Co-op Education Manager

Description:

The Co-op Education Manager plays a critical strategic leadership role in overseeing the work experience (WE) component of Greystone College academic programs. This includes directing and managing the co-op team, securing and managing partnerships with host organizations, ensuring placements align with program learning objectives and regulatory standards, and developing policies that govern the work experience process.

This role requires a forward-thinking leader who can drive continuous improvement, maintain strong relationships with external partners, and ensure that the work experience component is a valuable and seamless part of the student learning journey.

Job Duties:

The duties of this position include, but are not limited to:

College Success

• Ensure that the work experience component aligns with and supports the college’s broader strategic goals and objectives, such as enhancing student success, fostering industry partnerships, and maintaining regulatory compliance.
• In collaboration with the College Director and management team, contributes to the execution of the college’s strategic direction, objectives, and the achievement of the key performance indicators (KPIs).

Program Success

• Actively promote the Co-op programs to external companies and organizations to establish and secure valuable partnerships.
• Identify potential host employers, building strong relationships, and effectively communicating the benefits of the program to secure opportunities for student placements.
• Act as the primary point of contact between the institution and host organizations.
• Develop and implement strategies to resolve challenges related to student placement issues.
• Develop, negotiate, and manage formal agreements with host organizations, ensuring compliance with program requirements and regulations.
• Oversee the development and delivery of a workplace skills training that ensures students are equipped with the necessary job-hunting skills to succeed in the Canadian job market. Ensure the course remains aligned with industry standards and employer needs by regularly reviewing and updating its content for relevance and effectiveness.
• Monitor and evaluate the quality of work placements to ensure they meet educational goals and provide meaningful work experience for students.
• Resolve grievances or issues raised by students or employers regarding the nature of work or performance, ensuring concerns are addressed in accordance with program policies and procedures.
• Ensure that the Learning Management System (LMS) effectively supports the Co-op reporting process and provides students with up-to-date information on program policies, procedures, and placement opportunities.
• Oversee the internal database for the Co-op Department, and maintain accurate records of student placements, work experience agreements, and evaluation reports, and be prepared for audits or program reviews.
• Generate and complete sessional and statistical reports for management review, ensuring accurate and timely information is available for program performance evaluation and strategic decision-making.
• Create and maintain a comprehensive work experience operational manual, along with forms templates and other supporting documentation.
• Stay current on regulatory and labour market changes and ensure work experience policies and procedures remain relevant and effective.
• Plan and coordinate Co-op orientation sessions, career fairs, job clubs, and other student engagement events.
  

Team Leadership and Management

• Lead and manage the Co-op team in Vancouver, including:
• Lead and manage a team of co-op advisors, ensuring alignment with program objectives and institutional goals.
• Foster a collaborative, inclusive, and positive team culture that aligns with the ILSC Education Group’s core values.
• Ensure clear communication of co-op program goals, deadlines, and expectations to the team.
• Conduct regular team meetings to share updates, address challenges, and discuss best practices related to co-op placements and student success.
• Support the team in resolving complex or escalated student or employer concerns and issues related to placements, performance, or program participation.
• Coordinate with internal departments and host employers to ensure the smooth execution of co-op placements and related activities.
• Oversee the team's work to ensure the quality of student placements, employer relations, and program activities meet academic, institutional, and industry standards, while ensuring compliance with policies and regulations.
• Ensure accurate tracking and documentation of student placements, employer partnerships, and related program activities.
• Review reports on team outcomes and program metrics to evaluate success and identify areas for improvement.
• Ensure that the team adheres to all relevant policies, procedures, and regulatory requirements related to co-op placements, student internships, and employer partnerships.
• Address any potential compliance issues or risks related to student placements and report them to the appropriate stakeholders.
• Identify training and development needs for co-op team members and organize workshops or seminars to enhance their knowledge of industry trends, best practices in experiential learning, and institutional policies, improving their effectiveness in managing student placements and employer relationships.
• Other duties as assigned.
  
  

Essential Qualifications, Skills, and Attributes:

• Strong interpersonal skills to foster relationships with employers, academic departments, industry professionals, and students.
  
• A student-centered mindset with a focus on providing excellent support to students and employers.
• Strong presence on LinkedIn, coupled with excellent networking skills, with the ability to build and cultivate relationships with companies and industry professionals.
• Demonstrated ability to lead, mentor, and motivate a diverse team, fostering a collaborative and high-performance work environment to support the successful delivery of co-op programs.
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills for engaging with students, faculty, employers, and external partners.
  
• Ability to meticulously review and ensure accuracy in all aspects of work, including documentation, compliance checks, and quality control, while identifying and addressing discrepancies or errors before they impact outcomes.
• Ability to manage multiple tasks, prioritize responsibilities, and meet deadlines in a fast-paced environment.
• Ability to address and resolve challenges that arise within the program, such as student placement issues or employer concerns.
• Familiarity with learning management systems (LMS), and general office software (, Microsoft Office Suite).
• In-depth understanding of regulatory requirements related to work experience components in academic programs.
• Ability to deliver presentations, conduct workshops, and create written materials such as handbooks or informational guides.

Education and Experience Required

• A post- secondary education in a relevant field such as Business Administration, Human Resources, Higher Education Administration, Career Services, or similar.
• Demonstrated experience in developing and maintaining relationships with employers, recruiters, or other industry partners to secure co-op placements for students.
• Direct experience managing or coordinating co-op or internship programs, including partnerships with employers, student advising, and the logistics of work-integrated learning experience is an asset.
• Experience supervising or mentoring students, staff, or other team members in an educational or work-based setting.

Compensation and Benefits:

Compensation: $, - $, per annum

Comprehensive health benefits through SunLife, an Employee Assistance Program (EAP), as well as participation in the company’s RRSP matching program. This position may also be eligible for a discretionary bonus.