Organizational Learning Specialist

at  OCAD University

OCAD University acknowledges the ancestral territories of the Mississaugas of the Credit, the Haudenosaunee, the Anishinaabeg and the Huron-Wendat, who are the original owners and custodians of the land on which we live, work and create
OCAD University, Canada’s largest and oldest art and design university, is a vibrant community of bold, curious and compassionate artists, designers and scholars who are imagining and creating a joyful, equitable and sustainable world. The University is an internationally renowned hub for art, design, digital media, research, innovation and creativity, and arts administration. It embraces collaborative and interdisciplinary approaches to change-making through art, design-thinking curriculum and research, making OCAD U a local, regional, national and global leader in art and design.
It is an exciting time to join the OCAD U community as the University is at a key stage in its institutional transformation, with the implementation of its Academic and Strategic Plan and guiding principles — driving positive impact; decolonization, indigenization and equity; environmental sustainability; emerging as a vibrant hub; student centered approaches; innovation in learning teaching and research; and financial stewardship.
The Organizational Learning Specialist leads the design, development, and delivery of learning and development programs to enhance leadership skills, knowledge, and performance across OCAD University (OCAD U). This role will support the People & Culture team in delivering on commitments outlined in the Operational Plan as well as OCAD University’s Academic and Strategic Plan. The Organizational Learning Specialist role involves collaborating with a variety of stakeholders, identifying training needs, creating engaging training materials, and potentially delivering effective training sessions to support leadership development and growth. The Organizational Learning Specialist will also be responsible for the implementation of formal processes, procedures, and programming for successful onboarding for all OCAD U employees in the institution as well as the development of an institutional-wide off boarding practice.
Summary of Responsibilities:

Under the guidance of the Director, Workplace Culture:

• Develop and implement an employee onboarding and off boarding programs
• Establish a competency framework for managers and leaders
• Devise a learning and development strategy that supports institutional goals and objectives around leadership development, employee onboarding as well as employee off-boarding
• Develop and implement learning and development programming for managers
• Develop a plan to evaluate, measure, and report on the effectiveness of leadership training programs
• Liaise with the Office of Diversity, Equity, Sustainability & Inclusion (ODESI), Faculty Curriculum & Development Centre, and other learning areas and stakeholders to consult and collaborate on training initiatives
• In consultation with managers and stakeholders, assess the learning and development needs of the University and departments to recommend and inform the planning and implementation of programs and learning initiatives that embrace the concepts and principles of adult learning, blended learning and social learning
• Curate and develop learning support materials to foster ongoing learning opportunities for both new and existing staff, managers, and faculty
• Develop a calendar of learning and development programs relevant to institutional objectives and individual departmental needs
• Conduct research around best practices, trends and new initiatives in learning and development to inform and improve current programs and initiatives for OCAD U managers and staff

Qualifications:

• Post-secondary degree in a related field, such as Adult Learning, Leadership Development, Human Resources Management, and/or Certified Training & Development Professional (CTDP) designation, or equivalent combination of education, training, and experience
• Minimum of four (4) years of work experience in learning and organizational development, and performance management, preferably in a post-secondary or public sector organization and/or within a unionized environment
• Knowledge of HR policies and practices, collective agreements, and relevant employment legislation, such as the Ontario Labour Relations Act (OLRA), Employment Standards Act (ESA), Ontario Human Rights Code (OHRC) and the Accessibility for Ontarians with Disabilities Act (AODA)
• Demonstrated systems thinking approach and familiarity with change management principles
• Experience designing, building and facilitating employee engagement, learning or training programs and activities
• Ability to train, mentor and coach
• Strong knowledge of strategies, tactics, and approaches to support current and future leaders in the development of leadership skills and capacity, and to prepare for and navigate transition into leadership roles at all levels
• Strong knowledge of learning strategies, principles, methods, and models to achieve business outcomes
• Creativity in working with different learning methodologies
• Ability to develop and maintain effective working relationships in a manner that gains trust, respect and cooperation
• Excellent interpersonal skills and judgement, with a demonstrated ability to deal with sensitive or confidential matters with discretion and tact
• Strong analytical and critical thinking skills with the ability to work within ambiguity
• Outstanding oral & written communication skills, organizational skills, and attention to detail
• Demonstrated commitment to the principles of equity and diversity, and experience promoting a respectful work and learning environment for staff, faculty and students
• Strong computer skills and a working knowledge of all Microsoft Office applications including Microsoft SharePoint
• Well-developed internet research skills; knowledge of Human Resources Information Systems (HRIS) and Learning Management Systems (LMS) an asset
• Strong project management skills with an ability to deliver results and bring work to completion
• Demonstrated ability to work independently and participate collaboratively in a team environment

Compensation: Hiring Range - $42.81 to $49.08 per hour commensurate with experience, plus 4% vacation pay; Salary Range - $42.81 to $56.26 per hour. The successful incumbent has the option of 7% pay in lieu or enrollment in benefits.
Hours of Work: Monday to Friday, 35 hours per week. This is a temporary contract expected to continue until December 19, 2025. This is a hybrid opportunity; the incumbent is expected to work on campus up to three (3) days per week on Tuesday, Wednesday, and/or Thursday.

Application Deadline: Interested applicants are invited to submit an updated *resume and cover letter (PDF) . The review of applications will begin immediately and will continue until Tuesday, October 22, 2024, or until the position has been filled.

• Please upload your resume and cover letter as one PDF. Please name your upload: FirstName_LastName-Job Code

As an institution committed to art, design, digital media and related scholarship, OCAD University recognizes the profound and essential value that diversity brings to the creation, reception and circulation of creative practices and discourse. OCAD University understands that valuing diverse creative practices and forms of knowledge are essential to and enrich the institution’s core mission and vision as an art and design university with a local and global scope.
As an employer committed to employment equity, we encourage applications from members of equity-deserving communities including women, racialized and Indigenous persons, persons with disabilities, and persons of all sexual orientations and gender identities/expressions.
We encourage members of designated equity-deserving groups to self-identify within the voluntary Applicant Questionnaire.
In order to alleviate the under-representation of racialized and Indigenous administrators, priority in hiring will be given to qualified racialized and Indigenous persons who self-identify as such in the application process. This initiative is a special program under the Ontario Human Rights Code.
OCAD University is committed to providing an inclusive and barrier free experience to applicants with accessibility needs. Requests for accommodation can be made at any stage during the recruitment process. Please contact People & Culture for more information or refer to OCAD U’s Policy of Accommodation in Employment for Persons with Disabilities .
All qualified persons are encouraged to apply; however, Canadians and permanent residents of Canada will be given priority. While we thank all candidates for their interest, only those short-listed will be contacted.

Please refer the Job description for details