Manager, Academic Pathways and Partnerships

Department: Faculty of Arts 

Job Type: Limited Term

Full-time/Part-time: Full Time (>=1249 hrs/year) 

Campus: Waterloo 

Reports to: Senior Administrative Officer, Faculty of Arts  

Employee Group: Management 

Application Deadline: May 25, 2026

Requisition ID: 10840 

Wilfrid Laurier University is a leading multi-campus university that excels at educating with purpose. Through its exceptional employees, students, researchers, leaders, and educators, Laurier has built a reputation as a world-class institution known for its rich student experience, academic excellence, and global impact. With a commitment to Indigenization and commitment to equity, diversity, inclusion, Laurier’s thriving community has a place for everyone.

Laurier has more than 21,000 students and 2,100 faculty and staff across campuses in Waterloo and Brantford, as well locations in Kitchener and Milton. The university is committed to providing an inclusive workplace, a flexible work policy and employing a workforce that is reflective of local and national demographics. Laurier's Waterloo, Kitchener, and Brantford campuses are located on the shared traditional territory of the Neutral, Anishnaabe, and Haudenosaunee peoples. This land is part of the Dish with One Spoon Treaty between the Haudenosaunee and Anishnaabe peoples and symbolizes the agreement to share, protect our resources, and not to engage in conflict. Laurier's Milton campus is located on the traditional territory of the Mississaugas of the Credit, and part of the Nanfan Treaty of 1701 between the British Crown and the Haudenosaunee Confederacy.

This job posting is for a current vacancy.

Position Summary

Reporting to the Senior Administrative Officer, Faculty of Arts, the Manager, Academic Pathways and Partnerships is responsible for the overall direction, coordination, implementation, execution, control and completion of the integration of the academic external partnerships associated with the University of Sussex, Cardiff University, Griffith University and Brighton-Sussex Medical School. This position will lead all aspects of the integration of all programs from conceptualization through implementation including phases of analysis, requirements documentation, capacity building and evaluation. The incumbent will manage key strategic internal/external client relationships with program stakeholders including external university partners, the Faculty of Human and Social Sciences, Faculty of Liberal Arts and the Faculty of Science, as well as leading cross-functional teams to drive the program requirements, priorities and deadlines.

This position will consult with other University partners across campuses to develop and co-ordinate the infrastructure necessary to efficiently and effectively administer the programs and develop supports for students to ensure exceptional student experience.

This position has a university-wide mandate and is considered multicampus but based in the Faculty of Arts. The incumbent provides subject matter expertise to all campuses, requiring regular interpersonal interactions and collaboration with departments at the Waterloo Campus, the Brantford Campus, and external partners. Special attention is given to ensure equitable service delivery across all locations.

Accountabilities

Planning, Development & Analysis

• Leads the planning and implementation of the programs to meet the University’s and relevant programs’ strategic objectives;
• Develops and writes proposal/business cases for future development of programs;
• Leads, identifies and co-ordinates student supports for all cohorts across Faculties of Arts, Liberal Arts, Human & Social Sciences, and Science including development of 'cohort creation' and mentoring from current students registered in the programs through use of social media;
• For the Sussex Law pathway, leads, builds and manages key stakeholder relationships with campus partners and facilitates discussions across campuses of final 'Year Six' of program (e.g., how, who, and where the 'NCA' courses will be delivered);
• Facilitates and develops student VISA application process including website design and content, work closely with Laurier International, and corresponding office at partner institutions;
• Co-ordinates with Laurier International to plan pre-departure orientation to ensure students receive sufficient preparation in risk management before traveling to a new cultural and academic environment in UK and Australia;
• Develops students grade review structures and processes in conjunction with Enrolment Services as per agreements with partner institutions;
• Collaborates with Enrolment Services to develop a process for recording transfer credits across institutions, as needed;
• Develop exit interview to be administered to students who decline participation with the programs and analyze results to determine institutional strengths and weaknesses to assist in student retention;
• Partner with stakeholders to identify and address potential service gaps for students (e.g., registrarial, advising, OSAP, etc.);
• Proactively identify behind-the-scenes issues that could become challenges for the students (e.g., registrarial, advising, OSAP, etc.).

Program Oversight, Co-ordination & Communication

• Acts as the key representative for projects between different internal and external university departments;
• Provides regular updates to all stakeholders including Sussex, Cardiff, Griffith and Brighton-Sussex Medical School;
• Collaborates with Recruitment and Admissions to develop recruitment webinars and presentations;
• Acts as an ambassador and key leader to grow the student base by advising prospective students, communicating key points and addressing each student’s interest through providing class presentations, webinars and maintaining individual contact;
• Provides support to prospective students in answering questions about the programs and guiding them through the application process;
• Participates in Open Houses and Ontario University Fair as the key Laurier representative of the programs;
• In partnership with External Relations, initiates and develops creative ideas for promotional materials;
• Acts as a program champion in creating a cohort/community of learning for students in the programs through the creation and facilitation of social events, and a resource to provide support and an excellent student experience;
• Designs, drafts content and manages administration of the program websites on wlu.ca and the current student site, students.wlu.ca, including co-ordination with external partner program content;
• Co-ordinates and facilitates exchanges/visits across all partner institutions;
• Works with Enrolment Services to ensure progression, withdrawal and transfer credit policies are well-defined;
• Works with Career Development Centre to cultivate placements, including articling for Sussex and Griffith graduates;
• Provide ongoing communication with all external partner institutions about application and confirmation numbers;
• Communicates efficiently with clients to identify needs and evaluate alternative solutions;
• Leads and holds regular status meetings with project team, presents status reports defining project progress, problems and solutions;
• Resolves and/or escalates issues in a timely fashion;
• Mitigates team conflict and communicates problems;
• Develops project policy related documents;

 This position has responsibility for: Coordinator, Academic Collaborations and Pathways

Qualifications

• Minimum University degree plus two (2) years project oversight and co-ordination experience;
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills, and strong customer service orientation;
• Proven experience in building multi-disciplinary teams with dispersed geographical locations;
• Experience and knowledge of student support services;
• Outstanding leadership, facilitation, influence, negotiation, conflict management and presentation skills;
• Proven adaptability and tolerance for ambiguity;
• Strong organizational skills, accuracy and attention to detail, ability to handle multiple priorities and meet short deadlines;
• Proven ability to be discreet and to maintain confidential information;
• Excellent interpersonal skills with the ability to work in a team environment;
• Sound analytical and decision making skills
• Must have a valid ‘G’ level driver’s licence

Hours of Work:  This position is full-time, limited term until November 2027. The normal hours of work are 8:30 am to 4:30 pm, Monday to Friday. Flexibility in hours will be required, including evening and/or weekend work due to recruitment and student social activities. When possible, the manager will adjust the work schedule so that no more than 35 hours are worked in a week. This role offers limited flexibility regarding flexible work arrangements. Please see Policy 8.14 (Flexible Work Policy) for more information. All arrangement must be approved by the direct manager. On occasion, this schedule may need to be adjusted to meet operational requirements. 

Wilfrid Laurier University endeavors to fill positions with qualified candidates who have a combination of education, experience, skills and abilities to successfully perform the duties of the position while demonstrating Laurier's Employee Success Factors.

Equity, diversity and creating a culture of inclusion are part of Laurier’s core values and central to the Laurier Strategy. Laurier is committed to increasing the diversity of faculty and staff and welcomes applications from candidates who identify as Indigenous, racialized, having disabilities, and from persons of any minority sexual and gender identities. Indigenous candidates who would like to learn more about equity and inclusive programing at Laurier are welcomed to contact the Office of Indigenous Initiatives. Candidates from other equity deserving groups who would like to learn more about equity and inclusive programing at Laurier are welcomed to contact Equity & Accessibility. We have strived to make our application process accessible, however if you require any assistance applying for a position or would like this job posting in an alternative format, please contact Human Resources. Contact information can be found at careers.wlu.ca/content/How-to-apply/

Should you be interested in learning more about this opportunity, please visit www.wlu.ca/careers for additional information and the online application system. All applications must be submitted online. Please note, a resume and cover letter will be required in electronic form.

Please note, when pre-screening questions are used as part of the application process, AI is utilized to score responses. All other aspects of the hiring process are reviewed by our Talent Acquisition team.