International Partnerships Officer

Job description

At the University of Waterloo, we create and promote a culture where everyone can reach their full potential. As an employee, you get support & opportunities that empower you to advance your career. Explore how we can bring big ideas to life, together. The University is a welcoming workplace for those of all abilities, interests, and expertise. As part of our workforce, you can do what you do best, every day.

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Job Requisition ID: 2026-03693

Time Type: Full time Employee Group: Staff Job Category: Business Development Employment Type: Temporary Department: Global Engagement Office Hiring Range:

Posting Information: This posting is for an existing vacancy. The internal posting deadline for this position is Thursday, November 19, 2026 at 11:59PM Term: 2 years This position is being offered as a Secondment or contract opportunity.

Job Description: Primary Purpose The PEC team within the OVPRI provides leadership on and coordination of internationalization plans for the University of Waterloo. In collaboration with faculties and other Academic Support Offices, we aim to strategically grow our global network, offer more opportunities for international activities, and be recognized internationally for excellence in education, research and scholarship.

Under the general direction of the Associate Director, Corporate Research Partnerships as well as working in a team environment, the International Partnerships Officer performs a broad range of activities in support of the institutional level international strategy and relationship development to advance internationalization at the University of Waterloo.

The International Partnerships Officer will proactively lead the development of international relationships and initiatives with institutions, governments, and other organizations, will serve as an expert resource to Faculties and Academic Support Units on internationalization, and will actively engage the UW community to facilitate meaningful international partnerships and program development.

Key Accountabilities International Strategy and Program Development

- Develop, maintain and foster an open and transparent relationship with Faculties and Academic Support Units to identify strategic areas for international programming and partnership growth as aligned with internationalization goals

- Engage with the Faculties to contribute to the development of new or existing international programming, strategies and partnerships

- Identify and pursue opportunities for strategic and value-added collaboration that supports Faculty internationalization goals and is aligned with institutional priorities

- Ensure the Faculties and ASUs have access to clear and accurate information on internationalization through data analysis, research and reporting tools

- Serves as a conduit of information between the Faculties and OVPRI and other campus partners as appropriate – this includes creating internationalization plans and/or providing consultations on internationalization plans and initiatives

Partnership Development, Implementation and Management

- Proactively develops international relations and institutional partnerships through the management of key internal and external relationships

- Develops and maintains a network of contacts (internal and external of institutional partners, government agencies, embassies and consulates (Canadian and international)) that facilitate the execution of university internationalization strategy

- Builds relationships with Faculties, Academic Support Units, Research Institutes and Centres, Senior Leadership and other offices to secure their support for initiatives to advance internationalization

- Organizes, participates and assists OVPRI, Faculties, Academic Support Units, and other campus partners in protocol activities as related to inbound and outbound senior international stakeholders, delegations and visitors

- Provides analysis and assists with the timely execution of new and renewed institutional agreements in coordination with the Manager, International Agreements related to partnerships and linkages, including MOUs, student mobility (exchanges), and academic programs (joint academic) and others

- Working closely with the Manager, Safety Abroad, ensures timely notification of international activities and geographical knowledge for purposes of safety assessment and coordination

- Responds to requests for information from outside the University, in consultation with the Associate Director, Corporate Research Partnerships; adheres to strict standards of confidentiality with respect to development of policy or in matters of public position involving the University

Strategy, Reports and Information Management

- Responsible for actively gathering and mapping UW international relationships and engagement ensuring the collation and timely maintenance of regional, country, institutional, and strategic briefing notes and reports

- Conducts research and analysis of international higher education and internationalization trends, funding opportunities and mobility schemes

- Prepares reports, briefing documents on regional, country, institutional, and strategic engagement including the political, social, economic, research and educational contexts

- Monitors and assesses the performance of international partnerships and provides recommendations on their maintenance, continuity, and development

- Works in collaboration with OVPRI communications team to develop strategic and promotional communications

University-wide Coordination of International Opportunities and Resources

- Liaises with Faculties, Academic Support Units, Research Institutes and Centres, Senior Leadership and Institutional offices to solicit cross-institutional input into the relationship development and management process, exercising considerable interpersonal sensitivity and diplomacy

- Collects and maintains up-to-date information on international activities of Faculties, Academic Support Units, Research Institutes and Centres and provides timely reports, presentations and recommendations to related activities

- Monitors international relations trends and liaises with UW Faculties, and Academic Support Units to advise on key opportunities

- Serves as a university resource on internationalization by developing and deepening expertise in international relations, program development and funding opportunities

- Convenes working groups (as needed/requested) to develop a network of champions and experts / active researchers to support relationship building and international program development

Required Qualifications Education

- Bachelor’s degree in international relations, globalization, International Business, Political Science preferred or equivalent combination of education and experience.

- Master’s degree an asset.

Experience

- 5+ years of related experience in a post-secondary environment, government or international relations role

- Mandarin language is required

- Experience in managing high level delegations and protocol in a cross-cultural context and for a wide variety of high-level delegations

- Experience in collating and analyzing qualitative and quantitative data and information and drafting reports, briefing materials and presentation to range of audiences including senor administrators

- Experience supporting the creation and implementation of a strategic plan including a proven record of accomplishment of leveraging Faculty-specific strategic plans and the University strategic plan to inform the direction

Knowledge/Skills/Abilities

- Demonstrated relationship building competencies, with exceptional skills in cross-cultural understanding and communication

- Knowledge of internationalization of higher education, partnership development and stakeholder engagement, including up to date knowledge on best practice at other institutions, current internationalization trends and identifying opportunities in international relations

- Demonstrated ability to work both independently and collaboratively, build consensus, maintain confidentiality, exhibit sensitivity to the needs and interests of a variety of stakeholders, and support the functioning of a diverse team both within an individual department and across the institution

- Must possess excellent research, analytical, oral and written communication skills including preparing briefing materials, reports and project management

- Excellent analytical skills – ability to analyze both qualitative and quantitative data and to draw valid and appropriate conclusions

- Strong communication skills with the ability to convey complex information and issues concisely and clearly, and draft high-quality position papers and briefing notes

- Proven influencing and teamwork skills, including a demonstrated ability to mobilize people who do not report to them

- Excellent strategy development and ability to lead throughout execution in an environment of change and ever-increasing demand for staff resources.

Equity Statement

The University of Waterloo acknowledges that much of our work takes place on the traditional territory of the Neutral, Anishinaabeg, and Haudenosaunee peoples. Our main campus is situated on the Haldimand Tract, the land granted to the Six Nations that includes six miles on each side of the Grand River. Our active work toward reconciliation takes place across our campuses through research, learning, teaching, and community building, and is coordinated within the Office of Indigenous Relations.

The University values the diverse and intersectional identities of its students, faculty, and staff. The University regards equity and diversity as an integral part of academic excellence and is committed to accessibility for all employees. The University of Waterloo seeks applicants who embrace our values of equity, anti-racism and inclusion. As such, we encourage applications from candidates who have been historically disadvantaged and marginalized, including applicants who identify as First Nations, Métis and/or Inuk (Inuit), Black, racialized, a person with a disability, women and/or 2SLGBTQ+.

Positions are open to qualified candidates who are legally entitled to work in Canada.

The University of Waterloo is committed to accessibility for persons with disabilities. If you have any application, interview, or workplace accommodation requests, please contact Human Resources at hrhelp@uwaterloo.ca or 519-888-4567, ext. 45935.