Manager, Academic Programs, Reviews & Quality Assurance

About Us:

The university’s second largest division, U of T Mississauga has 18 academic departments and offers 156 programs in 92 areas of study. Home to approximately 17,000 students and over 1,000 faculty and staff, the campus houses the Mississauga Academy of Medicine, Centre for Medicinal Chemistry and Institute for Management and Innovation. With its distinctive interdisciplinary programs such as forensic sciences and biomedical communications, U of T Mississauga offers a broad array of continuing education programs and professional masters programs. Established in 1967, the campus features award-winning architecture, robust community partnerships and a dynamic student environment set amongst 225 acres along the Credit River in Mississauga.

Your Opportunity:

Reporting to the Director, Academic Operations and working closely with the Vice-Deans and Associate Deans, as appropriate, the incumbent is responsible for managing and supporting a wide-range of high-level and confidential activities related to the creation, review and closure of academic programs and units as part of the University of Toronto Quality Assurance Process (UTQAP) which encompasses all undergraduate and graduate programs at the University of Toronto Mississauga.

The incumbent will be responsible for managing a large volume of complex correspondence for the Vice-Dean, Teaching & Learning and the Assistant Dean that is directly relevant to confidential strategic planning and decision-making around the delivery of academic programs, the selection of senior academic administrators, and faculty resource decisions; supporting the development and implementation of new policy initiatives, analysis of existing policies; and acting as a liaison with members of the Office of the Vice-Provost, Academic Programs at every level, with senior academic administrators and staff in academic units across all three campuses; and with senior staff in external institutions including other Universities

You will contribute to the mission by:

• Overseeing and coordinating: (1) all Decanal reviews of units and programs under the UTQAP; (2) the academic change process including new program development, major and minor modifications to existing programs, and program closures across all units under the UTQAP; and (3) processes relative to the establishment of new units and changes to existing units.

• Providing high level support to the Assistant Dean and the Vice-Dean, Teaching & Learning in sensitive discussions concerning new academic directions, the closure of programs, the merger of units, etc. that have an effect on a Department’s budgetary position.

• Providing advice to Departments related to the self-study and academic change processes requiring an appreciation of the strengths and weakness, distinctive qualities, academic plans and priorities of Departments and programs and the University’s and Division’s strategic position.

• Reviewing and validating full and accurate summaries of review reports requiring a detailed understanding of all facets of a unit/program’s activities.

• Preparing decanal administrative responses addressing the most significant elements of review reports requiring a comprehensive understanding of the University, Division, and unit/ program and a high level of tactical judgment in the strategic design of an effective implementation plan which considers the impact review reports could have on future directions of units and the reputation of the University/ Division.

• Preparing assessments of proposals for academic change, requiring a nuanced and detailed understanding of the division/ unit/ program’s strengths and vulnerabilities.

• Providing nuanced strategic and concrete advice and support to senior administrators concerning a wide variety of proposals for academic change, requiring a detailed understanding of all facets of the division/ unit/ program’s activities.

• Preparing detailed and precise summaries of policy changes and provide accurate and appropriate rationales that reflect an understanding of the complex environment of the University.

What you will bring to the role:

• University degree in a relevant discipline required or an equivalent combination of education and experience.

• Minimum of five (5) years experience in recent and related experience in a university environment.

• Demonstrated knowledge of and experience in undergraduate and graduate program structures, standards, and expectations across the full range of diverse programs within a University environment.

• Knowledge and understanding of University governance processes.

• Familiarity with University structures, Faculty priorities, governance practices, and University policies and procedures.

• Experience managing staff with a strong understanding of collective agreement administration and managing in a unionized environment.

• Excellent verbal and written communication skills, as well as presentation skills. Effective problem-solving skills, and excellent judgement are mandatory.

• Advanced computer skills in Microsoft Office (Word, Powerpoint, Excep, Outlook).

*This is an 15 month term assignment with a possibility of renewal.*

This role is currently eligible for a hybrid work arrangement, pursuant to University policies and guidelines, including but not limited to the University of Toronto’s Alternative Work Arrangements Guideline