Residence Coordinator, Academic Initiatives

Department: Student and Ancillary Services 

Job Type: Limited Term

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

Campus: Waterloo 

Reports to: Residence Manager, Student Learning

Employee Group: WLUSA 

Application Deadline: October 26, 2026

Requisition ID: 11894 

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

The Residence Education unit in the Department of Residence includes the Associate Director of Residence Education, the Residence Manager of Student Learning, the Residence Coordinator of Experiential Learning, the Residence Coordinator of Academic Initiatives, the Residence Education Coordinator, three Residence Education Student Coordinators and over fifty student staff. The Residence Education unit is responsible for the overall coordination of initiatives that promote student learning and academic success for thirty-five hundred students living in residence buildings on our Brantford and Waterloo campuses. Each member in the Department of Residence’s four functional units (Administration, Facilities, Residence Life, and Residence Education) are dedicated to the growth of residence and first year commute students, aiming to enhance existing co-curricular learning opportunities as well as create new ones that promote holistic educational experiences.

The Residence Coordinator, Academic Initiatives is responsible for the creation and supervision of Residence Learning Communities (RLCs), the first year residential curriculum (First Year Experience), and residence-wide academic initiatives that support the educational mandate of Wilfrid Laurier University. In addition, the Residence Coordinator, Academic Initiatives aids in the student and paraprofessional staff recruitment, hiring, and training across the Department of Residence.

Accountabilities

Living-Learning Program (LLP):

• Develop and coordinate the LLP budget intended to enhance residence-wide competency development programming for first year students
• Promote the Laurier LLP to external parties to the Department of Residence, including but not limited to; conferences, recruitment fairs, campus partners, local organizations, etc.
• Chair weekly staff meetings and coordinate regular one-on-ones to facilitate information distribution, staff development and program development
• Coordinate the marketing and promotion of the LLP, working collaboratively with the Department of Residence staff to ensure accuracy and detail are effectively communicated to current and future residents 

Residence Learning Communities (RLCs)

• Recruit, hire, develop, support, and direct approximately 12 senior undergraduate student staff (RLC Dons) who coordinate curriculum delivery in our themed, faculty-focused, and connected coursework RLCs
• Coordinate the recruitment, selection, and placement of approximately four hundred students into RLCs.
• Frequent and accurate communication with numerous departmental and campus partners including the Registrar’s Office, Department of Residence, Transition and Learning Services, the Recruitment Office and all faculty at Laurier is required
• Guide and support the development of each RLC’s curriculum to align with the community’s theme and meet the developmental needs of RLC residents
• Working closely and collaboratively with deans, department chairs, and faculty to solicit instructional support for RLCs and to identify new opportunities for additional RLCs
• Chair weekly staff meetings and coordinate regular one-on-ones to facilitate information distribution, staff development and program development
• Research trends, issues and best practices in supporting student transition and assessment; conducting regular reviews of programs and making improvements in relevant areas based on results generated from ongoing assessment and review processes, adjust the focus and scope of communities to meet the needs of the residence community. This may include creating or re-purposing an RLC

Residential Curriculum (First Year Residence Experience Manual – FYRE)

• Develop/modify the First Year Residence Experience (FYRE) education plan and associated lesson plans informed by current literature in higher education and assessment data collected at Laurier. The FYRE manual addresses five areas of development for our residence community: Equity, Diversity, Inclusion & Indigeneity, Academic Curiosity & Success; Life Skills; Self-Awareness; and Community Integration & Participation. The FYRE manual is the foundation for the residence experience and is central to the Department of Residence’s strategy to support the development of all first-year students.
• Recruit, hire, develop, support, and direct approximately nine senior undergraduate student staff (Residence Education Advisors) who coordinate curriculum delivery in partnership with subject experts in the Laurier community
• Develop and deliver associated training modules for all student staff in residence so that they will be able to carry out lesson plans developed in the FYRE manual
• Consult with residents, student leaders, professional staff and faculty to identify shifting developmental needs of residence population
• Refine residence’s curricular response to the changing needs and trends of all thirty-five hundred residence students in order to support the retention and success of students at Laurier
• Coordinate Residence Education’s efforts to integrate students’ curricular and co-curricular experience

Residence Academic Initiatives

• Actively seek out and develop new initiatives with campus and community partners (faculty, staff and students) in response to developmental needs of residence population. Examples: Career Services workshops, Library Services drop-in research support, and student-faculty networking events
• Principal researcher, contact, and coordinator for all residence-centered education opportunities that support the academic success of students. Examples include: Residence Life Conference, ACUHO-I’s Academic Initiatives Conference, and opportunities available through professional associations (OACUHO, ACUHO-I, CACUSS, ACPA, NASPA)
• Coordinate academic advising and an academic mentor program in residence in partnership with Laurier faculty and Learning Services
• Develop an academic information resource program which will be accessed by staff and students alike to gain access to important academic information
• Facilitate residence wide academic programming that supports the academic mission of the university and help facilitate increased retention rates among residence students

Staff Hiring, Training & Development

• Serve as the principal contact for Laurier’s residence community to coordinate training and development opportunities that require a curricular approach
• Continuously develop and deliver training content for all student staff that support academic initiatives in residence
• Coordinate ongoing training and development for all student leaders affiliated with Laurier’s RLCs
• Co-coordinate ongoing training and development alongside Residence Education and Residence Life professionals for all Residence Dons and Residence Education Advisors
• Support the training and development of professional staff in the Department of Residence

Administration

• Supervise one Residence Education Student Coordinator and approximately 20 student staff based on the needs of the Residence Education unit
• Create and maintain curricular and co-curricular resources for the residence community
• Assist in supporting the Department of Residence’s website, e-mail account, social media feeds and promotional material
• Maintain student staff personnel records and student leadership development files with attention to detail and confidentiality
• Respond to internal and external requests in a timely manner
• Oversee all expenditures related to curricular and co-curricular initiatives in RLCs and the First Year Residence Experience model, training of staff and the development of students, the development and dissemination of promotional material, etc. Monitor annual expenditures relative to budget allocation 
• Keep supervisor informed of professional and program successes, challenges, and concerns through regular written reports (as necessary) and one-on-one meetings

Departmental Projects:

Assessment

• Aid in the development and coordination of assessment efforts for residence programs
• Assist in the development and evaluation of student learning outcomes for Residence Education’s efforts
• Direct RLC and FYRE assessment efforts to inform program developments and engage in data informed decision making 
• Collect and collate RLC resident feedback related to their living-learning environment and RLC programs

Portfolio Work 

• Engage as an active member of two portfolios across the department of residence, where portfolio work encompasses specific areas of project work required for effective Department of Residence operation. These portfolios include: Assessment, Hiring & Performance Management, Student Staff Training & Development, Socials & Recognition, Marketing Promotions and Communications, etc. 

Multi-campus Support

• Work as a team member with Residence Education unit staff on the Brantford and Waterloo campuses to develop learning experiences that have a multi-campus impact
• Have a physical presence on Laurier’s Brantford campus two full days each month
• Support the creation and implementation of transition and academic success initiatives for Laurier’s Brantford and Waterloo residence communities to support student growth

Qualifications:

• An undergraduate degree with a minimum of two years paraprofessional and/or professional experience in a residential environment at the post-secondary level
• Demonstrated success in organizing large scale programs and events
• Knowledge and demonstrated application of student development, transition and retention, and instructional theories
• Proven ability to apply a curricular approach to student learning and development
• Demonstrated ability to establish and nurture partnerships with colleagues across divisions in a post-secondary context
• Proven ability to develop and deliver presentations, workshops, guided reflection and training modules
• Demonstrated creativity, initiative and an ability to complete independent and team tasks
• Experience coaching/mentoring students and/or staff; handling confidential information, and monitoring budgets effectively
• Agree to regularly work weekday evenings and weekends for programs and events

Hours of Work: This is a full-time, limited term role with an approximate end date of August 31, 2028. The normal hours of work are Monday – Friday 8:30 a.m. – 4:30 p.m. Some flexibility may be required due to periods of high volume. When possible, the manager will adjust hours to ensure that no more than 35 hours are worked in a week.

This role requires daily in person attendance and is not eligible for a flexible work arrangement as per Policy 8.14 (Flexible Work Policy).

Compensation:

Level: F

Rate of Pay: $48.56 to $51.34 per hour with an annual step progression on anniversary date up to $55.50 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.

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.