City : Hamilton

Category : Other

Industry : Education

Employer : McMaster University

Unit Description:

DeGroote’s Student Services team supports all students at the DeGroote School of Business, MBA, BCom, and Specialized Graduate students. Our school’s culture is captured by three values: Generosity, Innovation and Collaboration. The Graduate and Specialized Programs office houses a diverse portfolio of DeGroote graduate programming at both the McMaster main campus and Ron Joyce Centre.

Reporting to the Manager, Academic Programs (Graduate & Specialized), the Program Administrator ensures the successful development and implementation of activities that support the academic program design of graduate and specialized programs. Responsible for coordinating all aspects of graduate and specialized programs, from curriculum development and implementation to evaluation. Serves as a central liaison among students, faculty, and leadership to ensure effective program delivery and continuous improvement aligned with the school’s strategic objectives. Designs, implements, and analyzes data to support accreditation requirements. Advises in-course students on program options and policies to promote a positive student experience.

Job Summary: 

Accountable for developing, implementing, and maintaining the efficient operation of an academic program or department. Responsible for providing overall administrative direction including coordinating all aspects of the program such as curriculum administration, implementation, promotion, recruitment, admissions, resource management, and financial management. Requires independent decision making within a delegated area of authority and the exercise of leadership in the management of support services.

Purpose and Key Functions:

• Provide administrative direction regarding the goals and objectives of the program by examining, reviewing, and assessing long-term and immediate needs.
• Identify and analyze problems with the program and prepare recommendations for review and approval by the program Director.
• Collect, analyze, assess, and summarize information relevant to the decision making process and develop recommendations for final approval and implementation.
• Advise registered and prospective students of program options and requirements which requires maintaining knowledge of course and program curriculum.
• Counsel students to ensure that they understand that course and program selections adhere to established academic, prerequisite, and graduation requirements.
• Assess student priority for limited registration in courses and provide suitable alternatives to meet degree requirements.
• Provide students with information regarding program policies and information about program requirements.
• Use existing admissions criteria to assess program applications and determine which applications are declined admissions and which are eligible for acceptance.
• Review and evaluate academic records to ensure students are eligible to continue in and graduate from the program.
• Investigate questions and resolve problems concerning program, curricula, and admissions.
• Act as a mediator between faculty and students when dealing with various issues, including but not limited to, special accommodations, scheduling conflicts, grades.
• Gather and compile information required for a variety of documents and reports, including but not limited to, program accreditation, enrolment, and degree audits.
• Develop estimates of time, resources, and budgets for various program activities and events.
• Develop the program budget for review and approval.
• Implement and maintain the program budget. Create financial projections and makes adjustments to the program budget throughout the fiscal year.
• Exercise appropriate controls, monitor, and reconcile accounts.
• Develop marketing and advertising brochures for a variety of purposes, functions, and events.
• Promote the program to visitors and representatives both internal and external to the University.
• Represent the program at various recruitment events.
• Create content for the program website. Update information and maintain the website.
• Survey and monitor academic programs offered by competing institutions and conduct research into pedagogical practices.
• Conduct student surveys to ensure that academic programs are meeting the needs and objectives of both the student and the program.
• Prepare and deliver presentations.
• Facilitate meetings with, including but not limited to, program stakeholders and student groups.
• Plan and coordinate arrangements for annual events and meetings.
• Source pricing information and independently makes decisions regarding the purchase of equipment and supplies for the program.
• Input financial and other information required to process payroll.
• Update and maintain student records and databases.

Supervision: 

• Ongoing responsibility for hiring and supervising up to 9 casual employees at any one time.
• Occasionally provide orientation and show procedures to others.

Assets: 

Excellent customer service skills and ability to liaise effectively with students and other internal and external audiences. Excellent written and oral communication skills. Detail-orientated, strong work ethic, sound decision-making judgement. Effective problem-solving skills. Understanding of McMaster Graduate Studies policies and procedures is an asset.