Manager Apprenticeship Operations

Southern Alberta Institute of Technology; Calgary; On-site; CAD 120,000 - 139,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading technical institute in Calgary is seeking an Operations Manager for the Office of Apprenticeship. This role involves driving operational excellence, managing day-to-day operations across various apprenticeship programs, and ensuring compliance with regulations. Candidates must hold a Journeyperson certificate and have 5-7 years of relevant experience. The successful applicant will lead strategic initiatives and enhance the student experience while collaborating with multiple stakeholders. A comprehensive compensation package is available.

Benefits

Defined Benefit pension through LAPP

Generous time off

SAIT paid premiums for medical, dental, and vision benefits

Access to Health Spending Account

Mental health support

Professional development opportunities

Access to fitness facilities

Qualifications

• 5-7 years of progressive experience in apprenticeship administration or complex operational environments.
• 5-7 years of teaching in an Apprenticeship Education Program, preferably at an Alberta post-secondary institution.
• 2-3 years in a supervisory role.

Responsibilities

• Oversee end to end apprenticeship operations, ensuring compliance and smooth functioning.
• Make informed decisions using data to guide action and maintain operational health.
• Lead the institutional forecasting process and monitor seat utilization.

Skills

Apprenticeship administration

Strategic oversight

Data analysis

Relationship building

Education

Journeyperson certificate in a red-seal trade

Bachelor's degree in education, business, or related field

Job description

Overview

The Office of Apprenticeship drives operational excellence across SAIT’s apprenticeship programs. Join a team dedicated to collaborating with industry, government and other post secondaries to meet the demand for skilled professionals and enhance the student experience.

The Opportunity

Job classification: M1100 - Manager

Salary range: $120,000 - $139,000. Placement within the range is typically based upon a review of skills, experience, and internal equity.

Hours per week: 37.5

Paid leave: 4 Weeks Vacation / 14 Flex Days per year

Deadline to apply: 4:00PM, February 3, 2026

As a key leader in our Office of Apprenticeship, you will drive operational excellence powering high quality training experiences across five schools spanning 27 trades here at SAIT. This role blends strategic oversight with hands on problem solving, ensuring our programs run smoothly, meet regulatory requirements, and support student success across the province.

The Operations Manager is accountable for the day-to-day operational execution and portfolio management of SAIT’s apprenticeship ecosystem. Reporting to the Director, Office of Apprenticeship, this role owns portfolio-level and program-level apprenticeship processes, ensuring consistent execution, operational excellence, and exceptional student experience across all schools.

This role requires mastery of apprenticeship administration, ability to coordinate across a matrixed organization, and skill in balancing competing priorities from schools, students, industry, and government. The Operations Manager serves as the operational backbone of the Office, translating strategic priorities into executable plans, managing capacity, fiscal resources, and ensuring portfolio health through proactive monitoring and intervention.

Responsibilities

• Oversee end to end apprenticeship operations such as seat management, progression pathways, compliance, and cross school coordination
• Make informed decisions on priorities, resource allocation, and portfolio level challenges, using data to guide action and maintain operational health
• Lead the institutional forecasting process, monitor seat utilization, and identify opportunities to optimize capacity. Working with leadership, you’ll help shape funding proposals that align with future needs and strategic priorities
• Identify systemic challenges, collaborate with partners in Continuous Improvement, and ensure processes are practical, consistent, and well adopted across schools
• Own key apprenticeship processes—from forecasting to progression tracking and reporting. Guide schools in applying standards, support adoption, and adapt processes when necessary to maintain compliance and operational reality
• Build strong relationships, support change initiatives, deliver training, and facilitate Communities of Practice that foster alignment and shared learning
• Steward the apprenticeship student journey, identify barriers, and advocate for student needs across operational and support teams
• Interpret operational data, partner on KPI design, monitor dashboards, and translate insights into actionable plans. You’ll also lead internal and external reporting, ensuring accuracy, compliance, and clarity
• Lead the rollout of new processes, assess feasibility, support adoption readiness, and ensure we remain compliant with evolving provincial and regulatory requirements

Qualifications

• Minimum Journeyperson certificate in a red-seal trade is required
• Bachelor's degree in education, business, or related field would be considered an asset
• 5-7 years progressive experience in apprenticeship administration or complex operational environments
• 5-7 years Teaching in an Apprenticeship Education Program, preferably at an Alberta post-secondary institution
• 2-3 years in a Supervisory role is required
• Equivalent combination of education and experience may be considered

We thank all applicants for their interest in joining our team! We know being ghosted is the worst, so be assured – you’ll hear from us either way. We take time to review each submission carefully and promise not to vanish.

Together, we build bold futures

At SAIT, we equip you with the resources you need to shape bold futures for yourself and our communities. We offer a comprehensive package including:

• Defined Benefit pension through LAPP to help you retire with confidence
• Generous time off to pursue other passions and support your wellbeing
• SAIT paid premiums for medical, dental, and vision benefits so you, and your family, are well supported
• Access to a Health Spending or Taxable Spending Account
• Benefits supporting mental health and access to Greenshield + for virtual therapy at a reduced rate
• Professional development opportunities through our Free Seat Program, tuition support, access to LinkedIn Learning and discounted Continuing Education & Professional Studies courses
• Excellent dining options on campus
• Free access to our fitness facilities and group fitness classes
• Perks and ongoing opportunities throughout SAIT

About SAIT

At SAIT, we’re building bold futures. We’re a community of tenacious problem-solvers, inventive thinkers, and passionate collaborators who believe in doing work that matters.

Named one of Alberta’s Top Employers, we’re driven by a desire to create an impact in our community. If you’re looking for a place where purpose meets possibility, you’ve found it here.

We’re committed to community and belonging

Community and belonging is essential to achieving SAIT's vision to be a global leader in applied education. We encourage applications from women, Indigenous people, racialized people, people with disabilities, people from gender and sexually diverse communities, and/or people with intersectional identities. Learn more about Community and Belonging at SAIT.