Vice Provost

 

The Organization

https://saskpolytech.ca/

Saskatchewan Polytechnic serves students through applied learning opportunities on Treaty 4 and Treaty 6 Territories and the homeland of the Métis. Learning takes place at campuses in Moose Jaw, Prince Albert, Regina and Saskatoon and through extensive distance education opportunities. Programs serve every economic and public service sector. As a polytechnic, the organization provides the depth of learning appropriate to employer and student need, including certificate, diploma and degree programs, and apprenticeship training. Saskatchewan Polytechnic engages in applied research, drawing on faculty expertise to support innovation by employers, and providing students the opportunity to develop critical thinking skills.

 

Purpose

We empower a better Saskatchewan.

This is why we exist, and the foundation upon which everything we do is built. Saskatchewan Polytechnic is the driving force that empowers and strengthens our province in everything we do. We encourage an economically and socially stronger, more informed and better-prepared Saskatchewan. We realize opportunities for individuals (learners, staff, faculty, employers) and the collective—Saskatchewan at large. And through our leadership position in Saskatchewan, we establish our reputation nationally and around the world. We have an ultimate reason for being, which inspires not only our vision and mission, but hopefully everyone that connects with Saskatchewan Polytechnic.

 

Vision

To lead the rise of polytechnic education. 

Our vision defines where we want the strategic plan to take us. As we look forward to this new decade, applied education has never been more critical to our collective success, at home and around the world. Our leadership position comes from a drive to define the reputation of polytechnic education in Canada and establish its role in building a better future.

 

 

Mission

Inspire success in every learning journey. 

Our mission establishes how we will achieve our vision. Saskatchewan Polytechnic is passionate about creating an environment where lifelong learners gain the knowledge, skills and abilities to achieve and succeed at work, in their communities and in life. We know that by empowering learners to realize their aspirations throughout their learning journey, we are building a better Saskatchewan and a better world.

 

Values

Respect

We support every learning journey, whether for our students, colleagues or industry partners. And so we show our care for one another and our workplace. We foster an open and inclusive environment that embraces diverse cultures, heritages and opinions. We honour, learn from, work with and support each other as one team.

 

Integrity

We are leaders in the global polytechnic community, and as such we are honest and fair in all we do. We are committed to being accountable and transparent. We are truthful with one another. We hold ourselves to high standards of ethical behaviour and take responsibility for our actions.

 

Sustainability

We aim to empower a better future by leading the rise of polytechnic education. Therefore, we work, live and learn in a socially and environmentally responsible manner. We support the health, safety and overall well-being of our learners, employees and partners. We are conscientious stewards of our resources and continuously look for entrepreneurial and creative ways to strengthen and improve our institution.

 

Excellence

We aim to inspire success in every learning journey, which in turn inspires each of us to go above and beyond expectations to achieve the highest levels of quality—in our teaching, our programming, our learning and our services. We are able to do this by maintaining high standards, strong competencies, committed partnerships and by being responsive and accessible.

 

The Role: Vice Provost 

The Vice Provost is accountable to the Provost & Vice President, Academic and a member of the Provost’s Senior Academic Leadership Team. The Vice Provost is responsible for providing academic excellence and leadership across the various Schools and assists the Provost in oversight of academic and operational functions to further the academic vision and strategic goals of Saskatchewan Polytechnic. This includes long range planning, strategic input, operational policy setting, budget oversight, resource optimization/ stewardship and compliance. The Vice Provost assumes a leadership role in the development of programs and academic policy to ensure quality and continuous improvement. The position is responsible for the supervision of academic programs; leading an academic team focused on programming initiatives that respond to labour-market demands, meeting the highest standards of national and/or international accrediting bodies and program quality.

 

The Vice Provost is responsible for direct leadership of the 11 Academic Schools and supports them in their planning and operational efforts. Reporting to the Vice Provost are 4 Deans with programs focussed on both the economic and public service sectors.  

 

The Vice Provost will collaborate very closely with the Special Advisor to the Provost who leads the implementation of the Academic Plan and other academic planning priorities.

 

Accountabilities

The incumbent provides leadership in formulating the vision, goals, direction and policies for the Academic Services units which are consistent with Saskatchewan Polytechnic’s overall strategic goals, and broadly performs the following functions:

 

Academic Program Leadership

• Leads the coordination and development of academic program excellence while supporting the vision, mission and values of the institution.
• Fosters a culture of academic excellence.
• Ensures the development of innovative and leading-edge practices and programs.
• Ensures a common program structure, co-ordination among campuses and effective integration of extension activities across Saskatchewan Polytechnic.
• Supports the development and promotion of student success strategies within the Schools.
• Provides leadership for quality assessment and review.
• Provides oversight of academic and operational functions to further the academic vision and mission.
• Directs the development and implementation of practices, guidelines, processes and policies that ensure academic programs meet the highest national accrediting standards.
• Leads and facilitates organizational culture shifts to meet the needs of future work and learning.

 

Institutional Planning

• Advocates the directions set by the President & CEO and Provost & Vice President, Academic by supporting the development of Saskatchewan Polytechnic’s Multi Year Business Plan (MYBP) for program areas.
• Ensures plans and directions are current with emerging trends in the future of work and learning.
• Ensures support is provided for student success endeavors.
• Contributes to the corporate decision-making process and strategic organizational direction by participating as an ex-officio member of Senior Leadership Council (SLC) and member of the Senior Leadership Team (SLT).

 

Relationship Management

Internal

• Fosters a positive working relationship among Academic and Administrative Services units across the institution.
• Collaborates and works closely with Deans; Associate Vice Presidents; and Special Advisor, to ensure high quality and consistent services are integrated, and support and meet the overall institutional direction.
• Acts as a resource to the Provost & Vice President, Academic, President & CEO, and management staff on academic program matters.
• As an ex-officio member of SLC, contributes to the organization’s operational effectiveness and policy development by actively participating in a wide range of strategic and operational decisions.
• Ensures effective and positive working relationships are fostered among all groups.

 

External

• Ensures close liaison with professional groups, industry, associations, and government agencies.
• Maintains relationships and co-operation with educational partners, including the Saskatchewan Apprenticeship and Trade Certification Commission.
• Represents Saskatchewan Polytechnic on national, provincial, and regional academic committees.
• Develops relationships and partnerships with other institutions to maximize resources and academic opportunities.

 

People Management

• Ensures a positive, diverse and inclusive work and learning environment.
• Proactively and strategically recruits and retains outstanding senior leaders and staff at all levels, including positions at the Dean level.
• Coaches and mentors direct reports to ensure their success.
• Holds academic leaders accountable for outcomes and a high level of performance.
• Plans for future key leadership roles by ensuring succession and workforce planning initiatives are implemented within the division.

 

Resource Allocation

• Ensures resource allocation for all academic programs are aligned with the organizational planning processes.
• Develops innovative solutions to resource challenges by re-allocating resources to align with and support Saskatchewan Polytechnic’s strategic goals.
• Maximizes revenue generation, where appropriate.
• Provides leadership around capital and facility initiatives with a goal of providing quality learning and working environments.

 

The Person

Position requirements include a graduate degree in educational leadership or a related academic field, and seven (7) years of experience in senior leadership, with experience supervising employees at a senior level. Leadership of a large and diverse range of programs is required with experience in an educational setting, as well as previous experience working with a variety of external stakeholders, including all levels of government, and various national, provincial, and local agencies is considered an asset.

 

Required Competencies

Leads Transformation

Anticipates emerging trends and creates opportunities that shape and transform the organization and polytechnic sector in Canada.

 

 

Inspires Courage & Innovation

Models and enables creative thinking, curiosity, and calculated risk-taking to create new solutions.

 

Cultivates Strong Relationships

Builds strong and trusting internal and external relationships and brings a stakeholder and learner-centric mindset 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 (PDF or Word document only) to Shalini Bhatty or Allan Nelson at saskatoon@leadersinternational.com indicating the job title in the subject line of the email.

 

 

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