Program Leader (Centre for Healthy Communities)

Department: Faculty of Science 

Job Type: Continuing

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

Campus: Waterloo 

Reports to: The Sun Life Executive Director: CHC, and Manager of Sun Life CHC, Programs and Northdale Facilities

Employee Group: WLUSA 

Application Deadline: September 30, 2025

Requisition ID: 10226 

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 19,000 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. Our locations are situated on the traditional territories of the Neutral, Anishnawbe, and Haudenosaunee peoples. We recognize the unique heritages of Indigenous peoples and support their intentions to preserve and express their distinctive Indigenous cultures, histories, and knowledge through academic programming and co-curricular activities. Laurier’s Centre for Indigegogy is one example of how Laurier honours Indigenous knowledge.

Position Summary

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.

We currently have an opportunity for a highly qualified person to join the Laurier community as a Program Leader for the Sun Life Centre for Healthy Communities (CHC). Sun Life CHC is a community sponsored Centre within Wilfrid Laurier University and is affiliated with the Department of Kinesiology and Physical Education. The objective of the Centre is to provide physical activity and healthy living programming through outreach programs. For the past five years, the Centre has focused on the greater Waterloo region and is now in a position to expand to the Brantford and Milton Community. 

The Sun Life CHC Program Lead is responsible for the development and delivery of comprehensive physical activity and healthy living programs. The successful applicant will design and lead physical activity and healthy living programs and will work collaboratively with volunteers to deliver programming. This is a multifaceted position that requires a wide range of skills, and self-initiation. The successful candidate will also work closely with diverse populations such as youths at risk, marginalized and low-income community members, and culturally rich populations. Therefore, a cultural sensitivity and ability to represent Wilfrid Laurier in a respectable manner is expected.

This position has a university-wide mandate and is based at the Waterloo Campus. 

Accountabilities

• Effectively communicate Sun Life CHC mission, vision, pillars, and objectives to various stakeholders.
• Assists with planning, design, promotion, evaluation, and refinement of Sun Life CHC programs that align with the Centre’s mission, vision, and objectives.
• Collaborate with the Sun Life CHC team and affiliated researchers to assist in data collection and program evaluation .
• Must be able to educate others and articulate the benefits of healthy living and wellness to the community at large and subgroups.
• Responsible for leading physical activity-based programming for groups of individuals (e.g. Approximately 20-30 participants per program).
• Supervise and ensure the safety of all individuals participating in the program.
• Coordinate the setup and tear down of equipment for Sun Life CHC programs.
• Value relationships and community through cultural sensitivity to diverse populations.
• Contribute to the development and delivery of Sun Life CHC instructor and volunteer training.
• Be responsible for the oversight volunteers as they will interact with participants in the program. Provide feedback to volunteers for growth and development.
• Complete administrative tasks in a timely manner.
• Regularly attend and actively participate in Sun Life CHC planning, meetings, presentations, and events.

Qualifications

• Bachelor in Kinesiology or another health-related discipline. This position is open to educational equivalencies.
• Minimum of one year of recent relevant work experience.
• Familiarity with Canadian Physical Activity Guidelines, nutrition guidelines, LTAD guidelines, and the 24-Hour Movement Guidelines recommendations.
• The incumbent must be physically able to transport, set up, and take down equipment and demonstrate the activities associated with the program.
• Must be self-initiated and able to work independently as well as part of a cohesive team.
• Relevant experience coordinating physical activity/healthy living programming.
• Must be aware of Canadian health and safety guidelines.
• Recent experience working with a youth population is an asset.
• Must be punctual and dependable.
• Must have reliable transportation.
• Before an offer of employment is extended, a valid Vulnerable Sector police check and current Standard first Aid and CPR Level “C” will be required.
• Enjoy working in an ever-changing environment in which problem solving and flexibility are critical to success.
• EDI & I training is an asset.
• Training and experience working in inclusion support is an asset.

This position has been deemed eligible for educational equivalencies.   

Compensation

Position Grade: Level D

Rate of pay: $38.34 to $40.53 per hour with an annual step progression on anniversary date up to $43.82 per hour.  Considerations for new hire step placements include, qualifications and length/depth of required experience, relevant market rates for similar jobs, internal equity, and estimated learning curve in starting the job. 

Hours of Work:  The hours of work are irregular Monday to Friday.  Flexibility in hours will be required, as weekend work due to scheduled community activity programming/CHC events will be needed.  Possibility of hours during the day to accommodate administrative work (outside of program delivery). 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. 

Job Evaluation Factor Scores 

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.