Director, Experiential Learning and CEMS

About Ivey Business School:

Ivey Business School acknowledges and respects the traditional lands of the Anishinaabek, Haudenosaunee, Lunaapéewak, and Attawandaron peoples, where Western University and Ivey Business School are located. This land continues to be home to diverse Indigenous peoples, whom we recognize as contemporary stewards of the land and vital contributors of the community.

Ivey Business School (www.ivey.ca) at Western University (www.uwo.ca) is Canada’s leading provider of real-world, case-based business education. Drawing on extensive research and business experience, Ivey’s faculty provides the best classroom experience, equipping students with the knowledge, skills, and capabilities they need to confidently take on today’s leadership challenges and opportunities through Case-Method Learning. Ivey offers undergraduate and graduate degree programs, as well as Executive Education at campuses in London, Toronto, and Hong Kong.

Experiential Learning and CEMS team is a dynamic component of Program Operations at the Ivey Business School, focusing on the design, delivery, and continuous improvement of experiential learning opportunities. The department is pivotal in connecting students with real-world business challenges through partnerships with corporate clients, industry leaders, and global academic networks. It manages a broad portfolio of experiential programs, including field projects, labs, studios and international study trips.

This team is also the program office for CEMS certificate program. CEMS represents the premier international exchange and certification program for graduate international business students globally. Ivey is the sole certifying body in Canada and is partnered with 32 other international business schools. The mission of the team to collaborate closely with partner schools, Ivey Programs stakeholders, corporate partners, and alumni to foster innovative educational experiences that enhance student development and strengthen Ivey’s reputational as a leader in experiential business education. 

Position Overview:

Experiential learning leadership is a key component of Ivey’s Strategy, and it is anticipated that the growth in this space will be significant in the years to come. As the Director, Experiential Learning and CEMS, you provide strategic leadership and operational oversight of Ivey’s experiential learning engagements, with accountability for financial stewardship, operational execution, and continuous improvement across a complex portfolio of applied learning programs.

In this role, you lead business development and relationship management efforts to expand and sustain a diverse network of corporate, entrepreneurial, and alumni partners, while ensuring the consistent delivery of high-quality, academically rigorous experiential learning opportunities. You guide and develop a team of coordinators, collaborate closely with faculty, Program Directors, and central service teams, and represent Ivey within global networks and external partnerships. Your leadership directly shapes the student experience, supports faculty innovation, and advances Ivey’s reputation for excellence in experiential and global business education.

Qualifications: 

1. Experiential Learning Engagements 

• Business development lead for sourcing, onboarding, and client support of the experiential learning client projects and the Executives in Residence.
• Manage budgets, staff and operational planning related to all experiential learning activities. 
• Report on outcomes and impact to Senior Leadership (Associate Dean, Programs; Chief Administrative Officer).
• Developing and sustaining a pipeline approach to deepening client relationships by creating working across programs to ensure clients have year round access to run a portfolio of projects with Ivey.
• Oversee all financial operational, logistical, and the administration of the experiential learning courses including Ivey Digital Innovation Studio, the Ivey Global Lab, Ivey Analytics Lab IAL), Ivey Field Projects, New Venture Field Projects, Advanced Field Projects, and CEMS Business Projects. This portfolio supports approximately 1,500 students annually, 200+ client and partner projects, 30 faculty members, and 100+ Executives and Entrepreneurs-in-Residence, ensuring academic quality, financial sustainability, and a consistent, high-impact student and partner experience.
• Develops, maintains and ensures information on experiential learning policies and procedures are understood by all stakeholders.
• Collaborates with Program Directors, Ivey faculty and staff involved in the Ivey experiential learning programming to facilitiate ongoing improvements to course offerings and processes.
• Works with Program Directors to identify, evaluate and implement new experiential initiatives.
• Collaborates with Ivey Events team to organize student and company practicum events, including IGL kickoff, IDIS Awards Night, panel discussions, student workshops, organization presentations, etc. 
• Collaborates with the Advancement, Career Management, and Ivey Academy teams to identify and initiate further alumni involvement in experiential learning engagements. 
• Conducts ongoing conversations with corporate partners and students regarding the progression of the placement, feedback collection, and future adjustment. 
• Addresses and resolves problems related to the experiential learning experience. (Student-Student, Student-Client)
• Collaborate with Program Directors, lead faculty members, and Career Management to identify and deliver complimentary co-curricular programing that enhances student impact in their client project engagements or entreprenuerial efforts (such as technology bootcamps, incubator experiences, career skills seminars, programming language classes, etc.)
• Works with grant subsidy organizations to financially support students experiences (e.g. Sustainability Impact Fund, Mitacs). 
• Assist with the support of the research ethics requirements for the Ivey Field and New Venture Projects.
• Management of graduate student study-trips including vendor sourcing, planning, marketing to students,execution and post-mortem.
• Work with the Western Legal team and Procurement for the completion of all necessary agreements with vendors and project clients (NDA, Data Use Agreements, Vendor Contracts)
• Work with Western International to prepare students, staff and faculty for programming abroad (Exchange, Study Trips, Ivey Global Lab)
• Create an ongoing guide for international programming for student, staff and faculty use.

2. CEMS Program Management and Corporate Relations Management 

• Staff lead for the CEMS Certificate Program with accountability for the student journey from admission to graduation.
• Oversight for all CEMS administrative activities and supervising/directing the activities of the CEMS program Coordinator.
• Participate in CEMS interviews to contribute to admissions and school allocation decisions. Review the admissions and interview process on and on-going basis to align with recruitment and career management standards. 
• Lead Ivey staff representative for CEMS Alliance committees/working groups, ensuring Ivey perspectives, opportunities and challenges are considered in the sustainment of the Ivey CEMS Certificate Program.
• Key point of contact for CEMS global office for all matters involving CEMS corporate partner curriculum engagement with Ivey’s CEMS program. Maintains and strengthen the partnership.
• Leverage CEMS school partners corporate relationships and work towards the development and onboarding of a Canadian CEMS corporate partners. 
• Supports the client relationships throughout the CEMS Block seminar through the use of facility tours, panel discussions, Q&A sessions and networking opportunities.
• Staff lead for CEMS Block Seminar and Global Citizenship Seminar curriculum accountable for corporate participation, as well as overall planning and execution of these courses according to the needs of the instructing faculty. 
• Contribute to the creation and implementation of suite of CEMS skill-seminars with an emphasis on engaging corporate partners and alumni. 
• Complete faculty contracts for contract roles to fill CEMS curriculum requirements, including the Global Citizenship Seminar, Skills Seminars, Block Seminar, Language Coordinator, Global Online Elective and Spanish course faculty member. 
• Address or triage student issues that may arise (e.g. club elections, academics, interpersonal, cross cultural etc.) 
• Oversight of the CEMS Student Society on initiatives throughout the year (e.g. North American summit in collaboration with Cornell). 
• Engage with the CEMS Alumni Chapters for further collaborations between CEMS alumni and programming, including alumni events, industry visits and panel presentations. 
• Oversee the CEMS Budget and allocate funding to CEMS programming, faculty salaries, student initatives and annual travel. 

3. Staff Management 

• Lead a team that remains on top of operational and student relations best practices and service standards while continuing to seek out creative solutions that enhance program administration and experience.
• Keep the team highly motivated and aware of the importance of their role and impact on student experience.
• Play a key role in setting the tone for the office and team environment, coaching staff through difficult situations, offering regular feedback and support to all staff members.
• Responsible for fostering an engaged, high-performing team by managing performance, hiring and onboarding new colleagues, and offering ongoing coaching and mentorship. 

4. Promotional Campaigns and Corporate Partnerships 

• Collaborates with the Faculty Director, key faculty, the Program Operations team, and others on key messages regarding Ivey’s integrated learning.
• Manages and delivers all aspects of promotional campaigns and materials to potential corporate partners.
• Plan and develop corporate client facing information materials on all Ivey experiential learning opportunities. 
• Promotes Ivey programs through attendance at professional networking events, e.g. targeted analytics conferences, etc. Arranges travel to promotional events. 
• Provides practicum organizations with Ivey program information, relevant practicum-related handbooks, etc.
• Works closely with corporate partners to develop cyclical projects that can be used throughout multiple cohorts.
• Collaborate with corporate partners to develop site-visit opportunities for students to be introduced to industry stakeholders.
• Develop an ongoing feedback and improvement plan for experiential learning initiatives from both students and corporate partners. 
• Creates and maintains databases on promotional initiatives; tracks metrics, evaluates and reports results on promotional activities.

5. Program Support 

• Work with Western International, Advancement, WIL Working Group, Western Legal, etc. when supporting new initiatives and student placements. 
• Develop a central resource that can house the policies, processes, and best practices for experiential learning opportunities for Ivey
• Supervise and support Experiential Learning Program Assistant/Receptionist who will support with the ongoing faciliatation and maintenance of experiential learning activities.

Education & Experience

• 4 year undergraduate university degree, business degree preferred.
• 7+ years of current business development or sales experience in a client-facing role.
• A background in experiential learning models and leading practice is preferred.
• Project Management Professional or Lean six sigma certificiation is preferred.
• Working knolwedge of contracts, FIPPA, Non-disclosure and data use agreements.
• Working knowledge of post graduate work permits, student permits and requirements for international travel.

Skills & Abilities

• Sales skills and the ability to effectively and enthusiastically represent Ivey, its students and graduate experiential learning opportunities to targeted organizations.
• Negotiation and conflict resolution abilities to ensure successful client interactions and satisfaction.
• Exceptional facilitation and collaboration skills necessary to work across programs and with external stakeholders, utilizing knowledge of facilitation, negotiation tools and techniques.
• Proven ability to communicate (both written and verbal) knowledgeably, effectively and efficiently with multiple stakeholders.  
• A high level of tact, confidentiality, diplomacy, professionalism, and a demonstrated ability to build appropriate rapport and constructive and effective relationships. 
• Ability to be innovative and implement ideas in a practical and timely manner.
• Must have strong organizational, priority setting and problem-solving skills.
• Ability to coach and mentor staff
• Ability to track, analyze and synthesize a high volume of information and to handle multiple projects and meet strict deadlines.  
• Database management and database reporting experience; strong computer skills: Salesforce, Microsoft Excel, Word, and PowerPoint; strong aptitude to learn new technology including web-based technology and social media outlets.
• Working knowledge of employment law and regulations is an asset, including those for international students
• Financial acumen necessary to build business cases and steward the team’s budget.
• Willingness to travel (domestically and internationally); possess a valid passport and driver’s license and be eligible for car rental agreements.
• Flexibility with work hours (occasional evenings, early mornings and travel overnight are regularly required throughout the year). 
• Position requires travel ( 1 week in November, 1 week in December, 1 week in May)
• Vacation may be restricted at certain times of the year.

What We Offer:

• A collaborative and engaging work culture
• Opportunity to join a community of people-focused professionals
• Market competitive compensation with annual increases available 
• Generous benefits package with employer-paid premiums, including a comprehensive Health and Dental Plan, Health Care Spending Account, short- and long-term disability programs, no waiting period required.
• Enhanced mental health benefits coverage and resources.
• Life and AD&D insurance for you and your family.
• Out-of-country travel insurance.
• Employee and Family Assistance Program.
• Pregnancy and Parental top-up leave program.
• A generous group retirement savings plan with 7.5% employer contributions. 
• Vacation starting at 15 days per year plus 2 paid Ivey Personal Days.
• Paid time off during the School’s December holiday closure.
• Numerous campus-wide arts, culture, and sport events.
• Supports for professional development and career progression opportunities.

Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion at Ivey

Ivey Business School is committed to Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion. Please explore Ivey’s EDI homepage for more information on Ivey's commitment to EDI, to read about Ivey’s progress in the EDI Update, and to meet Ivey’s EDI Advisory Council members.

Ivey Business School invites applications from all qualified individuals. Ivey is committed to employment equity and diversity in the workplace, and welcomes applications from women, members of racialized groups/visible minorities, Indigenous persons, persons with disabilities, persons of any sexual orientation, and persons of any gender identity or gender expression.

Accommodation
Prior to the next step in the recruiting process, we welcome you to inform us confidentially if you may require any accommodations in order to participate fully in our recruitment experience. Please contact us at careers@ivey.ca to notify us of any needs related to completing the job application, and/or throughout the recruitment process.

Artificial Intelligence

AI-supported tools may be used in parts of the selection process to help evaluate applications; however, our HR system itself does not include any AI functionality. All hiring decisions are made by people.

Application:

If you're excited about joining Canada's leading business school and meet the qualifications, please submit your resume and cover letter via the Ivey Careers page by the application deadline.

*Please note only selected candidates will be contacted.