Yorkville University is seeking a collaborative and execution-focused leader to serve as Director, New Program Initiatives. This is an exciting opportunity to play a central role in shaping the institution’s academic portfolio by leading the development, coordination, and delivery of regulator-ready, launch-ready academic programs.
About Yorkville University
Yorkville University is built on the belief that education is a catalyst for transformation. With a mission to democratize access to higher learning, Yorkville—together with Toronto Film School—offers creative and academic pathways that blend innovation, industry relevance, and the arts. As one of Canada’s few private, fully accredited degree‑granting universities, Yorkville delivers rigorous, flexible programs across its campuses in Ontario, British Columbia, and New Brunswick. Its offerings are designed to fit into the lives of learners, many of whom balance studies with work and personal commitments, ensuring education enhances rather than disrupts their daily realities.
Yorkville’s community is vibrant, diverse, and united by a commitment to opportunity and inclusion. Faculty and staff across teaching, operations, and technology work to remove barriers and expand access, fostering a supportive environment for both learners and employees. Through industry‑informed programs, first‑of‑their‑kind innovations, and a deep focus on human connection, Yorkville empowers people to reimagine their futures and achieve meaningful personal and professional growth.
About the Role
Reporting to the Vice President, Strategic Academic Initiatives, the Director, New Program Initiatives is responsible for the operational leadership, coordination, and delivery of new academic program development initiatives across Yorkville University and Toronto Film School.
The Director leads the end‑to‑end execution of approved new program initiatives, translating institutional strategy, portfolio priorities, and program development frameworks established by the Vice President into high‑quality, regulator‑ready program proposals and launch‑ready offerings. The role is accountable for coordinating cross‑functional contributors, ensuring academic regulatory quality, and enabling institutional readiness for program approvals and launches.
Operating at the initiative and proposal delivery level, the Director works closely with Deans, Chairs, academic program leads, Learning Design, Regulatory Affairs, and operational units to move new programs from concept to formal submission efficiently and consistently, within established governance, quality assurance, and decision‑making frameworks.
Key Responsibilities
About Yorkville University
Yorkville University is built on the belief that education is a catalyst for transformation. With a mission to democratize access to higher learning, Yorkville—together with Toronto Film School—offers creative and academic pathways that blend innovation, industry relevance, and the arts. As one of Canada’s few private, fully accredited degree‑granting universities, Yorkville delivers rigorous, flexible programs across its campuses in Ontario, British Columbia, and New Brunswick. Its offerings are designed to fit into the lives of learners, many of whom balance studies with work and personal commitments, ensuring education enhances rather than disrupts their daily realities.
Yorkville’s community is vibrant, diverse, and united by a commitment to opportunity and inclusion. Faculty and staff across teaching, operations, and technology work to remove barriers and expand access, fostering a supportive environment for both learners and employees. Through industry‑informed programs, first‑of‑their‑kind innovations, and a deep focus on human connection, Yorkville empowers people to reimagine their futures and achieve meaningful personal and professional growth.
About the Role
Reporting to the Vice President, Strategic Academic Initiatives, the Director, New Program Initiatives is responsible for the operational leadership, coordination, and delivery of new academic program development initiatives across Yorkville University and Toronto Film School.
The Director leads the end‑to‑end execution of approved new program initiatives, translating institutional strategy, portfolio priorities, and program development frameworks established by the Vice President into high‑quality, regulator‑ready program proposals and launch‑ready offerings. The role is accountable for coordinating cross‑functional contributors, ensuring academic regulatory quality, and enabling institutional readiness for program approvals and launches.
Operating at the initiative and proposal delivery level, the Director works closely with Deans, Chairs, academic program leads, Learning Design, Regulatory Affairs, and operational units to move new programs from concept to formal submission efficiently and consistently, within established governance, quality assurance, and decision‑making frameworks.
Key Responsibilities
- Lead the end-to-end execution of new program development initiatives, ensuring timely delivery of high-quality, regulator-ready proposals aligned with institutional priorities.
- Coordinate cross-functional collaboration among academic, regulatory, operational, and market stakeholders to support effective program development and implementation.
- Develop and maintain program development guidelines, frameworks, and standards to ensure consistency, quality, and alignment across initiatives.
- Work collaboratively with academic leaders, faculty, and instructional design teams to create innovative, flexible, and student-centred curriculum models.
- Ensure program proposals and curriculum designs meet academic quality standards, pedagogical best practices, and applicable regulatory and accreditation requirements.
- Manage governance and approval processes for new program submissions, including preparation of documentation, response to regulatory feedback, and submission revisions.
- Support accreditation and professional regulatory activities in partnership with academic leadership and institutional regulatory teams.
- Coordinate program costing, enrolment forecasting, and operational readiness activities to support successful program launch and sustainability.
- Incorporate labour market intelligence, competitive analysis, and industry engagement into program planning to ensure market relevance and applied learning opportunities.
- Monitor program development pipelines, identify risks and dependencies, and escalate issues appropriately to support effective decision-making and delivery.
- Ensure required educational technologies, delivery supports, and operational considerations are identified and aligned with institutional approval processes.
- Prepare regular reports and updates on timelines, risks, progress, and readiness indicators for senior leadership.
- Master’s degree required; doctorate preferred to support academic credibility.
- Significant experience (typically 8–10+ years) in academic program development, curriculum design, or academic operations within post‑secondary education.
- Demonstrated experience delivering new programs through governance, and professional accreditation approval processes.
- Strong project and initiative management skills, with the ability to coordinate complex, cross‑functional academic work.
- Deep knowledge of curriculum design, online and hybrid delivery models, and quality assurance frameworks.
- Proven ability to work effectively with senior academic leaders, faculty, and operational teams.
- Excellent written communication skills, including preparation of materials for Academic Council/Senate and external regulators.
How to Apply
If you are interested in this opportunity, contact Mark Gillis, Partner, at mgillis@kbrs.ca or Beth McLennan, Senior Consultant, at bmclennan@kbrs.ca or submit your application online at: https://meridiarecruitment.ca/Career/17793717566730000008xfr.
Please note that this posting is for a new position with Yorkville University.
This position offers a salary range of $140,000 to $150,000 annually, with placement within the range based on experience, education, and internal equity.
Diversity, equity, and inclusion are a critical component of life at Yorkville Education Company, and they are committed to making those values an integral part of their culture. Yorkville University and KBRS encourage applications from all qualified applicants, including women, persons with disabilities, Black, Indigenous, and People of Colour (BIPOC), people from the Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender, Transsexual, Queer, Questioning, Two-Spirit, Intersex, Asexual + (LGBTQ2SIA+) community, and other equity-seeking groups.
Yorkville University and KBRS will provide support in the recruitment processes to applicants with disabilities, including accommodation that takes into account an applicant’s accessibility needs. If you require accommodation to participate as a candidate in the recruitment process, please contact accommodate@kbrs.ca or bmclennan@kbrs.ca
If you are interested in this opportunity, contact Mark Gillis, Partner, at mgillis@kbrs.ca or Beth McLennan, Senior Consultant, at bmclennan@kbrs.ca or submit your application online at: https://meridiarecruitment.ca/Career/17793717566730000008xfr.
Please note that this posting is for a new position with Yorkville University.
This position offers a salary range of $140,000 to $150,000 annually, with placement within the range based on experience, education, and internal equity.
Diversity, equity, and inclusion are a critical component of life at Yorkville Education Company, and they are committed to making those values an integral part of their culture. Yorkville University and KBRS encourage applications from all qualified applicants, including women, persons with disabilities, Black, Indigenous, and People of Colour (BIPOC), people from the Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender, Transsexual, Queer, Questioning, Two-Spirit, Intersex, Asexual + (LGBTQ2SIA+) community, and other equity-seeking groups.
Yorkville University and KBRS will provide support in the recruitment processes to applicants with disabilities, including accommodation that takes into account an applicant’s accessibility needs. If you require accommodation to participate as a candidate in the recruitment process, please contact accommodate@kbrs.ca or bmclennan@kbrs.ca
