Co-op & Career Strategist

Job Summary

The Co-op & Career Strategist supports undergraduate and graduate students with the Faculty of Management to become career-ready graduates. The position is responsible for the design, implementation, and evaluation of integrated co-operative education and career development services. This role combines co-op program management expertise with innovative career education practices to provide high-impact learning experiences and career readiness programming.

The Strategist ensures delivery of the full co-operative education cycle in accordance with CEWIL Canada accreditation standards while also providing career advising, labour market guidance, and engagement with employer partners.

Organizational Status
Reports to: Manager, Co-op & Careers

Collaboration: This role operates as a key member of the Student Development team. Works closely with faculty, staff, students, employers, alumni, and industry partners across the Faculty of Management to deliver comprehensive co-op and career programming for students throughout their academic journey.

Work Performed

Student Advising and Career Coaching

• Develops innovative and scalable career tools, resources, and activities as well as networking events to support students in their unique career journeys

• Supports students in their awareness and development of personal and professional competencies, including self-awareness, communication, decision making and learning, all related to their career goals

• Coaches and advises students in resume/cover letter support, mock interviews, application coaching, and professional communications

• Leverages industry knowledge and expertise, innovative theory, evidence-based practices within the fields of career development and student affairs to design, deliver and evaluate career programming and resources

• Provides in-person and online career support and advises on career exploration, researching the labour market, facilitating experiential learning and reflection, gaining work experience, developing resumes, job and mock interviews, networking and connecting to the workplace community

• Monitors student progress throughout each recruiting cycle; ensures students meet minimum job search activity requirements in alignment with program polices

• Identifies and refers students who need health and wellbeing resources to the appropriate support or intervention

• Collaboratives to support students with landing full-time positions with local, national and global employers

• Promotes student participation and engagement in experiential learning opportunities, creates opportunities for reflection, and connects these insights to their current and future career goals

• Supports student learning and promotes student engagement in career development activities within the Faculty of Management and beyond

• Applies an equity and access focused lens to advising, employer engagement, and program design, ensuring supports meet the needs of diverse learners

Coop Work Term Oversight

• Conducts work term site visits and check-ins to monitor and evaluate the technical requirements of the co-op work term placement and the workplace environment with respect to working conditions, safety standards, and academic requirements of the position.

• Evaluates co-op student performance in the workplace to ensure they meet employer needs and address any student and/or employer issues. This includes problem solving, mediating, and addressing workplace concerns or issues related to employee discipline, employee rights (including harassment, employment equity, employment standards), intellectual property rights, confidentiality concerns, and other matters raised by students and/or employers. Makes recommendations to the Director Student Development regarding student’s status in the program because of workplace issues

• Designs, evaluates and assesses all required co-op work term deliverables such as end of term assignments and employer evaluation of the work term, that must meet national accreditation standards.

• Assigns grades for co-op courses based on the requirements of the course and according to Faculty guidelines

• Ensures student compliance with co-op program polices and eligibility requirements; advises students on consequences and supports remediation where needed

• Supports development, documentation, and communication of program polices and procedural updates

• Assesses and escalates workplace risks in alignment with university legal, and risk management protocols

Career Curriculum Development and Training

• Designs content, facilitation and teaching of all co-op pre-employment curriculum. This includes but is not limited to, asynchronous and synchronous curriculum and training events, program orientations, pre-employment training workshops, information sessions, as well as recruiting events that can involve prospectives students, current students, and alumni.

• Designs and supports the facilitation of career fundamental curriculum within the Faculty of Management degree programs

• Supports additional Work-Integrated Learning activities within the Faculty such as internships, community-engaged learning, or applied projects ensuring alignment between academic learning and professional skill development

• Supports the co-op application and onboarding process, including info sessions, eligibility advising, and preparation for program admission

• Leverages industry knowledge and evidence-based practices to create innovative career programming and resources

• Incorporates digital tools, including emerging AI-enables platforms to support career development and student learning in the space of career advancement

• Continuously evaluates and improves curriculum based on student feedback and industry trends

Employer and Industry Relations

• Builds and maintains strategic relationships during co-op work term experiences and across career programming and events

• In collaboration with the Business Development Manager, builds and maintains relationships with the business community to facilitate student learning and development, focused on careers

• Delivers employer engagement events and recruitment initiatives

• Advises employers on developing academically appropriate co-op opportunities aligned with accreditation requirements

• Provides consultation on diversity and inclusion in recruitment practices and funding opportunities

• Responds to employer inquiries related to postings, recruitment timelines, interviewing logistics, and co-op program requirements

• Reviews and approves job postings, writes/edits job descriptions, and ensures employer partnerships align with program standards

Strategic Planning, Administration, and Program Evaluation

• Provides input into strategic planning, goal setting, and prioritization for integrated co-op and career programming

• Tracks and analyzes student career outcomes and post-graduation data to evaluate program impact and inform continuous improvement

• Collects, documents, and analyzes student feedback regarding advising services, workshops, and employer interactions

• Implements continuous improvement activities and identifies opportunities for enhancement

• Conducts market research to identify partnership opportunities and emerging career trends

• Evaluates program effectiveness, recommends improvements, and implements necessary changes

• Maintains accurate student and employer records in institutional systems; ensures data integrity and supports system rollout, updates, and usage optimization

• Provides input on event and program expenditures, manages assigned budgets

• Increases capacity across the program for career learning and career conversations, through multiple points of intersection in the student experience.

• Participates in the assessment and evaluation of career learning for students. Collects and records statistical information and feedback, analyzes, documents and reports results, integrates suggestions and improvements into programs and services. Prepares reports on student placement statistics that are required for national co-op accreditation.

Service Excellence and Collaboration

• Fosters an inclusive learning environment where all students can thrive professionally and academically

• Collaborates with campus partners to coordinate joint initiatives and promote integrated programming

• Participates in Faculty, University-wide, and external committees, meetings, and professional development activities

• Trains and mentors new professional staff and supports cross-functional team projects

• Ensures compliance with international student policies and immigration requirements

• Maintains up-to-date knowledge of industry trends, labour market insights, and emerging practices in co-op and career education

Consequence of Error/Judgement
Works with considerable autonomy and exercises significant judgment in student advising, employer relations, and program management. Incorrect decisions regarding student admissions or employer partnerships could impact program credibility and student graduate outcomes. Failure to maintain co-op accreditation standards could result in loss of program recognition. Inadequate career advising or workplace issue resolution could negatively impact student success, employer relationships, and the Faculty's reputation. Poor program evaluation or strategic planning could limit program growth and effectiveness in serving students and industry partners.

Supervision Received
Reports to the Director, Student Development. Works independently within established policy and administrative frameworks. Performance is evaluated based on program outcomes, student success metrics, employer satisfaction, and contribution to Faculty strategic objectives.

Supervision Given
May provide mentorship and training to student staff and peers; does not supervise professional staff. Authorized to make decisions regarding student participation in the Commerce Co-op program and work terms based on established terms and conditions. Provides training and mentorship to new professional staff in career development and co-op programming.

Qualifications
Minimum

• Undergraduate degree in relevant discipline. Minimum of four years of related experience or a combination of education and experience.

• Willingness to respect diverse perspectives, including perspectives in conflict with one’s own

• Demonstrates a commitment to enhancing one’s own awareness, knowledge, and skills related to equity, diversity, and inclusion

Preferred

• Master's degree in relevant discipline preferred

• Demonstrated private sector experience with key areas of industry knowledge and expertise; awareness of labor market trends

• Experience working with management to executive level business professionals in career coaching, recruitment, training, or career services delivery

• Excellent presentation, communication, public speaking, and organizational skills

• Advanced proficiency in Microsoft Office Suite (Word, PowerPoint, Excel)

• Experience with database management and contact management systems

• Knowledge of web-based platforms and instructional technology

• Knowledge of cooperative education principles and accreditation standards

• Understanding of career development theories and evidence-based practices

• Experience in conflict resolution and workplace mediation

• Project management and event planning experience

• Ability to work independently and within multiple team environments

• Strategic thinking with diplomacy, tact, and discretion

• Demonstrated ability in respectful consultation and collaboration

• Flexibility to work evenings and weekends as required

• Valid BC Driver's License and access to vehicle for co-op workplace visits

• Facilitation or teaching experience

• Experience designing and delivering career-related workshops

• Knowledge of international work programs and immigration policies

• This position operates with a hybrid work arrangement offering flexibility for remote work as appropriate to role responsibilities and Faculty needs.

• This position requires occasional travel for workplace visits, conferences, and employer relations activities, as well as flexibility to work evenings and weekends for events and programming.