Chair, Allied Health & Life Sciences

Conestoga College; Kitchener; Hybrid; CAD 130,000 - 173,000; Full time

Job summary

Conestoga College seeks a Chair for Allied Health & Life Sciences to provide strategic academic and administrative leadership for programs in life sciences, medical imaging, and allied health fields. The role oversees budgeting, accreditation, and program delivery across on- and off-site settings, with hybrid work and on-campus presence in Ontario.

Successful candidates will lead space planning for labs, partner with industry, and drive continuous improvement to ensure high-quality programs that

Qualifications

• Master's degree in combination with a health-related diploma, advanced diploma or degree is required.
• A minimum of seven years of progressive experience in post-secondary education or a related health environment, including teaching, program coordination, or academic leadership, is required.
• Knowledge of the polytechnic/college education model is required.
• Experience with curriculum development, teaching, and/or student recruitment in post-secondary settings is an asset.

Responsibilities

• Provide leadership to faculty and staff in alignment with collective agreements and college policies.
• Develop annual staffing plans in collaboration with Human Resources and Finance.
• Lead recruitment, hiring, onboarding, and assignment processes.
• Support employee growth through goal setting, coaching, feedback, and development planning.
• Foster a respectful, inclusive, and collaborative teaching and learning environment, both in person and online.
• Promote ongoing professional and pedagogical development opportunities.
• Ensure compliance with Occupational Health and Safety standards.

Skills

Leadership experience

Budgeting

Curriculum development

Staff recruitment

Interpersonal skills

Health education knowledge

Education

Master's degree + health-related diploma/degree

Job description

Job Title: Chair, Allied Health & Life Sciences

Requisition #: 26-0178

Department: Allied Health & Life Sciences

Payband: 14

Payband Range: $129,743.00 - $172,991.00

Hours/Week: 37.5

Posting Date: Tuesday, September 1, 2026

Closing Date: Tuesday, September 15, 2026 at 11:59 PM EST

Vacancy Type: Administration - Full-time

Position Summary

The Chair, Allied Health and Life Sciences is accountable for providing academic, technical and administrative leadership, supervision and direction to the faculty, support staff, students, and project partners in full- and part-time programs, including areas such as life sciences, medical imaging, and allied health sciences such as paramedicine, respiratory therapy, massage therapy and others.

The Chair is accountable for the research, planning, development, delivery, accreditation, budgeting, and marketing of daytime, evening and weekend activities, both on and off-site, including full-time programs in areas such as, but not limited to, allied health and life sciences. The Chair is responsible for planning space and equipment to support programming, including the design and operations of new specialized lab and clinical spaces. There is extensive contact with agencies, industry and professional organizations. The position is ultimately responsible for delivering a high-quality suite of programs that support the college’s overall academic direction and generate profit to contribute to the college's financial health.

Successful candidates will be required to conduct work in Ontario and must be available to work on campus as required. It is anticipated that this position will meet the department's needs through a hybrid work arrangement, with a minimum of three days on-site, primarily at Conestoga’s Doon Campus, located at 299 Doon Valley Dr, Kitchener, with occasional travel required to other Conestoga campuses, and additional presence as required for meetings and events.

Responsibilities

Team leadership and culture

• Provide leadership to faculty and staff in alignment with collective agreements and college policies
• Develop annual staffing plans in collaboration with Human Resources and Finance
• Lead recruitment, hiring, onboarding, and assignment processes
• Support employee growth through goal setting, coaching, feedback, and development planning
• Foster a respectful, inclusive, and collaborative teaching and learning environment, both in person and online
• Promote ongoing professional and pedagogical development opportunities
• Ensure compliance with Occupational Health and Safety standards

Program leadership

• Contribute to the School of Health & Life Sciences’ strategic planning and academic priorities
• Oversee program delivery, ensuring high-quality teaching and learning, and student outcomes
• Lead curriculum development and program review cycles (e.g., Annual and Major Program Reviews, PEQAB)
• Maintain compliance with academic policies, including student progression and academic integrity
• Guide accreditation processes and continuous improvement initiatives
• Collaborate with internal partners to support effective program operations

Program development and innovation

• Support the creation of new programs, delivery models, and technology-enabled learning approaches
• Lead the development and implementation of new programs through established college processes

Resources, planning and partnerships

• Develop and manage operating budgets across the program portfolio
• Lead financial planning for grant-funded initiatives involving programs in the portfolio
• Monitor enrolment trends and lead recruitment and conversion efforts to meet enrolment targets
• Ensure appropriate infrastructure, equipment, and learning environments are in place
• Build and sustain partnerships with industry and community stakeholders

Qualifications

• A master's degree in combination with a health-related diploma, advanced diploma or degree is required
• A minimum of seven years of progressive experience in post-secondary education or a related health environment, including teaching, program coordination, or academic leadership, is required
• Knowledge of the polytechnic/college education model is required
• Experience with curriculum development, teaching, and/or student recruitment in post-secondary settings is an asset
• Demonstrated experience leading teams, supporting performance and development, and contributing to financial planning
• Excellent interpersonal, organizational, and collaboration skills, with the ability to work effectively across diverse teams and perspectives
• Knowledge of human resource practices, including employee relations and conflict resolution
• Experience with budgeting, analysis, and resource allocation
• Sound judgment, adaptability, and a commitment to continuous improvement
• Demonstrated commitment to student-centred and outcomes-based education
• Ability to maintain laboratory facilities, equipment, and safety standards

Conestoga College is a leader in polytechnic education. Our career-focused education, training, and applied research programs prepare students for success, support industry, and workforce needs and promote economic prosperity throughout our region and across Ontario.

We thank all applicants but only those selected for an interview will be contacted. Conestoga College is committed to workplace diversity and provides accommodations to applicants with disabilities throughout the hiring process. If you require accommodation, please contact Human Resources via the Contact page.