Program Specialist

Job Summary

UBC Sauder School of Business is one of the world’s leading business faculties. The school consistently ranks among the top 100 in the world and is recognized internationally for excellence in research and learning, an outstanding faculty and unmatched global partnerships. A collaborative and respectful culture within which all members of our community can thrive is a key principle in our strategic plan, and one that underpins our educational mission.

We acknowledge that UBC Sauder at the Vancouver Campus is situated within the traditional, ancestral and unceded territory of the Musqueam. We acknowledge that UBC Sauder at the UBC Robson Square is situated on the traditional territory of the Musqueam, Squamish and Tsleil-Waututh.

UBC Sauder Professional Growth is a globally renowned professional development provider and corporate educator. Ranked by the Financial Times among one of the top professional education units globally, the unit offers over 150 open enrollment programs annually and provides custom corporate programs to a global clientele. UBC Sauder Professional Growth operates out of its downtown Vancouver campus at Robson Square, offering both in-person and virtual programming to its clients.

The Program Specialist is a key operational leader responsible for managing the effective delivery of open enrollment and custom programs, ensuring high-quality, learner-centered professional development experiences and operational excellence.

The Program Specialist provides expert-level program delivery, learner experience leadership, and technical and administrative oversight to ensure programs are executed with precision and professionalism.

This role requires deep coordination with faculty, external instructors, clients, learners, program coordinators and internal and external stakeholders.

Organizational Status
Reports to the Account Manager. This role requires deep coordination with faculty, external instructors, clients, learners, program coordinators and internal and external stakeholders.

Work Performed

• Serves as a first point of contact for learners and faculty/instructors before, during, and after program delivery.

• Advises clients on admission and program requirements and oversees the recruitment and admission processes.

• Advises learners on certificate completion pathways and course selection to tailor their education plans and meet their specific interests and business goals.

• Manages all aspects of the end-to-end delivery of assigned programs, ensuring excellence in logistics, learner engagement, and overall execution.

• Collaborates with Account Managers and faculty to support scheduling, onboarding, and instructional coordination.

• Oversees day-to-day operations of in-person, online, and hybrid programs, including preparation of course materials, LMS setup, technical support, and classroom/venue coordination.

• Manages the effective delivery of front-line services and program support, which includes developing, implementing, reviewing and evaluating the services provided by Program Coordinators to ensure successful service delivery.

• Participates in the recruitment and training of the support and student employees.

• Leads operations meetings with the program management team.

• Identifies, recommends and implements improved processes, policies and systems to enhance efficiency of program operations and program effectiveness.

• Ensures technical readiness for online programs, troubleshoots issues during program delivery and quality checks LMS content to ensure seamless learner and instructor experience.

• Manages and maintains course data and student records across LMS and student information systems.

• Plans and implements orientation and onboarding processes and activities for learners to set expectations, enhance experience and maximize engagement.

• Develops and initiates evaluations to gather feedback from learners. Monitors satisfaction through surveys and informal feedback loops, analyzing data to improve future delivery.

• Organizes events and workshops as part of program delivery or learner experience strategy.

• Prepares program reports and supports data analysis to guide decision making; provides advice and ideas to the leadership team on how to enhance experience for clients and instructors.

• Coordinates instructor recruitment, onboarding, and training for assigned programs, with a focus on instructional alignment and experience.

• Liaises with faculty and external instructors on the development of teaching schedules, classroom requirements, and pedagogical tools; resolves complex related issues.

• Provides detailed faculty briefings and serves as ongoing point of contact for instructional needs.

• Collaborates with the faculty and instructors to ensure content quality and alignment with program goals.

• Contributes to the development of promotional materials, program descriptions, and communication plans.

• Represents the unit at info sessions, alumni events, and community or industry-facing activities.

• Builds and maintains relationships with a variety of internal and external stakeholders, and acts as a program ambassador with campus partners and professional associations to build visibility and support enrollment efforts.

• Contributes to the operational planning, process updates and internal training across the delivery team.

• Supports the implementation of process improvements through cross-team collaboration.

• Participates in weekly operational meetings and special projects that enhance the unit’s goals.

• Provide mentorship to new or junior team members when needed.

• Performs other duties as required.

Consequence of Error/Judgement
Incorrect or poor decisions will have a significant and direct impact on the financial performance and reputation of the business unit, UBC Sauder and University in general. Poor judgments could result in legal liability of the University. Poor hiring decisions could affect quality of courses, reputation of the University, which could affect client satisfaction and the financial viability of the department.

Supervision Received
Reports to and receives day to day supervision and guidance from the Account Manager.

Supervision Given
May provide supervision, guidance and instruction to Program Coordinators, course consultants and the instructors.

Minimum Qualifications
Undergraduate degree in a relevant discipline. Minimum of one to two years of related experience, or an equivalent 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 Qualifications

• Experience in program coordination, learner services, or educational delivery.

• Strong project management skills with the ability to manage multiple priorities and stakeholders.

• Demonstrated ability to work with faculty, clients and learners in a professional education setting.

• Familiarity with learning management systems (e.g., Canvas), CRMs, and virtual delivery platforms (e.g., Zoom).

• Excellent interpersonal, written, and verbal communication skills.

• Proven experience analyzing feedback and improving operational processes for better outcomes.