School: Univeristy of Guelph
Location: Guelph, ON
Job Type: Permanent

The University of Guelph's campuses reside within the lands of the Dish with One Spoon Wampum. The University recognizes that the Anishinaabeg, Hodinohso:ni, L?naapéewak and Huron-Wendat peoples have inhabited these lands for centuries and that today these lands are home to a rich diversity of First Nations, Inuit and Métis people. The University upholds its commitments to seeking truth and advancing reconciliation with Indigenous peoples and affirms its responsibility to realize these commitments through its ongoing actions.

The University of Guelph’s mission is to Improve Life. These two simple words are the cornerstone of an institution committed to building a better future. The institution’s culture is what draws the best and the brightest to the University of Guelph. Students, faculty and staff choose the University of Guelph for its reputation as one of the best comprehensive and research-intensive universities in Canada. The University’s reputation for academic excellence is matched by its dedication to student success.  The University consistently places at the top of student satisfaction rankings year-over-year. Its graduates and researchers change the world for the better every day in big ways and small. The University’s strength is in its people. If you are looking for a place to make a difference and improve life, you’ve found it at the University of Guelph.

The University is now embarking on a journey to create a new vision for the School of Continuing Studies by expanding the revenue generation abilities of the unit. It is within this context that the University of Guelph invites applications and nominations for the appointment of its inaugural Assistant Vice-President, School of Continuing Studies commencing fall 2024, or soon after.

Reporting to the Provost and Vice-President Academic, the Assistant Vice-President, Continuing Education (AVP) will work collaboratively with Deans and members of the University’s senior leadership team in developing, guiding, and advancing the school’s new strategic direction. The AVP is the University’s key leader in continuing education and will build upon the success of the University’s continuing education and distance learning offerings to drive innovation, foster collaboration, and develop strategic partnerships internally and externally to enhance the school's offerings and extend the reach of the school to a global audience. The AVP will actively engage in, and support, business development and revenue generation opportunities to ensure the financial sustainability of the school in both the short term and long term. Working with a dedicated leadership team, the AVP oversees all operations of the school, including compliance with relevant regulations, policies, and accreditation standards, budgeting, staffing, resource allocation, while also developing and implementing a strategic vision for the school that aligns with the University’s Strategic Plan and Strategic Transformation Initiative. The AVP will enhance and support the school’s culture of entrepreneurialism, fosters partnerships and strategic alliances across campus and with external partners including government, business sector groups and community organizations, and develops learner services and support programs to enhance student success and satisfaction. The AVP will participate in University governance committees as required, ensure that information/data is accurately maintained and analyzed against performance targets, and convey regular updates to senior leadership as required.

As the ideal candidate, your bring experience and a record of successful innovation and growth in continuing studies from a similar environment such as a large-scale education or training operation. You have progressive experience in leadership, management, and with revenue generation responsibilities in a large and multi-layered complex organization. You have exceptional strategic, business, change management and business development skills, including a track record of strong operations experience, including budgeting and forecasting. As a visionary leader, you have a passion for lifelong learning, an entrepreneurial approach, and will develop relevant strategic partnership to guide growth. As a relationship builder, you demonstrate resilience in highly complex, politically sensitive situations and are skilled with negotiating partnership agreements, ideally between a university and professional, business, or industry associations as well as with community organization, including those in systemically underserved areas. While a Graduate degree is preferred, the committee will consider a combination of relevant education and experience.

It is within this context that the University of Guelph invites applications.   To apply or explore this key leadership position at the University of Guelph, please submit a comprehensive curriculum vitae along with a cover letter in confidence to Jane Griffith (jane@griffithgroup.ca ) and Caroline McLean (caroline@griffithgroup.ca ) or https://griffithgroup.ca/uofg-avp/

At the University of Guelph, fostering a culture of inclusion is an institutional imperative. The University welcomes applications from all qualified individuals, and strongly encourages applications from women, members of Indigenous, Black, and racialized communities; Two-Spirit, non-binary, trans, lesbian, gay, bisexual, and queer people; people with disabilities; and members of other equity-deserving groups.

The University of Guelph and Griffith Group are committed to an inclusive, accessible and welcoming hiring process that provides reasonable accommodation to all applicants. Please advise Jane Griffith (jane@griffithgroup.ca) should you require any accommodation to participate in the recruitment and assessment processes.

Please note that all qualified candidates are encouraged to apply; however, applications from Canadian citizens and permanent residents will be given priority, in accordance with Canadian immigration regulations. Candidates must therefore indicate in their application if they are a permanent resident or citizen of Canada.

Submit your application