Manager, Transnational Education (TNE)
McMaster University
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Job summary
McMaster University is seeking a Manager, Transnational Education (TNE) to lead development, implementation and ongoing management of McMaster's international education initiatives and partnerships.
Reporting to the Director, International Affairs, the role shapes strategy, identifies opportunities, coordinates pilots, negotiates agreements, and ensures compliance while collaborating with faculties and external partners.
Qualifications
- Master's degree preferred in Higher Education, International Education, Public Administration, Business Administration, International Relations, or a related field.
- 5+ years related experience in higher education or related institutions.
- Experience managing complex, strategic projects in institutional environments.
- Experience in international education, partnerships, or transnational education initiatives.
- Knowledge of McMaster University structures, policies, and governance is an asset.
Responsibilities
- Lead development and management of transnational education initiatives and partnerships.
- Coordinate strategy, pilot opportunities, feasibility assessments and implementation with Faculties and partners.
- Liaise with internal and external stakeholders to advance McMaster's international engagement objectives.
- Develop business cases, implementation plans and governance structures for TNE programs.
- Ensure compliance with institutional policies, quality assurance and regulatory requirements.
- Support financial planning and reporting related to transnational education initiatives.
Skills
Education
Job description
- Master’s degree preferred in Higher Education, International Education, Public Administration, Business Administration, International Relations, or a related field.
- 5+ years related experience.
- Experience managing complex projects in institutional environments that are strategic in nature.
- Experience in international education, transnational education, partnership development, international program management, or internationalization initiatives.
- Experience developing and maintaining collaborative relationships with internal and external partners.
- Knowledge of McMaster and its structures, policies, and organization is considered an asset.
Manager, Transnational Education (TNE)
Director, International Affairs
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The Office of International Affairs (OIA) implements the McMaster Global Engagement Strategy through a range of internationalization initiatives, strategic partnerships, and academic collaborations. The OIA works closely with Faculties and academic units across the University to advance institutional priorities related to global engagement, international partnerships, student mobility, and transnational education. The OIA reports to the Provost and Vice-President (Academic) and receives strategic advice from and collaborates with the McMaster International Strategy Advisory Committee.
As McMaster expands its international footprint, Transnational Education (TNE) initiatives represent an important mechanism for extending the University's academic reach through collaborative degree programs, articulated pathways, offshore delivery arrangements, and other innovative partnership models. The OIA provides leadership, coordination, and oversight for institutional TNE activities in collaboration with Faculties, administrative units, and external international partners.
Reporting to the Director, International Affairs, the Manager, Transnational Education (TNE) will be responsible for leading the development, implementation, coordination, and ongoing management of McMaster University's transnational education initiatives and international academic partnerships. The Manager will play a key role in developing the University's transnational education strategy, identifying priority opportunities and pilot initiatives, assessing their feasibility and strategic alignment, and supporting their implementation in collaboration with Faculties and institutional partners. As liaison between the OIA, Faculties, academic units, and international partner institutions, the Manager, TNE is required to communicate broadly and effectively and to work collaboratively with a range of internal and external partners.
The incumbent works closely with the Director, International Affairs, Deans, Associate Deans, Faculty representatives, and administrative partners across the University to advance McMaster's transnational education objectives through the development of high-quality international academic partnerships and innovative program models. The Manager provides leadership in identifying opportunities, developing business cases and implementation plans, coordinating pilot projects, and supporting the successful execution and ongoing management of transnational education initiatives that advance the University's global engagement strategy while ensuring compliance with institutional policies, quality assurance standards, risk management, and applicable international regulatory requirements.
The Manager, Transnational Education will manage assigned staff and project resources supporting TNE initiatives. This will include meeting with staff regularly to review operational priorities, monitor project assignments, establish performance expectations, and identify professional development opportunities to support staff growth and success.
The Manager, Transnational Education supports the development, planning and identification of growth opportunities aligned with the McMaster Global Engagement Strategy by collecting relevant data, researching best practices, trends and market analysis, and obtaining relevant feedback from internal and external partners. Provides insight and advice to ensure University needs and priorities are effectively addressed and strategic objectives are met. Forms concrete action plans and monitors projects to ensure they continue to advance the University's internationalization goals.
Manages projects that impact the University's global engagement and internationalization objectives. Consults with, advises, and leads project participants. Develops project plans in collaboration with relevant teams and monitors progress toward desired outcomes. Plans appropriately and shifts direction if current procedures do not allow for sufficient progress. Monitors all aspects of projects and analyzes progress.
Works collaboratively with Faculties and administrative units to identify, evaluate, develop, and implement transnational education opportunities and international academic partnerships. Facilitates partnership discussions, coordinates internal and external partners’ engagement activities, supports negotiation processes, and assists with the development of partnership agreements, implementation plans, and governance structures.
Investigates specific issues and develops appropriate recommendations and responses. Compiles, synthesizes, and interprets data related to international education trends, partnership performance, student enrolment, program outcomes, and institutional priorities. Investigates TNE opportunities and develops recommendations and reports to support decision-making. Prepares presentations, briefing notes, business cases, feasibility analyses, and background papers for senior leadership.
Works collaboratively with Faculties and relevant administrative offices to support institutional reviews, quality assurance requirements, regulatory compliance obligations, partnership performance assessments, and risk management activities related to international academic partnerships and transnational education programming. Identifies issues and develops recommendations to support effective decision-making and program oversight.
Acts as a resource person, liaison, and coordinator for partnership initiatives. Prepares and delivers updates to the Director/Head, International Affairs. Coordinates the flow of information and directs data appropriately. Reviews and analyzes reports, agreements, briefs, and other sources of information and composes related correspondence and documents. Ensures information is accessible to others. Acts as contact person and collects, formats, and disseminates information to engaged parties ensuring information is clear, correct, and in a form suitable to its intended audience. Determines what information should be distributed, to whom, and in what format.
Assists and supports the Director, International Affairs in the preparation of budget submissions, business planning exercises, and financial reporting related to transnational education initiatives and international partnership activities. Monitors project expenditures and supports financial analysis and forecasting activities as required.
Solid understanding of internationalization in higher education and transnational education models.
Knowledge of international partnership development, academic collaborations, and global engagement strategies.
Knowledge of governance, systems, and decision-making processes within higher education institutions.
Knowledge of governance, systems and decision-making processes at McMaster University; a comprehensive understanding of McMaster University's policies and procedures is considered an asset.
Understanding of quality assurance frameworks, accreditation processes, and regulatory considerations relevant to transnational education activities.
Solid foundation in organizational change management methodology and principles and the ability to translate them into standard business practice.
Strong research, analytical, and problem-solving skills with the ability to exercise mature judgment.
Excellent verbal, written, presentation, facilitation, and interpersonal communication skills.
Demonstrated intercultural competence and ability to work effectively in diverse international environments.
Highly self-motivated and self-directed.
Ability to work independently and creatively with limited resources and minimal direction.
Ability to work effectively at all levels in an organization.
Demonstrated ability to establish and maintain effective relationships and partnerships.
Strong organizational skills, attention to detail, and focus on task completion and outcome deliverables.
Exceptional research skills and demonstrated knowledge and experience synthesizing research and providing recommendations.
Strong computer skills, proficient with MS Office applications (Word, PowerPoint, Excel).
Ability to communicate clearly and effectively, building trust and confidence.
Ability to manage change and ambiguity and adapt as conditions evolve.
Demonstrated ability to prepare strategic recommendations, briefing materials, and business cases for senior leadership audiences.
As assigned.
Supports budget planning, reporting, forecasting, and financial analysis for projects and partnerships within the portfolio.
Liaison with Faculties, Schools, Institutes, administrative departments, external agencies, government representatives, and international partner institutions regarding transnational education initiatives and international academic partnerships.
Project planning, coordination, and implementation for transnational education initiatives and partnership activities in partnership with internal partners.
Coordination of resources, timelines, partner engagement activities, and reporting requirements.
Oversight of staff resources as assigned.
Reporting, partnership documentation, briefing materials, business cases, agreements, and presentations as required.
McMaster Global
Transnational Education initiatives, which may include (yet not limited to) International pathway and articulation agreements, Joint and dual degree partnerships, curricula franchising/consultancy, Offshore academic delivery arrangements
Strategic international academic partnership initiatives.
International delegation visits and partnership development activities.
Externally funded international projects related to transnational education.
Other special projects and initiatives related to the McMaster Global Engagement Strategy.
Other (specify)
As assigned.
Low physical effort for activities such as:
Intermittent periods of keyboarding, processing documents, emails, letters, reports, agreements, and presentations.
Attending meetings and communicating with partners.
Participation in domestic and international meetings, visits, and events.
Moderate/high physical effort is not a regular feature of this role.
No adverse physical environment conditions inherent in this job.
Frequent domestic and international travel may be required to support partnership development, implementation, relationship management, due diligence activities, quality assurance reviews, and representation of the University at international meetings and events.
May be required to work across multiple time zones, including occasional early morning, evening, and weekend meetings.
Typical work day requires occasional high mental effort for activities involving complex partnership negotiations, strategic planning, project management, problem solving, and regulatory reviews.
Requires sustained attention to detail when reviewing agreements, business cases, partnership documentation, and reports.
Handles competing requests for multiple sources.
Will encounter challenging people and issues.
Frequently required to manage competing priorities, tight deadlines, and complex internal and external partner expectations across multiple jurisdictions and time zones.
McMaster University is located on the traditional territories of the Haudenosaunee and Mississauga Nations and within the lands protected by the “Dish With One Spoon” wampum agreement.
The diversity of our workforce is at the core of our innovation and creativity and strengthens our research and teaching excellence. In keeping with its Statement on Building an Inclusive Community with a Shared Purpose, McMaster University strives to embody the values of respect, collaboration and diversity, and has a strong commitment to employment equity.
The University seeks qualified candidates who share our commitment to equity and inclusion, who will contribute to the diversification of ideas and perspectives, and especially welcomes applications from indigenous (First Nations, Métis or Inuit) peoples, members of racialized communities, persons with disabilities, women, and persons who identify as 2SLGBTQ+.
As part of McMaster’s commitment, all applicants are invited to complete a confidential Applicant Diversity Survey through the online application submission process. The Survey questionnaire requests voluntary self-identification in relation to equity-seeking groups that have historically faced and continue to face barriers in employment. Please refer to the Applicant Diversity Survey - Statement of Collection for additional information.
Job applicants requiring accommodation to participate in the hiring process should contact:
To ensure an ongoing and vibrant University community that meets the needs of our students, staff and faculty and supports the University mission, ability to work on-site continues to be a requirement for most University positions. The University is supportive of exploring flexible work arrangements that effectively balance operational needs and employee interests.
At McMaster University, we believe in a comprehensive and inclusive interview process. Our interview methods encompass a variety of approaches that allow our hiring teams to provide a flexible and accessible experience for engaging with our candidates. Throughout your recruitment process at McMaster, you may be requested to participate in a variety of formats, that may include in-person, virtual or recorded interviews. If you have any questions as you move through the hiring process, please reach out to talent@mcmaster.ca or the HR contact associated with your position of interest.
McMaster and its third-party partners may use AI tools to screen, assess, or select applicants during the hiring process. Please note that currently our recruitment platform does not use AI nor is it part of our current recommended recruitment process.
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