Team Captain (Co-Captain)

Note: This is an executive leadership position at WATonomous. Co-Captains represent the overall team and provide strategic direction. Per our constitution, applicants must have held a lead position in WATonomous for at least one term and cannot have previously served as a Co-Captain.

Application Note: Once you've fulfilled the constitutional eligibility requirements, you can apply to this role. You are also welcome to directly contact the current leadership team to express your interest and discuss the position.

Description

WATonomous is seeking exceptional leaders to serve as Team Co-Captains. As a Co-Captain, you will represent the entire WATonomous organization, providing strategic vision, facilitating cross-project coordination, and ensuring organizational cohesion. This is the highest leadership position within WATonomous, requiring dedication, vision, and the ability to inspire a diverse team of engineers, designers, and business professionals.

Co-Captains work in pairs to provide balanced leadership, ensuring continuity and shared responsibility in guiding one of University of Waterloo's most innovative student design teams. You will shape the future of autonomous robotics at the student level while developing invaluable leadership experience.

Responsibilities

As a Team Co-Captain at WATonomous, you will:

• Strategic Leadership: Provide strategic vision for the entire organization and set long-term goals
• Inter-Project Coordination: Facilitate collaboration and resource sharing between Eve, Micro, Rover, and Humanoid autonomy projects
• Organizational Cohesion: Ensure all divisions work together effectively toward common objectives
• Director Management: Facilitate communication across project directors and administrative leads
• High-Level Planning: Oversee strategic planning, major decision-making, and organizational direction
• Leadership Development: Appoint or confirm project and administrative leadership roles
• External Representation: Serve as the face of WATonomous to sponsors, university administration, and the public
• Culture Building: Foster a positive team culture that encourages innovation, learning, and collaboration
• Crisis Management: Handle high-level conflicts and make difficult decisions when necessary
• Succession Planning: Ensure smooth leadership transitions and knowledge transfer

Key Qualifications

Required (Per Constitution):

• Must have held a lead position in WATonomous for at least one term
• Must not have previously served as a Co-Captain
• Demonstrated leadership ability within WATonomous

Additional Desired Qualifications:

• Strong vision for the future of autonomous robotics
• Excellent communication and public speaking skills
• Ability to manage and motivate diverse teams
• Strategic thinking and problem-solving capabilities
• Understanding of both technical and business aspects of the team
• Emotional intelligence and conflict resolution skills
• Time management skills to balance team leadership with academics
• Passion for mentoring and developing future leaders

Leadership Philosophy

Successful Co-Captains embody:

• Servant Leadership: Putting team needs before personal recognition
• Collaborative Decision-Making: Working effectively with your Co-Captain partner
• Inclusive Leadership: Ensuring all team members feel valued and heard
• Strategic Thinking: Balancing immediate needs with long-term vision
• Adaptability: Responding effectively to changing circumstances and challenges

What We Offer

• Ultimate leadership experience managing a 50+ member organization
• Direct impact on the future of student robotics at UW
• Extensive networking with industry leaders and sponsors
• Development of executive-level skills
• Opportunity to represent WATonomous at major events and competitions
• Mentorship from previous Co-Captains and advisors
• A lasting legacy in shaping WATonomous's direction

Time Commitment

This is a full-time leadership position requiring approximately 15-20 hours per week, including:

• Weekly leadership team meetings
• Regular one-on-ones with directors
• Strategic planning sessions
• Sponsor meetings and presentations
• Team events and social activities
• Competition support and travel
• Emergency response as needed

Term Information

• Co-Captain positions follow the WATonomous term system
• Maximum service of 6 terms to ensure leadership rotation
• Terms typically align with academic semesters
• Transition periods include comprehensive handover processes

Selection Process

The Co-Captain selection follows our constitutional process:

• Applications reviewed by current leadership
• Interviews with stakeholders
• Team input considered
• Final selection announced to full team
• Comprehensive onboarding with outgoing Co-Captains

What We're Looking For

WATonomous seeks Co-Captains who:

• Have proven their dedication and capability through previous leadership roles
• Can inspire others to achieve beyond their expectations
• Balance technical excellence with organizational needs
• Understand that leadership means empowering others to succeed
• Can make tough decisions while maintaining team morale
• See WATonomous not just as a design team, but as a community
• Are ready to dedicate significant time and energy to the team's success

This role is perfect for leaders who want to leave a lasting impact on one of Canada's premier student robotics teams while developing executive-level skills that will serve them throughout their careers.