Seeking candidates for new leadership role: Assistant Vice-President, Academic (AsstVPA) Leadership and Strategic Initiatives

Responsibilities:

The Assistant Vice-President, Academic — Academic Leadership and Strategic Initiatives (AsstVPA) will report to the Associate Vice-President Academic (AVPA) and be part of the leadership team in the AVPA office. The role has three primary areas of responsibility:

1. Leading the Academic Leadership Program (ALP), which helps academic leaders (chairs, directors of academic units, associate chairs, associate deans) and aspiring leaders develop management and leadership skills and expand their knowledge of policy. This role will replace the role of Director, ALP and includes:

• Leading the ALP’s ongoing evolution to better meet the University’s needs and strategic priorities;
• Collaborating with subject matter experts as well as leadership and administrators within units, departments, and Faculties to deliver programming (e.g., workshops, lunch forums, coffee chats);
• Seeking information and staying informed about current issues relevant to academic leaders by consulting the professional literature and shared best practices.

2. Leading, on behalf of the AVPA, projects undertaken in implementation of the University’s strategic plan.
   • In year 1, this project will be redevelopment of the ALP to better suit the needs of the University and of faculty members who aspire to leadership roles. This project will include:
     1. Consultation with relevant campus stakeholders to identify areas of need;
     2. Developing onboarding/training for new Associate Deans, parallel to what is provided for Chairs;
     3. Working with other relevant units on campus, designing and implementing a mentorship program for aspiring academic leaders.
3. Serving as a designate on committees where a designate is an option and as a replacement at meetings when the AVPA is unable to attend.

Qualifications:

Applicants to this role should be tenured faculty members who have held and been successful in an academic leadership role(s) and:

• Are comfortable being in a visible role, making decisions on behalf of the AVPA when needed, and providing leadership within the University;
• Have demonstrated an interest in working with faculty members and/or other professionals in a training, development and leadership capacity;
• Have a track record that demonstrates skills relevant to planning, delivering, and evaluating a program;
• Have a history of productive interactions with senior administrators, faculty, and staff at all levels.

The position comes with a stipend and a two-course reduction in teaching load.

Applicants should submit a cover letter, a CV (or summary of relevant achievements and experience), and a one-page description of their vision for the Academic Leadership Program. Material should be submitted via email to Ruth Huard (rlhuard@uwaterloo.ca) by Friday, October 28, 2022. As part of the review process, the committee may seek endorsement from administrators who work with applicants.

Queries regarding this role can be directed to: David DeVidi, Associate Vice-President Academic at david.devidi@uwaterloo.ca.