Programming Research Specialist, UCalgary Continuing Education

Role overview

Research and opportunity analysis

• Scan industry, public-sector, and workforce-planning data to identify potential programming growth areas.
• Conduct market assessments and secondary research using internal and external data to inform internal business partners about customers.
• Analyze competing post-secondary course and program offerings, products, services, promotional tactics, and market positioning.
• Monitor procurement portals, government tender systems, grant programs, industry association websites, and other sources for RFPs, RFIs, expressions of interest, and funding or partnership opportunities.
• Identify RFPs aligned with Continuing Education’s capabilities, expertise, delivery models, priorities, and capacity.

Research delivery and reporting

• Design and review questionnaires and online surveys, analyze collected data, and compile findings and presentations.
• Create project updates, reports, timelines, and tracking for goals, processes, and metrics to support on-time delivery.
• Prepare research reports, presentations, briefs, and other documents; create reporting templates, including reports, presentations, and infographics.
• Provide results and recommendations for action to varied audiences.
• Share relevant market intelligence and upcoming opportunities with internal partners in an organized, timely manner.

Pipeline and stakeholder coordination

• Maintain a pipeline of prospective RFPs and corporate training opportunities, including deadlines, qualification status, recommended next steps, and responsible internal leads.
• Build relationships with university departments, external organizations, professional associations, instructional designers, instructors, and subject-matter experts to inform program development.

Education and experience

• Undergraduate degree in business administration, education, marketing, psychology, organizational development, or a related field.
• At least five years of professional market research or related experience.
• A graduate degree in a related field is an asset.

Required qualifications and skills

• Knowledge of adult learners’ professional development and personal enrichment education needs.
• Knowledge of primary qualitative and quantitative research and secondary research techniques.
• Strong market research skills, including judgment and proficiency with research tools.
• Ability to conduct market analysis and segmentation, environmental scans, and business-case development.
• Strong writing and data interpretation skills; able to turn research data into recommended actions and visualizations.
• Able to manage complex tasks, multiple projects, competing deadlines, and changing priorities.
• Project management skills and knowledge of tools such as MS Project, Basecamp, Asana, Trello, or similar.
• Strong written and verbal communication and customer-service orientation; collaborative and able to build positive partner relationships.
• Strong working knowledge of Microsoft Office Professional, including Word, Excel, Outlook, and PowerPoint.
• Proficiency in online survey programming tools such as Qualtrics.
• Good judgment, initiative, tact, and diplomacy in frequent interactions.

Additional experience

• Adult and workplace learning program development, instructional design, and development for in-class and online delivery are assets.

Appointment and deadline

• Application deadline: November 17, 2026.
• The position is part of the AUPE bargaining unit and the Specialist/Advisor Job Family, Phase 2.

About the University