Manager - Experiential Learning at Red Deer Polytechnic

Position Information

Position Title Manager - Experiential Learning
Position Summary Reporting to the Dean of the School of Health & Wellness, the Manager, Experiential Learning Education leads the strategic development, implementation, and evaluation of experiential learning initiatives across the School of Health and Wellness. This role is responsible for managing simulation, immersive technologies (including VR and AR), standardized patient programs, and clinical education support. The Manager ensures alignment with academic goals, industry standards, and emerging technologies to foster innovative, student-centered learning environments
Position Responsibilities Experiential Learning Operations

• Coordinates operations within the Health and Wellness Simulation Labs and Immersive Learning Experiences
• Cultivate and manage strategic partnerships and collaborations with internal and external stakeholders, by supporting the creation and utilization of simulation and immersive learning scenarios, front line support for technology and resources and responding to requests for use, to achieve the labs and resources and RDP goals.
• Lead and facilitate Communities of Practice and participate in symposiums and expos as a representative of RDP.
• Advise faculty on the incorporation of best practices in simulation and other forms of immersive learning, including orientation, pre-briefing, debriefing, and psychological safety to maintain best practices.
• Coordinate facility improvements and new equipment deployment, by maintaining an equipment log for use and repairs/maintenance, providing education on equipment use and oversight of new purchased/capital equipment plans to ensure effective operations
• Provide orientation of faculty and students to principles of simulation, immersive learning, debriefing techniques, and provide faculty with related literature and policies, to maintain best practices
• Leads and expands the utilization of experiential learning in rural sites.
• Leads the design, development, implementation and evaluation of experiential initiatives within didactic and clinical phases of program curriculum, to maintain best practices
• Coach and develop staff across functional areas by working with faculty who are responsible for experiential learning design and development.
• Develop data collection and record keeping procedures to evaluate training method effectiveness and to ensure student/client satisfaction
• Ensures all standards and polices are met by being aware of changes in healthcare, educational technology or new techniques by attendance at in-service programs, vendors, tradeshows and conferences. Keeps apprised of updates in experiential learning including equipment upgrades and new product development, new scenarios developed and innovative adaptation of equipment to meet a variety of learning needs. The incumbent updates their knowledge by noting changes in equipment or technology that are used in any health care setting and relays this information to faculty. In addition, acts as a resource to faculty and lab staff with skills and techniques to maintain accreditation standards
• Conduct, facilitate, synthesize, and summarize market research related to experiential learning.
• Continuously updates and refines experiential learning experiences based on identified needs
• Serves as a resource for faculty utilizing experiential learning
• Manages the use of simulation and immersive learning equipment.
• Creates and maintains a respectful and professional working environment, incorporating active learning, reflective thinking, and a confidential debriefing process
• Leads the SHW Simulation Working Group and initiates and leads other relevant working groups.
• Support the annual departmental budget development, overall resource allocation and management to ensure fiscal responsibility and sustainability in collaboration with the Dean.
• Ensure the Simulation Centre’s and other capital equipment and resources are managed in a cost-effective manner to the maximum benefit for students and faculty.

Staff Leadership

• Directs the day-to-day operations of Lab Coordinator and Simulation Lab Technicians, coordinating schedules and duties for efficient and effective delivery of service
• Responsible for effective retention, coaching, supervision, performance management of identified staff in compliance with People Advising & Partnership Team policies and procedures, and POPA (Protection of Privacy Act), and in support of a high performing team
• Responsible for effective retention, coaching, supervision, performance management of identified staff in compliance with People Advising & Partnership Team policies and procedures, and POPA (Protection of Privacy Act), and in support of a high performing team
• Conducts performance enhancement process in accordance with standard practice and collective agreements; escalates issues or concerns to the Dean
• Plans, organizes, and coordinates formal and informal orientation and training of employees under direct supervision
• Participates in the recruitment and hiring of direct reports
• Encourages staff to participate in growth opportunities and professional development opportunities as they arise
• Approves, monitors, and reports vacation and other absences for all staff under the direct supervision; arrange coverage for all vacation and long-term absences as required
• The School Manager, Experiential Learning endeavors to integrate and advance the Polytechnic’s commitments to equity, diversity, and inclusivity, and creates an environment where diverse ideas, perspectives, and achievements are recognized, rewarded, and celebrated.
• Ensure that all regulations of Occupational Health and Safety (OH&S) are adhered to in order to provide a safe work environment and follows up on reports generated by People Advising & Partnership Team to ensure compliance with OH&S and WHMIS training
• Develops department specific onboarding materials
• Oversees the coordination of the exit procedures to ensure the appropriate collection and tracking of information
• Represents assigned work area as first level grievance officer and attempts resolution in consultation with Division of People Advising & Partnership Team
• With Dean and Associate Deans of the School, resolves issues related to learner success within School programs

Standardized Patient Program

• Leads and Managers the resources necessary to facilitate experiential learning and simulation.
• Grows and maintains a comprehensive pool of standardized patients or similar resources needed to deliver simulation.
• Designs and delivers appropriate training for standardized patients
• Coordinates with the Operations Manager to communicate contractual needs

Required Qualifications

• Graduate degree in Adult Education or related graduate education emphasizing experiential learning and instructional design

• 5 years or more of teaching and/or practical experience with experiential learning

• 3 years or more experience in managing Simulation Labs and/or Immersive Learning Experiences

• 3 years or more experience in Healthtech policies/processes and tools

• 5 years of progressive leadership experience within an academic institution;

• 2 years experience in coaching and mentoring staff;

• Proven expertise in applied experiential learning,

• 2 years of experience in project management;

• Simulation and Healthcare education and training

• Familiarity with technology in the healthcare field with specific training for the maintenance and operation of high-fidelity human patient simulator

Preferred Qualifications

• Ability to use critical thinking and problem-solving skills
• Excellent computer skills specifically in Microsoft Office 365 products
• Demonstrated troubleshooting of technical difficulties with equipment
• Demonstrated ability to develop simulations and maintain organization
• Highly developed interpersonal skills with ability to work with diverse groups of people
• Supervisory experience

Salary or Hourly? Salary
Salary $104,450 - $126,960
Benefits and Compensation Information
About Red Deer Polytechnic Focused on advancing the economic and social priorities of Alberta, Red Deer Polytechnic (RDP) provides more than 100 industry-relevant credit and non-credit programs to approximately 11,000 credit, non-credit and apprenticeship students. With modern teaching and learning spaces, and state-of-the-art research and innovation centres, RDP provides education and applied research opportunities in partnership with industry and communities
Red Deer Polytechnic’s main campus is located on Treaty 7, Treaty 6 and Métis ancestral lands. This is where we will strive to honour and transform our relationships with one another.
Whatever brings you to Red Deer Polytechnic, we are glad you are here. And we look forward to having you as a valued member of our polytechnic community.
Posting Detail Information

Competition Number 2025-E-025
Employment Type Term-Certain Full-Time
Number of Vacancies 1
Desired Start Date 12/01/2025
Position End Date (if term-certain) 06/30/2030
FTE 1.0
Hours of Work
Open Date 11/04/2025
Close Date
Open Until Filled Yes
Note to Applicant Red Deer Polytechnic fosters an inclusive learning and working environment where everyone can bring their full selves and share their unique talents. We are committed to being responsive to the evolving needs and expectations of our diverse community.
At RDP, we are committed to a merit-based hiring process, and we believe in an inclusive workplace that is fair, equitable, supportive, welcoming and respectful. We recognize, value, and leverage differences in identities, abilities, background, cultures, skills, experiences, and perspectives. Our practices are guided by the principles of the Alberta Human Rights Act and support the Truth and Reconciliation Commission of Canada’s Calls to Action. If you believe you have the skills and equivalent experience and potential to contribute to this role, we encourage you to apply
Red Deer Polytechnic will provide job applicants with accommodations in accordance with the Alberta Human Rights Code. To request an accommodation, please contact [email protected]
Special Instructions to Applicants
Required Documents

• Cover Letter

• Resume

• References Names and Contact Information

Optional Documents