AVP, Applied Research and Continuing Education

The Role: AVP, Applied Research and Continuing Education
The AVP Applied Research and Continuing Education reports to the Provost and Vice President, Academic and will be an important contributor to our Senior Management and Academic Leadership teams, as well as interact regularly with external organizations and professional bodies, including granting agencies. The AVP also provides a key voice and representation for applied research and innovation at the institute as well as in the broader academic and non-academic community. The scope of this role is to serve our institution and advance our reputation at the national and international level. This will also include supporting the Deans in the oversight of the Applied Research Centers in the achievement of our applied research projects and initiatives.

This position will directly supervise five positions in support of Continuing Education and Applied Research:
• Director, Applied Research and Innovation
• Director, Finance and Administration for Applied Research and Continuing Education
• Director, Flexible Learning, Centre for Continuing Education
• Director, Training Solutions, Centre for Continuing Education
• Executive Assistant

Based at any of our campus locations, this position is one of 4 AVP’s reporting to the Provost and Vice President, Academic. Programming is provided at all four Saskatchewan Polytechnic campuses as well as through virtual mediums and brokerage arrangements. Travel is required between all campuses for program and administrative responsibilities, as well as travel provincially, nationally and occasionally internationally to represent the portfolio and Saskatchewan Polytechnic.

Applied Research Leadership
• Play a lead role in the planning, development, coordination and implementation of goals and objectives for applied research initiatives.
• Foster and enhance a sustainable and integrated culture of inquiry, research and innovation that enables students, faculty and staff to achieve excellence in applied research.
• Provide leadership, direction, advice and support in applied research and other scholarly activities at Saskatchewan Polytechnic.
• Advance, expand and accelerate institutional success and direct industry impact of applied research activities.
• Lead an integrated support unit that is integral to Saskatchewan Polytechnic’s connection with industry.
• Lead in the facilitation and promotion of applied research activities.
• Provide oversight for human and animal ethics, responsible conduct of research, and research security.
• Promote collaboration across Saskatchewan’s post-secondary institutions in applied research.
• Demonstrate courage and sound decision-making to create strategies for applied research and initiatives.

Continuing Education Strategic Leadership
• Lead the development and execution of the continuing education strategies including a broad range of learner recruitment, program offerings and delivery methods.
• Provide oversight and understanding of the key business indicators and drivers, inspiring the continuing education team to achieve strategic enrolment objectives and measures that align with Saskatchewan Polytechnic’s strategic objectives.
• Inspire learning opportunities into new and/or evolved continuing education markets to ensure sustained success.
• Develop and lead the vision for advancement of extension and revenue-generating opportunities to create an entrepreneurial and forward-thinking mindset that is embedded and fostered within the school.
• Build partnerships with businesses, industry, and local, provincial and federal governments and agencies to develop corporate and custom-designed training opportunities to enhance Saskatchewan Polytechnic’s reputation as a learning provider, as well as to drive revenue generation.
• Empower future-focused learning and teaching methods with an increased importance of technology adoption in both the learning environment and industry.

Operations and Governance
• Develop a common direction for implementing policies, guidelines, processes and practices that govern all aspects of applied research and continuing education throughout the institution.
• Design and coordinate the organizational structure, processes, policies and controls related to research and continuing education.
• Ensure common operations and administration of contracts, including deployment, resourcing and risk assessment.
• Support the Senior Management Committee in guiding applied research policy at Saskatchewan Polytechnic and in government both provincially and nationally.
• Represent Saskatchewan Polytechnic in the role of principle investigator and contract authorizer, in accordance with management structure and governing authorities.

Relationship Management
Internal
• Work closely with the provost and vice president, academic, fellow AVPs, deans and directors to ensure high quality and consistent applied research and continuing education initiatives are integrated and meet the overall institutional direction.
• Encourage and support relationships across both academic and administrative divisions.
• Seek and build collaborative relationships across both academic and administrative divisions to optimize efforts and ensure both the portfolio and organizational objectives are reached.
• Build and maintain relationships with students and student groups across Saskatchewan Polytechnic to understand the needs and value applied research projects can have in the student experience and opportunities for lifelong career development through continuing education. Harnessing the creativity of students and academic innovators is imperative. Connecting this strength back to industry and potential financial partners is transformational.

External
• Develop and maintain relationships with external agencies, various ministries and government organizations, and other partners in the applied research and training system (provincial, national and international).
• Work closely with the Ministry of Advanced Education in supporting applied research and continuing education at Saskatchewan Polytechnic.
• Cultivate and support the development of provincial, national and international applied research and continuing education collaborations and partnerships.

People Management
• Ensure a positive, diverse and inclusive work, research and learning environment promoting teamwork and collaboration to maximize ideas and initiatives.
• Promote an environment that meets and exceeds health and safety standards, supporting leading practices and processes for our students, staff and partners.
• Recruit, orient and retain outstanding staff in pursuit of academic service excellence aligned to Sask Polytech’s values: respect, integrity, sustainability and excellence.
• Coach, develop and mentor direct reports to ensure their success.
• Hold employees accountable for outcomes and a high level of performance by addressing people management issues in a timely manner.
• Plan for future key leadership roles by ensuring succession and workforce planning initiatives are implemented.
• Promote and model strong employee engagement through inspiring leadership and value-based actions.

Resource Allocation
• Provide leadership in the preparation and management of the portfolio budget.
• Ensure resource allocation for all projects and initiatives are aligned with the contract commitments and obligations.
• Plan for required capital and operational requirements within the Multiyear Business Plan.
• Develop and manage both operational and capital budgets in accordance with divisional objectives; monitor the division’s progress in meeting divisional objectives, project plans and priorities as set in the Multiyear Business Plan.
• Create innovative solutions to resource challenges while ensuring alignment with and support of Saskatchewan Polytechnic’s strategic plans.
• Provide monthly and ad hoc reports to the provost and vice president, academic as required.

 
Risk Assessment and Management
• Identify, assess and manage risks in applied research and continuing education operations, contracts and strategies.
• Ensure accountability and transparency of the division’s activities, information, contracts and reports.
• Responsible for compliance with federal and provincial laws, regulations, Saskatchewan Polytechnic policies, funding agency and partnership contracts and collective agreements.
• Ensure the general safeguarding and stewardship of all resources within the division.

The Person
A research-based graduate degree or equivalent is required. A doctoral degree would be considered an asset. This position requires the incumbent to have a minimum of seven years’ experience in research administration, applied or industrial research and programming, ideally with experience as a leader in an academic or business-oriented environment. Consideration may be given for a combination of educational credentials and relevant experience.
• Leads Transformation. Anticipates emerging trends and creates opportunities that shape and transform the organization and the polytechnic sector in Canada.
• Inspires Courage & Innovation. Models and enables creative thinking, curiosity, and calculated risk taking to challenge conventional practices to create new solutions.
• Cultivates Strong Relationships. Builds strong and trusting relationships and brings a stakeholder and learner-centric mind set and focus to all elements of the organization.
• Drives Operational Excellence. Leverages business insight, financial acumen, and operational rigor to maximize productivity and build long-term, sustainable success.
• Builds Leadership & Culture. Brings authenticity, emotional intelligence and accountability to develop leadership effectiveness in individuals, teams and our culture.

Compensation
A competitive compensation package will be provided including an attractive base salary and excellent benefits. Further details will be discussed in a personal interview.

Express Your Enthusiasm
Email a convincing cover letter and tailored resume to Shalini Bhatty or Heather Fookes at calgary@leadersinternational.com with the job title in the subject line of the email.

Leaders Executive Search
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