Associate Director, Academic Planning and Strategic Initiatives

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Department:

Academic Operations and Planning

Position Type:

Full-Time Administrative

Salary Range:

$119,680.00-$159,570.00-Annual

Scheduled Weekly Hours:

36.25

Anticipated Start Date:

November 30, 2026

Length of Contract:

n/a

Posting Information

This job posting is now accepting applications from all qualified individuals.

Posting Closing Date:

October 29, 2026

Please note: jobs are posted until 11:59 pm on the job closing date.

Land Acknowledgment:

Algonquin College campuses in Ottawa and Pembroke are located on the traditional unceded, and unsurrendered territory of the Anishinàbe Algonquin People. The Algonquin People have inhabited and cared for these lands since time immemorial. We take this time to express our gratitude and respect to them and to the land for all that it has provided and will continue to provide.

Job Description:

Reporting to the Executive Director, Academic Operations and Planning, the Associate Director, Academic Planning and Strategic Initiatives provides strategic and institution-wide leadership for the Academic Area, directing academic planning, partnership development and governance, and strategic opportunity assessment, and the advancement of key management objectives across a diverse portfolio of academic programs, and external and international engagement

The Associate Director serves as a central point of coordination for the exploration, assessment and development of significant strategic academic opportunities requiring collaboration across academic units, corporate areas and external partners. The incumbent leads the coordination and evaluation of strategic and cross-functional academic funding proposals, partnership opportunities, including regulated, government, and sector-wide academic partnerships, and contract lifecycle activities, ensuring initiatives are aligned with the Academic Plan, financially sustainable, and compliant with institutional and regulatory requirements.

Working collaboratively across Academic units, Finance, Risk, ITS, Facilities, and other internal stakeholders, the Associate Director provides analysis, evaluative oversight, and evidence-based recommendations to support informed decision-making at the senior leadership level. The role provides leadership across the lifecycle of strategic academic initiatives and partnerships, from initial opportunity assessment and due diligence through negotiation, agreement development and transition to operational delivery, while monitoring performance, financial outcomes, risk and alignment with institutional priorities

Through the Manager, Academic External Engagement, the Associate Director provides strategic oversight strategic oversight of the Academic Area’s external engagement portfolio, including the external relationship-development dimension of Cooperative Education and broader engagement with employers, industry and Program Advisory Committee members. The role leverages these relationships to identify and develop strategic partnership, experiential learning, workforce and academic growth opportunities; strengthen industry engagement; facilitate cross-College connections; and ensure a coordinated approach to Academic external relations.

Through the Manager, International Partnership, the Associate Director provides strategic oversight of the Academic Area’s international academic partnership portfolio, including partnership development, licensing arrangements and related academic agreements. The role leads or coordinates the assessment and development of prospective international opportunities, engages with global partners and foreign governments as required, and oversees the negotiation and development of memoranda of understanding, licensing agreements and related partnership documentation for approval in accordance with College authorities. Through this work, the Associate Director contributes to the long-term sustainability, growth, quality and reputational integrity of the College’s academic portfolio and its relationships with industry, government, educational institutions and other external partners.

The ideal candidate is a strategic, collaborative leader with exceptional analytical and relationship-building skills, unwavering integrity, and significant expertise in academic planning, strategic initiative execution, and evidence-based decision-making that strengthens academic quality, institutional alignment, and long-term financial sustainability.

Required Qualifications:

• Minimum of a 4-year Bachelor degree in business administration or equivalent;
• A professional certification in project management, change management, business analysis, process improvement, leadership, or a related discipline (e.g., PMP, PME, Prosci, Lean Continuous Improvement, CBAP, or equivalent) is required.

Key Skills for this Position:

• Strong leadership, supervisory and management skills in order to oversee the full scope of responsibility;
• Strong knowledge of the Academic Area and Administrative Areas and their respective operations;
• Advanced analytical and critical-thinking skills to assess academic proposals, funding models, cost structures and institutional implications;
• Strategic planning skills to support multi-year academic portfolio management, prioritization, and alignment with institutional priorities;
• Risk assessment and mitigation skills, including the ability to evaluate operational, financial, reputational, and regulatory risks associated with academic initiatives and partnerships;
• Ability to develop and manage project plans, milestones, risk logs, decision records, and benefits realization frameworks;
• Expertise in leading complex, cross functional initiatives involving multiple stakeholders and service areas;
• Strong financial literacy, including ability to interpret financial models, assess sustainability, and review cost benefit analyses;
• Experience developing and evaluating business cases for academic proposals and funding submissions;
• Ability to assess and interpret funding requirements, financial constraints, and resource dependencies across the organization;
• Knowledge and understanding of the College contract administration policies, including terms and conditions, compliance requirements, specialist review requirements, signature authorities and reporting obligations;
• Ability to interpret and apply directives, policy frameworks, governance processes, and academic regulations;
• Exceptional written communication skills for preparing business cases, proposals, briefing notes, and analytical summaries tailored to senior leadership and governance bodies;
• Strong verbal communication and facilitation skills to lead cross functional teams, support decision-making, and navigate competing perspectives;
• High emotional intelligence and relationship building capability for working with senior leaders across various college departments;
• Excellent priority setting, time management, and organizational skills to manage multiple initiatives in parallel;
• Ability to lead processes, develop templates, and implement standardized frameworks across academic operations;
• Strong interpersonal and conflict resolution skills to navigate complex academic and operational environments;
• Ability to interpret and apply business policies procedures and systems.

Experience for this Position:

• Minimum nine (9) years of experience in the following:
• Significant experience in leading teams;
• Significant experience in coordinating institution-level funding proposals;
• Significant experience in developing business cases, strategic plans, and performance framework;
• Experience engaging with industry, employers, government, and external stakeholders to identify emerging trends, labour market opportunities, and strategic initiatives that support institutional planning and academic priorities;
• Experience in academic business planning for a post-secondary institution;
• Experience managing project teams, setting priorities, and overseeing deliverables;
• Experience preparing materials and presenting to senior management;
• Demonstrated success in leading cross-functional strategic initiatives that align with institutional goals and academic priorities;
• Experience navigating regulatory framework and ensuring compliance with College policies and procedures;
• Excellent planning, organizational and time management skills;
• Excellent interpersonal skills; must be able to work with colleagues and individuals to create consistent approach to contract management and reports within academic services;
• Ability to see how opportunities fit within a larger context and communicate messages within different organizations and their goals while being able to pivot with new findings and information;
• Experience in academic business planning for a post-secondary institution;
• Experience managing project teams, setting priorities, and overseeing deliverables;
• Experience preparing materials and presenting to senior management;
• Demonstrated success in leading cross-functional strategic initiatives that align with institutional goals and academic priorities;
• Experience navigating regulatory framework and ensuring compliance with College policies and procedures;
• Excellent planning, organizational and time management skills;
• Excellent interpersonal skills; must be able to work with colleagues and individuals to create consistent approach to contract management and reports within academic services;
• Ability to see how opportunities fit within a larger context and communicate messages within different organizations and their goals while being able to pivot with new findings and information.

* This position is paid at Payband 13

* Vacancy is for P20011

This position is eligible for hybrid work in conjunction with the College's Flexible Work Arrangement Policy. https://www.algonquincollege.com/policies/hr26/ (subject to change).

Why Join Algonquin College?

• Compensation: Many roles offer a competitive base salary and comprehensive benefits, including health, dental, and retirement plans designed to support your well-being. Eligibility for benefits vary by position. Benefits | Careers

• Learning and Development Opportunities: Access to training, tuition assistance programs (Algonquin College Courses and Degree Completion), certifications, workshops, and professional courses that allow you to grow and advance in your career. About Us | Employee Learning and Development. Availability depends on role and employment status.

• Company Culture: Our values of caring, learning, integrity, and respect define how we interact with one another. We foster a supportive and collaborative environment. Algonquin College has been recognized by Forbes as one of Canada’s Best Employers for 2025 and one of Canada’s Best Employers for Diversity for 2024

• Inclusion, Diversity, Equity, and Accessibility (IDEA): We are proud to be the first Ontario college to implement an Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion policy, fostering an inclusive workplace where all employees feel respected and valued. Affinity Group Conversation Communities | Inclusion & Diversity & Truth and Reconciliation

• Flexible Work Arrangement Policy. Select positions are eligible for hybrid work in accordance with the College’s Flexible Work Arrangement Policy https://www.algonquincollege.com/policies/hr26/ (subject to change).

How We Use AI in Hiring:

Algonquin College uses artificial intelligence technology to assist in screening and assessing applicants and their applications, while ensuring that all processes respect and uphold the provisions of applicable collective agreements above all else.

Accessibility:

Algonquin College values diversity and is an equal opportunity employer. We are committed to fostering an inclusive, equitable, and culturally respectful workplace. We offer an inclusive work environment and encourage applications from candidates of all backgrounds, including Indigenous peoples, persons with disabilities, members of racialized groups, and individuals from diverse communities. If you require accommodation during the recruitment process, please contact the Human Resources department at humanresources@algonquincollege.com. While we thank all those who apply, only those to be interviewed will be contacted.

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