Associate Director, Experiential Learning and Professional Development

University of British Columbia - Staff; Vancouver; On-site; CAD 100,000 - 125,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading educational institution in Vancouver seeks an Associate Director for Experiential Learning and Professional Development, responsible for strategic leadership of co-op programs and student engagement initiatives. The role encompasses managing a large team, fostering inclusive practices, and collaborating with various stakeholders to enhance student success. Preferred candidates should possess strong leadership, strategic planning skills, and a commitment to equity and diversity. This position requires a minimum of five years of related experience and a relevant undergraduate degree.

Qualifications

• Minimum of five to six years of related experience or an equivalent combination of education and experience.
• Demonstrated commitment to equity, diversity, and inclusion.
• Outstanding developmental student advising skills.

Responsibilities

• Provide strategic leadership for co-op and experiential learning programs.
• Oversee the implementation of career initiatives for student success.
• Manage a team of approximately 20 FTEs to achieve portfolio goals.

Skills

Leadership

Strategic planning

Program evaluation

Student advising

Excellent communication

Education

Undergraduate degree in a relevant discipline

Graduate degree preferred

Job description

Posting End Date December 27, 2025

Note: Applications will be accepted until 11:59 PM on the Posting End Date.

Job End Date

Ongoing

This position is expected to be filled by promotion/reassignment and is included here to inform you of its vacancy at the University.

At UBC, we believe that attracting and sustaining a diverse workforce is key to the successful pursuit of excellence in research, innovation, and learning for all faculty, staff and students. Our commitment to employment equity helps achieve inclusion and fairness, brings rich diversity to UBC as a workplace, and creates the necessary conditions for a rewarding career.

Job Summary

Applied Science Central Student Services is a shared service unit across the Faculty of Applied Science (APSC), including Engineering, the School of Community and Regional Planning, the School of Biomedical Engineering, and the School of Architecture and Landscape Architecture. The unit is dedicated to being an efficient and consistent source of academic, career, and professional development services and support for students through their academic journey in APSC. APSC Central Student Services unit has 4 teams; the APSC Co‑op, Experiential Learning and Professional Development team, the Undergraduate Academic Advising Team, the Graduate Academic Programs and Advising Team, and the Academic Systems Team all under the leadership of the Director, APSC Student Services.

The Associate Director, Experiential Learning and Professional Development, provides strategic leadership for the design, delivery, and continuous improvement of co‑operative education, experiential learning, and career development programming in the Faculty of Applied Science. Reporting to the Director, APSC Student Services, the Associate Director oversees all aspects of strategic planning, human resources, financial planning, operations, and policy/program development for a portfolio that supports over 15 undergraduate programs, 18 graduate programs, academic units and serves more than 5,000 undergraduate and graduate students. Over 4,000 APSC students participate in the APSC Co‑op Program, and 1,700 APSC students participate in Engineering Design Teams, two core programs that this role oversees.

This role leads the development and implementation of a cohesive vision to ensure the success of new and current work‑integrated education programs, career, and student engagement initiatives in the Faculty. The Associate Director determines the strategic direction of programs, ensuring they are inclusive, data‑informed, and aligned with institutional priorities by identifying and integrating national and international best practices. The position also provides guidance on program implementation, evaluation, and continuous improvement to enhance student outcomes and employer partnerships. The Associate Director is a member of the senior management team in the APSC Central Student Services unit and works to shape the strategic direction of the unit. Collaborating closely with the Director and other senior leaders, the role drives initiatives that foster the academic, personal, and professional success of APSC students.

Organizational Status

The Associate Director, Experiential Learning and Professional Development reports to the Director, APSC Student Services and provides strategic leadership and management to the APSC Co‑op Program and Professional Development portfolio. This portfolio serves the Faculty’s student body at both the Vancouver and Okanagan campuses.

Works closely with Department Heads and Directors, Program Chairs and Departmental Liaisons, and faculty and staff of the Faculty of Applied Science. Collaborates with UBC Partners, including the UBC Career Centre, VP Students, CSI&C, CCEL, other UBC Co‑op Programs, and other campus units as required.

Work Performed

Strategic Leadership & Program Development

• Plays a key role on the APSC Student Services leadership team in shaping and advancing Applied Science Student Services. Working with the Director and Associate Directors to develop, deliver, and evaluate student and academic services while fostering an organizational culture aligned with strategic priorities.
• Leads the strategic planning, development, and evaluation of the Applied Science Co‑op and Professional Development programs to ensure alignment with Faculty and institutional priorities, continues enhancements to the quality of co‑op placements and professional development opportunities and the programs generally.
• Provides evidence‑based leadership in designing innovative, inclusive, and responsive programming that reflects the evolving needs of students, academic programs, and industry partners; identifies and addresses barriers to employment for equity‑deserving student groups by collaborating with campus partners such as Access and Diversity, the Equity Office, and the First Nations House of Learning to develop targeted support initiatives.
• Provides oversight for all APSC Co‑op students on placement regarding workplace safety concerns, employment issues (including harassment and employment equity), intellectual property rights and confidentiality concerns raised by co‑op students and/or employers.
• Oversees the implementation of short and long‑term strategies for career initiatives, experiential learning, and strategic partnerships for all relevant APSC career programs to enhance student success and engagement.
• Advises the Dean’s Office and senior leadership on career and student engagement matters impacting undergraduate and graduate programs.
• Leads the design and execution of assessment and evaluation processes to ensure continuous program improvement and responsiveness to student and employer feedback, using institutional and sector data and metrics to inform and guide work to inform program development, service delivery, and strategic decision‑making.
• Manages the ongoing development of the APSC Engineering Design Team framework to support experiential learning across disciplines.
• Leads the preparation of planning documents, annual reports and outcome analyses to support accountability, transparency, and long‑term planning.

People & Operational Management

• Establishes objectives, manages outcomes, determines and allocates resources across the Applied Science Co‑op Program and Professional Development team. Directs, guides, and coaches team members to achieve Portfolio goals and outcomes.
• Responsible for succession planning, restructuring and growth within the department. Recruits, develops, manages, evaluates, and coaches senior staff, while addressing performance issues as required and ensures similar effective approaches occur throughout the department from the managers to staff and student hires, liaising with APSC HR as required.
• Leads the development and delivery of training, professional development and capacity‑building initiatives for the team to support growth and excellence.
• Champions staff wellbeing by identifying and implementing initiatives that foster a healthy, inclusive and supportive work environment.
• Responsible for the sound management of annual and long‑range budgets (5 years), including the development of specific program/unit budgets, including gifts for donor‑funded programs and external funds (government and other sources), the allocation of resources and the ongoing monitoring of incoming revenue and outgoing commitments.

Institutional Representation & Strategic Partnerships

• Represents the Faculty of Applied Science at university, provincial, national, and international committees and associations related to career education, co‑operative education, and/or work‑integrated learning, including Co‑operative Education and Work Integrated Learning Canada and the UBC Co‑op Council.
• Serves as the Faculty’s representation on the UBC Co‑op Council, contributing to institution‑wide planning and coordination of co‑op initiatives.
• Provides leadership to cross‑campus, inter‑faculty initiatives that may impact the Co‑op and PD portfolio, ensuring alignment with broader academic and career development goals.
• Collaborate with internal partners to support and expand co‑curricular experiential learning opportunities across UBC.
• Participates in university‑level committees and administrative structures to inform the development and implementation of academic and career development programming aligned with AVPS and institutional priorities.
• Performs other duties as required.

Consequence of Error/Judgement

Makes independent decisions and recommendations in areas of strategic planning, marketing, policies and procedures and management of Work Integrated Education, Career and Student Engagement Initiatives, and Portfolio staff and finances. Incorrect decisions can adversely affect the reputation of the Faculty of Applied Science and UBC’s reputation in general. Failure to acknowledge and respond to industry and employer feedback affects the quality of Work Integrated Education programs and career and student engagement initiatives, and opportunities for students. Mismanagement of funding could result in loss of credibility of the Portfolio and loss of funding from UBC and the Ministry. Failure to meet Accreditation standards for the Co‑op Program could result in loss of accreditation and associated Ministry funding. Failure to effectively manage staff could result in reduced effectiveness of Portfolio initiatives and therefore reduced opportunities for students, reduced employer participation and reduced funding. Failure to act on workplace safety, employment equity or confidentiality issues could result in legal liability for the University.

Supervision Received

This is an independent position requiring an Associate Director who can work under the general direction of the Director, APSC Student Services. Work is reviewed in the context of achieving strategic goals and contributing to a productive team‑working environment which is responsive to students and faculty.

Supervision Given

Directly responsible for the overall performance of Portfolio staff, around 20 FTEs, including those in the Applied Science Co‑op Program and Professional Development team. Directly manages 5 management‑level staff.

Minimum Qualifications

Undergraduate degree in a relevant discipline. Minimum of five to six 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

• Graduate degree preferred.
• Prior higher education leadership experience is an asset.
• Experience designing and delivering complex programs, including evaluating and measuring program effectiveness required.
• Experience developing and executing strategic plans, resource models and reports.
• Experience conducting risk assessments, trend analyses and service delivery reviews.
• Experience with career and/or leadership and professional development required.
• Outstanding developmental student advising skills and demonstrated success in teaching and developing other professional staff to educate and advise students.
• Deep and masterful knowledge of learning pedagogy and practice.
• Demonstrated experience in a leadership role, including the ability to lead a team of individuals to build programs and execute strategic plans, preferably in a higher education environment.
• Ability to delegate, lead, motivate, coach and train staff and excellent oral and written communication skills in English.
• Ability to work effectively in teams and to develop effective working relationships with students, faculty, staff, volunteers and community members.
• Ability to manage the complexity inherent within a multi‑faceted work environment focused on broad outcomes for students.
• Knowledge of University systems, structures, processes, and decision‑making structures is an asset.