Academic Manager

WHO WE ARE

OSHKI-WENJACK's mission is Building and Empowering First Nations Futures.

VISION STATEMENT

OSHKI-WENJACK is Strengthening Nations through First Nations Education.

POSITION SUMMARY

Reporting to the Sr. Vice President, Academics, the Academic Manager, plays a crucial role in advancing Oshki-Pimache-O-Win: The Wenjack Education Institute's strategic goals. This position involves overseeing the coordination and administration of all aspects of Oshki-Wenjack's post-secondary educational programs, including planning, organizing, staffing, leading, controlling and evaluating PSE program activities and associated staffing. As a member of the Leadership Team, the Academic Manager contributes to the overall strategic direction and success of the institute. This managerial position requires flexibility and availability beyond standard business hours, including evenings and weekends. The incumbent is expected to maintain responsiveness to time-sensitive matters by promptly addressing emails and phone calls, even when away from the office.

Key Duties & Responsibilities:

• Leadership

• Develop and articulate a clear vision for the academic department that aligns with the Institution's mission, vision, values and goals

• In collaboration with the Sr. Vice President, Academics and the Anishinaabe Curriculum Manager, implement long term academic plans and policies that promote growth and innovation

• Support the creation and implementation of strategic plans to enhance student retention, engagement and graduation rates

• Foster a collaborative and supportive team environment, encouraging professional growth and development

• Manage departmental budgets, ensuring allocation of resources to support academic initiatives

• Build and maintain strong relationships with Instructors, staff, students, and community partners

• Manage all student academic complaints that escalate beyond the Instructor and Coordinator level

• Ensure that all employees and instructors in the academic department receive an appropriate orientation to the Institute and all programs as well as any applicable training

• Participate in job interviews for department

• Recruit, train and supervise employees in the academic's department

• Bring new program requests forward to the Leadership team

• Approve employee requests including vacation, travel, medical leaves and off-site training

• Conduct performance evaluations and provide professional development opportunities

Program Planning

• Plan the delivery of the overall program and its activities in accordance with the mission, vision, values, and the goals of the Institute

• Manage placement opportunities for students

• Put in place new initiatives to support the strategic direction of the Institute

• Identify post-secondary educational programs and educational partners

• Identify training programs and training partners

• Develop funding proposals for programs that meet community needs and ensure the continuous delivery of services

• Establish and implement long-term goals and objectives to achieve successful outcomes of the program

• Develop an annual budget and operating plan to support each program

• Determine instructors' requirements for program delivery

• In consultation with the Leadership Team, determine facility, classroom, and IT needs

• Develop community-based partnerships (E.g. Elders program)

• Develop policies, procedures and processes relevant to the department

• Ensure program mapping and delivery of programs align to partner agreements

• Quality Assurance, Risk Management, and Compliance

• Monitor, update and approve policies and procedures relevant to the department

• Ensure that systems are in place to identify and manage risks

• Identify and address, operational challenges, including risk, within programs

• Develop standards and promote activities that enhance operational effectiveness

• Prepare interim and final reports for Governing Council, Leadership team and funders

• Ensure compliance with applicable legislation, regulations, contracts, and policies and procedures

• Communicate with funders, as outlined in the funding agreement terms and conditions

• Conduct annual evaluations according to the respective evaluation frameworks

• Authorize all program related purchase orders and sign related cheques

• Attend leadership meetings as required

Supervision:

5-10 employees (direct reports), 50-80 instructors (indirect reports)

Other Duties & Responsibilities:

• Access and utilize Elders and Knowledge Keepers for teachings and guidance as it relates to work deliverables

• Be prepared to work in conjunction with the philosophy and mandate of the Institute.

• Adhere to the Policies and Procedures as set by the Institute

• Representation on committees as required for the enhancement and benefits of Oshki-Wenjack's overall operations and programs

• Always maintain professionalism

• Adhere to the Code of Ethics and positive relationship building

• Regular attendance and conduct at work according to the requirements of Oshki-Wenjack's Policies and Procedures

• Any other duties as requested by the Sr. Vice President, Academics commensurate with role

COMPETENCIES REQUIRED:

• Specific Knowledge

• Basic understanding of project accounting

• Knowledge of Indigenous culture, traditions, and Indigenous communities

• Fiscal management

• Leadership and Management: Ability to lead teams, manage resources, and oversee program activities

• Proficient with MS Office (Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Outlook)

Skills and Attributes:

• A dynamic leader with strong managerial and motivational skills

• An expert in planning and change management

• Strong interpersonal skills and extremely resourceful

• Demonstrated ability to reach targets and stay within budget

• Ability to meet deadlines and submit reports in a timely manner

• Proactive- anticipates and plans for problems before they arise

• Organized- manages time effectively, keeps tasks appropriately prioritized

• Flexible- ability to adapt and change directions as needed for the interest of the Institute

• Critical thinking- ability to think through issues and identify appropriate options and solutions

• Work ethic- motivated, diligent, persistent in the workplace

• Judgement- exercises discretion and due diligence when making decisions and recommendations

• Quality- demonstrated ability to perform work in a neat, efficient coordinated, well executed manner with a prominent level of degree and accuracy

• Elevated level of emotional capacity

• Conflict resolution skills

QUALIFICATIONS

• Education (or Equivalent Experience)

• A Post Secondary Degree in Education, Indigenous Studies, Public Administration, Business or Related Field or an equivalent combination of education and experience.

• 3-5 years of demonstrated academic post-secondary teaching/leadership experience and/or senior management of a public sector entity

• Experience working in a non-for-profit sector

• Experience seeing projects through the full life cycle

• Financial management experience

• Experience leading teams

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION:

• Personal days

• Sick days

• Management Leave Days

• Generous vacation allotment

• Paid time off at Christmas in addition to vacation time

• Benefits (Vision, Dental, and Health)

• Employer-paid matching pension contributions

• Professional development

Preference may be given to:

We are committed and dedicated to building a workforce that reflects the demographics that we serve. In alignment with our Mission and Mandate and in accordance with Ontario Human Rights code and the Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedoms, preference will be given to candidates of Indigenous ancestry. Candidates are encouraged to self-identify as being of Indigenous ancestry (First Nation, Metis, or Inuit).

The above statements are the general functions of the position, and should not be

interpreted as a detailed description of all the work requirements that may pertain to the job. This position description will be reviewed on an annual basis and may be subject to change.