National Recruitment Specialist

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.
Learn more about our recruitment process.

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Posting Information:
This posting is for an existing vacancy.

Term: 15 months

This position is being offered as a Secondment or contract opportunity.

The internal posting deadline for this position is Thursday, April 16, 2026, at 11:59PM.

• A Vulnerable Sector Check is required
• A valid Driver’s Abstract and ability to rent a car in Canada (i.e., possession of a valid G driver’s license or equivalent) is required

Job Description:

Primary Purpose

The Marketing and Undergraduate Recruitment (MUR) unit of the Registrar’s Office (RO) is responsible for supporting institutional enrolment management goals and supporting campus partners by leading infrastructure development. Canada represents both the greatest source of undergraduate students and major institutional enrolment and revenue goals.

The National Recruitment Specialist (NRS) is responsible for the successful scheduling and implementation of all activities related to national (within Canada outside Ontario) undergraduate recruitment and associated strategies, including budget, travel, communications, research, and data analysis. In light of research that confirms the impact of effective high school recruitment visits, the NRS plays a key role in providing mature, confident, competent, and credible external representation of the university to prospective students and their supporters.

Key Accountabilities

Leads & implements national recruitment activities

·       Organizes, oversees, and executes travel to strategically selected high schools and other community organizations within Canada and primarily outside of Ontario, including coordinating logistics, creatively solving any problems that may arise, and organizing well-developed plans that include consideration of important factors such as other universities’ travel strategies and high school professional development days

·       Leads proactive recruitment events, including but not limited to presentations and networking with prospective students and their supporters, guidance counsellors, and Waterloo staff and alumni

·       Collaborates with campus partners to secure support for out-of-province recruitment events as needed

·       Contributes to the development and execution of recruitment presentations, including scripts, slides, and display materials appropriately targeted for national audiences

·       Participates in extensive training and professional development prior to each new recruitment season, including polishing the delivery of effective and engaging presentations that incorporate compelling stories about the UWaterloo experience

·       Ensures timely, accurate, consistent, and ongoing follow-up with key audiences, including responses to direct in-person or email inquiries from students encountered by UWaterloo representatives during national recruitment events

·       Manages positive and effective relationships with prospective students and their supporters; recruitment and admission staff from other institutions; guidance counsellors and other school staff; and Waterloo students and alumni

·       Informs the development of recruitment scripts, visual presentations, and display materials appropriately targeted for national audiences

Collaborates, Advises, Consults, Mentors

·       Supports the National Recruitment Supervisor’s work leading annual recruitment training for new staff and campus partners

·       Coordinates with MUR colleagues to ensure mutually positive approaches to overlapping audiences (e.g., Indigenous students, international students in Canada, historically underrepresented equity-deserving groups)

·       Facilitates opportunities to share information learned on the road to key subject matter experts across campus

·       Engages campus colleagues on a regular basis to inform, learn, and coordinate approaches to recruitment efforts

·       Develops relationships with priority campus partners to meet common goals

·       Supports national and provincial collective recruitment efforts through working group and committee participation

Reporting, Insights, and Understanding

·       Uses MUR strategic planning documents to guide work and shape workplace expectations

·       Understands the role of research in MUR’s evidence-based strategies

·       Develops, writes, updates, and follows business plans to which the role contributes

·       Executes work in alignment with departmental process and project management guidelines

·       Develops and uses a range of data sources to advise manager on recommendations for initiatives and planning

·       Establishes metrics to assess the effectiveness of initiatives and act on feedback to ensure initiatives are meeting the goals of MUR and stakeholders

Contributes to departmental initiatives and culture

·       Ensures that MUR and UWaterloo values are present when engaging with others and delivering on all aspects of the position

·       Keeps fully informed and knowledgeable about all aspects of programs, admissions, student life, and other issues related to prospective students

·       Maintains awareness of cultural, language, religious, political, socio-economic, and any other relevant factors in Waterloo’s recruitment markets

·       Participates in MUR recruitment events and in the administration of specific RO department-wide and UW campus wide responsibilities

Required Qualifications

Education

·       Bachelor’s degree, preferably from Waterloo

Experience

·       2-3 years’ experience in university recruitment

·       Leadership experience, preferably involving training/mentoring students

·       Excellent written and oral communication skills, including delivering dynamic presentations

·       Understanding of student recruitment and the many forces that influence students’ post-secondary decisions

·       Ability to speak credibly about all aspects of Waterloo, including admissions, student life, programs, co-op, financing, residence, and success after graduation

·       Strong organizational and problem-solving skills coupled with the ability to handle multiple projects and deadlines in a fast-paced environment

·       Demonstrated initiative in moving projects from launch to completion with limited supervision

·       Event management expertise

Knowledge/Skills/Abilities

·       MS Office 365 (especially Word, Excel, PowerPoint, and Sharepoint)

·       A Vulnerable Sector Check is required

·       A valid Driver’s Abstract and ability to rent a car in Canada (i.e., possession of a valid G driver’s license or equivalent) is required

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 [email protected] or 519-888-4567, ext. 45935.