Classification & Regular Hours

Hours per Week: 35

Salary Grade 15

The base salary will be $70,560 - $100,680 per annum. Starting salary will be aligned with the successful candidate’s experience, skills, and demonstrated qualifications.

Please note, this is a temporary full time contract opportunity with a benefits package. The expected end date is February 29, 2028.

Secondments are Welcome

Click here for more details on secondment opportunities.

About Western

Since 1878, Western University has been committed to serving our communities through the pursuit of academic excellence and by providing students, faculty, and community members with life-long opportunities for intellectual, social, and cultural growth. We seek excellent students, faculty, and staff to join us in what has become known as the "Western Experience" - an opportunity to contribute to a better world through the development of new knowledge, new abilities, new connections, and new ways to make a difference.

About Us

The John M. Thompson Centre for Engineering Leadership and Innovation focuses on the development of non-technical skills in the Engineering community. It actively partners with other campus groups in developing skills that can be used with Engineers, such as design thinking and entrepreneurship training.

Responsibilities

The Program Manager (Design Thinking Program) will contribute to the success of the RBC Design Thinking portfolio (including Design Thinking Program and Design Thinking Workshops) by providing leadership and oversight for the day-to-day administrative, human resources, financial, programming and logistical functions of the program. The role will support the continuous development and implementation of the Design Thinking Program and Workshops to ensure that resources are aligned to best support the achievement of the portfolio objectives, and will facilitate the budget development and monitoring processes. The Program Manager is responsible for coordinating all feasibility, quality assurance, development, implementation, and marketing processes for the continuous improvement and implementation of the RBC Design Thinking portfolio. The Program Manager will participate in developing strategies related to new initiatives related to the portfolio, and will ensure the successful implementation of all aspects of the portfolio. The Program Manager will also support the development of communications and marketing materials aimed at enhancing the reputation and awareness of the program, and recruiting students into the program and workshops. The role will lead in-class elements of the program and will also manage and participate in outreach events aimed at enhancing the reputation and awareness of the Design Thinking Program and Workshops. The role will be the primary contact to liaise with industry partner, RBC and for the Western community, including students and alumni of the program, and faculty lead(s) on the program.

Qualifications

Education:

• Bachelor of Science or Engineering Degree, or Degree in a relevant discipline with courses taken in, or training in, Design Thinking techniques
• Master of Science, PhD, or graduate degree in a relevant discipline is preferred
• Courses taken in, or training in, curriculum design would be an asset

Experience:

• 3 years of experience teaching in a workshop/classroom setting
• Preferred:
  • Experience developing and implementing programming related to the delivery of Design Thinking workshops
  • University-level teaching experience
  • Experience with project management, curriculum development and design in a higher education institution

Knowledge, Skills & Abilities:

• Knowledge of active learning principles with the ability to design curriculum
• Knowledge of institutional quality assurance processes and policies would be an asset
• Familiarity with the academic community
• Ability to effectively present information, and conduct training sessions and workshops
• Ability to ensure expenditures and resources are within allotments, and to make appropriate modifications when required
• Verbal communication skills to clearly express ideas in an objective manner, and adapt communication style to suit the situation and audience
• Excellent written and aural communication skills, including the ability to write clear, concise and accurate documentation
• Ability to apply creativity, innovation and resourcefulness to daily work
• Capacity to support and demonstrate openness to persons of diverse backgrounds and beliefs
• Knowledge of group facilitation, negotiation, and conflict resolution techniques
• Ability to understand external stakeholder needs and expectations and provide excellent service to directly and indirectly satisfy expectations
• Superior project management skills, including clearly setting and communicating timelines and clear role expectations, transparently documenting and communicating progress in a multi-stakeholder, multi-phase and -stream project, and accurately assessing resource needs
• A high degree of initiative and a collaborative approach to moving initiatives forward
• Detail-oriented with the ability to complete tasks and share information with a high degree of accuracy and to retrieve, analyze and synthesize sizable amounts of data
• Commitment to ongoing professional development with a desire to take on new challenges
• A well-defined sense of diplomacy, including solid negotiation and conflict resolution skills
• Discretion, tact and maturity to deal with confidential subjects or issues
• Ability to multi-task and maintain an organized and effective personal work environment
• Ability to make sound, strategic decisions to move the portfolio efficiently and effectively forward during periods of high workload or competing priorities
• Capacity to consider issues from the perspective of others
• Ability to work within a flexible schedule to accommodate events and activities
• Intermediate computer skills in Microsoft Office Suite
• Interpersonal skills to liaise with students, staff, faculty and other members of the Western community
• Ability to handle complex, ambiguous situations with diplomacy, calmness and good judgment
• Ability to plan and manage events of various sizes; familiarity with large scale events an asset
• Proven ability and natural inclination to develop relationships by interacting with people in a professional, respectful and diplomatic manner
• Interpersonal skills to liaise with prospective and current students, staff, faculty and other members of the Western community
• Ability to work independently and effectively as a member of the team to achieve department goals

Western Values Diversity

The University invites applications from all qualified individuals. Western is committed to employment equity and diversity in the workplace and welcomes applications from women, members of racialized groups/visible minorities, Indigenous persons, persons with disabilities, persons of any sexual orientation, and persons of any gender identity or gender expression.

Accommodations are available for applicants with disabilities throughout the recruitment process. If you require accommodations for interviews or other meetings, please contact Human Resources or phone 519-661-2194.

Please Note:

This position is an existing vacancy. This position is fully in-person, on-site. We thank all applicants for their interest; however, only those chosen for an interview will be contacted.