Vice President, Academic

Conestoga College; Kitchener; On-site; CAD 180,000 - 230,000; Full time

Job summary

Conestoga College in Ontario seeks a Vice President, Academic (VPA) to lead curricular strategy, program delivery, and accreditation across multiple campuses. The VPA reports to the President and oversees program quality, curriculum planning, and academic initiatives with a focus on innovation and student success.

We expect a collaborative, inclusive leader with strong communication skills, proven senior leadership experience, and the ability to advance teaching excellence, budgeting, and

Qualifications

• 10+ years of progressive post-secondary academic and administrative leadership.
• PhD/Doctorate and advanced credentials in Education.
• Experience teaching at least one course per year.
• Strong communications, collaboration, and relationship-management skills.

Responsibilities

• Provide strategic direction on curriculum development and delivery.
• Direct all Program Quality Assurance programs.
• Oversee academic budgeting and resource management.
• Build partnerships with business, industry, and other educational institutions.
• Chair college-wide committees and represent the College at CCVPA.
• Lead change initiatives, foster collaboration, and support student success.

Skills

Leadership experience

Strategic thinking

Communication skills

Team collaboration

Teaching engagement

Education

PhD/Doctorate

Master of Education

Educational Leadership credentials

Job description

Closing Date: Sunday, October 11, 2026 at 11:59 PM EST

Vacancy Type: Administration - Full-time

Position Summary

About Conestoga College

Conestoga College is one of Ontario's largest colleges, recognized for its commitment to career-focused education, applied learning, workforce development, and strong partnerships with industry and community. Serving more than 20,000 students across multiple campuses, Conestoga delivers diploma, degree, apprenticeship, continuing education, micro-credential, and applied research programs that prepare graduates to thrive in Ontario's evolving economy while supporting the prosperity of the communities and employers it serves.

As one of the country's top research colleges, Conestoga's applied research activities support student learning and help area businesses grow, innovate, and improve their productivity. Conestoga College has campuses and training centres in Brantford, Cambridge, Guelph, Ingersoll, Kitchener, Stratford, and Waterloo.

Opportunity Proposition

Conestoga College invites applications from qualified candidates for the role of Vice President, Academic (VPA). The VP Academic, a senior administrator of the College, will report to the President and Chief Executive Officer. The VPA is an innovator and a leader of change as we continue our journey of making a difference for our students and our communities.

The VPA is accountable for planning, organizing, staffing, and directing College operations related to the content and delivery of the College's full-time and part-time academic programs and services. Your administrative and academic portfolio includes oversight of Program Delivery, Institutional Research, Curriculum Planning and Operations, Degree Quality and Accreditation, and Academic Initiatives and Special Projects.

The incumbent will work closely with the Deans across our academic schools and will operate from several campuses to formalize long-range curricular plans and support academic innovation. The incumbent will be a thought leader to other senior leaders and the President in matters related to curriculum and instruction. This senior management position contributes to strategic plans and related policies and operating procedures.

As the successful candidate, you will be a collegial, inclusive leader with exceptional communication, coaching, and team engagement skills. The VPA will promote collaboration and innovation for the good of the student, faculty, and college, and is committed to effective use of technology within the academic environment.

You must be a strong leader who thrives in leading through change, is comfortable with ambiguity and with both the strategic and operational aspects of this role. As a key advisor, you have strong relationship management skills and the ability to demonstrate high emotional intelligence in various situations dealing with internal and external stakeholders.

The incumbent will chair and be a member of several college-wide committees and will represent the College at CCVPA.

Responsibilities

Primary Accountabilities

• Serve as a senior leadership team member providing strategic direction on curriculum development and delivery, instructional methods, academic standards, and student evaluation methods.
• Direct all Program Quality Assurance programs.
• Ensure the quality of the College's academic programs by developing, implementing, and monitoring sound academic policies and procedures.
• Ensure efficient and effective use of fiscal and physical resources within the academic area through reviewing, coordinating, and consolidating academic budget requests.
• Establish partnerships and linkages with business and industry representatives and other educational institutions to promote college programs, create partnerships and develop articulation agreements.
• Work effectively as a team member in a dynamic executive environment and promote teamwork across the institution by maintaining positive relationships and utilizing effective problem-solving skills.
• Keep abreast of the educational sector, professional and technological trends, issues, and services.
• Oversee human resource management for the assigned area, creating a culture of employee engagement; ensures HR policies are administered consistently across the function and institution.
• Identify succession planning needs within their areas.
• Other related accountabilities which support innovation and a quality learning experience for the student and teaching experience for the faculty.

Qualifications

The Individual

The ideal candidate collaborates with a team-focused approach committed to teaching, learning, academic excellence, and student success. You are hands-on, lead by example, and value the importance of working closely with all stakeholders across the College. As an administrator, you model accountability, sound financial and budgetary management, innovation, and sustainable growth. The VPA will possess the experience, organizational ability, and vision to lead an extensive, complex academic portfolio effectively and strategically. You bring 10+ years of progressively responsible leadership, with strong demonstrated academic experience. You are a values-driven leader, and respectful of diverse views and opinions. You leverage your business acumen to contribute to Conestoga's success.

The incumbent will be expected to teach at least one course per year to maintain a connection with the student and faculty experience.

The ideal candidate will possess:

• A PhD/Doctorate Degree.
• Advanced credentials in the field of Education/Educational Administration/Educational Leadership (e.g. Master of Education).
• 10+ years of progressive post-secondary academic and administrative experience.
• Extensive teaching experience, both in-class and online, with a diverse student population.
• Proven record of senior academic leadership success with experience in planning, budgeting, building collaborative teams, labour relations, and excellence in teaching and learning.
• Demonstrated experience working in a complex environment with multiple internal/external audiences is a must.
• Evidence of successful new program development and academic innovation.
• Evidence of implementing continuous quality improvement initiatives.Understanding of government post-secondary legislation, structures, and reporting.
• Superior communications skills – oral, written, editing, and presentation.
• Demonstrated support for faculty, student and staff development and scholarship.

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.

Successful candidates will be required to conduct work within 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 the primary location being on-site. The incumbent will be required to travel periodic and attend meetings or events that may take place outside of regular work hours.

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.