The University of Waterloo is committed to supporting increased Indigenous representation among its undergraduate student population. To address this goal, the Indigenous Recruitment and Partnerships Specialist will focus on Indigenous student outreach, recruitment, and engagement.

The Indigenous Recruitment and Partnerships Specialist is responsible for the development and implementation of strategy and activities related to Indigenous student recruitment including budget, travel, communications, research, and data analysis. The Specialist will also develop and deliver training for staff members to inform and assist Indigenous recruitment, financing, and admissions activity.

The Indigenous Recruitment and Partnerships Specialist plays a key role in providing confident, competent, and credible external representation of the university. To enhance the effectiveness of this activity, the ideal candidate will meet the articulated qualifications below and will be an Indigenous person (First Nations Status or Non-Status, Métis, and/or Inuit). Lived experience in an Indigenous community or communities would be an asset.

The University is committed to implementing the Calls to Action framed by the Truth and Reconciliation Commission. We acknowledge that we live and work on the traditional territory of the Neutral, Anishinaabeg and Haudenosaunee peoples. The University of Waterloo is situated on the Haldimand Tract, the land granted to the Six Nations that includes six miles on each side of the Grand River.

The successful candidate will be First Nations, Metis, or Inuk (Inuit) Inuit with lived experience of Indigenous world views, cultures and values and strong ties to First Nations, Metis and/or Inuk (Inuit) communities.

In the University of Waterloo’s Strategic Plan 2020-2025, it states, “We particularly recognize Indigenous students, faculty, staff and alumni. We are committed to learning about the rich history and culture of Indigenous people of this land and an institutional response to the Truth and Reconciliation Commission’s calls for action.” In line with the University’s Strategic Plan, and the Indigenization Strategy, the Project Manager, Indigenous Initiatives strives to address the underrepresentation of Indigenous people and to increase specialized support for Indigenous faculty members. To enhance the effectiveness of this activity, the ideal candidate will meet the articulated qualifications below and will be an Indigenous person (First Nations Status or Non- Status, Métis, or Inuk (Inuit). Lived experience in an Indigenous community or communities is required. The University is committed to implementing the Calls to Action framed by the Truth and Reconciliation Commission. We acknowledge that we live and work on the traditional territory of the Neutral, Anishinaabeg and Haudenosaunee peoples. The University of Waterloo is situated on the Haldimand Tract, the land granted to the Six Nations that includes six miles on each side of the Grand River. The selection process for this position will follow the provisions for a special program as described by the Ontario Human Rights Code to address the underrepresentation of individuals from equity-deserving groups. Improving the representation, participation, and engagement of equity–deserving groups within our community is a key objective of Waterloo’s Strategic Plan 2020-2025. As such, this position is open only to qualified individuals who self-identify as First Nations, Metis, or Inuit with lived experience of Indigenous world views, cultures and values and strong ties to First Nations, Metis and/or Inuk (Inuit) communities.

We are asking each interested applicant to include a statement indicating if they identify as First Nations, Métis or Inuit in their cover letter. Supporting documentation for membership/citizenship in an Indigenous community will be required and possibly additional information about community connection, family, and relationship to working with Indigenous communities/knowledges may be required, if an applicant is invited for an interview. Please note that our recruitment system has limitations. Hiring managers will only see the last updated version of the application (cover letter and resume) as older versions will be overridden. Therefore, if you are applying to more than one job simultaneously, your self-identification will be available to all hiring managers.

Undergraduate marketing and recruitment

• Collaborates with the Director, Indigenous Relations to support alignment of Indigenous strategic plan of the Indigenous recruitment plan, including researching, developing, and executing an Indigenous recruitment plan
• Travels as needed throughout Canada, possibly for several weeks at a time, in order to attend events, to visit schools, and to act as Waterloo's face-to-face spokesperson with key audiences in strategically selected Indigenous recruitment markets, including but not limited to prospective students and their families; elders; school counsellors; colleagues responsible for Indigenous recruitment; and representatives of related government agencies, businesses, or communities
• Applies current and historical enrolment data in combination with demographics and other sources of data to determine trends, forecast future opportunities, and inform strategy development
• Ensures the development and delivery of scripts, visual presentations, and display materials appropriately crafted for Indigenous audiences
• Keeps fully informed and knowledgeable about all aspects of programs, admissions, student life, visual identity and branding, success after graduation, and other issues related to undergraduate prospective students, applicants, and admitted students, including all relevant research, communications, recruitment initiatives, and how any changes impact the strategies for which they are responsible

Admissions and pathway development

• Researches, identifies, and develops post-secondary/college Institutional partnerships, especially that could lead to and/or enhance recruitment/admission pathways such as combined college/university programs
• Collaborates as needed with the Manager, Admission Pathways, and other members of the admissions team to support Indigenous pathway planning and development
• Implements, manages, and maintains plan, unit, and program measurements for best results
• Determines eligibility for consideration which includes the assessment of diverse education backgrounds. Responds to inquiries from applicants and their supporters and builds individual connections with applicants. Responsible for communicating both positive and negative decisions. Presents special cases for consideration and advocates for applicants. Ensures accuracy and consistency in assessment processes. Determines admissions conditions, scholarship levels and transfer credits as appropriate to each individual application. Develops highly specialized communications for segmented audiences and individuals

Relationship and partnership management

• Develops and maintains a close, collaborative, aligned, and integrative relationship with the Office of Indigenous Relations to aid in overall advancement of University of Waterloo Indigenous initiatives
• Builds and maintains community relationship with urban and rural Indigenous communities
• Builds and maintains relationships with organizations, communities of practice, and other entities related or adjacent to Indigenous undergraduate recruitment
• Researches, cultivates, develops, and expands recruitment related partnerships that advance the goals of Indigenous student recruitment
• Champions ideation and collaborates in delivery of appropriate enrichment and/or outreach activities aimed at engaging younger Indigenous students with the University of Waterloo and its programs, acting as a liaison to local school boards/partners as identified by OIR

Training and education

• Develops and delivers Indigenous-focused recruitment, financing, and admissions training to colleagues and partners, which enhances the understanding of Indigenous student needs
• Collaborates with the Office of Indigenous Relations to create awareness around recruitment issues, plans, trends, information, and statistics
• Conducts continuous research and professional development surrounding Indigenous student recruitment and related issues to enhance Indigenous recruitment effort

Collaborates, advises, and consults

• Creates and shares Indigenous recruitment related reporting for various university stakeholders
• Puts forward recommendations as needed to department leadership or governance levels
• Advises the Manager, National Recruitment, and other recruitment leaders with respect to research and the establishment of key Indigenous markets as well as the development, implementation, evaluation, and enhancement of travel and recruitment strategies aimed at those key markets
• Provides advice and audience expertise with respect to implementing Indigenous recruitment strategies, and consults with, advises, and interacts directly with the Office of Indigenous Relations; marketing and undergraduate recruitment professionals in the faculties, professional schools, and university colleges; managers and staff in MUR, the RO, and numerous university departments; and student societies and clubs
• Collaborates with other recruitment colleagues to co-ordinate recruitment visits to Canadian schools and to ensure the integration, co-ordination, consistency, and appropriateness for Indigenous audiences of any scripts, visual presentations, display materials, and other initiatives
• Collaborates with and advises team members responsible for communications with the goal of ensuring that Indigenous content in any related print and digital initiatives align with appropriate guidelines and audience considerations
• Works closely with the Assistant Registrar, Admissions, and the Admissions Officers to facilitate the application process for Indigenous students
• With recognition and understanding of the priorities of on-campus partners, supports other recruitment staff and leadership in building consensus and coordinating the scheduling and alignment of Indigenous marketing initiatives as well as communication and follow-up strategies to balance the needs of other areas and to ensure the effective marketing of both these units and the university as a whole

Indigenous recruitment advocacy

• Provides input and assistance to the overall departmental strategic plan
• Provides input to the Office of Indigenous Relations to assist with recruitment related information to enhance the university’s Indigenous Initiatives strategy
• Keeps up to date on Indigenous post-secondary trends and statistics and adjusts strategic plan accordingly
• Collaborates with other institutions and schools to establish Indigenous student recruitment best practices

Project manages workflow and business practices

• Assumes project management responsibilities for travel initiatives, including resources, time, and budget, ensuring proper control of expenditures for the initiatives for which they are responsible
• Develops, writes, and follows travel reports and Smartsheets, while maintaining the CRM including visit statistics. In combination, these accurately document all components of each marketing initiative for which they are responsible and contribute appropriate updates to the overall undergraduate recruitment strategy

• Bachelor's degree or equivalent combination of education and experience required
• Minimum 3 years of experience in a presentation/persuasion focused role (such as sales or student recruitment)
• Experience in the area of Indigenous student recruitment in a post-secondary institution is preferred
• Demonstrated experience in persuading, informing, and influencing complex decisions
• Demonstrated experience in relationship-building, community engagement and/or outreach with Indigenous communities
• Experience in developing and delivering online and in-person events is an asset
• Experience in developing and delivering training is an asset
• Experience in independent/self-directed travel is an asset
• Experience as a student at the University of Waterloo is an asset
• Thorough understanding of, and demonstrated ability of working with, First Nations, Inuit and Métis populations and understanding of the diverse needs and expectations of servicing and working with each group
• Thorough knowledge of First Nations, Inuit and Métis student third party funding structure, processes
• Ability to effectively train varying and diverse groups surrounding Indigenous student recruitment
• Outstanding public/promotional/persuasive speaking and presentation skills including presentations to large and small audiences
• Experience and knowledge of Canadian and international education systems and curricula is an asset
• Ability to develop, execute, and report upon annual recruitment plans that measurably address the needs of assigned recruitment markets
• Ability to independently lead and conduct individual and group recruitment travel, which may include travel for weeks at a time
• Ability to speak credibly and accurately about a wide array of topics including all aspects of academic and student life at Waterloo
• Must exhibit excellent interpersonal and communication skills and be able to build strong collaborative relationships with key stakeholders
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills
• Motivated, ambitious, and a results-driven go-getter
• Must be a team player who thrives in a busy environment
• Ability to prioritize effectively, including the ability to work both independently and collaboratively, including aiding in peer mentorship
• Ability to maintain and work within allocated budget for projects as well as within an annual plan
• Technology literacy and skilled in use of productivity, presentation, and web meeting/presentation technologies
• Ability to lift heavyweight recruitment material and stand for prolonged periods
• A Vulnerable Sector Check is required
• A valid Driver's Abstract and a valid G driver's license are required

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+.

Positions are open to qualified candidates who are legally entitled to work in Canada.

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.