Program Assistant - Frosh Development Specialist

McGill University; Vancouver; On-site; CAD 30,000 - 60,000; Part time

Job summary

A leading university is seeking a Frosh Development Specialist to ensure the delivery of an inclusive and safe Frosh experience for new students. This role involves project management and collaboration with various stakeholders to organize and enhance the Frosh activities, supporting student societies effectively. Candidates must be current McGill students returning in Fall 2026 and have prior experience in event planning and student organization collaborations.

Qualifications

• Current student at McGill University returning in Fall 2026 is required.
• Experience with student organizations, especially student government.
• Experience designing and delivering programs in diverse formats.

Responsibilities

• Manage and update Frosh planning timeline.
• Support student societies in Frosh planning.
• Collaborate with stakeholders on delivering safe Frosh.

Skills

Project management

Event planning

Strong communication skills

Ability to work independently

Education

High School Diploma

Job description

Open to McGill Students Only

Hiring Unit

Campus Life & Engagement (CL&E)

Position Summary

Open to McGill Students returning to campus in Fall 2025, the Frosh Development Specialist, working in close collaboration with the Frosh Support Specialist, acts as a liaison and facilitator to advance the goals of creating an inclusive, safe, and sustainable Frosh experience for new students. These goals are part of a larger effort to enhance the new student experience and to facilitate their transition and integration at McGill University. The incumbent assists student societies in their respective operations as well as in their collaborative efforts with the University administration for an effective and safe Frosh. This position’s portfolio has a special focus on management of the Frosh registration platform and registration operations, as well as coordination of the different student societies’ Frosh planning and delivery.

Major Duties and Responsibilities

• Updating, managing, and following up on Frosh planning timeline and tasks
• Fostering relationships with university stakeholders to ensure smooth and complementary delivery of Frosh activities
• Liaising with and supporting student societies and non‑Faculty student groups offering alternative Frosh options to determine needs and priorities in the development of support and services
• Supporting the Frosh Support Specialist in the preparation, planning, coordination and evaluation of various trainings for both Frosh staff, Frosh leaders, and Froshies in tight collaboration with the Training Review Committee, and helping to ensure smooth delivery of training
• Following up on signature of agreement(s) with student societies in a timely manner
• Collaborating with student societies and other stakeholders to ensure timely communication of Frosh events to incoming students
• Organizing a debriefing by mid‑September 2026 with organizers of faculty and non‑faculty Frosh events
• Attending monthly Orientation Planning Group meetings and provide updates on Frosh planning to members.
• Attending monthly Frosh Planning Group meetings with university stakeholders including CL&E and Office of Dean of Students and ensuring that any issues pertaining to delivering a safe and inclusive Frosh are brought to the Group’s attention.
• Attending regular Internal Organization Committee (IOC) meetings with representatives from student societies
• Preparing a short report due by the end of this contract focussing on key data points (Frosh registration; staff, coordinator, and leader numbers), lessons learned, recommendations and suggested modifications to tools, approaches and timeline
• Ensure that student societies keep student data confidential
• Close out Frosh platform and ensure student data has been removed at the end of Frosh
• Other emergent duties, as required

Other Qualifying Skills and/or Abilities

• Current student of McGill University and returning to study at McGill in Fall 2026 (required)
• Experience working in and with student organizations, especially student government
• Experience designing and delivering programs to a variety of audiences using various mediums, including online and in‑person
• Experience working in higher education (particularly in student life), as student staff or full‑time staff
• Knowledge of French and English: McGill University is an English‑language university where day‑to‑day duties may require English communication both verbally and in writing. The level of English required for this position has been assessed at a level 4 – Fluent (spoken) and 3 – Advanced (written) on a scale of 0‑4

Education and Experience

• Experience planning and coordinating Orientation/Frosh events, as well as other events
• Experience with collaborative practices, including an ability to collaborate professionally and effectively with students, faculty, and staff
• Demonstrated ability to establish and maintain meaningful partnerships with multiple stakeholders
• Ability to work independently and as a member of a team in an environment of high volume and potentially competing priorities
• Demonstrated understanding of a student‑centered, developmental, culturally sensitive approach
• Demonstrated ability to collect and analyze data and prepare written reports for various audiences in a variety of formats
• Excellent oral and written communication skills
• Good judgment, self‑motivation, and flexibility
• Familiarity with online/web‑based content management systems
• Ability to adapt to new and emerging technologies

Employment Learning Outcomes

• Project management and event planning skills
• Student Development
• Build strong working relationships with project collaborators
• Systems Thinking
• Peer Programs & Peer Support
• Student Affairs/Student Life

Working Hours and Schedule

10 hrs/week from Feb 1 – April 30, 2026; 33.75 hrs/week from May - Aug 2026; 10 hrs/week from Sept 1 to 30, 2026.

Anticipated Start Date

February 1, 2026

Posting Information

Please submit your cover letter (mandatory, explaining why you are a suitable candidate), C.V., and work study approval letter (if applicable). Deadline to apply: December 24, 2025.

Minimum Education and Experience: High School Diploma and 2 Years Related Experience.

Hourly Salary: $17.00.

Position Start Date: December 1, 2025. Position End Date: September 30, 2026.

This position is covered by the AMUSE collective agreement.

Equal Opportunity Statement

McGill University hires on the basis of merit and is strongly committed to equity and diversity within its community. We welcome applications from racialized persons/visible minorities, women, Indigenous persons, persons with disabilities, ethnic minorities, and persons of minority sexual orientations and gender identities, as well as from all qualified candidates with the skills and knowledge to productively engage with diverse communities. McGill implements an employment equity program and encourages members of designated groups to self‑identify. Persons with disabilities who anticipate needing accommodations for any part of the application process may contact, in confidence, [e-mail].