Economic Development Associate Jobs in Guelph, ON

Title:                      Senior Associate, Operations & Coordination      

Department:        Office of Social Impact

Reporting to:       Chief of Staff

Location:               Canada

Compensation:    $56K – $71K 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 Senior Associate, Operations and Coordination supports the Chief of Staff and Chief Social Impact Officer (CSIO) in driving effective planning, coordination, and execution of priorities across the systems change portfolio.

This role focuses on strengthening day-to-day leadership operations by supporting planning processes, tracking priorities, contributing to budgeting efforts, and ensuring strong coordination across teams and leadership forums. The role works in close collaboration with other operations and alignment partners across both systems change teams and the enterprise level.

The ideal candidate is highly organized, detail-oriented, and proactive, with strong project management skills and the ability to work collaboratively across teams. This role is well-suited for someone who enjoys organizing complex work, coordinating across stakeholders, and ensuring priorities move forward efficiently and with strong follow-through.

What You'll Do:

Leadership Operations & Coordination (40%) 

• Support the CSIO and Chief of Staff in planning and coordinating leadership priorities and workflows
• Manage leadership calendars of work (e.g., roadmaps, priority trackers) to ensure visibility and alignment
• Manage and optimize the calendars of the CSIO and Chief of Staff, proactively prioritizing time, anticipating needs, and aligning schedules to advance organizational goals.
• Supports preparation for key leadership and Board meetings (e.g., SCT, internal leadership forums), including coordinating agendas, developing materials, tracking action items and follow-ups
• Support development of internal leadership communications, including updates and briefing materials
• Support the tracking and coordination of the CSIO’s external engagements and partnerships, including maintaining engagement trackers, preparing research-informed briefing materials, coordinating logistics, and ensuring timely follow-up on key actions and communications.

Operational Execution & Priority Tracking (35%)

 In close partnership with operations leads across Career Pathways, U.S. P&P, Philanthropy and Community, and MDO Canada: 

• Support budgeting and expense tracking processes, including monitoring spend and maintaining basic forecasts
• Support the development and management of systems and tools for tracking priorities, risks, and dependencies
• Coordinate across teams to align timelines, inputs, and deliverables
• Identify and escalate risks or delays to the Chief of Staff as needed
• Support data collection and reporting to inform leadership updates and quarterly reporting processes
• Provide flexible surge capacity to other systems change teams, stepping in to support priority initiatives, address bandwidth gaps, and ensure continuity.

Cross-Team Coordination & Support (25%)

• Support coordination of Systems Change Team (SCT) activities, including scheduling, materials, and follow-up
• Provide coordination support for cross-functional initiatives and special projects as needed
• Contribute to improving processes and workflows that strengthen team effectiveness

Your Experience:

Required

• 3–5+ years of relevant work experience in operations, project management, nonprofit, or related fields
• Strong organizational and project management skills, with attention to detail and ability to manage multiple priorities
• Experience supporting team or leadership operations, including meeting coordination, follow-up, and proactive calendar and time management for senior leaders
• Strong written and verbal communication skills, including preparing clear and concise materials
• Ability to work in a fast-paced environment and manage ambiguity effectively
• Strong interpersonal skills and ability to collaborate across teams
• Basic experience with budgeting, tracking, or operational processes preferred
• Proficiency in Microsoft Office (Word, Excel, PowerPoint) and collaboration tools

Desired

• None

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.

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:

World Education Services is 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

This position is an existing vacancy and is currently open for hire.