Employer Initiatives Specialist (Remote)

Title: Employer Initiatives Specialist (Remote)

Department: Canada Programs

Reporting to: AD, Employer Initiatives

Type: Full Time

Location: Remote - Canada (Candidates based in British Columbia, Alberta, Manitoba, Saskatchewan, Ontario, Nova Scotia or willing to relocate)

Compensation: $71,000 - $75,000 CAD

Who We Are:

World Education Services (WES) is a non-profit social enterprise that supports the educational, economic, and social inclusion of immigrants, refugees, and international students. For 50 years, WES has set the standard for international academic credential evaluation, supporting millions of people as they seek to achieve their academic and professional goals. Through decades of experience as a leader in global education, WES has developed a wide range of tools to pursue social impact at scale. From evaluating academic credentials to shaping policy, designing programs, and providing philanthropic funding, we partner with a diverse set of organizations, leaders, and networks to uplift individuals and drive systems change. Together with its partners, WES enables people to learn, work, and thrive in new places. For more information about WES, please visit our website at www.WES.org.  

About the Opportunity:

The Employer Initiatives Specialist (EIS) will work closely and collaboratively with all members of the Canada Programs team as well as other WES departments to facilitate the effectiveness of the Employer Solutions Team. The EIS will provide operational, administrative and project management support to the Employer Solutions team, helping to ensure efficient execution of strategic initiatives, process improvements, and stakeholder engagement.  This role will work to help strengthen the capacity of WES to expand and deepen engagement of employers/employer associations, municipalities (economic development) and other stakeholder in initiatives that build awareness and influence employer practices towards recognition of international credentials and skills-commensurate employment to advance the social impact goals of WES.  The EIS will play a key role in tracking project deliverables, improving workflows, and ensuring smooth collaboration across project teams, external partners of all levels, and program managers. 

What You’ll Do:

• • Support the implementation of operational processes, ensuring alignment with project goals, timelines, and budgetary considerations.
  • Participate in program development, including identifying needs, opportunities, and gaps; developing and evaluating program activities; and engaging relevant partners and stakeholders
  • Provides support to the Planning and Project Manager for the budgeting process, cross-departmental planning and priority setting and operational initiatives across the Canada Programs team and Social Impact Division.
  • Support the implementation of workplans, timelines and performance tracking systems to advance strategies and initiatives.
  • Participate in meetings with the program managers and the Associate Director, Employer Initiatives and engage in special projects to with a focus on streamlining processes and increasing efficiency
  • Assist with program implementation, including program delivery, stakeholder engagement, tracking key metrics, presentation preparation, documentation, and reporting
  • Support the development and maintenance of program and project work plans, including project timelines, task tracking, and reporting systems to monitor progress and performance indicators
  • Assist team members in the implementation of the Canada Programs evaluation system, including data entry, data collection and reporting
  • Provide logistical and project coordination support for team activities, employer engagement efforts , events with partners and participation in conferences, including meeting and event coordination, scheduling, materials preparation, note-taking, registrations, reimbursements, evaluation and post-activity follow-up on key action items,
  • Support the Associate Director and program managers with preparation for high priority meetings, such as external speaking events, discussions on strategic initiatives, and internal staff meetings on key initiatives, and manage follow up.
  • Participate in select high priority meetings internally and externally, tracking discussions and ensuring action items are assigned, completed and the data is reported on Salesforce
  • Facilitate, edit, and draft clear and concise team communications in partnership with the Associate Director and Manager.
  • Support the development of presentations and reports for important internal and external stakeholder meetings, such as the quarterly review processes or the Refugee Jobs Agenda Roundtable meetings.
  • Facilitate the coordination and planning of the Employer Solutions meetings by working with team leadership to schedule meetings, develop agendas, prepare for meetings, coordinate materials, and draft speaking points
  • Support knowledge management efforts by organizing and maintaining key documents, reports, and data insights for easy reference and use.
  • Support the Associate Director and program managers in developing and executing additional strategic and collaborative projects and activities as they arise,
  • Ensure and coordinate effective use of project management tools and systems to optimize workflow and team collaboration.
  • Proactively identify challenges in project execution and propose solutions to improve efficiency and impact.
  • Ensure coordination and collaboration within the Canada Programs team and with other WES departments where needed

Your Experience: 

The ideal candidate will have:

• Required

  • A Bachelor’s degree in public policy, economics, business project management, international relations, or other relevant degree, or equivalent experience.
  • 3+ years of relevant experience in workforce development, immigration, refugee resettlement, economic development, and/or social sector consulting.
  • Demonstrated experience in project coordination, operational support, and stakeholder engagement
  • Strong ability to develop and manage project plans, timelines, and progress tracking.
  • Exceptional project manager who thrives in a fast-paced environment, delivers high-quality work, is comfortable managing up, and enjoys juggling dynamic priorities.
  • Ability to use independent judgment and work under pressure on competing responsibilities with resilience, and a high level of ownership.
  • Work as a collaborative team player. Highly organized, detail-oriented, and able to drive projects forward independently, while managing multiple deadlines.
  • Excellent verbal and written communication skills to convey information to stakeholders in compelling formats, including via PowerPoint slides and reports.
  • Experience tracking and reporting project KPIs, budgets, and operational metrics is an asset.
  • Demonstrated administrative, planning and analytical skills to assess situations, and apply learnings in a larger context.
  • Commitment to confidentiality and discretion in appropriately handling sensitive information is required.
  • Good interpersonal skills, including flexibility, and demonstrated experience building trust and proactively managing relationships with diverse stakeholders.
  • Solid command of technology tools, including Microsoft Office suite (especially Word, Excel, PowerPoint, and OneDrive), and Google Apps / G Suite and project management and collaboration tools such as Trello, Asana and Monday.com
  • Experience working with Salesforce or other CRM systems preferred.
  • Office environment and/or remote work
  • Comfortable working in a fast-paced environment with multiple projects and deadlines
  • Be excited about WES’ mission, the GTB’s impact goals, and advancing equity, inclusion, and diversity.
  • Have an understanding and positive attitude towards cultural differences and ability to communicate and work collaboratively across cultures.
  • Have a high degree of comfort with rapidly changing ambiguous contexts and an ability to help craft a clear path forward in these environments.
  • Bring both an entrepreneurial mindset to generate new approaches, spot opportunities, and initiate action.
  • Have a deep-rooted intellectual curiosity and an openness to diverse ideas and perspectives.
  • Thrive in an environment that values transparency, collaboration, and a learning orientation.
  • Bring a “can-do” attitude and have a willingness to stretch up and down in their role as the department’s needs evolve.
  • Build informal working relationships, quickly establish credibility in new areas of work, and mobilize people at all levels towards collaborative goals

  Desired

  • Occasional travel within Canada and US

What We Offer:

Joining our team at WES means embarking on a purpose-driven career with a global impact, where you contribute daily to making a tangible difference in the lives of people worldwide. You'll thrive in an employee-centric environment, with access to learning opportunities, pathways for personal and professional development, and recognition of your achievements. Our inclusive, mission-driven culture values employees and focuses on investing in our people through our culture, people framework, and programming while offering the flexibility of remote work options.

• Work-Life Harmony: We believe that success is all about maintaining balance. Enjoy the freedom of remote work and flexible scheduling, paired with generous time-off policies designed to assist you in maintaining a healthy equilibrium between your personal and professional commitments. Our comprehensive wellness programs and work environment are focused on fostering your well-being.
• Rewards and Recognition: Your dedication and achievements are the cornerstone of our success. We recognize the importance of valuing your hard work which is why we offer competitive compensation, comprehensive benefits, and tangible rewards to celebrate your contributions.
• Professional Growth and Development: We are committed to nurturing growth within our team, recognizing that growth is essential to providing opportunities for career advancement and ongoing professional development. To prioritize your learning and success, we invest in comprehensive training programs and offer tuition reimbursement opportunities. We promote a culture of continuous learning that empowers you to thrive and evolve in your career.
• Innovation and Impact: Engage in work that directly transforms lives and empowers individuals and communities by expanding access to global educational and professional pathways. Join us in fostering a culture that values innovation, embraces new approaches, and leverages transformation to implement and drive impactful change.
• Community and Connection: Our team is made up of individuals from different cultures and backgrounds who have varying perspectives and ideas. Our diverse workforce reflects the global community we serve, and we take pride in it. We are committed to fostering a workplace where everyone feels valued, respected, and included. Experience the power of connection by participating in a range of activities, including employee-led resource groups, town halls, collaborative team events, meaningful volunteer opportunities, and initiatives that promote equity, celebrate diversity, and cultivate a strong sense of belonging within our organization. 

Values: 

• Opportunity - We open doors so people can build better futures.
• Inclusion - We become stronger, more creative, and more resilient when we embrace diversity.
• Equity - We uphold fairness and justice in our work and actions.
• Enterprising - We are resourceful, inventive, and driven.
• Expertise - We challenge ourselves to be the best at what we do.

Inclusive Recruitment Process:

We welcome all applicants, irrespective of their experience perfectly fitting the job description, as we value diverse and innovative viewpoints. At our organization, individuals who thrive in a culture of continuous learning and inclusive teamwork excel. We are committed to fostering an inclusive and accessible work environment where everyone feels valued, respected, and supported and welcome members of all backgrounds and perspectives to apply.

Our Commitment:

At World Education Services, we're committed to fostering an inclusive workplace that reflects the rich tapestry of our communities, both in the US and Canada. This commitment is underscored by our unwavering dedication to providing equal opportunities to all qualified individuals, regardless of race, color, religion, sex, national origin, age, disability, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, veteran status, or genetics. This commitment extends to every aspect of employment, from recruitment and hiring to promotions, training, and benefits. We comply with all applicable federal, state, and local anti-discrimination laws. For us, diversity goes beyond compliance – it's about embracing unique perspectives and cultivating an environment where everyone feels valued and empowered to reach their full potential. 

If you require assistance and/or accommodation at any point during the recruitment process, please contact us at hiring@wes.org, we're here to support you. Our Talent Acquisition team is happy to work with you to find solutions that meet your needs.

For more information about WES, please visit our website at www.WES.org.