salary Range

$32.81 - $52.36 (hourly)

Contract Duration

24.3 Months

Hours per Week

35

Posting Details

Schedule

Hours of work are 7 hours per day, 8:30 a.m. - 4:30 p.m., Monday to Friday, including a 60-minute unpaid meal period. The University is supportive of exploring flexible work arrangements that effectively balance operational needs and employee interests.

Education Level

Master's degree in Sciences or related field or an equivalent combination of education and relevant experience.

Career Level

Requires up to 4 years of relevant experience, including two years of supervisory experience.

Job Description #

JD1626

Anticipated Fill Date

Early September

Job Description

Should the successful applicant be a Unifor Unit 1 bargaining unit member, who meets the eligibility conditions of Article 19.02 of the Unifor Unit 1 Collective Agreement, then the Limited Term Assignment will be defined as a Career Growth Opportunity in accordance with Article 19 of the Unifor Local 5555 Unit 1 Collective Agreement.

Unit/Project Description:
As the largest Faculty, with approximately 8,000 undergraduate student, enrolled in 100+ undergraduate programs and 215+ faculty members, the Faculty of Science is an integral part of McMaster University.

The Science Careers & Experience Centre is dedicated to helping students develop professional skills, gain experience, build networks, and design their careers, enabling them to leverage their education and create an authentic future. Our goal is to empower our students, equipping them with the skills and confidence needed to thrive as they transition from their studies to the next chapter of their professional journey.

Our students have spoken loudly and clearly. They want more opportunities to gain work-integrated learning (WIL) and professional experience. So, we are hiring a Program Manager, Work-Integrated Learning and Professional Experience, to create these opportunities for our students to gain valuable career-enhancing professional experience before graduation.

Creating more WIL opportunities is a crucial part of the service transformation we are engaged in and we’re looking for a career education professional with a proven track record who is as excited about getting students career ready as we are. If this sounds like something that excites you and you have the experience we're looking for, we would love to receive your application.

Compensation & Benefits:
As a Unionized position, this role at McMaster offers robust, market-driven compensation, benefits, retirement savings plans/pensions, paid time-off, performance and service recognition, tuition assistance for employees, tuition bursary for dependents, and many other professional development and growth opportunities. To learn more about the total rewards available to the successful candidate, please access McMaster’s Total Rewards Overview for Unifor employees (https://hr.mcmaster.ca/app/uploads/2019/11/Unifor-Local-5555-Unit-1-Total-Rewards-Overview-Nov-2019-final-1.pdf) with a summary of the compensation, benefits, retirement income, paid time-off, and learning and development opportunities offered at McMaster. To further explore the extensive total rewards program, detailed information can be accessed through the links throughout the overview document.

Job Summary:
The Program Manager is responsible for managing a program within a unit or a department. Implements and manages program activities and facilitates ongoing program development and evaluation. Responsible for the overall quality of program services and responding to evaluation data to make ongoing program improvements. Participates in critical appraisal of research related to assessing the needs of the program. Responsible for managing the program budget and forecasting projected resource needs. Deals with stakeholders and participants on a provincial and national basis.

Purpose and Key Functions:

• Contribute to course changes that need to go through Academic Calendar changes, including revise course outlines, forms and tracking mechanisms in line with any changes.
• Lead the development and maintenance of a module in the job posting board system in consultation with system administrators where positions are posted, students apply for postings, and work term activities are tracked.
• Work with team members to provide input on communications plans to engage students including social media and website content, recruitment events for students and employer-focused communications campaigns to solicit WIL opportunities.
• Plan, coordinate, and execute on strategies to promote the program to students.
• Monitor progress and support employers and students while securing and throughout experiences.
• Track and monitor program quantity and quality metrics such as experiences secured, and report on program outcomes.
• Analyzes current program operations and identifies areas for process improvement and develops implementation plans.
• Oversees the marketing, research and training aspects of the program, including implementing a national marketing, recruitment and application process for the program. Coordinates training workshops involving participants both internal and external to the University.
• Develops and implements knowledge transfer strategies and writes a variety of communication and information dissemination documents and correspondence such as newsletters, bulletins, and reports.
• Develops the content of documents used for administrative purposes such as application packages, acceptance letters, policies and procedures for the program.
• Proofreads and edits dissemination materials and data.
• Designs search strategies and conducts literature searches by performing keyword driven searches of electronic databases and manual searches of key journals. Critically appraises published research according to evidence-based principles. Summarizes research findings by authoring research abstracts and sections of manuscripts. Creates poster presentations for national and international conferences.
• Participates in research and scholarly activities related to assessing the needs and conducting evaluations of the program through data collection, critical appraisal and statistical analysis, and the dissemination of results to stakeholders and funding agencies.
• Maintains and updates the program’s website content and contact management database.
• Maintains a literature and bibliographic database
• Stays abreast of new research, methodology and critical appraisal techniques, and software releases for data analysis software. Attends training sessions and collaborates with database consultants.
• Acts as a liaison between stakeholders locally, provincially and nationally by coordinating the activities of an advisory board or steering committee.
• Coordinates and facilitates workshops and organizes strategic planning sessions.
• Negotiates external services with suppliers and contractors by obtaining and collecting quotes from multiple suppliers, and then negotiates for the best combination of price and timeline.
• Manages budget to ensure cost for program is on track, adjusts budget forecasts to accommodate unforeseen expenses. Develops project budgets by summarizing financial reports and monitors expenditures. Develops a fee framework to achieve financial stability.
• Adapts to changes in funding availability or changing stipulation of granting agency or funder.
• Communicates with staff, project teams, participants and decision makers via email, phone and in person.
• Gains cooperation of program partners and engagement of program participants.

Supervision:

• Organizes and provides training and orientation to new program staff.
• Supervises and directs the activities of 1 to 4 program personnel.

Requirements:

• Master's degree in Sciences or related field or an equivalent combination of education and relevant experience.
• Requires up to 4 years of relevant experience, including two years of supervisory experience.

Assets:

• Highly experienced with Orbis.

Additional Information:

• Evening and weekend work is sometimes needed.

How To Apply

To apply for this job, please submit your application online.

Employment Equity Statement

McMaster University is located on the traditional territories of the Haudenosaunee and Mississauga Nations and within the lands protected by the “Dish With One Spoon” wampum agreement.

The diversity of our workforce is at the core of our innovation and creativity and strengthens our research and teaching excellence. In keeping with its Statement on Building an Inclusive Community with a Shared Purpose, McMaster University strives to embody the values of respect, collaboration and diversity, and has a strong commitment to employment equity.

The University seeks qualified candidates who share our commitment to equity and inclusion, who will contribute to the diversification of ideas and perspectives, and especially welcomes applications from indigenous (First Nations, Métis or Inuit) peoples, members of racialized communities, persons with disabilities, women, and persons who identify as 2SLGBTQ+.

As part of McMaster’s commitment, all applicants are invited to complete a confidential Applicant Diversity Survey through the online application submission process. The Survey questionnaire requests voluntary self-identification in relation to equity-seeking groups that have historically faced and continue to face barriers in employment. Please refer to the Applicant Diversity Survey - Statement of Collection for additional information.

Job applicants requiring accommodation to participate in the hiring process should contact:

• Human Resources Service Centre at 905-525-9140 ext. 222-HR (22247), or
• Faculty of Health Sciences HR Office at ext. 22207, or
• School of Graduate Studies at ext. 23679

to communicate accommodation needs.

Hybrid Work Language

To ensure an ongoing and vibrant University community that meets the needs of our students, staff and faculty and supports the University mission, ability to work on-site continues to be a requirement for most University positions. The University is supportive of exploring flexible work arrangements that effectively balance operational needs and employee interests.

Interview Experience

At McMaster University, we believe in a comprehensive and inclusive interview process. Our interview methods encompass a variety of approaches that allow our hiring teams to provide a flexible and accessible experience for engaging with our candidates. Throughout your recruitment process at McMaster, you may be requested to participate in a variety of formats, that may include in-person, virtual or recorded interviews. If you have any questions as you move through the hiring process, please reach out to talent@mcmaster.ca or the HR contact associated with your position of interest.