Regular/Temporary

Regular

Job Title

Manager, Academic Programs, Graduate & Specialized Programs (Hybrid)

Job ID

70527

Location

Central Campus

Open Date

07/09/2025

Job Type

Continuing

Close Date

07/22/2025

Employee Group

TMG

Favorite Job

Department

RJC Student Experience

Salary Grade/Band

Band K

Salary Range

$78910.00 - $118366.00 (annual)

Hours per Week

35

Posting Details

Schedule

Monday – Friday, 8:30am – 4:30pm (Hybrid schedule)

Education Level

Bachelor’s degree in a relevant field of study.

Career Level

5-7 years of managerial experience, preferably within an University environment

Location

Ron Joyce Centre, Burlington and McMaster Main Campus, Hamilton

Job Description

The DeGroote School of Business at McMaster University, located in Hamilton, Ontario is known for its high academic standards and innovative programs. It offers a range of undergraduate, graduate, and executive education programs in business, including a well-regarded MBA program. DeGroote is recognized for its focus on experiential learning, integrating real-world business challenges into coursework and providing students with opportunities to engage with industry leaders through internships, co-ops, and networking events.

The school emphasizes leadership, ethics, and sustainability, fostering an environment that prepares students to excel in an ever-changing global business landscape. DeGroote’s research is world-class, with a focus on areas such as healthcare management, financial services, and business innovation. The school’s strong connections with industry and its collaborative approach to learning provide students with a competitive edge in the business world. DeGroote’s diverse community of students, faculty, and alumni contribute to a dynamic and forward-thinking business education experience.

The Graduate & Specialized programs consist of Full Time MBA, Full Time MBA with co-op, Accelerated MBA, Blended Learning Part Time MBA, Master of Finance, eHealth and PhD programs.

These programs are designed to equip students with the skills and knowledge needed to excel in the business world, offering flexibility and opportunities for hands-on learning and career advancement.

The Manager, Academic Programs (Graduate & Specialized) will lead a team of program administrators, and administrative support roles to support Program Directors, Students and Faculty in the Graduate and Specialized programs.

JOB DESCRIPTION:

Financial Management:

The Manager, Academic Programs manages the financial resources of their respective program with the oversight of the Associate Director, Academic Programs.

• Provides input into business plans for the department.
• Monitors financial policies and procedures and ensures compliance with University policies.
• Develops and prepares reports, monitors, and manages their program budgets (operating and scholarship) according to institutional policies and procedures.
• Represents the Department at University Committee and working groups.
• Consults with Area Chair/Associate Dean to evaluate and commits Department funds for matching grant and other programs
• Provides managerial oversight and is accountable for scholarship and TA funds, student and postdoctoral fellow scholarship awards. Contributes to the development of new program budgets.

Strategic Planning:

The Manager, Academic Programs plays a key role in advising the Chair/Director on strategic planning within the department.

• Contributes to strategic thinking for development and implementation of new initiatives of strategic importance to the department, Faculty and University (such as interdisciplinary programming, Micro credentials).
• Advises the Area Chair/Associate Dean and Faculty on inter-Faculty dynamics affecting the Program.
• Develops and implements short and long-term plans to ensure the effective and efficient use of operational resources (financial, physical, human).

Operational Management:

Manager, Academic Programs is responsible for ensuring that the program is managed in an effective and efficient manner.

• Works with faculty Marketing & Communications on plans for the program.
• Ensures Collective Agreements are respected and management rights are preserved.
• Develops and administers procedures to help align the staff to the strategic goals of the department.
• Manages programs and relationships that cross Faculty and institutional boundaries as a result of partnership agreements with colleges and MOU’s with external companies.
• Organizes and conducts Departmental and Program reviews.

Human Resources Management

The Manager, Academic Programs, has significant responsibility for managing human resources activity within the department, overseeing every aspect:

• Manages all direct reports including conflict management, performance management, hiring disciplinary action, training, and development.
• Provides managerial oversight and is accountable for all administrative support staff (team building, performance standards, hiring, disciplinary action, redundancy etc.). Including the ongoing evaluation of and response to changing staffing needs.
• Maintains current knowledge of the Unifor Collective Agreement, MUFA Agreement, CUPE Agreements, Employment Standards Act and University policy and procedures.

Education Administrative Support:
The Manager, Academic Programs is responsible for managing the resources and infrastructure supporting education activities within the Program and is involved in academic planning, advising and development. Educational activities include:

• Manages and participates in (representing the non-academic members of the department) the

Departmental Accreditation process (for external bodies such as IQAP and CEAB (for graduate and undergraduate programs) and internal process, i.e., department reviews.

• Approves program scholarship allocation and identifies/ranks candidates for University-wide scholarships and donor funded bursaries.
• Interprets and clarifies University documents relating to student education (e.g. Student Appeals Procedures, Senate Resolutions on Academic Dishonesty. Senate Resolutions on Course Outlines, Procedures for Petition of Relief for Missed Term Work and for Deferred Examinations) to students, faculty and staff.
• Ensures that concerns of students are addressed expeditiously.
• Manages and oversees the timetabling and scheduling of all courses for the delivery of ac academic programs and collaborates with the RO to create a conflict-free schedule.
• Collaborates and advises department/program affiliated clubs, teams and societies, including but not limited to funding requests, policies, events and other initiatives. Approves student events as applicable.
• Manages the curriculum process, including completing course forms and editing course calendar entries, for submission to the Academic Advising Office for review and ultimate submission to the appropriate Faculty and University governing bodies.

Academic Support:
The Manager, Academic Programs is responsible for the delivery of academic student services for their respective program including:

• Assumes responsibilities delegated by the Associate Director, Academic, including decision-making on individual student matters with the various Faculty Committees, recommend, develop and execute student services in a manner consistent with faculty strategy.
• Makes recommendations to the Associate Dean and Academic Program Director as well as the Associate Director, Academic Programs where appropriate on Petitions for Special Consideration, according to faculty and university policies.
• Provides a continuing link between incoming and outgoing Deans and the Associate Deans on office procedure and policy related to student education, and advises on new initiatives or changes to policies and procedures at the Faculty level.
• Recommends changes to the Associate Director, Academic Programs and consults with the Associate Dean and Area Chairs on relevant programs.
• Determine, develop and implement continuous improvement programs that ensure superior service levels for all students in the area of academic advising.
• Overall accountability for ensuring that all student academic matters are discharged in a manner consistent with all policies
• Ensures that each student satisfies program requirements prior to graduation so that accreditation requirements are met.
• Ensures the accurate and sensitive advising of students on program selection, course selection and graduation requirements. Resolves problems related to these matters on referral from faculty or staff.
• Ensures that concerns of students are addressed expeditiously and that petitions for special consideration and applications for reinstatement are reviewed carefully. Within the parameters of University policy and in the context of fairness to other students, grants relief where possible and suggests alternative when the relief requested cannot be granted. Communicates negative decisions to students.
• Procedures for Petitions for Relief of Missed Term Work and for Deferred Examinations) to students, faculty and staff.
• Responds to or drafts responses on behalf of Associate Dean, related to student grievances, consulting as necessary with other University offices (i.e., Senate Secretariat or the University Ombuds).
• Acts as a consultant to various committees related to program within the Faculty. Oversees ongoing activities on behalf of these committees.

Special Projects Committee Membership

The Manager, Academic Programs is expected to participate in special projects and/or sit on committees in potentially many areas both within the Faculty and the broader University.

• Observes and identifies opportunities for collaboration, keeping the Academic Program Director, Associate Director, Academic Programs and Dean’s Office informed.
• Participates in Faculty and University committees as department or Faculty representative
• Active participation in University system development and enhancements (e.g. Mosaic systems testing, admissions, on-line grades, course registration, on-line degree audits and reports)
• Provides information to University Undergraduate Council & Senate for departmental reviews
• Ensures that the McMaster community and external community receive prompt, accurate information regarding matters relating to undergraduate education in the program.
• Main source for data gathering for initiatives such as Cubane and BI tool development.

International Exchange:

• Oversees the day-to-day operations (school partnerships, selection of students to study abroad, support services for visiting students and reporting post-term for transcript notations) for appropriate international exchange programs.

Reporting and Data Management:

• Provide data and reporting in a timely manner for AACSB, IQAP, IRA.
• Establishes and meets appropriate service standards/reporting timelines that ensures the McMaster community and external community receive prompt, accurate information regarding matters relating to student education in the Faculty.
• Oversees written communication on program matters to ensure appropriateness, quality and accuracy.
• Forecast and facilitate the scheduling of courses each term, in collaboration with Area Chairs.

SUPERVISION:

Leads a team of Program Administrators and Administrative Support role

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION:

This position will support staff both on Main Campus in Hamilton and the Ron Joyce Centre in Burlington

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.