Associate Director, Academic Programs (Graduate & Specialized)
Industry
Academic
Location
Ontario
Associate Director, Academic Programs (Graduate & Specialized)
DeGroote School of Business, McMaster University
Location: Hamilton, Ontario
Department: DeGroote School of Business
Supervisor: Director Finance & Administration (dotted line to the Associate Dean)
Reference #: MG - MCU - 8568
Founded in 1887, McMaster University is a research-intensive, student-centered university dedicated to advancing human and societal health and well-being and has achieved an international reputation as a center of excellence for teaching and learning, innovation, and creativity. Currently, McMaster is home to over 37,000 students, 13,000 staff and 1,000 full-time faculty. McMaster has been selected as a Hamilton-Niagara Top Employer for the past five years in a row and has also been recognized as one of Canada's Best Diversity Employers for the past five years.
DeGroote School of Business
At the DeGroote School of Business, we are committed to doing business differently. We offer innovative, experiential courses that teach business fundamentals and develop thoughtful leaders who challenge and rethink the status quo. Our mission is to impact business and society meaningfully through knowledge creation, student-centered learning and community engagement.
Associate Director, Academic Programs (Graduate & Specialized)
Reporting to the Director of Finance & Administration with a dotted line to the Associate Dean, the Associate Director, Academic Programs (Graduate & Specialized) is responsible for coordinating the strategic evolution of policies and operational services aligned with the educational goals of the Faculty and University at large. Their role as a key advisor and primary non-faculty authority on academic affairs involves ensuring enrollment targets are met and overseeing admissions processes. This encompasses various tasks such as policy development, academic support, maintaining academic standards, enhancing curriculum, and assurance and assessment of program quality.
This role leads a diverse team to maintain a high-quality academic environment within the Faculty. Additionally, they collaborate with other leaders within the Faculty on initiatives such as work integrated learning, student recruitment, and enrollment management, contributing significantly to the Faculty's strategic objectives. Their responsibilities directly impact student success, academic integrity, and overall Faculty achievements. In carrying out a wide range of duties, the incumbent adapts to the University's evolving educational landscape and addresses the needs of its community.
Ultimately, the role collaborates with the Associate Dean to ensure that each student is embarking on a course path that will lead to completion of their degree, that they are appropriately supported and advised academically, and that challenges related to their academic activities or their health and wellness as related to their academic progress, are addressed in a timely manner.
Key Responsibilities
Strategic Leadership
Education & Experience
For more information about this exciting opportunity please contact Mark Gillis, Partner, at mgillis@kbrs.ca. If you require accommodation to participate in the recruitment process, please let Mark know.
Meridia Recruitment and McMaster University invite applications from all qualified individuals; however, Canadians and permanent residents will be given priority. As one of Canada’s Best Diversity Employers, McMaster is committed to advancing inclusive excellence and employment equity in the workplace. We especially encourage qualified candidates from the Indigenous (First Nations, Métis or Inuit), Black and racialized communities, persons with disabilities, women, persons who identify as members of the 2SLGBTQ+ community, and others who reflect the diversity of Canadian society.
DeGroote School of Business, McMaster University
Location: Hamilton, Ontario
Department: DeGroote School of Business
Supervisor: Director Finance & Administration (dotted line to the Associate Dean)
Reference #: MG - MCU - 8568
Founded in 1887, McMaster University is a research-intensive, student-centered university dedicated to advancing human and societal health and well-being and has achieved an international reputation as a center of excellence for teaching and learning, innovation, and creativity. Currently, McMaster is home to over 37,000 students, 13,000 staff and 1,000 full-time faculty. McMaster has been selected as a Hamilton-Niagara Top Employer for the past five years in a row and has also been recognized as one of Canada's Best Diversity Employers for the past five years.
DeGroote School of Business
At the DeGroote School of Business, we are committed to doing business differently. We offer innovative, experiential courses that teach business fundamentals and develop thoughtful leaders who challenge and rethink the status quo. Our mission is to impact business and society meaningfully through knowledge creation, student-centered learning and community engagement.
Associate Director, Academic Programs (Graduate & Specialized)
Reporting to the Director of Finance & Administration with a dotted line to the Associate Dean, the Associate Director, Academic Programs (Graduate & Specialized) is responsible for coordinating the strategic evolution of policies and operational services aligned with the educational goals of the Faculty and University at large. Their role as a key advisor and primary non-faculty authority on academic affairs involves ensuring enrollment targets are met and overseeing admissions processes. This encompasses various tasks such as policy development, academic support, maintaining academic standards, enhancing curriculum, and assurance and assessment of program quality.
This role leads a diverse team to maintain a high-quality academic environment within the Faculty. Additionally, they collaborate with other leaders within the Faculty on initiatives such as work integrated learning, student recruitment, and enrollment management, contributing significantly to the Faculty's strategic objectives. Their responsibilities directly impact student success, academic integrity, and overall Faculty achievements. In carrying out a wide range of duties, the incumbent adapts to the University's evolving educational landscape and addresses the needs of its community.
Ultimately, the role collaborates with the Associate Dean to ensure that each student is embarking on a course path that will lead to completion of their degree, that they are appropriately supported and advised academically, and that challenges related to their academic activities or their health and wellness as related to their academic progress, are addressed in a timely manner.
Key Responsibilities
Strategic Leadership
- Serving as the foremost administrative authority on specific program academic education, this guidance on educational strategy and policy.
- Cultivates essential alliances with student-focused services to amplify support and conflict resolution approaches, including Student Accessibility Services, Student Support Case Management Office, Student Wellness, Equity and Inclusion Office, Student Affairs, Academic Integrity Office, Senate Secretariat, University Ombuds, and Legal Services.
- Provides support to and oversight of various student clubs, teams, and societies to ensure their adherence to university standards and enrichment of student experience.
- Supports programs and processes (and develops where appropriate) to enhance student retention. Works with the Recruiting team to oversee recruiting strategies to ensure alignment with Faculty priorities.
- Leads operational and process improvements within the Student Services, Academic Programs, an environment characterized by high volume requests, time-sensitive events, and sensitivity to appropriate and effective messaging.
Education & Experience
- University Degree, preferably graduate
- Minimum of 10 years related professional experience within a complex organization, preferable in a University or public sector environment.
- Management experience at a senior or progressive level including significant leadership in a student affairs, recruitment, communications, marketing, or advancement.
- Proven experience in providing valued strategic advice and counsel on diverse, complex, and sensitive matters to an organization’s most senior leaders.
- Excellent organizational, planning, communication, and interpersonal skills
- Ability to thrive in a high-paced work environment, be a team player, a quick learner, an excellent problem solver and possess a dedicated work ethic
- Sound knowledge of regulations and policies related to Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion, the Accessibility for Ontarians with Disabilities Act (AODA), Human Rights Code, Freedom for Information, Privacy and Protection Act (FIPPA), Senate Appeals
- Ability to deal with extremely stressful and confidential matters including those related to mental health
- Experience with Academic Advising
- Up to 4 TMG plus an Administrative Assistant, and 30 Unifor (indirect reporting)
- Responsible to meet enrolment and retention targets to ensure the Faculty’s annual budget of $65M is sustained.
- Fiscal responsibility for the Student Services, Academic Programs Office between $3-$5M. External Impact and Relationships
- Supporting Full Time Graduate Students and 100+ faculty members, the Faculty is an integral part of McMaster University
- Member of various committees.
- The Associate Director, Academic Programs plays an integral role in the design, customization, and implementation of the Student functionalities within Mosaic and the CRM.
- Responsible for the annual enrolment management processes.
- Assigned to ad hoc committees formed to create and implement new and/or revise General Academic Regulations (e.g. Personal Interest Courses, new Repeat Rules, Late Withdrawal, Deferred Exams)
- Member of committees needed to design, implement, and maintain initiatives that support undergraduate/graduate education.
- Provide strategic guidance and support to faculty members, sessional instructors, instructional assistants, and academic unit staff regarding curriculum development, academic standards, integrity protocols, student support services, and adherence to Senate policies.
For more information about this exciting opportunity please contact Mark Gillis, Partner, at mgillis@kbrs.ca. If you require accommodation to participate in the recruitment process, please let Mark know.
Meridia Recruitment and McMaster University invite applications from all qualified individuals; however, Canadians and permanent residents will be given priority. As one of Canada’s Best Diversity Employers, McMaster is committed to advancing inclusive excellence and employment equity in the workplace. We especially encourage qualified candidates from the Indigenous (First Nations, Métis or Inuit), Black and racialized communities, persons with disabilities, women, persons who identify as members of the 2SLGBTQ+ community, and others who reflect the diversity of Canadian society.
