Senior Director, Dean’s Office

Simon Fraser University; Surrey; On-site; CAD 150,000 - 210,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

4 weeks vacation (prorated)

Hybrid-work program

Defined benefit pension plan

Tuition waiver for employees

Tuition reimbursements and development

Job summary

Simon Fraser University (SFU) in Surrey is seeking a Senior Director, Dean's Office to drive operational excellence and strategic growth for the Stephens Family School of Medicine. You will translate priorities into robust systems, foster partnerships with health authorities and community groups, and guide governance and accreditation initiatives.

The ideal candidate brings extensive senior leadership in higher education or medical education, with a proven track record in change leadership,

Qualifications

• 10 years of relevant senior management experience in higher education or medical education administration.
• Ability to lead strategic and operational initiatives aligned with institutional priorities.
• Experience driving transformational change and process improvement.
• Proven ability to build partnerships with academic, healthcare, government and community partners.
• Strong people leadership and commitment to equity, diversity, inclusion and reconciliation.

Responsibilities

• Develop and strengthen the operational infrastructure to support the School's academic mission and growth.
• Translate strategic priorities into effective systems, processes and partnerships.
• Lead accreditation readiness, governance decisions, and organizational scaling.
• Oversee Indigenous Health Stewardship initiatives and collaborations with health authorities and government agencies.
• Champion continuous improvement and workforce planning.

Skills

Strategic leadership

Financial management

Change management

Partnership development

People leadership

Education

Master’s degree in Science, Business Administration, or Education

Job description

Who We Are

Simon Fraser University is a leading research university, advancing an inclusive and sustainable future. Our purpose – the essence of SFU – is to create and connect knowledge, learning and community for deeper understanding and meaningful impact. We are committed to fostering excellence, innovation, belonging and community in all that we do.

In the School of Medicine, we are committed to shaping the future of healthcare through innovative education, groundbreaking research, and community engagement. As we embark on this journey to redefine medical education, we are seeking passionate individuals who are eager to contribute to our mission.

We envision a medical education system where students and residents learn as part of a team in primary care, community-level settings and patient-centred environments. Our curriculum considers social, environmental and prevention contexts while seeking to advance reconciliation by embedding and equalizing Indigenous knowledge systems in our learning, research and practices. As we establish the School of Medicine in Surrey, B.C., we will foster our growing relationships with the local community, Fraser Health Authority, First Nations Health Authority, physicians and Indigenous partners who will help us meet the diverse health needs of the communities we serve. We seek to improve access to primary care throughout the province while resting on a solid foundation of high-quality, accredited education and world-class research efforts that keep us oriented toward measurable and socially accountable outcomes.

About the Role

The Senior Director, Dean's Office is a strategic leadership role responsible for developing and strengthening the operational infrastructure that supports the Stephens Family School of Medicine's academic mission and future growth. Reporting to the Executive Director, the incumbent will transform strategic priorities, accreditation standards, and governance decisions into effective operational systems, processes, and partnerships that enable excellence in medical education, research, and administration. As a member of the School's senior leadership team, the successful candidate will lead key initiatives focused on operational integration, accreditation preparedness, organizational scaling, financial stewardship, and workforce planning. The role will also oversee the implementation of Indigenous Health Stewardship initiatives, foster collaborative partnerships with health authorities, government agencies, and community organizations, and champion continuous improvement efforts that advance the School's commitments to innovation, reconciliation, and exceptional learner experiences.

The ideal candidate is an experienced and forward-thinking leader with a proven ability to lead complex operations in healthcare, higher education, or other large institutional settings. They bring strong expertise in strategic planning, financial and operational management, accreditation, and organizational governance. The successful candidate excels at building collaborative relationships, leading organizational change, and translating strategic priorities into effective operational frameworks. Exceptional communication, problem-solving, and decision-making skills are essential, along with the ability to navigate ambiguity and drive continuous improvement. A demonstrated commitment to equity, diversity, inclusion, reconciliation, and culturally safe leadership practices is critical to success in this role.

Qualifications

Master’s degree in Science, Business Administration, or Education, or a related discipline with 10 years of relevant senior management experience in higher education or medical education administration, or an equivalent combination of education, training, and experience.

• Strategic and operational leadership- Ability to develop and implement operational strategies, systems, and processes that align with institutional priorities and support sustainable organizational growth.
• Financial and organizational management- Expertise in financial planning, resource allocation, risk management, and optimizing operational resources within a complex environment.
• Change leadership and process improvement- Demonstrated experience leading transformational initiatives, improving operational effectiveness, and implementing sustainable solutions through change management practices.
• Partnership development and collaboration- Strong ability to build and maintain strategic relationships with diverse stakeholders, including academic, healthcare, government, and community partners.
• People leadership and inclusive culture building- Proven ability to lead, coach, and develop high-performing teams while fostering a collaborative workplace culture grounded in equity, diversity, inclusion, and reconciliation.

What We Offer

At SFU, our goal is to ensure our people are valued and supported by promoting a healthy work-life balance, professional growth and development, as well as a safe and respectful workplace. We offer continuing employees who belong in the Administrative Professional Excluded Staff group (APEX):

• 4 weeks’ vacation (prorated for the first year)*
• Hybrid-work program for eligible positions
• Employer paid defined benefit pension plan
• On-campus tuition waiver for employees and their immediate family members*
• Off-campus tuition reimbursements and professional development funds*
• And more! View our benefits brochure

*Prorated for part-time employees

Additional Information

The pay range is the span between the minimum and maximum base salary for the position. The midpoint of the range is approximately halfway between the minimum and the maximum and represents an employee that possesses full job knowledge, qualifications and experience for the position. In the normal course, employees will be hired, transferred or promoted between the minimum and midpoint of the pay range.

SFU is an equity employer and strongly encourages applications from all qualified individuals including women, Indigenous Peoples, visible minorities, people of all sexual orientations and gender identities, persons with disabilities, and others who may contribute to the further diversification of the university.

We are committed to ensuring that the application and interview process is accessible to all applicants. If you require any assistance or accommodations, please contact [e-mail].