Who We Are
Simon Fraser University is a leading research university, advancing an inclusive and sustainable future. Our purpose – the essence of SFU – is to create and connect knowledge, learning and community for deeper understanding and meaningful impact. We are committed to fostering excellence, innovation, belonging and community in all that we do.
Co-operative Education is a core academic unit within SFU’s Learning and Teaching portfolio that advances student learning through credit-bearing, work-integrated education. Working across eight faculties, the department partners with students, faculty, employers and community organizations to connect academic study with meaningful workplace learning. Through curriculum, advising, employer engagement and reflective practice, Co-operative Education helps students apply disciplinary knowledge, develop professional judgment and strengthen career readiness. The department contributes to student success, experiential learning, curriculum renewal, and SFU’s broader commitments to academic excellence, equity, access and community engagement.
About the Role
Reporting to the Director, the Associate Director, Co-operative Education provides senior operational leadership for Co-op programs across multiple faculties. The role leads multidisciplinary teams responsible for student advising, employer engagement, curriculum delivery, and the continuous improvement of programs and services that support student learning and success. The Associate Director oversees complex portfolios, leads operational planning and change initiatives, and ensures consistent, equitable, and high-quality service delivery across assigned areas. Working closely with faculty, staff, employers, and university partners, the role advances work-integrated learning opportunities, supports student access and success, and responds to evolving labour market and educational needs. The position requires a collaborative leader with strong judgment, experience leading through complexity, and a commitment to excellence in educational program delivery.
The ideal candidate has a demonstrated record of leading complex organizational change across faculties, departments, disciplines, and professional communities. They have successfully brought together historically independent or siloed teams to build trust, establish shared practices, achieve greater workload parity, and implement sustainable solutions to longstanding operational challenges. Success in this role requires exceptional relationship-building skills, political acuity, sound judgment, and the ability to navigate competing priorities while maintaining momentum through change. The successful candidate is an experienced people leader who fosters collaboration, accountability, continuous improvement, and high-quality educational programming in complex and evolving environments.
Full Job Description
Qualifications
Master's degree in a relevant field and seven years of progressive leadership experience in higher education, five years of experience working as a Co-op practitioner in a student-facing role, equivalent to an SFU Co-op Coordinator or Advisor or related sectors or equivalent combination of experience and education.
- Proven success leading complex organizational change across faculties, departments, and multidisciplinary teams.
- Minimum five years of direct Co-operative Education practitioner experience, including student advising, employer engagement, and work-integrated learning.
- Demonstrated ability to integrate historically siloed teams, build collaboration, and advance workload parity and operational consistency.
- Exceptional leadership, relationship-building, facilitation, and change management skills.
- Strong operational, analytical, and problem-solving skills, with experience leading complex portfolios and continuous improvement initiatives.
What We Offer
At SFU, our goal is to ensure our people are valued and supported by promoting a healthy work-life balance, professional growth and development, as well as a safe and respectful workplace. We offer continuing employees who belong in the Administrative & Professional Staff Association (APSA):
- 4 weeks’ vacation (prorated for the first year)*
- Hybrid-work program for eligible positions
- Employer paid defined benefit pension plan
- On-campus tuition waiver for employees and their immediate family members*
- Off-campus tuition reimbursements and professional development funds*
- And more! View our benefits brochure
*Prorated for part-time employees
Additional Information
Please include your cover letter and resume in one attachment.
SFU is an equity employer and strongly encourages applications from all qualified individuals including women, Indigenous Peoples, visible minorities, people of all sexual orientations and gender identities, persons with disabilities, and others who may contribute to the further diversification of the university.
We are committed to facilitating accessibility within our application and interview processes. If you require any assistance or accommodations, please contact people_strategies@sfu.ca.
