Director, Executive Programs

McMaster University; Hamilton; On-site; CAD 120,000 - 190,000; Full time

Job summary

McMaster University, through DeGroote Executive Education, seeks a Director, Executive Programs to lead strategy and growth for the school's non-degree and micro-credential offerings. You will shape the market approach, build senior-level client relationships, and advance partnerships with corporate, government, and not-for-profit sectors.

You will guide governance, program development, and revenue growth while ensuring quality, risk management, and alignment with institutional priorities.

Qualifications

• Master’s degree in business or related field; PhD is an asset.
• Minimum 10–15 years of progressive leadership experience in executive education or related sector.
• Proven ability to lead, motivate, and build consensus in a collaborative environment.
• Strong written and oral communication and the ability to engage diverse stakeholders.

Responsibilities

• Provide strategic vision and governance for the Executive Education portfolio aligned with institutional priorities.
• Lead multi-year strategy, planning, and risk management with senior leadership input.
• Drive business development, market positioning, and strategic partnerships across sectors.
• Oversee financial sustainability, budgeting, forecasting, and resource allocation.
• Lead organizational design, talent development, succession planning, and inclusion.

Skills

Strategic leadership

Executive education

Business development

Financial acumen

Communication skills

Relationship building

Team leadership

Innovation & change

Stakeholder management

Education

Master’s degree in business or related field

PhD is asset

Job description

McMaster University is seeking applications for the position of Director, Executive Programs. This is a pivotal leadership role responsible for shaping the strategic direction, growth, and market impact of the University's executive and corporate education portfolio, while advancing innovative learning solutions and strengthening engagement with corporate, government, and not-for-profit partners.

McMaster University

Founded in 1887, McMaster University is a research-intensive, student-centered university dedicated to advancing human and societal health and well-being and has achieved an international reputation as a center of excellence for teaching and learning, innovation, and creativity. Currently, McMaster is home to over 37,000 students, 13,000 staff and 1,000 full-time faculty. McMaster has been selected as a Hamilton-Niagara Top Employer for the past five years in a row and has also been recognized as one of Canada's Best Diversity Employers for the past five years.

DeGroote School of Business

The DeGroote School of Business is committed to innovative, experiential business education that develops thoughtful leaders and creates meaningful impact through knowledge creation, student-centered learning, and community engagement.

Located at the Ron Joyce Centre in Burlington, Ontario, DeGroote Executive Education serves experienced professionals and emerging senior leaders seeking to strengthen the capabilities needed to advance their careers and drive organizational success. As part of McMaster University, DeGroote is recognized for its entrepreneurial mindset, collaborative culture, and commitment to innovation, and holds AACSB accreditation.

Programs are designed and delivered by senior executives, industry experts, leadership educators, guest speakers, and certified executive coaches, combining practical expertise with current industry perspectives. Experiential learning, diverse perspectives, peer-to-peer engagement, and professional networks are central to the Executive Education experience.

The Role

Reporting to the Director, Finance & Administration, the Director, Executive Programs provides strategic leadership, vision, and oversight for the School’s executive and corporate education portfolio, including the Directors College (C.Dir). The role sets the long-term direction and growth strategy for executive education, ensuring alignment with institutional priorities, market trends, and emerging opportunities in leadership development.

The Director is accountable for portfolio performance, including program development and positioning, business development, financial sustainability, partnerships, and risk management. The role establishes governance and performance frameworks and leads efforts to expand market presence, diversify revenue, and deliver innovative, high-impact learning solutions.

As a member of the School’s leadership team, the Director serves as a trusted advisor to senior leadership and represents the School and McMaster University externally, strengthening strategic partnerships, reputation, influence, and thought leadership in executive education.

Key Responsibilities

Strategic Leadership, Planning & Governance

• Provide strategic vision, leadership, and governance for the Executive Education portfolio, ensuring alignment with Faculty and institutional priorities, market trends, and long-term growth objectives.
• Lead multi-year strategy, annual planning, and risk management, advising senior leadership on growth opportunities, investments, partnerships, and emerging trends.

Business Development, Market Engagement, Influence & Partnerships

• Lead business development, market positioning, and strategic partnerships across corporate, government, and not-for-profit sectors to expand the client base, diversify revenue, and strengthen institutional reputation and influence.
• Build and maintain senior-level relationships with clients, partners, alumni, industry, government, and academic stakeholders, leveraging market intelligence to identify opportunities and inform portfolio growth.
• Provide executive oversight of the Executive Education portfolio, ensuring the design, delivery, quality, and continuous improvement of high-impact non-degree and micro-credential programming aligned with market demand and institutional standards.
• Use market intelligence, participant feedback, and performance data to evaluate portfolio effectiveness, drive innovation, and inform strategic priorities.
• Financial & Operational Leadership
• Provide financial and operational oversight of the portfolio, including budgeting, forecasting, revenue and profitability targets, resource allocation, and long-term financial sustainability.
• Ensure efficient, scalable, and compliant operations, including adherence to institutional policies, contractual obligations, quality standards, and enterprise risk management practices.

Leadership, Organizational Design & People Management

• Provide strategic leadership for organizational design, talent development, succession planning, and performance management to build the capabilities required for current and future growth.
• Lead and develop a high-performing, collaborative, innovative, and inclusive team, embedding equity, diversity, and inclusion across team practices, programs, and partnerships.

Special Projects & Strategic Initiatives

• Lead high-impact, portfolio-wide strategic initiatives, including cross-functional, international, and externally funded projects, ensuring appropriate scope, governance, resources, and alignment with strategic objectives.
• Identify emerging opportunities and risks and provide recommendations to senior leadership to support informed decision-making, innovation, and sustainable growth.

Qualifications

• Master’s degree in business or related field. PhD is considered an asset.
• Minimum 10-15 years of progressive leadership experience in executive education, corporate training, or a related sector.
• Proven leadership skills in a collaborative environment, with an emphasis on the ability to motivate, inspire and build consensus (ability to be a team player and team builder).
• Solid vision for the development and promotion of the DeGroote School of Business executive programs.
• Exceptional written and oral communication skills and the ability to adapt communications to a range of audiences.
• Proven ability to develop and maintain a broad range of executive-level relationships across multiple sectors.
• Demonstrated experience in business development, complex sales, and development of strategic partnerships.
• Prior experience selling professional services to Chief Learning Officers, Chief Human Resources Officers and Chief Executive Officers.
• Proven commercial and business acumen and demonstrated experience in creating professional services business models that generate revenue growth and sustainable margins.
• Complete integrity and excellent judgment to be able to deal with complex issues.
• Ability to innovate and mobilise resources for successful implementation of priorities.
• Strong vision, drive, initiative and focus on strategic objectives to maintain and enhance the School position and reputation nationally and internationally.
• Strong technical competence and demonstrated excellence in leading innovation and adopting disruptive technologies.
• Experience in managing and supporting executive education programs in a university context is an asset.
• Sound knowledge of regulations and policies related to Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion, the Accessibility for Ontarians with Disabilities Act (AODA), Human Rights Code, Freedom for Information, Privacy and Protection Act (FIPPA)
• Ability to deal with extremely stressful and confidential matters including those related to mental health