Program Manager

Program Manager, University Network of Excellence in Nuclear Engineering (UNENE)

Faculty of Engineering

Engineering a Brighter Future
https://www.eng.mcmaster.ca/about-us/strategic-plan/

About The Faculty of Engineering:

Consistently ranked among the top engineering schools in Canada and internationally, McMaster’s Faculty of Engineering is known for its leadership in innovation, research, and experiential learning. With a strong emphasis on hands-on, project-based education, the Faculty prepares future-ready engineers through one of the country’s largest co-op programs, world-class research opportunities, and a vibrant student community with over 70 clubs and teams.

The Faculty comprises three schools offering a wide range of programs and degrees designed to cultivate global citizens who are socially conscious and professionally agile. Home to over 200 faculty and 200 full-time staff, the Faculty supports over 7,600 undergraduate and 1,400 graduate students and secures roughly $65 million in research funding annually. Research and learning span more than 20 interdisciplinary centres, institutes, and networks, with active collaborations involving universities, government, and over 120 industry partners worldwide.

About UNENE:

The University Network of Excellence in Nuclear Engineering (UNENE) is a national alliance of Canadian and international universities, major nuclear utilities, government agencies, and research institutions. With a mission to strengthen nuclear engineering education and research, UNENE advances Canada’s global profile in nuclear science and technology.

UNENE delivers graduate-level academic programs, professional development opportunities, and industry-driven research collaborations. The network plays a critical role in developing skilled talent, fostering innovation, and building capacity for the safe and sustainable use of nuclear energy. With strategic guidance from an active Board of Directors and various academic and industry advisory committees, UNENE is recognized as a vital platform for knowledge exchange across academia, industry, and government.

The network’s operations are led by McMaster University, home to Canada’s largest university-based nuclear research reactor, and coordinated across 14 universities, 7 industry partners, and 3 levels of government.

About the Position:

UNENE is seeking a strategic, detail-oriented, and collaborative Program Manager to lead the daily operations and long-term planning of UNENE’s academic, research, and outreach programs. Reporting to the Program Chair and accountable to the UNENE Board of Directors, this leadership position is responsible for coordinating a wide range of stakeholders and activities in a complex, multi-institutional environment.

This is a unique opportunity to work at the intersection of academia and industry in Canada’s energy landscape, driving initiatives that support graduate education, nuclear research, professional development, and national collaboration.

Key Accountabilities:

Academic Program Management

• Oversee enrolment processes, graduate timetabling, and multi-institutional course scheduling across UNENE’s Master of Engineering and Graduate Diploma programs.
• Manage academic advising support for students to help them achieve their professional, academic, and personal goals.
• Coordinate curriculum updates, graduate attributes data, learning outcomes reporting, and IQAP (Internal Quality Assurance Process) compliance.
• Administer policies related to student progression, petitions for special consideration, and academic standing.

Operational Leadership

• Direct the day-to-day operations of a dynamic and growing network that includes ~70 enrolled graduate students, 35 faculty research collaborators, and 50 annual participants in professional development programs.
• Implement procedures to streamline operations and enhance service delivery.
• Develop short- and long-term strategic plans aligned with network goals and growth objectives.

Human Resources & Team Supervision

• Recruit, supervise, and support the development of staff.
• Oversee sessional and adjunct instructor appointments and ensure compliance with collective agreements (CUPE, UNIFOR).
• Foster a collaborative and supportive team environment, ensuring adherence to McMaster’s HR and health and safety standards.

Financial Management

• Independently manage a ~$3M operating budget, including forecasting, fiscal reviews, tuition revenue, event costs, and reporting to UNENE’s Board.
• Authorize resource allocations and maintain oversight of space, equipment, and inventory.
• Develop financial documentation for network partners and contribute to funding proposals and strategic investment decisions.

Stakeholder Engagement & External Relations

• Serve as a liaison between McMaster University and 14+ partner institutions, 7 industry collaborators, and multiple government bodies.
• Support the work of the UNENE Board of Directors, Research Advisory Committee, and Education Advisory Committee through reporting, planning, and follow-up.
• Organize and support student-facing activities, recruitment initiatives, national workshops, and outreach events.
• Assist with the renewal and administration of partnership agreements, MOUs, and contracts.

Communications & Promotion

• Draft, edit, and manage high-level reports, board materials, presentations, correspondence, and newsletters.
• Maintain up-to-date databases, student records, and project tracking systems.
• Coordinate website updates and social media content to support visibility and outreach.

Research Program Support

• Provide administrative coordination for UNENE’s research portfolio, helping to align academic and industry research initiatives.
• Track and report on funded projects, monitor milestones, and support knowledge mobilization.

Qualifications:

Education:

• Bachelor’s Degree

Experience:

• Minimum of 3–5 years of progressive experience in program or academic administration, preferably in a post-secondary or research-intensive environment.
• Experience supervising administrative staff, managing team performance, and promoting a positive, inclusive workplace.
• Demonstrated experience managing budgets and financial operations, including forecasting, reporting, and expense monitoring.
• Experience coordinating multi-stakeholder projects, committees, or external partnerships.
• Prior work with university governance processes, graduate education, or externally funded research programs is an asset.

Knowledge & Skills:

• Sound knowledge of academic program administration, university policies and procedures, and graduate education systems.
• Familiarity with collective agreements (e.g., CUPE, UNIFOR) and HR best practices in a unionized environment.
• Excellent organizational and project management skills with the ability to manage multiple priorities, timelines, and stakeholder expectations.
• Advanced communication skills (oral and written), including experience drafting reports, proposals, presentations, and communications for diverse audiences.
• Technologically proficient with Microsoft Office Suite (Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Outlook); experience with student information systems and learning management tools (e.g., Mosaic, Avenue2Learn, CANVAS).
• Financial acumen, including comfort with budget development, fiscal analysis, and financial documentation for internal and external stakeholders.
• Detail-oriented with strong analytical, problem-solving, and decision-making abilities.
• Ability to work independently and collaboratively in a fast-paced, evolving environment.
• Comfortable navigating cross-institutional, cross-sector, and occasionally cross-time-zone interactions.

How to Apply:

To apply for this job, please submit your application online.

Employment Equity Statement:

McMaster University is located on the traditional territories of the Haudenosaunee and Mississauga Nations and within the lands protected by the “Dish With One Spoon” wampum agreement.

The diversity of our workforce is at the core of our innovation and creativity and strengthens our research and teaching excellence. In keeping with its Statement on Building an Inclusive Community with a Shared Purpose, McMaster University strives to embody the values of respect, collaboration and diversity, and has a strong commitment to employment equity.

The University seeks qualified candidates who share our commitment to equity and inclusion, who will contribute to the diversification of ideas and perspectives, and especially welcomes applications from indigenous (First Nations, Métis or Inuit) peoples, members of racialized communities, persons with disabilities, women, and persons who identify as 2SLGBTQ+.

As part of McMaster’s commitment, all applicants are invited to complete a confidential Applicant Diversity Survey through the online application submission process. The Survey questionnaire requests voluntary self-identification in relation to equity-seeking groups that have historically faced and continue to face barriers in employment. Please refer to the Applicant Diversity Survey - Statement of Collection for additional information.

Job applicants requiring accommodation to participate in the hiring process should contact:

• Human Resources Service Centre at 905-525-9140 ext. 222-HR (22247), or
• Faculty of Health Sciences HR Office at ext. 22207, or
• School of Graduate Studies at ext. 23679

to communicate accommodation needs.

Hybrid Work:

To ensure an ongoing and vibrant University community that meets the needs of our students, staff and faculty and supports the University mission, ability to work on-site continues to be a requirement for most University positions. The University is supportive of exploring flexible work arrangements that effectively balance operational needs and employee interests.

Interview Experience:

At McMaster University, we believe in a comprehensive and inclusive interview process. Our interview methods encompass a variety of approaches that allow our hiring teams to provide a flexible and accessible experience for engaging with our candidates. Throughout your recruitment process at McMaster, you may be requested to participate in a variety of formats, that may include in-person, virtual or recorded interviews. If you have any questions as you move through the hiring process, please reach out to [email protected] or the HR contact associated with your position of interest.