Co-op Consultant, GTA

Wilfrid Laurier University•Unorganized Rainy River, ON

4d•CA$47 - CA$54•Hybrid

About The Position

Experiential Learning & Career Development at Laurier is a recognized leader in the post-secondary sector, comprising Co-operative Education & Workplace Partnerships and the Career Development Centre. Guided by the Laurier Strategy 2024-2028, the unit emphasizes supporting a thriving community and student future-readiness through experiential learning, skill development, enriching partnerships, and a commitment to equity, diversity, and inclusion. The Co-operative Education and Community & Workplace Partnerships unit operates a centralized model, collaborating with academic Faculties across a multi-campus environment. With approximately 3000 students in undergraduate and graduate co-op programs, Laurier's business undergraduate co-op program is the largest in Canada. Co-op programs are integral to undergraduate degrees at the new Milton campus. The Co-op Consultant, reporting to the Manager, Co-operative Education and External Relations, will manage an assigned geographic territory in the Greater Toronto Area (GTA) from a home-based office. This role involves approximately 350-400 annual visits to develop, coordinate, and monitor career-related work opportunities for co-op students. The Co-op Consultant acts as the central liaison between co-op students, employers, and the Laurier community, ensuring program success and stakeholder satisfaction. The role serves employers by addressing recruiting needs, coordinating hiring, and ensuring satisfaction with hired students. It also contributes to students' education, career planning, and personal growth by interviewing and selecting students for co-op admission, preparing them for job searches and employment, and assisting with workplace issues. While GTA Co-op Consultants work autonomously, they also collaborate with Waterloo campus-based Consultants and other co-op staff to provide comprehensive services.

Requirements

Minimum undergraduate degree plus three (3) years related experience in job development, employment advising, and sales/marketing.
Comprehensive understanding of the private, public, and not-for-profit sectors, current employment market conditions, job search techniques, and of opportunities that exist for work-integrated learning, particularly within the GTA.
Knowledge of Laurier’s academic and co-op programs and principles of experiential learning
Effective verbal and written communication and interpersonal skills, strong presentation skills
Excellent organizational skills, results driven and ability to focus on multiple priorities.
Able to work autonomously and collaboratively, balance competing priorities in a fast-paced work environment.
Flexibility and willingness to a) respond to students and employers after hours and b) travel within a defined geographic territory and to the Waterloo and Milton campuses, including overnight stays in Waterloo potentially each term as needed.
Valid driver’s license and a reliable vehicle as travel is required, including travel on the 400-highway series.
Ability to support a culture focused on a commitment to equity, diversity, inclusion and Indigenization.

Responsibilities

Work independently to develop appropriate co-op work term positions and meet the departmental goal of 100% employment each term.
Prepare a marketing plan to promote Business & Economics, Arts and Science students which includes researching, defining and developing job opportunities within an assigned territory.
Conduct development calls (in-person and remote) with potential employers across all levels of the organization, including senior executives, line managers, and human resources representatives. Approximately 65-75 job development calls, plus follow-up employer meetings are conducted annually, depending on the size of the territory and other program responsibilities.
Prepare appropriate presentations for employers.
Build effective relationships with new and current employer clients through personal, proactive and responsive service to develop opportunities in the areas of management accounting, finance, chartered accounting, operations, marketing, HR, business technology management and for all arts/science disciplines.
Co-ordinate the recruiting process. Advise employers on ethical recruiting strategies and guidelines; guidance on salaries, academic programs, including multiple options within business, double degrees, arts, science and graduate co-op programs.
Track and update recruiting database, which includes 8,500+ employers and 10,000+ contacts.
Interview and select students for admission to co-op in those programs where enrolment is limited, and admission is competitive.
Guide and support newly admitted students one-on-one and in sessions throughout each of two terms. Prepare and present workshop on introduction to co-op for assigned group, respond to questions and provide feedback, ensuring their understanding of the co-op process and requirements.
Advise students on job search strategies to prepare them for the work term; guidance on resume and cover letter writing, interview preparation, career and industry opportunities through a co-op speakers’ series, report writing, social adjustment and appropriate work habits.
Advise students on the development of learning objectives for their work terms and assess their initial written submissions. Review progress in meeting objectives with both students and their employers at the work term visit, and in student work reports and their final self-evaluation at debrief meetings.
Assist employers in developing job descriptions and approving them prior to posting, approximately 500-700 job postings annually.
Schedule and conduct work term visits, 250-300 annually, to monitor quality of positions and satisfaction of stakeholders.
Provide mediation and guidance to students and employers during the work term, including availability after hours to resolve issues such as performance problems, inappropriate job responsibilities, and interpersonal conflicts which can result in highly charged, emotional situations.
Investigate terminations and provide students with guidance about the appeal process when their status in co-op is reviewed.
Ensure employers complete evaluations of students and they are reviewed by all stakeholders as appropriate.
Establish and maintain linkages with assigned professional associations for networking and professional development; organizations may include Human Resources Professionals Association of Ontario, Insurance Institute of Canada, Supply Chain Canada, CPA Ontario, and various boards of trade.
Provide information and guidance to faculty, high school students, and parents at events such as the Ontario University Fair and Campus Open Houses; communicate and meet individually with students and their parents.
Collaborate in the development of policies and procedures to facilitate the effectiveness of the Co-op Office.
Ad hoc projects as required.