To direct the team that supports the University’s deployment of digital and online learning, including the development and delivery of fully online courses and programs and digital courseware, and, as an integral part the Centre for Extended Learning’s (CEL) Senior Management Team, guide and inform the overall CEL leadership and service strategies.

This posting is open to internal applicants until August 1, 11:59pm. 

Leads online course and digital courseware development

• Studies the educational, technological, and societal trends impacting the delivery of higher education, and formulates positions based on this information for optimal strategies both CEL and University
• Guides the work and research agenda of the Senior Manager, Learning Design, and Online Learning Consultants to help set overall course design strategies, promoting course designs that advance the teaching mission and goals of the University
• Works with the Associate Director, Digital Learning Systems; and both internal and University committees (e.g., LEARN Environment Operations group, EDTECH Advisory) to help ensure that the technological learning environment supports the desired pedagogical, instructional, and development outcomes
• Responsible for ensuring compliance with accessibility, copyright, and privacy legislation, CEL and university standards for quality, and University policies.
• Responsible for ensuring appropriate legal agreements are in place between authors and the University to ensure uninterrupted access to those teaching materials

Ensures the achievement of University strategic goals related to excellence and leadership in digital learning

• Maintains close relationships with key stakeholders and leaders in Faculties, Departments, Program Leads and other Academic Support Units; monitors resource allocations and works in conjunction with Faculties and Departments (typically to develop plans to achieve their digital learning goals)
• Directs the intake, prioritization, and resourcing of development projects
• Identifies gaps and needs in University academic online offerings and programs and advocates with departments for their development
• Informs and/or supports the decolonization efforts and EDIR strategies of the University, both within the unit, of related units and in course and curriculum development
• Advises Director on how to achieve University strategic goals and strategies regarding digital learning.
• Develops proposals in collaboration with faculty and others that seek external (government) funding to support University projects related to online learning, and manages those budgets
• Establishes external connections and relationships to stay informed of provincial, national and international initiatives; participates, represents, and in some cases, leads Waterloo’s involvement in external initiatives and collaborative projects
• Allocates resources to the development of non-credit online programming (WatSPEED) and manages this relationship

Manages Digital and Online Learning group

• Ultimately accountable for the output of over 40 staff of ongoing and contract employees in the group who are responsible for the design and development of digital instructional materials and courses, including Senior Production Manager, Senior Learning Design Manager, Online Learning Consultants, Lead OLC-Strategic Projects, Agile Development Team, Online Learning Project Managers, Project Intake Manager, Learning Environment Architect, Copyright Specialist, Copyeditors, Instructional Digital Media Developers, and Learning Technology Analysts-Production
• Monitors and continually assesses production strategies to increase efficiency and productivity of the group
• Oversees the Agile stream of support the determines appropriate allocation between ad hoc, just-in-time support of instructor digital learning needs, and full-service development projects.
• Oversees special projects for university and provides expert leadership and guidance in pedagogy and educational technology
• Provide support, coaching, and development of the managers reporting to this position
• Actively involved in the recruitment and retention of a team of uniquely-skilled, creative individuals

• Master’s level degree in education, educational technology, distance education, or a related field
• 5 years of relevant, related experience in the management of large teams involved in multimedia design, development, and production
• Experience with high-volume resource management and scheduling, and prioritizing competing demands
• Extensive experience managing digital course production and courseware development projects and resourcing
• Expert knowledge of digital and online learning in higher education; instructional design theory; and methodologies, and their application in online learning
• Ability to lead a large multi-faceted group working in harmony to achieve shared goals
• Demonstrated ability to develop and maintain positive relationships with project stakeholders and senior administrators, including problem-solving and defusing problematic situations
• In-depth understanding of e-learning tools, including Learning Management Systems (e.g., LEARN), media development tools, collaboration tools, etc., and their application in higher education
• Intermediate skill level in Microsoft Office suite

The University of Waterloo acknowledges that much of our work takes place on the traditional territory of the Neutral, Anishinaabeg, and Haudenosaunee peoples. Our main campus is situated on the Haldimand Tract, the land granted to the Six Nations that includes six miles on each side of the Grand River. Our active work toward reconciliation takes place across our campuses through research, learning, teaching, and community building, and is co-ordinated within the Office of Indigenous Relations.

The University values the diverse and intersectional identities of its students, faculty, and staff. The University regards equity and diversity as an integral part of academic excellence and is committed to accessibility for all employees. The University of Waterloo seeks applicants who embrace our values of equity, anti-racism and inclusion.  As such, we encourage applications from candidates who have been historically disadvantaged and marginalized, including applicants who identify as First Nations, Métis and/or Inuk (Inuit), Black, racialized, a person with a disability, women and/or 2SLGBTQ+.

All qualified candidates are encouraged to apply; however, Canadians and permanent residents will be given priority.

The University of Waterloo is committed to accessibility for persons with disabilities. If you have any application, interview, or workplace accommodation requests, please contact Human Resources at hrhelp@uwaterloo.ca  or 519-888-4567, ext. 45935.