Subject Matter Experts | Certificate in People Management
Call for Subject Matter Experts (SMEs)
The University of Guelph’s School of Continuing Studies is seeking experienced professionals to collaborate in the development of a new Certificate in People Management, a flexible micro-credential-based program designed for non-HR professionals who lead teams, manage people, or support workforce performance in a variety of sectors.
Program Overview
The Certificate in People Management will include a suite of fully online, self-directed courses (10–15 hours each). The program addresses foundational HR and leadership topics including recruitment, conflict resolution, employment law, performance management, and organizational change. The program will also offer specialized elective options tailored to diverse industries such as agriculture, technology, and customer-facing environments.
Subject Matter Experts (SMEs) will collaborate with our instructional design team to:
- Provide expert input on content, current practices, and real-world application
- Identify core concepts, scenarios, and challenges relevant to non-HR professionals
- Contribute to the development of assessments, case studies, and activities
- Review and validate content to ensure industry relevance, accuracy, and inclusivity
We are currently seeking SMEs with expertise in one or more of the following areas:
- HR for Non-profits
- HR for Hospitality and Tourism
Development Timeline
- Course development for HR for Hospitality and Tourism will begin in December 2025.
- Course development for HR for Non-Profits will begin in April 2026.
Ideal SME Profile
As an ideal SME candidate, you have the following qualifications:
- A minimum of 7 years of recent, hands-on experience in human resources, organizational development, or people leadership roles
- Direct industry experience working within and across a variety of organizational contexts, with a strong understanding of current workplace challenges and practices
- Demonstrated experience supporting or partnering with professionals in non-HR leadership roles (e.g., operations, team management, executive leadership)
- Familiarity with adult learning principles and/or online training delivery (preferred but not required)
- An ability to effectively collaborate with instructional designers and translate real-world expertise into practical, applied learning experiences
- Strong communication skills and critical thinking abilities, with the ability to contextualize content for professional learners
Compensation and Engagement
SMEs will be engaged on an independent contractor basis with compensation reflective of project scope. Each engagement will involve collaborative meetings, asynchronous feedback, and content contributions in partnership with the instructional design team. Compensation is per course development and is $1,500.
To Apply
If you are interested in this opportunity, please respond by Friday, October 24, 2025 with a resume and cover letter to:
Lisa Blenkinsop, Manager, Program Development, School of Continuing Studies, University of Guelph
Email: lblenkin@uoguelph.ca