True North

As the largest post-secondary institution in northern Alberta Northwestern Polytechnic is a natural point of convergence for knowledge skills creativity and collaboration.

Striving to spark and empower success NWPs mission is geared towards both individual and collective progress. NWP offers a wide variety of engaging and in-demand academic programs in certificates diplomas apprenticeships and degrees.

We exist wholeheartedly for the domestic and international students who call our campuses home the distinctive communities and industries we serve and the staff and faculty who honour us with their expertise and insights every day.

While our potential as one of Albertas newest polytechnics is ever-growing we recognize the importance of having authentic and highly effective contributors by our side. We are currently recruiting individuals who are inspired by opportunity driven by results and aligned to NWPs core values of being responsive innovative and connected.

Finding your fit in one of our specialized schools or departments means a bright future with competitive compensation attractive benefits packages reliable networks high quality of life and unparalleled learning community experiences.

If you are looking to transform the post-secondary landscape with polytechnic education research and partnerships Northwestern Polytechnic is your employer of choice.

The School

The Dean leads the School of Business. The Departments within the school are located on our Grande Prairie campus with program delivery in Grande Prairie. The school includes the Departments of Academic Upgrading Business and Office Administration and Education.

The Role

The Dean is a senior leader in the Academic Division at NWP. The Dean reports to the Vice-President Academic and participates as a member of the Core Leadership Team. The Dean contributes to the strategic leadership of the polytechnic as a whole and directly leads the departments and programs assigned. The Dean leads supervises and provides support and mentorship to chairs faculty and staff. The Dean is responsible for program curriculum and fiscal planning and accountability within their school.

The Dean leads the schools faculty and staff to develop adapt and make use of innovative and effective approaches to teaching and learning in order to ensure excellent academic programming. Leadership and mentoring are also given to faculty supporting the polytechnics research ambitions.

The Dean works with the Vice-President Academic to lead chairs faculty and staff in articulating and implementing polytechnic goals. The Dean plays a significant role in ensuring the integration and implementation of plans that support the polytechnic direction and goals and may carry out other roles or projects as assigned by the Vice-President Academic. The Dean is responsible for providing strong leadership and vision in the articulation and implementation of the schools strategic plan while maintaining alignment with the mission and vision of NWP. Key duties are listed below.

Strategic Planning and Leadership

The Dean will:

Internal and External Liaison

The Dean leads the school in ensuring effective communication collaboration and liaison with internal and external parties. The Dean will:

Internal

• Promote and guide effective communication between departments and polytechnic administration.
• Attend faculty and department meetings and act as chair when appropriate.
• Model attitudes and behaviours consistent with the polytechnic vision mission and values.

External

• Act as or designate the contact person for consultation with relevant regulatory and professional associations as appropriate.

• Act as liaison with other post-secondary institutions as well as the polytechnic representative on provincial postsecondary committees and applicable community organizations.

• Manage the Program Advisory Committees for all programs in the school.

• Participate in community events and be an advocate for the polytechnic.

• Provide external reports or other pertinent information as required in cooperation with External Relations.

Fiscal Responsibility

In cooperation with the Administration Division the Dean has budget development and oversight responsibilities for their school. Specifically the Dean will:

• Contribute to annual Divisional budget development with the Vice-President Academic other Deans and Registrar.
• Monitor annual budgets for academic programming in a manner that is both fiscally responsible and consistent with the stated academic objectives of the Northwestern Polytechnics strategic directions.
• Manage and monitor school budgets.
• Allocate and provide oversight of department budgets.

Additional Responsibilities

From time to time the overall priorities and needs of the polytechnic may shift or new responsibilities for the Dean may emerge. Accordingly the Dean is responsible for:

• Other duties as assigned by the Vice-President Academic.
• Other duties specific to the area of responsibility as they arise.

The successful candidate will have the education and experience noted below.

• A doctorate completed or near completion is preferred but a masters degree in a related discipline with related experience is required.
• Certificate in Change Management Leadership Training and CAQC knowledge would be considered an asset.
• A minimum of 5 years of experience in a leadership position or academic appointments may be considered.
• Strong financial knowledge.
• Strong organizational and multi-tasking skills.
• Excellent communication and interpersonal skills.
• Ability to build strong relationships across the organization.
• High level of integrity professionalism and accountability.
• Ability to work on both of our campuses.

How to Apply

Only applications received electronically via the Northwestern Polytechnic website will be considered.

We review all applications to select candidates whose qualifications and experience most closely meet our needs.

Only applicants selected for interviews will be contacted. For general inquiries please contact HR at

Thank you for applying to Northwestern Polytechnic!