Director, Continuing Education

Vancouver Island University is a diverse educational institution focused on access and dedicated to excellence in teaching, learning, service and research. Vancouver Island University fosters student success, strong community connections, and provides innovative programs that meet the evolving needs of students and professionals.

Duties

We are seeking an experienced visionary leader to serve as the Director of Continuing Education. This role is responsible for the strategic development, administration, and expansion of non-credit, professional development, micro-credentials, and lifelong learning courses and programs at the institution. Reporting to the Campus Administrator, Cowichan, the Director will collaborate with faculty and staff, industry leaders, and community partners to create high-quality and accessible learning opportunities for diverse audiences.

Key Responsibilities

Leadership and Strategy

- Develop and implement a strategic vision for Continuing Education aligned with the University’s mission, values, goals, and priorities and in collaboration with other key stakeholders across the University.

- Understand the unique needs of VIU’s regional campuses and their surrounding areas to build and develop innovative and relevant opportunities that serve these communities.

- Represent the Continuing Education unit on several institutional committees and contribute to broader initiatives that ensure services are complementary and communication is robust and transparent.

- Advocate for Continuing Education to the university community and external stakeholders.

- Develop and implement systems, policies and processes to create standardization and consistency across the Continuing Education unit.

- Demonstrate cultural competency and acumen to ensure diverse perspectives are embedded across the unit’s activities.

Budget and Resource Allocation

- Use entrepreneurial strategies to find opportunities to offer programming that will recover program costs and generate revenue for the institution.

- Create annual budgets and multi-year financial plans based on projected enrolment, tuition revenues and expenditures to meet targets, operating margins and program deliverables.

- Conduct ongoing financial analyses, including monitoring actuals, establishing and comparing benchmarks and performance indicators, and conducting on-going resource and cost-benefit analysis.

- Ensure the sustainability of lifelong learning courses/programs through budget management, financial planning, and revenue generation strategies (e.g. course registration, partnerships, subscription services, licensing agreements, external sponsorship, etc.)

- Oversee budget proposals for grant applications and contracts and report on grant funding.

Program Planning and Oversight

- Play a leadership role in the development of appropriate infrastructure, registration and fee collection systems, resources and staffing to support program delivery, expansion and revenue generation.

- Conduct regular market research and needs assessments to identify emerging industry trends to create relevant and innovative learning opportunities.

- Oversee the design, delivery, and evaluation of professional development, certificate and lifelong learning courses and programs using a data-driven, evidence-based approach.

- Ensure compliance with university policies and accreditation standards.

- Supervise and support a dynamic team to review, develop and deliver high-quality continuing education programming, while fostering a culture of collaboration and excellence.

- Identify, recruit, supervise and support subject matter experts to provide relevant content and high-quality learning experiences through various modes of course and program delivery.

- Lead marketing and outreach efforts through a variety of platforms to promote continuing education programs and attract learners.

- Modify programming, staffing, materials and financial resources to support strategic priorities and changing stakeholder needs.

- Foster and maintain partnerships with businesses, professional associations, government agencies, advisory committees, Indigenous partners and community organizations to develop and enhance program offerings.

- Maintain and update resources on prior learning recognition and other specialty areas of assessment appropriate for lifelong learners.

Human Resource Management

- Implement effective change management strategies to move the current Continuing Education model from decentralized to centralized under the leadership of the Campus Administrator, Cowichan.

- Manage, coach and supervise a team of administrative and academic professionals and additional project staff, including direct and indirect supervision of both unionized and non-unionized workers.

- Work with the Continuing Education team to set performance expectations and provide ongoing professional development as required.

- Oversee human resource matters including recruitment processes, hiring, performance management, disciplinary activities, dismissals, staff development and allocation of work assignments.

- Manage sensitive student and instructor issues and connecting them to appropriate resources as necessary.

- Set performance expectations for employees in the unit to ensure strategic, academic, service and financial goals are achieved.

Professional Development

- Participate in educational research and professional development related to lifelong learning, use of innovative technologies in education and other related topics.

- Support professional development and ongoing learning of the Continuing Education Team.

This position is a multi-site role based at both our Cowichan and Nanaimo locations. The successful candidate will be required to work at either site, depending on operational needs.

Required Qualifications

Master's Degree in Higher Education Leadership, Adult Education, Education Administration, or related discipline. Minimum five years' experience in continuing education, adult learning and/or professional development programming. An equivalent combination of education and senior level administrative experience may be considered.

- Significant experience in change management.

- Significant experience in management skills in strategic and financial planning and human resources.

- Dynamic and innovative entrepreneurial approach in creating new models, structures or systems.

- Experience creating and implementing revenue generating activities.

- Demonstrated capacity to initiate and respond to local, provincial and national opportunities in continuing education.

- Proven ability to develop and manage educational programs, including curriculum design, instructional delivery and ongoing review.

- Knowledge of current trends in adult education, workforce development and lifelong learning.

VIU is pleased to offer eligible employees a comprehensive benefit plan; ample paid holiday time; professional development opportunities and a desirable pension plan. As part of the VIU campus community, our employees work with supportive colleagues within an encouraging environment and are provided with the tools and training that promote learning and development. The perks of VIU employment are multiple, and include well-being initiatives and services, strategic discounts, and flexible work opportunities.

Note

- Short-listed candidates must provide original transcripts, or applicable original certifications at time of interview.

- All qualified candidates are encouraged to apply; however, Canadians and permanent residents will be given priority.

- Vancouver Island University (VIU) is collectively committed to building and sustaining a diverse and inclusive working and learning environment for faculty, staff, and students. In our journey towards greater diversity, we invite applications from members of equity-seeking communities including women, racialized and Indigenous persons, persons with disabilities, persons of all gender identities and sexual orientations who bring value to the VIU community through their lived experiences. We encourage members of all equity-seeking groups to self-identify within their application cover letter. When a candidate voluntarily discloses this information in their cover letter, the information will be used only for the fulfillment of the career opportunity. Disclosure and/or self-identification with an equity-seeking group will not lead to advantageous treatment of a candidate who is not qualified.

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