Dean of La Cité universitaire francophone

Position Summary

Reporting to the Provost and Vice-President (Academic), the Dean of La Cité universitaire francophone provides strategic vision, leadership and oversight to enhance La Cité’s national and global profile. In partnership with University colleagues, governments, the Fransaskois community and other key stakeholders, the Dean fosters an educational, research and sociocultural hub that builds capacity and expertise in the Francophone community while offering academic programming that ensures a culturally immersive experience in support of bilingual educational learners.

Key responsibilities include pursuing Federal and provincial funding opportunities, cost recovery education contracts and other sources of financial support required to support a French-language academic and social-culture university studies centre. The Dean develops community, national and international partnerships and global alliances to sustain accessibility and quality of programs. The Dean supports French-language minority rights through partnerships with the Fransaskois and Francophone communities within Saskatchewan and across Canada.

The candidate demonstrates an understanding of, and strong commitment to, Indigenous communities through reconciliation and Indigenization as envisioned in the Indigenous Engagement Strategic Plan, Tapwewin kwayaskwastâsowin: Truth and Putting Things Right.

Further, the candidate supports the University’s unwavering commitment to equity, diversity, inclusion, accessibility and a student-centered mission as articulated in the University’s 2020 – 2025 Strategic Plan, All Our Relations: kahkiyaw kiwâhkômâkaninawak.

• Works and consults with faculty, staff and relevant administrators to develop a comprehensive strategic plan for La Cité which identifies the direction, goals and priorities for La Cité, including outreach plans for liaisons with Francophone communities and a blueprint for the purpose and objectives of increasing intra-university and inter-institutional academic and cultural partnerships. The strategic plan would also outline how partnerships and alliances could contribute to funding and/or resource commitments to La Cité.
• Continues to advance and monitor the success of the distinctive Integrated Pathway in French and Francophone Intercultural Studies and Law, Bilingual Option in Nursing (SCBScN), le Bac en éducation française (Faculty of Education) and other intra-institutional and inter-institutional collaborations.
• Responsible for creating and stabilizing funding sources and generating strategies to develop, coordinate and sustain La Cité academic and administrative capacity. Plans, directs, and operationalizes La Cité’s annual operating budget and capital fiscal plans, including facilities and human resources. Monitors budget and mitigates deviations from budget plans.
• Develops and implements a strategic enrolment plan that enriches the student experience, enhances academic and non-academic programming and provides strong student funding opportunities and student support services in the recruitment and retention of both International and domestic students, including Francophone students. Ensures the strategic plan reinforces projected goals and activities to expand international and Francophone student enrolment based on market assessment, market opportunities, and effective conversion efficiencies.
• Designs and enhances enrolment strategies focused on recruitment and retention of Francophone students that include strong student support services, student funding options and opportunities to participate in experiential programs and opportunities.
• Develops and manages institutional agreements and relationships to support international and francophone student recruitment goals and activities.
• Serves as an expert resource in Francophone cultures and protocol providing value added advice across the University on best practice for hosting Francophone community, national and international delegates. The Dean is a member of the senior management team and works closely and collaboratively with other senior leaders across the campus including deans, vice-presidents, and senior managers. Responsibilities include leading and participating in a variety of University and school initiatives and programs, serving on ad-hoc committees, and advising senior leadership on La Cité policy issues.
• Collaborates and works with La Cité senior staff and faculty to recruit, retain and support qualified candidates who share the same commitment to preserving Francophone linguistic and cultural identity.
• Promotes a teaching, learning, and working environment that is equitable, diverse, and inclusive. Works with staff and faculty to foster a culture that brings out the best in people and creates a positive safe environment that allows employees to thrive.
• Working collegially to support the academic mission within La Cité.
• Supervises and provides leadership to direct reports by coaching and modelling key strategies, encouraging dialogue and providing guidance and advice to facilitate resolutions to work issues.

• Ph.D. in a related field, along with a demonstrated understanding of an academic environment.
• Demonstrated bilingual competency in French and English, with excellent command of French.
• Experience and expertise in teaching and pedagogical scholarship in French as a Second Language including extensive knowledge of pedagogical content development, curriculum design, innovative methods and approaches for French language teaching, theories and principles of second language learning.
• Experience in developing education policy for francophone minorities.
• Background and experience in working for the advancement of French language education in a minority setting.
• Working knowledge of Federal policies and programs related to bilingualism and multiculturalism and understanding of French Language Services Act and regulations.
• Excellent communication and influencing skills to advance strategies and initiatives of La Cité within the university community.
• Strong interpersonal skills to liaise and maintain stakeholder relationships with the Francophone community.
• Substantial experience managing complex programs, coupled with broad knowledge of international education theory and practice.
• Experience in budget management, strategic revenue planning and external and internal communication.
• Proven ability to build relationships with key stakeholders in Canada, and internationally.
• Understanding of research and scholarship, and a record of fostering and facilitating this work by others.
• A thoughtful and well-articulated understanding of the competitive and ever-changing environment for professional education, nationally and internationally.
• A commitment to enhancing the experiences of Francophone students and facilitating the Faculty’s strategic initiatives to enhance Francophone history and perspectives in curricula.
• A broad grasp of challenges in the field of international education, and a demonstrated commitment to inter-professional education.
• Excellent leadership skills, including the capacity to balance the competing demands of various constituencies, and to inspire and support faculty, students, and staff in their careers and in the achievement of a work/life balance.
• Demonstrated success as an entrepreneur and innovator.
• Proven ability to manage within a complex environment characterized by a tradition of collegial governance and collective agreements.
• A reputation – and a respect – for integrity, transparency, and trust in interpersonal relationships.

The University of Regina is committed to a diverse and inclusive workplace that reflects the richness of the communities it serves. The University encourages applications from members of equity-deserving groups such as Indigenous peoples including First Nations (status and non-status), Métis and Inuit peoples; racialized/ persons of colour, persons with disabilities, women and people from gender and sexually diverse groups.