Director, High Performance Programs

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Job Summary

JOB SUMMARY:
Reporting to the Executive Director Athletics and Recreation the incumbent uses a values-based approach in the leadership development and cultivation of High-Performance programs which are sport-centred and student athlete-focused. These programs are designed to enhance the mission and vision of Queens University and position Queens University as a premier athletics program in Canada.

The Director fosters a culture within the High Performance sport unit where coaches student athletes and teams feel supported and part of an evolving pathway that consistently pursues excellence. Further is committed to an equity-focused integrated and sustainable programs approach designed to result in an unparalleled experience.

The position requires extensive internal and external collaboration with a broad range of constituents including coaches student athletes alumni all Athletics and Recreation (A&R) personnel as well as key campus and community partners. The incumbent will be the primary liaison on behalf of Queens with athletic program peers at other educational institutions as well as being one of the university representatives that consults and engages with sport governing organizations (OUA and U SPORTS). The incumbent will embed Queens in the community using strategic efforts to build networks across the community provincial national and international landscape of sport to achieve shared goals and advance sport.

The Director serves as a top advisor to the Executive Director acting as the Executive Directors representative when required. This position involves a high degree of independent decision-making responsibility personal initiative and university wide communication. The incumbents actions have department wide implications and must demonstrate the ability to address complexity that recognizes the impact and need for collaboration with all facets of the department.

This position is located in Kingston Ontario and flexible work hours including evening and weekends are required.

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Job Description

KEY RESPONSIBILITIES:
Plans and oversees all aspects of the High Performance sports program and personnel (coaches and integrated student athlete support service team). Accountable for the effective management direction resource planning recruitment training development and leadership of full and part-time coaches and full-time administrative staff employees (30).
Promotes and contributes to a culture of inclusion that embodies A&R values with a commitment to the universitys Indigeneity Equity Diversity Inclusion Accessibility and Anti-racism (I-EDIAA) initiatives designed to foster an inclusive supportive and welcoming environment for individuals with diverse backgrounds and identities.
Provides leadership in the vision values and strategic direction of High Performance sport at Queens that includes the development of dynamic and high quality programs and services where coaches student athletes and teams are effectively supported through coordinated efforts in the pursuit of excellence.
Facilitates the development of annual and long-term strategic plans identifies and helps to build resource allocations to support evolving demands and aligns operational budgets with clearly developed priorities. Implements appropriate assessment to inform decision-making leading to team and student athlete programming and delivery strategies that develop excellence in sport consistent with and in support of the goals and strategies of the Department.
Inform the ongoing development revision and execution of the A&R Sport Model and framework for sport delivery systems processes and procedures. Further develop performance success pathways that identifies gaps and mitigation strategies as needed.
Position the relevancy of sport within the context of a broader institutional lens to demonstrate the contributions University sport makes in enhancing the profile and reputation of the University locally and globally.
Builds and develops relationships and credibility to work effectively in partnership with units within A&R and broader university areas to enhance the provision of services through the support network that currently exists.
Develops positive working relationships within the High Performance unit and effectively navigate accountability with input and feedback mechanisms that enable a continual improvement process to occur.
Provides a focused and meaningful approach in the ongoing professional development of the High Performance unit to enhance education and learning opportunities that connect with internal partners and external constituents.
Demonstrates an informed awareness of changes occurring within the sport industry regarding requirements best practices and mechanisms of accountability designed to strengthen the delivery of sport and ensure the safety and experience of all participants as inclusive and positive.
Develops and implements assessment strategies with clearly defined outcomes and a performance target framework that includes requesting monitoring and providing feedback using a continual improvement approach.
Develops assesses and revises policies that inform High Performance activities and the daily operations of the unit on an annual basis.
Committed to enhancing the principles of I-EDIAA (Indigeneity Equity Diversity Inclusion Accessibility and Anti-Racism) as demonstrated through focused high performance initiatives e.g. Recruitment strategies for student-athletes and staff.
Provides expertise and guidance in the planning prioritizing and work of administrative staff and coaches. Identifies the need for staff resources participates on staffing committees and makes effective recommendations regarding employee selection.
Investigates addresses and resolves complex issues within the High Performance context ensure appropriate steps are taken regarding education/training and/or disciplinary matters.
Serves as the primary liaison and advisor to the Ontario University Association (OUA) U SPORTS and other institutions. Represents the university at sport meetings.
Acts on behalf of A&R serving on committees working groups and task forces as required. Specifically leads the A&R Safe Sport committee.
Responds to inquiries and prepares and presents reports as necessary.
Other duties as assigned by the Executive Director Athletics and Recreation.

REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS:
University degree (Masters Degree preferred) or equivalent experience in physical education sport administration sport management or a sport business related field.
Seven to ten years senior level experience managing sport programs including planning development operations evaluation budget human resources and administration.
Highly skilled and knowledgeable in the design and delivery of sport programs sport trends and familiarity with provincial and national sport environment and industry best practices.
Must have demonstrated experience working with High Performance coaches.
Extensive familiarity with high performing student athletes and the services required to support performance with an educational context.
Experience in developing policy and procedures in a large complex environment.
Satisfactory Criminal Records Check and Vulnerable Sector Screening required.
Consideration will be given for the equivalent combination of education and experience.

SPECIAL SKILLS:
Demonstrated ability to work with diverse student body and commitment to intercultural development equity diversity inclusivity and indigenous initiatives.
Demonstrated leadership skills with the ability to influence outcomes.
Proven ability to elicit and foster trust develop positive working relationships and work effectively with coaches and student athletes.
Expertise in planning and financial management duties including the ability to analyze and present financial data ability to forecast short and long range expense and revenue projections.
Excellent communication and interpersonal skills; must have the ability to interact effectively with a wide variety of people from every level of the University structure and in many situations with outside groups (students staff coaches senior administration faculty alumni media community business leaders).
Strong planning skills; ability to prioritize among many competing demands.
Proven leadership skills including coaching team building and supervisory skills.
Strong analytical interpretive and problem solving skills; ability to research and propose new initiatives.
Demonstrated ability to exercise good judgment and resolve complex issues by making independent decisions.
Ability to demonstrate respect dignity and integrity in interpersonal relationships and to demonstrate positive personal coping and wellness strategies.

DECISION MAKING:
Makes recommendations for action to assure the continued financial health and performance of A&R.
Negotiates hosting and grant opportunities that commit the department to services deliverables.
Determines department investments into annual and long-term sport performance components (equipment technology competitions staffing).
Determines new systems and procedures and changes to existing procedures to improve program services and operations.
Makes budget decisions and advises on the appropriate allocation of resources in consideration of departmental objectives.
Evaluates annual assessments to align with performance targets.
Makes recommendations to the Executive Director on department-wide matters including programming resource allocation staffing performance targets capital and reserve planning.
Evaluates job candidates and makes effective recommendations on suitable hires.
Assesses investigation outcomes and makes effective recommendations on appropriate course of actions or next steps to address issues of conduct.
Makes effective recommendations on level of discipline up to discharge and probationary termination.

Employment Equity and Accessibility Statement

The University invites applications from all qualified individuals. Queens is strongly committed to employment equity diversity and inclusion in the workplace and encourages applications from Black racialized persons Indigenous people women persons with disabilities and 2SLGBTQI accordance with Canadian Immigration requirements priority will be given to those who are legally eligible to work in Canada.

The University provides support in its recruitment processes to all applicants who require accommodation due to a protected ground under the Ontario Human Rights Code including those with disabilities. Candidates requiring accommodation during the recruitment process are asked to contact Human Resources at .