Faculty Positions

Position Title / Rank: Associate Dean - Academic (Internal)

College: Gordon S. Lang School of Business and Economics

Department: Dean's Office

Date Posted: February 20, 2019

Deadline: February 28, 2019
Please reference AD #19-16

Position Description:

The Gordon S. Lang School of Business and Economics (SBE) at the University of Guelph invites applications for the position of Associate Dean, Academic at the Associate or Full Professor level. The appointment is typically for a five-year term, renewable for a second term of up to five years. The distribution of effort (DOE) is 10% teaching, 10% research and 80% administration. Please note this is an internal search.

Established in 2006, and renamed in 2019, SBE is committed to developing leaders with a social conscience, an environmental sensibility and a commitment to their communities. We offer a wide range of specialized programs in business and economics across undergraduate, graduate and professional education. We provide a high-quality research, learning and social environment that encourages reflection, curiosity and global awareness, and promotes comprehensive understanding of both traditional and emerging themes in management, economics and related areas. SBE is currently home to over 80 faculty, 40 staff, and 3,800 students. (We offer one of the largest undergraduate business programs in Ontario). The School is comprised of four primary academic units – Economics and Finance; Management; Marketing and Consumer Studies, and Hospitality, Food and Tourism Management. SBE offers a range of well-respected undergraduate and graduate programs in management and economics, including an MBA, MA and MSc, a longstanding and highly successful PhD in Economics and a relatively new PhD in Management. Further information is available at the SBE website.

Reporting to the Dean, the Associate Dean, Academic (ADA) is responsible for achieving many of the strategic priorities of the School, as outlined in our Strategic Renewal Plan (see attached). More specifically, the ADA provides strategic leadership in advancing curricular and pedagogical innovation and excellence in the School’s undergraduate programs. Guiding principles include our vision – to be and develop leaders for a sustainable world, and our pillars – active learning, research with impact and community engagement. Working with the School’s academic units, the ADA administers the undergraduate programs in SBE and chairs the B.Comm. Program Committee and its sub-committees. In addition, the ADA is responsible for the maintenance of academic integrity and oversees all academic misconduct cases at the undergraduate level college-wide. Currently, a critical priority is leading the School through an accreditation process (AACSB) as well as investigating other accreditation opportunities. The ADA also plays an essential role working with student leaders and counterparts elsewhere on campus, through Council of Associate Deans Academic (CADA) and Senate.

The ADA, joins the School’s senior administrative team, which includes Department Chairs, School Director, Associate Dean of Research and Graduate Studies, and Assistant Dean of Executive Programs. The ADA has immediate administrative support from, and responsibility for, the Managers in the Business Career Development Centre (team of 4), the B.Comm. Program Counsellors (team of 3), and the Senior Manager – Learning, Assessment and Accreditation (team of 3). The ADA also is the college representative on a variety of university committees such as Senate, Co-op Program Coordinating Committee (CPCC) and CADA.

Ideal candidates for this position will be dynamic, innovative, engaged academics with an earned doctorate and an excellent scholarly and professional record in teaching, research and service in one or more areas of interest to the School. Candidates should be committed to working effectively with, and being highly visible and accessible to, key stakeholders, including faculty, staff, and students, and also with alumni, employers, and funders, in enhancing the success of the School and its programs. The ideal candidate will also have had some experience in fundraising, human resource management, planning and budgeting. They should be approachable, able to collaboratively solve problems and build consensus, and have experience in conflict resolution. Strong networking and relationship building skills are essential, as it will be important to understand multiple perspectives and work closely with other campus units – including the Registrar’s Office – while navigating objectives.

Candidates should also be aware of the broader shifts occurring in post-secondary education (PSE) and have the demonstrated ability to anticipate further change (opportunities and challenges), taking such into account strategic planning, quality assurance and advocacy initiatives. They will also have demonstrated inspiring and trustworthy leadership, outstanding communication and interpersonal skills, an open and collegial style, and the ability to effectively champion and advocate for the School. They should also be entrepreneurial and adaptive, and willing to consider new approaches. The ADA will also have the ability to resolve conflict, bringing a creative approach to opportunity generation and problem solving, the ability to inspire and support others, and the capacity to build and sustain positive relationships with all constituents.

The University of Guelph is the second largest employer in Guelph, a city of approximately 130,000 people, located about an hour drive west of Toronto, Ontario. University of Guelph is a top-ranked comprehensive university in Canada with an enrolment of about 30,000 undergraduate and graduate students across over 40 academic units. The University is known for its commitment to student learning, innovative research, and collaboration with world-class partners. It is a unique place, with transformative research and teaching and a distinctive campus culture. People who learn and work here are shaped and inspired by a shared purpose: To Improve Life. Reflecting that shared purpose in every experience connected to our university positions us to create positive change, here and around the world. Our University community shares a profound sense of social responsibility, a drive for international development, and an obligation to address global issues.

Application Process

Assessment of applications will begin on February 28, 2019 and will continue until the position is filled. Interested applicants should submit the following materials (preferably as a single PDF file): (1) a cover letter; (2) a curriculum vitae; and the names of three references (who will not be contacted without the consent of the candidate). Applications should be sent to the attention of:

Julia Christensen Hughes
Dean
Gordon S. Lang School of Business and Economics
University of Guelph
Guelph, Ontario, N1G 2W1
c/o Louise McIntyre, Assistant to the Dean
Email: lsolda@uoguelph.ca

Gordon S. Lang School of Business and Economics - Position Profile of Associate Dean, Academic

The overarching responsibility of the Associate Dean Academic (ADA) is to provide the leadership for the curricular and pedagogical advancement of the Gordon S. Lang School of Business and Economics (SBE) undergraduate programs and the quality of the overall student experience, in keeping with the University’s strategic priorities and SBE’s vision (to be and develop leaders for a sustainable world) and pillars (active learning, research with impact and community engagement). Priorities for the next five years are outlined in the SBE Strategic Renewal Plan (2018-2023). (See attached). More specifically, the responsibilities of the ADA (either directly or indirectly through those reporting to the ADA and in collaboration with SBE’s senior leadership and academic units) include the following:

  • Curricular Innovation. Facilitating the exploration and implementation of curricular innovation. Developing and bringing forward proposals for new (and improved) programs and courses to Senate for approval (in collaboration with the Bachelor of Commerce Program Committee – BCPC -- and relevant academic units).

  • Pedagogical Excellence and Innovation. Strengthening SBE’s culture of pedagogical excellence and innovation by hosting workshops for sharing innovations across the School, encouraging faculty and TAs to participate in teaching-focused conferences, administering an innovation fund and teaching awards, considering the development of a centre for teaching and learning (in collaboration with the University’s new Teaching and Learning Centre), and contributing to the development of a peer-review (in-class) teaching assessment process.

  • Work-integrated learning. Facilitating growth and quality in Co-op and other high quality learning experiences, including through student workplace projects (for credit).

  • Enrolments. Overseeing enrolment management including negotiating enrolment targets with the Registrar (in consultation with academic unit chairs/director).

  • Quality Assurance. Ensuring a high quality student experience both within and beyond formal courses. Contributing to the Institutional Quality Assurance Process (IQAP), ensuring all programs have appropriate learning outcomes and methods of assessment. Following up with academic units when quality concerns are raised to ensure effective resolution.

  • Accreditation. Championing SBE’s accreditation process (AACSB), ensuring all requirements for an effective outcome are diligently followed. Investigating and recommending other accrediting organizations that may also be beneficial (e.g. EQUIS/EFMD).

  • Internationalism. Working with SBE’s academic units and the Centre for International Programs, contributing to the internationalization and diversification of the SBE student body and learning experience, including promoting study abroad and curricular enhancements. Working with the Registrar to increase diversity in international enrollments, balanced across SBE’s majors.

  • Academic Integrity. Championing academic integrity, including administering the University’s policies in response to suspected cases of academic misconduct and raising awareness of best practice in terms of assessment.

  • Student Clubs and Associations. Engaging regularly with the Gordon S. Lang School of Business and Economics Students’ Association (and associated clubs and associations), fostering coordination, communication and alignment of goals. Ensuring Dean’s office participation in student-run events as appropriate, including orientation, networking nights and case competitions. Promoting student successes in collaboration with SBE Manager, Marketing and Communications.

  • Scholarships and Awards. Provides oversight to the SBE Awards Committee with a goal of conducting an analysis of awards for students and identifying opportunities for improvement.

  • Administrative Leadership. Represents SBE on a number of strategic university committees Co-op Program Coordinating Committee (CPCC), Council of Associate Deans Academic (CADA), Senate, participates as a member of the SBE senior leadership team (Associate Deans, Dean’s Council, College Council), standing in for the Dean when requested, and provides leadership and direction for a number of critical units and staff within SBE. Including:
      • Senior Manager - Learning, Assessment and Accreditation (team of 3); in support of data/metrics, IQAP Accreditation; ensuring curiculum mapping and audits are conducted to identify gaps and opportunities for continuous improvement.
      BComm Program Counselling Office (team of 3), including coordinating high school liason and student recruitment efforts and overseeing issues related to student transfers and appeals.
      Business Career Development Centre (team of 4), including developing and promoting opportunities for student recruitment (contributing to SBE’s reputation amongst employers as a “business school of choice for top talent”, co-operative education, work integrated learning, student competitions.


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

    The University recognizes that applicants may have had obligations outside of work that have negatively impacted their record of achievements (e.g., parental, elder care, and/or medical). You are not required to disclose these obligations in the hiring process. If you choose to do so, the University will ensure that these obligations do not negatively impact the assessment of your qualifications for the position.

    The University of Guelph resides on the ancestral lands of the Attawandaron people and the treaty lands and territory of the Mississaugas of the Credit and we offer our respect to our Anishinaabe, Haudenosaunee and Métis neighbours as we strive to strengthen our relationships with them.

    At the University of Guelph, fostering a culture of inclusion (https://uoguel.ph/ox2p9) is an institutional imperative. The University invites and encourages applications from all qualified individuals, including from groups that are traditionally underrepresented in employment, who may contribute to further diversification of our Institution.

    If you require a medical accommodation during the recruitment or selection process, please contact Occupational Health and Wellness at 519-824-4120 x52674.