Dean, Applied Research and Innovation

Northwestern Polytechnic (NWP) is Alberta’s newest polytechnic institution. Our stewardship region includes campuses in Fairview and Grande Prairie. We offer a wide variety of credit and non-credit career certificates and diplomas, pre-employment and apprenticeship trades, university transfer studies, and several opportunities for on-campus degree completion through collaborations with four-year universities. NWP is dedicating itself to becoming the most entrepreneurial polytechnic in Canada by 2034. The polytechnic provides learners high quality and diverse lifelong learning opportunities, while responsibly managing its educational, fiscal, and environmental resources.Office of Applied Research and Innovation The Dean leads the Office of Applied Research and Innovation at NWP. The Office of Applied Research and Innovation provides a wide range of support services and guidance to faculty, researchers, students, industry, and community partners and is proud to advance research in the following areas: agriculture and ecosystems, energy and environment, health & wellbeing, and social innovation. Our Agriculture & Biosciences Applied Research Centre (ABARC) in Beaverlodge, Alberta is equipped with leading-edge tools and resources to support research and diagnostics for a variety of industries across the agriculture and forestry sector. The ABARC facility is also home to NWP’s National Bee Diagnostic Centre (NBDC) which is the only facility dedicated to improving bee health and providing innovative solutions to pollination challenges in Canada. Travel further north and you will find research plots and animal handling facilities at NWP’s Fairview Campus. The Role The Dean is a senior leader in the Academic Division at NWP. The Dean reports to the Provost and Vice-President Academic and participates as a member of the Core Leadership Team. The Dean contributes to the strategic leadership of the polytechnic as a whole and directly leads the departments and programs assigned. The Dean leads, supervises, and provides support and mentorship to faculty, researchers, students, industry, and community partners. The Dean is responsible for research, scholarly activity, and fiscal planning and accountability within their area. The Dean works with the Provost and Vice-President Academic to lead their departments in articulating and implementing polytechnic goals. The Dean plays a significant role in ensuring the integration and implementation of plans that support the polytechnic direction and goals and may carry out other roles or projects as assigned by the Provost and Vice-President Academic. The Dean is responsible for providing strong leadership and vision in the articulation and implementation of the school’s strategic plan while maintaining alignment with the mission and vision of NWP. Key duties are listed below. Strategic Planning and Leadership The Dean will: Work closely with the Provost and Vice-President Academic, to contribute to the development and implementation of the institution’s strategic plan and vision. Lead strategic planning across the Office of Applied Research and Innovation. Provide leadership and support to academic programs and departments, including guidance in applied research, innovation, and scholarly activity. Provides leadership to the Learning Commons. Contribute to polytechnic policy development. Contribute to the overall planning and direction of the polytechnic. Support and communicate polytechnic and divisional direction and vision. Provide leadership to specified committees, projects, and initiatives. Development and Support Subject to applicable polytechnic procedures, policies, and collective agreements, the Dean: Recommends approval of recruitment and workload assignments for faculty and staff to the Provost and Vice-President Academic. Evaluates faculty and staff. Makes continuing employment decisions for faculty and staff. Supervises, coaches, and mentors chairs and managers in their development as academic and support service leaders. Provides leadership and guidance to the chairs in their academic roles. Internal and External Liaison The Dean leads the school in ensuring effective communication, collaboration, and liaison with internal and external parties. The Dean will: Internal Promote and guide effective communication between departments and polytechnic administration. Attend faculty and department meetings, and act as chair when appropriate. Model attitudes and behaviours consistent with the polytechnic vision, mission, and values. External Act as, or designate, the contact person for consultation with relevant regulatory and professional associations as appropriate. Act as liaison with other post-secondary institutions, funding agencies, as well as the polytechnic representative on provincial postsecondary committees and applicable community organizations. Participate in community events and be an advocate for the polytechnic. Provide external reports or other pertinent information as required, in cooperation with External Relations. Fiscal Responsibility In cooperation with the Administration Division, the Dean has budget development and oversight responsibilities for their school. Specifically, the Dean will: Contribute to annual Divisional budget development with Provost, other Deans, and Registrar. Monitor annual budgets for academic programming in a manner that is both fiscally responsible and consistent with the stated academic objectives of the Northwestern Polytechnic’s strategic directions. Adhere to financial standards and reporting standards of granting agencies. Manage and monitor school budgets. Allocate and provide oversight of department budgets. Additional Responsibilities From time to time the overall priorities and needs of the polytechnic may shift or new responsibilities for the Dean may emerge. Accordingly, the Dean is responsible for: Other duties as assigned by the Provost and Vice-President Academic. Other duties specific to the area of responsibility as they arise. What We Offer NWP offers professional development and wellness programs, a competitive salary and compensation package, and student-centered culture that is vital to our community. Join our team, grow with us, and connect your skills and abilities to our vision, mission, and values. The Area NWP acknowledges the homeland of the many diverse First Nations and Métis people whose ancestors have walked this land since time immemorial. We are grateful to work, live, and learn on the traditional territory of Treaty 8. Grande Prairie’s strong and resilient economy has developed with years of steady growth. The city is in an enviable economic position with high wages and disposable incomes, a local real estate market that remains affordable, and plenty of opportunities for growth and diversification. Situated on the southern edge of the Peace River region, Grande Prairie is aptly named for the vast and fertile prairie surrounding the city. Grande Prairie has much to offer visitors and residents, from shopping and entertainment to world-class recreation facilities. While nestled in the prairies of Alberta, it is but a short drive to world-class skiing and other outdoor activities. Grande Prairie continues to be a northern hub that sees action along the lines of sporting tournaments, concerts, stampedes, and other family-friendly community events. Strong resource markets in agriculture, forestry, and oil and gas is the foundation of the strong economy where many energetic, business-minded people are capitalizing on a business climate like no other. Grande Prairie embraces entrepreneurship, innovation, and new ideas. Grande Prairie is a city of entrepreneurs and remains one of the top places to find employment, build a business, and become part of a growing, thriving community. Some of the reasons people enjoy living and working here include: An abundance of forest reserves to responsibly meet the needs of a sustainable forest products industry. World-class agriculture production supported by exceptional farmland. An abundance of land suitable for both industrial and residential development. An abundance of clean air and water. Unmatched scenery and culturally diverse communities with limitless opportunities for leisure and recreation. Regional strength created from policies such as no provincial sales tax and low municipal tax. A thriving and diverse arts community. An exceptional quality of life with access to the best amenities, health services, and community programs, making the Grande Prairie Region an ideal place to raise a family.