Senior Strategist, Educational Leadership Development and Curriculum Initiatives

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Posting End Date

Note: Applications will be accepted until 11:59 PM on the Posting End Date.

Job End Date

Please include a cover letter and your resume in the application.

Summary

The Senior Strategist provides strategic administrative oversight of the Faculty of Sciences Educational Leadership (EL) Faculty Development offerings including scholarship and pedagogical innovation guided by the principles of equity diversity inclusion and Indigeneity. The position also drives Faculty of Sciences strategic program and curriculum initiatives in alignment with UBCs and the Faculty of Sciences strategic priorities and emerging trends in teaching and learning globally. The Senior Strategist oversees the professional development and capacity building efforts within the Skylight team and cultivates partnerships across UBC units (Centre for Teaching Learning and Technology Learning and Teaching Innovation Centre other Faculty-based Teaching and Learning support units (e.g. Arts ISIT) Science departments and external organizations (e.g. International Society for the Scholarship of Teaching and Learning Society for Teaching and Learning in Higher Education and BCcampus).

Working closely with the Associate Dean Academic (ADA) Associate Dean Faculty (ADF) Associate Dean Students (ADS) and Skylight leadership the role leads comprehensive strategies that enhance EL faculty capacity foster engagement in Discipline Based Education Research (DBER) and Scholarship of Teaching and Learning (SoTL) and deepen evidence-informed teaching practice.

The incumbent brings a forward-thinking approach to change management stakeholder engagement and impact evaluation to ensure sustainable and meaningful improvements in faculty success and student learning outcomes.

Organizational Status

Reports to the Director of Skylight Faculty of Science. Contributes leadership across the Faculty of Science including teaching and learning professional development research course design pedagogy and beyond. Works closely with ADA ADS ADF Department Heads faculty members from across the Faculty of Science Skylight staff other staff in Science departments and units and partners/collaborates with staff in CTLT II team and other members of CTLT. This position represents Skylight and the Faculty of Science in meetings with campus and community groups and at public functions as needed.

Work Performed

Strategic Leadership in Educational Leadership (EL) Development and Advancement

Develop and lead comprehensive strategies that advance Educational Leadership faculty development in partnership with the Associate Dean Academic and Skylight Leadership.

Oversee the piloting and full operation of the new Educational Leadership Faculty Development Program which will be rolled out to all Science departments. Engage EL faculty in clarifying their educational leadership vision and planning focused and highimpact initiativesrather than fragmented.

Establish strategic initiatives that foster EL faculty engagement in Discipline Based Education Research (DBER) and Scholarship of Teaching and Learning (SoTL).

Advise EL faculty on educational research (e.g. research design and data analysis) human research subjects ethics funding proposals and engage in implementing such research projects.

Design frameworks develop resources and processes that enable Science faculty to effectively document and demonstrate educational leadership contributions working in close collaboration with Associate Dean Faculty.

Continually assess and design appropriate tools and methods to capture all aspects of the EL Faculty Development Program ensuring data is being collected and analyzed for strategic purposes and contributions to the institutional goals concerns raised are addressed and feedback is communicated through appropriate channels.

Promote EL faculty accomplishments by creating opportunities (e.g. Events Symposiums) to showcase their work and impact.

Design implement and disseminate scholarly work in partnership with faculty and Skylight staff when appropriate and represent the institution in provincial national and international venues and high-impact journals to raise the profile of Faculty of Science internationally.

Strategic Program and Curriculum Development and Innovation

Leads the design and implementation of strategic program and curriculum initiatives (e.g. AI Major Incorporation of Generative AI Indigenization of Curriculum) in partnership with the Associate Dean Academic Skylight and Departmental Leadership.

Ensure alignment of all initiatives and deliverables with UBCs and the Faculty of Science strategic priorities for teaching and learning excellence including the UBC Strategic Plan Indigenous Strategic Plan StEAR framework while incorporating emerging global trends in higher education.

Develop and implement grant proposals in support of these initiatives (e.g. UBC Teaching and Learning Enhancement Funds).

Champion inclusive teaching practices and Indigenized curriculum design in science courses and programs ensuring best practices of teaching are in place.

Provide strategic advice and support to the Associate Dean Academicand Associate Dean Students for change management and educational reform and emerging priorities to address needs related to inclusive teaching classroom climate student belonging and Indigenizing curriculum.

Develops and delivers strategic analyses reports and evidence-informed recommendations for Faculty of Science senior leadership to inform decision-making on current and emerging teaching and learning priorities resource allocation and budget planning.

Facilitate cross-department collaboration for curriculum development initiatives establish and implement evaluation and quality assurance processes for these initiatives.

Stay up-to-date with literature innovations and changes in the higher education sector to inform Faculty of Sciences work.

Capacity Building and Partnerships

Lead and coordinate capacity-building efforts in collaboration with Skylight leadership by designing and promoting professional development opportunities for EL faculty and Skylight staff. and support Skylight staff in implementing best practices in their own disciplines.

Oversee the implementation of the Science Community of Practice (Scie-CoP) and foster other communities of practice across science and maintain relationships with partners in the Faculty of Science (e.g. Student Advising Office) and other faculty support units (e.g. CTLT LTIC Wellbeing Office).

Mentor faculty in adoption of best practices DBER and SoTL work.

Build partnerships across units departments and external organizations to facilitate knowledge transfer and community building.

Represent the Faculty of Science Skylight and the institution on UBC-level or external committees associations and/or organizations to share and inform ongoing and future educational initiatives.

Other duties as assigned

Consequences of Error/Judgement

The Senior Strategist is required to exercise professional judgment and initiative while undertaking all responsibilities. Inappropriate actions or judgement could damage Skylights and the Faculty of Sciences working relationships and credibility incur inappropriate costs and/or jeopardize Skylights ability to demonstrate leadership. Error in judgement may also have negative consequences on the quality and culture of teaching and learning in the Faculty of Science. Given the nature of the position to build and foster faculty development and senior leadership support the Senior Strategist must exercise a high level of professionalism and sound judgement to avoid harmful effects that can result from dysfunctional or problematic situations. This is particularly important when the person is partnering on or mentoring projects/teams related to Justice Equity Decolonization Inclusion and Indigeneity.

Supervision Received

Works independently under broad directives set by the Director of Skylight. Works with considerable latitude and minimal supervision. The incumbent must be self-directed and able to manage and work independently. Work assessed periodically to assess validity.

Supervision Given

Will supervise and/or have direct management of staff and students as required for initiatives in the Faculty of Science. Participates in recruiting hiring and mentorship of personnel for projects.

Minimum Requirements

Masters degree in Education (e.g. Science Education). A minimum of seven years of experience or the equivalent combination of education and experience.

Willingness to respect diverse perspectives including perspectives in conflict with ones own.

Demonstrated commitment to enhancing ones own awareness knowledge and

skills related to equity diversity inclusion and decolonization.

Preferred Requirements

PhD preferred. Background in Science preferred.

Extensive experience working in higher education with a deep appreciation for the complexity and breadth of curricular and pedagogical change efforts within STEM disciplines and the ability to engage effectively across all levels of university hierarchy.

Demonstrated experience working with senior leadership organization-wide committees and diverse stakeholders including faculty and staff Indigenous communities campus partners and institutions.

Demonstrated ability to respectfully consult and collaborate with diverse communities with a proven capacity to facilitate consensus and build community rapport among diverse project teams and groups.

Demonstrated experience in developing and implementing strategic engagement processes that drive organizational change by creating a clear vision and taking appropriate action to ensure broad acceptance and support.

Demonstrated track record of educational leadership SoTL facilitation and consultation.

Proactive in seeking opportunities identifying needs and taking timely action.

Experience in teaching in higher education with expert knowledge of current pedagogical research and best practices.

Skilled in a wide range of teaching and learning techniques for both face-to-face and online environments particularly within the STEM context.

Ability to provide training faculty and staff in pedagogical best practices and educational research in STEM disciplines.

Expertise in educational program planning curriculum development evaluation and relevant educational research practices including research methodologies qualitative and quantitative data collection and analysis.

Exceptional organizational and administrative skills.

Strategic thinking sound judgment and problem-solving abilities.

Strong written and verbal communication skills with diverse audiences.

Ability to work both independently and within a multi-team environment.

Ability to adapt to new and changing situations very quickly and to respond to last-minute requests for important information and assistance.

Ability to effectively use word processing spreadsheet database desktop publishing web publishing digital imagery and other computer applications as required.