Program Director, MPP

Join to apply for the Program Director, MPP role at McMaster University

Join to apply for the Program Director, MPP role at McMaster University

The Master of Public Policy (MPP) at McMaster University is a professional degree-granting program that trains prospective policy leaders to pursue innovative and effective approaches to complex social, political, and economic challenges.

The MPP program currently provides two streams for specialization—one focused on the implications of digital transformation and the other on housing—with plans to expand the suite of focused streams to appeal to a wider range of students and meet the needs of evolving policy environments. The program is also preparing to launch an executive education version of its digital stream for mid-level career professionals.

The program is delivered in a mostly on-line format and offers a unique co-teaching model which pairs reputed academics with accomplished practitioners to provide students with a comprehensive learning experience. The program is further distinguished by way of its innovative curriculum comprised of seminar-based instruction as well as skills development labs designed to develop complementary technical competencies that provide graduates with a competitive advantage in the field.

Graduates of the MPP program will be able to draw on a combination of theoretical knowledge, subject matter expertise, and technical skills to devise innovative solutions to some of the most pressing challenges of our time.

Job Summary:

The Program Director is responsible for the oversight and execution of all strategic operations for the Master of Public Policy Program and plays a pivotal leadership role in the administration and evolution of the program. This role also serves as principal advisor to the MPP academic director on the development and execution of strategic initiatives intended to improve and expand the program.

Accountabilities:

Program Management

• Acts as the primary program liaison for students for matters including performance monitoring, financial management, facilitating accommodations, providing mentorship, and supporting student well-being.
• Manages teaching resource planning and course scheduling for the program.
• Supports teaching team with syllabi development, provides input and feedback on assessment design, and facilitates a consistent online learning environment in Avenue to Learn.
• Manages recruitment, hiring, and onboarding of course instructors and Professors of Practice
• Provides guidance and support to course instructors with respect to course development and delivery.
• Supports academic hiring in coordination with the Dean of Social Sciences and participating tenure-granting departments.
• Contributes to the ongoing improvement of the program curriculum.
• Monitors and shares emerging pedagogies and practices that may enhance the quality and calibre of the program.
• Liaises with internal and external stakeholders to advance program objectives (e.g. GCPC, IQAP, etc.).
• Supports periodic program reviews, including the IQAP process of quality assessment.
• Oversees budgeting and financial reporting for the program.
• Manages and supports growth of the program (e.g. new areas of specialization, executive education, etc.).
• Ensures program compliance with university and government policies.
• Manages space allocation planning for the program.
• Acts as the primary contact for the program for health and safety issues, concerns and accident reporting.
• Contacts and liaises with appropriate University officials relating to Safety and Security, Occupational Health and Safety, Facilities and Services on behalf of the program. Provides information to staff on Health and Safety procedures and processes.
• Explores IT solutions that can improve the student experience.
• Oversees implementation of IT solutions.

Recruitment and Placement

• Leads the program’s recruitment efforts with the aim of cultivating an increasingly high-quality and high-quantity student applicant pool year-over-year.
• Develops, implements and facilitates student co-op and graduate placement opportunities in the public, private, and third sectors.
• Leads the program’s efforts to identify and engage potential partner organizations for student co-op and graduate placement opportunities.
• Establishes strategic partnerships with organizations that can provide assistance and support with recruitment and placement.
• Manages ongoing relations with established and prospective co-op and job placement partners to ensure a robust pipeline from the program to the job market.
• Facilitates career development programming for students (e.g. mentorships, workshops, etc.).
• Plans networking events to connect students with prospective employers.

Communications and Marketing

• Coordinates internal communications with students, course instructors, and program staff.
• Manages recruitment of and active engagement with external advisory board comprised of high- profile figures in the policy community.
• Develops and implements a communications strategy with the aim of promoting the program as well as increasing its profile both within the university and externally.
• Organizes events to enhance the visibility of the program (e.g. speakers’ series, panel discussions, capstone presentations, etc.)
• Develops and implements a strategy to actively build an online profile and following on Twitter, LinkedIn, and other social media platforms as deemed appropriate
• Oversees the development and maintenance of the MPP website and other media.
• Develops marketing and promotional materials and content for the program.
• Develops and implements outreach campaigns with the aim of fostering robust, enduring, and mutually beneficial relationships within academia, government, and industry.
• Pursues earned media opportunities and advertising that increases the visibility and profile of the program.
• Leads alumni engagement with the aim of developing an active alumni network.
• Pursues external funding opportunities to provide financial support for students enrolled in the program.
• Maintains an up-to-date knowledge base on available funding sources and engagement to date with said sources.
• Seeks partners through strategic promotion for these funding opportunities.
• Liaises with funding organizations, ROADS, and MILO to develop strong funding applications.
• Strategize, develop, and execute plans for the creation, cultivation, solicitation and stewardship of strategic partnerships for the MPP Program.

This position is highly specialized in nature and the expertise to execute the job at a satisfactory level can only be acquired through experience. This position often requires work beyond the call of duty, i.e., more than 35 hours per week. The position be structured as hybrid, with some portion of the workweek taking place at McMaster’s Hamilton campus.

Qualifications:

Education

Minimum qualification is a Master’s degree, with a preference for expertise in public policy or public administration.

Experience

• 5+ years experience working in a professional public policy function (experience working in government an asset)
• 5+ years experience in a senior administrative role in a university or other large organization
• Demonstrated experience in financial, human resources, and communications management
• Experience in educational program design, development and delivery will be considered an asset

Knowledge/Skills

• Excellent oral and written communication skills
• Strong interpersonal skills to promote a positive work and learning environment
• Creative problem-solving skills
• Proven ability to develop effective and efficient administrative systems
• Proficient with digital applications and platforms

How To Apply

To apply for this job, please submit your application online. The selection committee will begin reviewing applications on June 27, 2025, and will continue until the position is filled.

Seniority level

• Seniority level

  Director

Employment type

• Employment type

  Full-time

Job function

• Job function

  Education

• Industries

  Higher Education

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