Vice President, Academic

THE ORGANIZATION: COLLEGE OF NEW CALEDONIA
The College of New Caledonia (CNC) has been dedicated to helping meet the adult and post-secondary educational needs of northern British Columbians since 1969. Serving an area ap-proximately 117,500 square kilometers in size, or 12% of the province, CNC plays an important role in training and educating students in health sciences, trades and technologies, social services, business and university studies. CNC is a pillar in its communities and has six campuses across BC’s Central Interior – Prince George, Burns Lake, Fort St. James, Mackenzie, Quesnel and Vanderhoof. Across all campuses, 5,000 students in 90 dis-tinct programs are enrolled each year.

With affordable tuition, practical, hands-on learning and no more than 37 students per class, students can acquire the skills they need for a long-lasting, stable and successful career in as few as 10 months. CNC offers students the ability to easily transfer into the third year of degree programs, with 15 agreements with 10 universities in BC, AB, and elsewhere.

CNC is honoured to work with the Indigenous people in this region, inclusive of the First Nations, Métis and Inuit peoples. CNC acknowledges the graciousness of the First Nations peoples in welcoming those who are seeking knowledge on their traditional territories. There are 22 First Nations communities within the region served by the College: Cheslatta Carrier Nation, ?Esdilagh First Nation, Kwadacha Nation, Lake Babine Nation, Lheidli T’enneh Nation, Lhoosk’uz Dene Nation, Lhtako Dene First Nation, McLeod Lake Indian Band, Nadleh Whut’en, Nak’azdli Whut’en, Nazko First Nation, Nee Tahi Buhn Band, Saik’uz First Nation, Skin Tyee Nation, Stellat’en First Nation, Takla First Nation, Tl’azt’en First Nation, Tsay Keh Dene Nation, Ts’il Kaz Koh, Binche Whut’en, Wet’suwet’en First Nation, and Yekooche First Nation.

THE LOCATION: PRINCE GEORGE & NORTHERN BC
Prince George is a mid-sized city of about 74,000 people located in central British Columbia on the traditional territory of the Lheidli T’enneh. Surrounded by tree covered hills and a short drive in all directions from the beautiful BC outdoors, Prince George has all of the amenities of a larger city mixed with the charm and friendliness of a smaller town. Due to being the largest city in the surrounding region and its wide variety of employment options, Prince George serves as a dynamic hub for Northern BC.

Prince George has a thriving and diverse economy that offers professionals and tradespeople numerous opportunities to advance their careers. Prince George is growing faster than both the provincial and national economies in terms of GDP. The largest employment sectors include Wholesale & Retail Trade, Manufacturing, Healthcare & Social Assistance, Construction, and Forestry, Fishing, Mining and Oil & Gas.

The dream of owning a home can become a reality in Prince George, where the average cost of a single-family home well under the costs in other urban areas across Canada.

Prince George’s location offers immediate access to four-season outdoor recreation activities that are complemented by a full range of urban amenities. Whether you prefer a relaxing day at the lake, hiking in an inland cedar rainforest, kayaking, canoeing, playing soccer or hockey, a day of shopping, an evening spent watching live theatre or a symphony performance, or good food at a top-notch local restaurant, Prince George has it all. And the best part is that everything is accessible, with the average round-trip in Prince George being only 30 minutes.

THE OPPORTUNITY: VICE PRESIDENT, ACADEMIC
The Vice President, Academic (“VPA”) is a strategic and visionary leader who plays a pivotal role in aligning the college’s mission with its institutional goals of academic excellence, student success, equity, and sustainability. Reporting directly to the President, the VPA provides transformative leadership to foster academic excellence, equity, and relevance in a rapidly evolving post-secondary education landscape. This role ensures the delivery of high-quality educational programs, fosters a student-centered environment, and promotes innovation in teaching and learning. The VPA plays a crucial role in advancing CNC’s mission and vision through effective management of academic resources and building strong partnerships with internal and external partners, while ensuring the College meets the evolving needs of students and the communities within the College region.

The VPA stewards the development of the academic leadership team toward a collegial academic culture that promotes new, innovative, and creative academic programs, model and vision. The VPA through community partnerships and leadership with college employees provides oversight for the academic deliveries at all six campuses with insight and direction for a unified college program and service delivery.

Integral to the work of the VPA is leadership of Strategic Enrollment Management (“SEM”) across academic divisions, including setting targets for enrolment, leading data reviews, and integration into all programming.

This is an outstanding opportunity for a progressive academic leader to make a transformative impact at a critical time in CNC’s evolution. With a renewed leadership team that has gelled with inspiration and momentum, the VPA will be the essential “final piece of the puzzle” in the ongoing renewal of CNC, with an increased emphasis on program relevance and excellence, operational effectiveness and innovation, Indigenization and community connectedness, and access and student centredness.

Nature and Scope
• As a member of the Executive team, the VPA is accountable for the planning, programming, direction, and evaluation of educational programs and services ensuring teaching, learning, and student success in an inclusive environment, and that SEM principles are embedded across academic divisions;
• Provides strategic direction in creating, revising, and managing academic offerings to ensure that the communities served by CNC have a relevant range of programs and services to meet their needs;
• Collaborates and builds partnerships with diverse organizations including government agencies, First Nations, communities, business, industry, school districts and other post-secondary institutions;
• Accountable for the overall allocation and management of resources of academic programs and staff, and is part of the labour relations team regarding issues with management and negotiations with staff;
• Leads a consistent academic agenda across the institution with broad oversight of four Schools; supports accreditation efforts and ensuring compliance with educational standards and regulatory requirements;
• Provides oversight to the work of the AVP, Academic which is inclusive of the regional campuses and the Center for Teaching and Learning;
• Fosters a diverse, equitable and accessible environment that reflects the needs of the students, staff and the broader community as identified in the Strategic Plan;
• Together with other members of the Executive Team, advances Truth and Reconciliation goals; and
• Promotes a positive work atmosphere by interacting and communicating in a professional manner that demonstrates mutual respect with students and colleagues.

Key Responsibilities
Strategic Enrollment Management and Academic Leadership:
• Responsible for the development and implementation of the academic strategic plan in alignment with the College’s mission and vision and in support of the long-term direction of the institution;
• Leads the academic division in setting and achieving ambitious goals for excellence and innovation;
• Responsible for the overall effectiveness of the academic portfolio in championing an environment of innovation, continuous improvement and entrepreneurial thinking within the academic division;
• Provides leadership on SEM and promotes a SEM culture across academic divisions by leading the Academic SEM Council and Educational Council;
• Ensures SEM approaches are embedded across academic operations at every level by setting enrollment targets, leading data reviews, and integration of SEM principles into all programming;
• Contributes to the overall effectiveness of the College by advising the President on significant matters relating, but not limited to, the academic programs at the College;
• Leads the College’s academic response to emerging challenges, ensuring resilience and adaptability in a rapidly changing environment; and
• Serves as the senior leader on Education Council, providing appropriate advice to the Education Council Chair and the Registrar in terms of the role and authority of Education Council.

Academic Program Development:
• Provides leadership in the relevance of programs and services through the development of new high-quality programs, evaluation and modification of existing programs, and the managed retiring of programs that no longer meet the needs of the community or goals of the College;
• Fosters a student-centered philosophy, emphasizing experiential learning, digital literacy, and global competencies; and
• Promotes excellence in curriculum development and the use of advanced educational technologies.

Faculty and Staff Development:
• Provides leadership and support for faculty and staff development initiatives;
• Encourages and facilitates growth opportunities for academic leadership through the provision of professional development opportunities, coaching, and mentorship;
• Works collaboratively with the faculty association to ensure effective communication and goal alignment;
• Works with the Faculty Association to resolve conflicts or grievances that may arise between faculty and administration; involves mediation and ensures that faculty concerns are heard and addressed fairly; and
• Fosters a collaborative environment that supports innovation, and teaching and learning excellence.

Community and Partner Group Engagement:
• Builds and maintains effective relationships with First Nations, government agencies, communities, businesses, industries, school districts, and other post-secondary institutions;
• Continues to work with Indigenous communities by supporting, enhancing, and developing relevant initiatives across the curriculum, building partnerships with communities, and supporting institutional initiatives that foster Indigenous education, leadership, and opportunity;
• Collaborates with external partners on educational programs and services that will address provincial priorities satisfying the needs of government and communities;
• Creates and fosters connections with business and industry to ensure programs meet the needs of employers and support student success;
• Represents the academic division at external functions and in negotiations with external agencies; and
• Engages with international, national, provincial, and regional committees and task forces to position the college as a leader in education and innovation.

Operational Management:
• Ensures the efficient use of resources, including financial, personnel, facilities, and materials;
• Manages Faculty labor relations, contract administration, and negotiations within the academic division;
• Supervises the implementation of multi-year academic plans that align with the college’s strategic vision and that are consistent with the approved operating and capital budgets;
• Oversees the academic portfolio budget and manages the VPA budget. As part of the Executive team, is a key contributor in the college’s budget development process; and
• Oversees the development of policies, procedures, and systems to enhance academic effectiveness.

Quality Assurance:
• Maintains the relevance and quality of academic programs and services through continuous evaluation;
• Champions digital transformation and the integration of cutting-edge technologies and services to enhance academic operations and learning outcomes;
• Ensures integration of library services, program development initiatives, and the application of technology to pedagogy; and
• Contributes to the leadership of CNC by taking an active role in the maintenance of academic standards and in the development of educational policies.

People and Culture:
• Applies progressive HR practices, procedures, and applicable collective agreement language ensuring fair and consistent application within the academic division;
• Responsible for the leadership structure of the portfolio including the recruitment, hiring, supervision, and evaluation of these leadership positions;
• Develops succession, performance, and development plans to achieve organizational goals; and
• Fosters a positive, collaborative, inclusive, and innovative LR climate with union representatives.

Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion:
• Acts as an ambassador to CNC’s commitment to cultivating and celebrating a culture of inclusion and diversity, welcoming the unique contributions of individuals, and promoting an environment where individuals are treated with dignity and respect; and
• Promotes the Indigenization of the college and curricula, ensuring cultural relevance and inclusivity.

THE PERSON
The VPA should be a visionary leader who possesses the collaborative skills, presence, and wherewithal to inspire CNC’s communities The ideal candidate effectively manages at both the strategic and operational levels, working alongside leadership, faculty, staff, and external partner groups, toward student success. Possessing an inclusive leadership style, they should live with a sense of integrity and ethics that aligns with CNC’s mission and values. Experience working with Indigenous learners and communities is expected. The VPA should possess sufficient business acumen and policy expertise to assist with complex decision-making, as well as guiding colleagues through challenging initiatives.

Professional and Personal Experience:
• Master’s Degree required (Doctorate preferred);
• Minimum of ten years of relevant experience in post-secondary leadership and management;
• Demonstrated success in post-secondary academic administration and instructional experience;
• Experience in a multi-campus setting is preferred;
• Understanding of and demonstrated experience in labor relations and collective bargaining processes;
• Demonstrated success in working collaboratively with government, Indigenous groups, and other institutions and agencies;
• Five+ years senior experience in Strategic Enrolment Planning and Management;
• Proven expertise in data-informed, learning and teaching focused post-secondary environments;
• Ability and experience combining strategic thinking with an action-oriented approach; able to make the link between curriculum development, instructional and programming QA, and organizational success;
• Supervisory experience and proven leadership ability in a unionized and multicultural environment; and
• Demonstrated success in encouraging creativity and innovation.

Core Competencies:
Culturally Grounded and Inclusive – Leads with kindness and with values that are grounded in Indigenous cultural teachings and ways of being; with humility and respect, seeks and includes diverse perspectives in decision making.
Leadership – Achieves desired organizational results by encouraging and supporting the contribution of others; a proactive and positive team player who leads by example; sets and communicates clear goals.
Influential and Collaborative – Has an honest, open, and consistent approach to working with others, possesses strong relationship and interpersonal skills, and has the ability to build relationships and develop/maintain partnerships.
Communication – Clearly presents written and verbal information; writes with clarity and purpose; communicates effectively in both positive and negative circumstances; listens well.
Accountable – Holds self and others accountable for responsibilities; focuses on results and measuring attainment of outcomes in a business focus.
Strategic – with CNC leadership and Board, co-creates a strategic plan that is grounded in Indigenous communities’ cultural heritage in support of creating sustainable, healthy and prosperous communities.
Integrity and Honesty – Demonstrates a resolute commitment and respect for the spirit and intent behind the core values of the organization, setting an example of professionalism and ethical propriety.
Creativity and Learning – Develops new insights into situations; questions conventional approaches; encourages innovation; possesses a passion for learning, development, and growth.
Effective Working Relationships – Treats colleagues with respect; resolves conflicts diplomatically, and in a timely manner; negotiates effectively, and provides effective feedback to colleagues/employees.
People Development – Fosters development of others through coaching, managing performance, and mentoring; has a genuine desire to develop others and help them succeed; formally and informally recognizes staff and colleagues.

CNC is strongly committed to hiring based on merit with a focus on fostering diversity of thought within its community. CNC welcomes those who would contribute to the further diversification of its staff, its faculty and its scholarship including, but not limited to, women, Indigenous, Black and People of Colour, persons with disabilities and persons of any sexual orientation or gender identity. Please note that all qualified candidates are encouraged to apply, however applications from Canadians and permanent residents will be given priority.

COMPENSATION:
A competitive compensation package will be provided including an attractive base salary and excellent benefits. The range is $155,649 with a control point of $207,532. Further details will be discussed in an interview.

To apply, please visit our website: https://leadersinternational.com/college-of-new-caledonia-vice-president-academic/

FOR MORE INFORMATION, PLEASE CONTACT:
Nick Lay or Tony Kirschner
LEADERS INTERNATIONAL EXECUTIVE SEARCH
#880—609 Granville Street
Vancouver, BC V7Y 1G5
Phone: (604) 688-8422
Email: vancouver@leadersinternational.com