Program Development Officer, Creative Industries + External Engagement

Emily Carr University; Vancouver; Hybrid; Full time

Job summary

Emily Carr University seeks a Program Development Officer to support research and strategic refinement of programs. The role involves managing partnerships, developing frameworks, and ensuring alignment with the university's strategic goals. The successful candidate will engage with industry partners and contribute to the creative sector's growth.

Qualifications

• Minimum 3 years of relevant experience in program/project coordination.
• Experience working in the post-secondary sector is an asset.
• Excellent oral and written communication skills.

Responsibilities

• Manage design, prototyping, and evaluation of new programs.
• Conduct research to identify emerging trends in arts and design.
• Plan and deliver events, workshops, and showcases for new programs.

Skills

Communication

Analytical

Organizational

Problem Solving

Collaboration

Education

Bachelor’s degree in business administration

Bachelor’s degree in communications

Bachelor’s degree in marketing

Tools

Microsoft Office

Adobe Creative Suite

InDesign

Illustrator

Job description

Temporary Full-Time Excluded Position (ASAP to April 30, 2026)

8:30am to 4:30pm / Monday to Friday (Telecommuting Options Available)

Grade 7 ($37.90 to $50.54 per hour)

This position is fully funded through external sources. Continuation of the position is contingent upon ongoing funding availability.

Emily Carr University of Art + Design is a school of students, faculty, thinkers and makers unlike any other. Established in 1925, we are the only specialized, accredited, public, post-secondary university in British Columbia solely devoted to education and research in the creative sector and its associated knowledge economy. We merge research, critical theory and studio practice in an interdisciplinary environment, strengthening our work by the integration of our personal and professional practices. Our strategy, facilities, partnerships and resources are intentionally student-centred to foster dialogue, expression and open connections in support of the next generation of creative and cultural leaders.

The Program Development Officer plays a pivotal role in supporting the research, prototyping, and strategic refinement of emerging programs and industry partnerships that align with the Partnerships + Creative Entrepreneurship portfolio. The Program Development Officer identifies new opportunities, supports the development of optimized partnership and program models and frameworks that advance the University’s strategic plans, and the cultivation of meaningful collaborations with new and existing industry and community partners, faculty, and students.

As the successful applicant, you should possess:

• Bachelor’s degree in business administration, communications, marketing, or a related field.
• Minimum 3years of relevant experience in program and/or project coordination, and/or relationship management responsibilities.
• An equivalent combination of education and experience will be considered.
• Experience working in a post-secondary sector is an asset.
• Excellent knowledge of art and design context.
• Knowledge and experience with web page content and social media platforms is an asset.
• Demonstrated experience with multi-project coordination and balancing competing deadlines.
• Demonstrated experience of effective engagement with industry and community partners.
• Proficient in Microsoft Office and Adobe Creative Suite and the ability to lead document creation and layout in InDesign and Illustrator.
• Ability to initiate and handle a variety of assignments simultaneously in a timely manner.
• Exceptional collaborative, organizational, analytical, and time management skills, with a keen attention to detail.
• Strong analytical and tactical problem-solving abilities, with the ability to apply strategic frameworks established by the portfolio.
• Ability to pro-actively identify project or program issues and potential problems.
• Ability to effectively engage and communicate with external partners, funders, and collaborators to support program and partnership development.
• Excellent oral and written communication skills with proven ability to effectively present project or program requirements and updates.
• Ability to exercise cultural sensitivity and competency in diverse populations and when dealing with students, faculty, staff, and the public.
• Demonstrated commitment to justice, equity, diversity, inclusion, and reconciliation.
• Ability to promote Emily Carr University effectively to partners at all levels and to establish positive working relationships internally and externally.

Typical Duties include:

• Under the direction of the Supervisor, manages the design, prototyping, and evaluation of new programs, projects, and partnership models aligning with the goals of the Partnerships + Creative Entrepreneurship portfolio and the strategic objectives of the University by: Translating strategic priorities into practical frameworks, pilot programs, or prototypes to support program goals; designing and implementing workflows, evaluation tools, and engagement plans tailored to diverse partners and project contexts; gathering and incorporating feedback from internal and external partners to refine program design and delivery; Monitoring performance metrics and funding requirements, using insights to iterate program structures and approaches; Balancing multiple competing constraints—including timelines, budgets, equity considerations, and funder requirements—while identifying key issues and elevating decisions for Project Manager review.
• In collaboration with the supervisor, identifies and develops opportunities for cross-sector collaboration, funding partnerships, and new initiatives by independently conducting research and initiating early-stage engagement to identify and cultivate opportunities
• Conducts research to identify emerging trends and best practices in arts, design, and technology programming, translating these findings to the institutional context and strategic priorities and objectives.
• In collaboration with the supervisor, develops and refines program frameworks, workflows, and strategies for engaging partners and collaborators, incorporating iterative feedback from research and project or program participants.
• Plans, organizes, and delivers events, workshops, and showcases for new programs, ensuring alignment with portfolio objectives.
• Manages relationships with faculty, research staff, and external partners for smooth implementation and sustained collaboration to support the delivery of new programs and initiatives by:setting up and maintaining communication workflows to ensure alignment of program goals, roles and other expectations across internal and external partners; proactively flagging risks or mismatches in program delivery.
• Responsible for hiring, onboarding, coordination, performance management and day-to-day supervision of project-based staff including research assistants, in alignment with evolving program needs and planning discussions.
• In collaboration with the Supervisor, designs and implements evaluation frameworks to measure program impact, partner engagement, and key performance indicators (KPIs), utilizing tools such as post-program surveys, feedback mechanisms, and impact tracking methods for informed internal learning and supporting external reporting requirements.
• Represents Shumka Centre for Creative Entrepreneurship at industry events, workshops, and networking opportunities to foster external engagement and identify partnership opportunities.Representation encompasses, but is not limited to, sharing project outcomes, initiating exploratory discussions, or identifying areas of alignment with potential partners or funders.
• Develops and executes marketing, communications, and knowledge translation strategies in collaboration with the Partnerships + Creative Entrepreneurship team including program branding, digital assets, content management, and the design of reports, toolkits, and publications.
• Collaborates with Partnerships + Creative Entrepreneurship team on managing Shumka Centre website and social media content to support program visibility and outreach.
• Identifies and addresses strategic gaps within Shumka Centre’s programming, working closely with the Supervisor to refine existing/new program offerings.
• Supports the Partnerships + Creative Entrepreneurship leadership team by directing the drafting and compilation of grant applications, partnership proposals, and all relevant reports, while also spearheading the documentation, writing, and publishing of project or program materials to ensure clear and comprehensive reporting of outcomes and impacts.
• Exercises discretion and sound judgment in handling sensitive and confidential information, such as salary details, unannounced funding, and proposal content.
• Required to travel for portfolio activities, encompassing occasional off-site local events, regional engagements, and national travel, which may extend beyond regular business hours.
• Fosters a culture of Justice, Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion (JEDI) by remaining current in JEDI trends that impact their field of work and making recommendations to the Supervisor, for improvements in support of the ECU community and the strategic goals of the University.
• Performs other related duties as requested by the Project Manager or AVP Research.

To apply for this job, please visit https://ecuad.peopleadmin.ca. Competition closes on Thursday, 29 May 2025.

Emily Carr University especially invites those who have demonstrated a commitment to upholding the values of equity, diversity, and inclusion and will assist us to expand our capacity for diversity in the broadest sense. In addition, to correct the conditions of disadvantage in employment in Canada, we encourage applications from members of groups that have been historically disadvantaged and marginalized. These include women, persons with diverse gender expressions and identities, persons of all sexual orientations, racialized persons, persons with disabilities, and First Nations, Metis, Inuit and Indigenous persons. All qualified people are encouraged to apply; however, Canadians and permanent residents of Canada will be given priority. While we thank all candidates for their interest, only those short-listed will be contacted.