Chair

Faculty of Applied Sciences & Technology at Humber Polytechnic; Toronto; On-site; CAD 130,000 - 159,000; Full time

Job summary

The University of Guelph-Humber is seeking a Chair for Early Childhood Studies to lead the program and oversee academic and administrative affairs at the North Campus in Toronto. You will drive strategic planning, curriculum renewal, and program quality, while ensuring industry relevance and student success.

Candidates will bring a earned master’s degree (doctorate preferred), 5–9 years postsecondary leadership experience, and exceptional oral and written communication skills.

Qualifications

• Earned master’s degree in Early Childhood Studies; doctorate preferred.
• 5–9 years of postsecondary leadership/administrative experience.
• Exceptional oral and written communication skills.
• Ability to lead curriculum development and strategic planning.

Responsibilities

• Lead the academic and administrative operations of the Early Childhood Studies program.
• Develop and renew curriculum to maintain quality and relevance.
• Collaborate with internal and external partners to advance program goals.
• Mentor students and participate in faculty hiring processes.
• Oversee budget, staffing, and program governance.

Skills

Leadership

Communication

Curriculum development

Strategic planning

Education

Master’s degree in Early Childhood Studies

Doctorate preferred

Job description

Job Description - Chair, Early Childhood Studies - UofGH - FT Admin. (36669)

Chair, Early Childhood Studies - UofGH - FT Admin. - ( 36669 )

Achieve Better Together at Guelph-Humber

At the University of Guelph-Humber, we offer career paths that open a world of infinite possibilities for you to explore. People are at the heart of the Guelph-Humber experience. Every day we work together to deliver excellence, and in doing so, we redefine what it means to be a leader in providing an education that offers a unique blend of academic and immersive, real work experiences combining theory and practice to solve complex challenges. Join us!

If you are interested in working in higher education and are looking to contribute to Guelph-Humber’s unique academic offering, here is your opportunity to join our team.

Position Title: Chair, Early Childhood Studies

Status: Full Time

Hours: 37.5 hours per week

Program/Department: University of Guelph-Humber

Campus/Location: The University of Guelph-Humber (Humber Polytechnic’s North Campus at 207 Humber College Blvd, Toronto, Ontario) is located within the traditional and treaty lands of the Mississaugas of the Credit.

Minimum Starting Salary: $144,930; starting salaries are determined based on qualifications and years of related experience.

Timeline: Screening of applications will begin the week of October 19, 2026.

The Chairs Role

In this role, the incumbent provides academic leadership and manages the academic and administrative affairs of the Early Childhood Studies program. The Chair is accountable for the overall operational planning/management of the program and for maintaining relevancy, competitiveness, and currency in the field of study and ensuring industry needs are met. The Chair is responsible for the management of the physical, financial, and human resource requirements of the program.

Collaboratively with the Office of the Vice-Provost, the Chair supports strategic directions that advance the university's commitment to academic and scholarly excellence and student-centered supports. In this role, the incumbent works collegially and collaboratively with chairs and department heads across the university and liaises with and supports the strategic directions of partner institutions, the University of Guelph and Humber Polytechnic, where appropriate.

Academic and Scholarly Excellence

• Leads/participates in academic and university initiatives/events to achieve University priorities and goals.
• Teaches within their discipline expertise as per the Office of the Vice-Provost-established semester guidelines.
• Engages in other assigned academic related activities (i.e., Study Abroad, Independent Study) as per the Office of the Vice-Provost-established semester guidelines.
• Participates in scholarship through professional activities and creative contributions that advance the incumbents field of study and fosters an enhanced profile and positive reputation of the program and university.
• Participates in research or scholarly activities in the incumbent’s field of study and produces work that advances their field of study and fosters an enhanced profile and positive reputation of the program and university.
• Mentors students in their research endeavors and/or pursuit of graduate school or their employment aspirations after graduation.

Academic Program Management and Leadership

• Leads the development and implementation of a vision for the program that ensures relevancy, competitiveness, and currency in the field of study and ensuring industry needs are met, with an emphasis on the quality of the student experience.
• Is accountable for the overall operational planning/management of the program (e.g., course planning that is fiscally responsible, recommendations for instructor/faculty appointments, appropriate and consistent application of academic rules and regulations).
• Continuously develops curriculum to maintain quality and relevance through assessment, applied research or scholarly activities.
• Leads the curriculum development/revision/renewal process for courses according to established University practice and process.
• Collaborates with internal and external stakeholders to ensure quality and relevancy of the program content.
• Chairs program committees as required (e.g., Curriculum Committee, hiring committees).
• Participates in University committees as required (e.g., Academic Management and Programs Committee, University Operations Committee).
• Responsible for initiatives that support student engagement and success.
• Responsible for resolving complex student matters.

Academic Rules and Regulations/University – Polytechnic Policies and Procedures

• Interprets the academic rules and regulations, University of Guelph, and Humber Polytechnic policies and procedures, and translates these into proposed actions.
• Communicates academic rules/regulations/policies and procedures to faculty/instructors (as required).
• Approves final grade submissions from all instructors each semester.
• Assesses and approves program related requests according to academic rules and regulations.

Human Resources and Resource Management

• Leads annual performance review(s) for direct report(s) and provides formative feedback routinely.
• Oversees and contributes to faculty/instructor hiring (e.g., hiring committee, hiring decisions).
• Recommends faculty/instructor hires to the Office of the Vice-Provost as per the established University process.
• Oversees performance of staff within assigned area as per requirements of University of Guelph and Humber Polytechnic.
• Hires and manages employees that support the operations of the portfolio.

Managing Financial Operations of the Program

• Prepares annual operating budget in collaboration with Finance team at the University of Guelph-Humber.
• Is accountable for management of the operating budget, monitoring expenditures and maintaining records to ensure expenditures do not exceed available funds.
• Monitors course enrolments each semester.

Internal and External Constituencies

• Fosters, leads, and assists in university and community service activities to enhance and elevate the academic credibility and reputation of the University.
• Participates in professional associations/organizations (as appropriate).
• Acts as an ambassador for the University (e.g., external events, study abroad, establishing pathway agreements).
• Fosters opportunities for new partnerships (e.g., research collaborations, visiting professorships, exchanges).

What you bring to the role:

Education:

• An earned master’s degree in the Early Childhood Studies field or a closely related field. An earned doctorate is preferred.

Experience and Skills:

• 5 – 9 years of extensive postsecondary experience (e.g., teaching, scholarly work, coordination, administration, research).
• Demonstrated administrative capability.
• Demonstrated ability to think strategically; manage complexity; lead through ambiguity; value, appreciate, and respect different perspectives and cultures; make thoughtful and informed decisions; and lead through continuous change.
• Exceptional oral and written skills.

What’s In it for you?

An opportunity to be a part of building the University of Guelph-Humber's future.

Be part of a diverse, hard-working, and supportive team.

Tools and technology that will allow you to succeed at your job.

Work/Life balance with above-average days off due to university closure schedules.

Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion

The University of Guelph-Humber is committed to a workforce that reflects the diversity of our students and our city. We actively seek Indigenous Peoples and individuals from equity-deserving groups with demonstrated skills and knowledge to deal with all aspects of equity, diversity, and inclusion in a post-secondary environment. The University of Guelph-Humber supports employment equity. Racialized workers, women, Indigenous workers, LGBTQ2S+ workers and workers with disabilities are encouraged to apply. For the purpose of statistical data collection, applicants are strongly encouraged to voluntarily self-identify. The University of Guelph-Humber’s diverse workplace also supports Francophone workers and young workers.

Accommodation

The University of Guelph-Humber is committed to accommodating applicants with disabilities throughout the hiring process, in accordance with the Accessibility for Ontarians with Disabilities Act (AODA). Our Talent Acquisition team will work with applicants requesting accommodations at any stage of the hiring process. This document is available in alternate formats upon request

Anti-Discrimination Statement

At the University of Guelph-Humber, all forms of discrimination and harassment are prohibited. All employees and applicants have the right to work in an environment that is free from discrimination and harassment. If you need assistance with concerns related to discrimination and harassment, please contact the Office of Human Rights and Harassment ([e-mail]).