Manager, Academic Innovation - U of C Continuing Education

University of Calgary; Calgary; On-site; CAD 70,000 - 110,000; Full time

Job summary

An established industry player is seeking a dynamic Manager of Academic Innovation to lead the charge in enhancing educational excellence. This role involves fostering innovation in instructional design and educational technology while developing high-quality courses and programs. You will collaborate with various teams to create impactful learning experiences for adult learners. If you are passionate about advancing education and thrive in a collaborative environment, this opportunity offers a chance to make a significant difference in the continuing education landscape. Join a forward-thinking institution that values diversity and innovation in education.

Benefits

Professional Development Opportunities

Flexible Work Hours

Health and Wellness Programs

Employee Assistance Program

Retirement Savings Plan

Tuition Assistance

Work-Life Balance Initiatives

Qualifications

• 7+ years experience in learning strategy and course design.
• Strong background in educational technologies and instructional design.
• 3+ years supervisory experience is required.

Responsibilities

• Lead the development of innovative educational products and strategies.
• Coordinate with teams to ensure effective communication and project progress.
• Mentor and manage academic innovation staff to achieve departmental goals.

Skills

Instructional Design

Curriculum Design

Educational Technology

Learning Management Systems (LMS)

Project Management

Analytical Skills

Problem-Solving Skills

Supervisory Skills

Education

Bachelor's degree in Instructional Design or related field

Master's degree in a related field

Tools

Yuja

Top Hat

Articulate Storyline

Microsoft Teams

Zoom

MS Project

Basecamp

Asana

Trello

Job description

Description

U of C Continuing Education is currently seeking a Full-time Limited Term Manager, Academic Innovation for approximately 24 months.

The Manager, Academic Innovation will report to the Director, Marketing, Communications and Academic Innovation and work collaboratively with Programming teams in the unit, as well as other UCalgary faculty and units and occasionally with individuals or organizations external to the University.

As a strategic lead, and in alignment with the university's Ahead of Tomorrow strategy, they will be working towards advancing academic excellence in the Continuing Education unit by fostering innovation in instructional design, leveraging educational technology, helping develop high-quality courses and programs, enhancing instructor training, and enriching the continuing education student experience. They will work closely with all business units in Continuing Education to promote a culture of innovation and develop educational strategies that promote excellence in learning.

Summary of Key Responsibilities (job functions include but are not limited to):

• Assist in the strategic planning process and implementation of teaching and learning plans that are aligned with the institution's Academic Strategic plan and goals.
• Provide strategic advice on the development of Academic Innovation plans for Continuing Professional Education, financial goals and measures.
• Lead the implementation of education, training, development of online, blended and face-to-face educational products, and applications.
• Lead the design and implementation of unit's learning practices and approaches, including process review and implementation of best practices.
• Provide input into program budgets for the development of quality educational experiences and maximum profitability.
• Help develop quality assurance measures and indicators to evaluate course design and production processes.
• Continuously assess and improve the efficiency of team's systems and processes.
• Serve as critical member of internal and institutional working groups.
• Coordinate and lead meetings with various teams to ensure clear communication and consistent progress toward project or program goals.
• Identify learning trends used within units across campus and in other realms and seek opportunities for internal improvement, alignment, and collaboration.
• Seek opportunities to highlight and share successful teaching and learning innovations used within and outside the institution in Continuing Education.
• Work with Programming Teams to create high quality, revenue generating programs and courses that respond to the upskilling and reskilling needs of adult learners.
• Plan and develop curriculum assets for continuing education product offerings.
• Oversee the curriculum and instructional design, and the evaluation of courses and programs.
• Develop systems and tools to support overall management of online curriculum assets.
• Establish standard practices and approaches for learning design.
• Implement educational technology trends and applications with a focus on pedagogical / andragogic contexts.
• Help develop curriculum assets for institution's continuing and professional education products as required.
• In collaboration with IT and T. Institute of Teaching and Learning, supervise provision of technical support for ContEd online courses and establish and monitor systems and methods for smooth operation.
• Work in collaboration with Programming Teams to evaluate courses and instructors to improve quality and student experience.
• Liaise with the Taylor Institute and other units and faculties to exchange information and consider collaborative projects related to continuing and professional education.
• Develop and maintain effective working relationships with instructors, students, and external partners.
• Mentor, direct, and lead academic innovation staff in completion of department's objectives.
• Hire, train, and support staff members, including performance management and dismissal.
• Conduct annual performance reviews, and probation and mid-probation reviews for new hires.
• Proactively develop and maintain trustworthy, productive, problem-solving working relationships with colleagues and staff across the university community and external agencies.
• Support team members with development plans and goal setting.
• Provide guidance to team members regarding project activities, communications challenges, career development, and personal challenges.
• Help promote development, delivery, and evaluation opportunities for experiential learning and work integrated learning.
• Review and make sure learning assets and resources are properly protected (Copyright, Intellectual Property, and privacy protection).

Qualifications / Requirements:

• Bachelor's degree (Instructional Design, Curriculum Design, Adult Education, Learning Technologies, Educational Technology) or a combination of equivalent education and work experience in adult learning and educational technology.
• A master's degree in a related field is an asset.
• A minimum of seven years' experience in leading and facilitating learning strategy, course or program design, and training development.
• Demonstrated experience in course design for online, blended and face-to-face learning environments using educational technologies.
• Experience in the use of current instructional design principles and models for professional and continuing education audiences (adult learning).
• A minimum of three years supervisory experience is required.
• Demonstrated experience with Learning Management Systems (LMS) required, knowledge of educational technologies and tools: Yuja, Top Hat, Articulate Storyline, platforms like Microsoft Teams, or Zoom for team collaboration, communication and learning applications.
• Experience with project management agile practices including project budget management and technology tools such as MS project, Basecamp, Asana, Trello or similar.
• Superior organizational, analytical, and problem-solving skills required to deal effectively with complex tasks and multiple priorities and stakeholders.

Application Deadline: January 26, 2025

We would like to thank all applicants in advance for submitting their resumes. Please note, only those candidates chosen to continue on through the selection process will be contacted.

This position is classified in the Management Career Band, Level 1 of the Management and Professional Staff Career Framework.

About the University of Calgary

UCalgary is Canada's entrepreneurial university, located in Canada's most enterprising city. It is a top research university and one of the highest-ranked universities of its age. Founded in 1966, its 36,000 students experience an innovative learning environment, made rich by research, hands-on experiences and entrepreneurial thinking. It is Canada's leader in the creation of start-ups. Start something today at the University of Calgary. For more information, visit ucalgary.ca.

The University of Calgary has launched an institution-wide Indigenous Strategy committing to creating a rich, vibrant, and culturally competent campus that welcomes and supports Indigenous Peoples, encourages Indigenous community partnerships, and is inclusive of Indigenous perspectives in all that we do.

As an equitable and inclusive employer, the University of Calgary recognizes that a diverse staff/faculty benefits and enriches the work, learning and research experiences of the entire campus and greater community. We are committed to removing barriers that have been historically encountered by some people in our society. We strive to recruit individuals who will further enhance our diversity and will support their academic and professional success while they are here. In particular, we encourage members of the designated groups (women, Indigenous peoples, persons with disabilities, members of visible/racialized minorities, and diverse sexual orientation and gender identities) to apply. To ensure a fair and equitable assessment, we offer accommodation at any stage during the recruitment process to applicants with disabilities. Questions regarding [diversity] EDI at UCalgary can be sent to the Office of Equity, Diversity and Inclusion ([e-mail]) and requests for accommodations can be sent to Human Resources ([e-mail]).

Do you have most but not all the qualifications? Research shows that women, racialized and visible minorities, and persons with disabilities are less likely to apply for jobs unless they meet every single qualification. At UCalgary we are committed to achieving equitable, diverse, inclusive and accessible employment practices and workplaces and encourage you to apply if you believe you are right for this role.

We encourage all qualified applicants to apply, however preference will be given to Canadian citizens and permanent residents of Canada.