Executive Director, Lifelong Learning

Description:

About Us:

The Office of the Vice-Provost, Academic Programs (VPAP) supports the activity of the University of Toronto in academic policy; for-credit academic programming; micro-credentials; academic change, including production of the graduate calendar; initiatives relating to academic programming; and the cyclical review of academic programs and units.

Building on longstanding strengths in continuing education, the University is enhancing its lifelong learning ecosystem with the launch of a new service hub for lifelong learning this year within the Division of the Vice-President and Provost. The new hub will heighten the University’s ability to respond to economic shifts and rapidly changing labour market needs with high-quality, flexible learning opportunities rooted in the University’s global strengths in teaching and research by providing divisions with technological, financial, and business development support. A key function of the new hub will be to share resources, systems, and best practices across the University to strengthen lifelong learning in all of our Faculties and on all three campuses. The hub will thus enable divisions to better meet the evolving needs of diverse learners across the University.

Position Summary:

Working in coordination with various Deans’ offices (including but not limited to: Undergraduate, Graduate Education; Strategic Initiatives and Academic Planning; Research; Student Affairs; and Teaching & Learning) and reporting to the Vice-Provost, the Executive Director is responsible for strategic leadership in the planning, development, implementation, operation, successful management, and evaluation of lifelong learning initiatives, professional education, upskilling, and overseeing continuing education shared services operated by the Provost’s Division.

The incumbent will ensure that the division provides exemplary support to academic divisions and programs in the development and delivery of not-for-credit opportunities, including micro-credentials, certificate, and other upskilling and learner success programs; including initiatives targeted at current undergraduate and graduate students, alumni, industry partners, and/or the broader community.

The role of the Executive Director will focus on:

1. Program innovation leadership, business planning/modelling, strategy, and business development to facilitate the growth of professional learning, upskilling, and lifelong learning initiatives for participating divisions across the tri-campus;

2. Leadership and management of growing and evolving continuing education services, including designing optimal organizational structures that allow for coordination and alignment of activities between teams wherever possible, without duplication, and operation of growing units in relation to human resources, finance, space planning, facilities management and information technology;

3. Serving as a senior representative of the Office of the Vice-Provost, Academic Programs to engage and build positive relations with community partners and employers, university partners, alumni, and current and prospective learners.

The Executive Director is also responsible for developing and implementing strategies for marketing and communications related to support programs in academic divisions to attract and retain excellent lifelong learners; ensure close connections between the Office and academic departments; create a seamless integration of services with other services and education providers across the University’s three campuses. The Executive Director promotes a team-based model of service dedicated to the success of lifelong learning programs, activities, and partnerships within academic divisions.

The Executive Director is responsible for overseeing the budget for continuing education shared services operated by the Provost’s Division, and supporting revenue generation and developing evaluation measures to assess the viability of non-credit programming delivered by academic divisions.

Essential Qualifications:

(MINIMUM)

EDUCATION:

• Minimum post-graduate degree at the Master level with a PhD preferred (most suitably in an arts or science discipline), with expertise designing and directing academically linked experiential learning and outreach opportunities, building and facilitating adult education and/or lifelong learning opportunities, or related field or equivalent combination of education and experience.
• Education and experience should include a focus on lifelong learning principles, program planning and evaluation, and issues in higher education and leadership.

EXPERIENCE:

• A minimum of 8 years’ experience of progressively senior administrative experience as a leader and manager of a mid-sized team; demonstrated experience in a role committed to excellence in meeting the needs of students preferably in a post-secondary environment.
• Program management experience and experience executing a departmental strategic plan is required.
• Experience successfully leading and managing change in a complex setting that necessitates a dynamic and responsive action-oriented approach.
• Experience with, and an understanding of, the increasingly important role of employment services to students within the post-secondary setting is crucial.
• Extensive knowledge of educational services and public policy in the field of education in Canada and internationally.
• Experience in the management of continuing education and professional development programs and other forms of educational services provision (including large-scale consultancies).
• Proven record in revenue generation and educational program development with diverse constituencies from public, private, and non-profit sectors.
• Extensive knowledge and experience implementing strategic partnerships and new business opportunities in a university setting.
• Must have the ability to articulate a vision and formulate action plans for the strong development of lifelong learning and outreach support and have a strong understanding of business and client development.
• Strong management experience in a unionized environment and managing a team with multiple areas of expertise.
• Demonstrated experience in transformative and innovative leadership and in successfully managing significant change initiatives.

SKILLS:

• Demonstrated skills and interest in using technology to increase efficiencies.
• Must have strong analytical skills; experience with strategic budgeting, budget forecasting and financial analysis; adept with using critical analysis (including admissions, employment and survey data) to inform strategic decision-making.
• A creative and pragmatic, strategic thinker with strong implementation skills; proven marketing and networking talents.
• Demonstrated commitment to excellence in leading a diverse, professional team to achieve results and meet multiple stakeholder needs.

OTHER:

• Must have high initiative, strong organizational and problem-solving skills, and be a strong leader who is nimble and able to embrace and manage change.
• Must be politically astute with the ability to undertake sensitive discussions and advocate for offices across the university.
• Highly developed skills in oral and written communication, including effective presentation skills for small and large audiences.
• Demonstrated negotiation and conflict resolution abilities are required.
• Consummate professional with an ability to exercise sound judgment, tact and diplomacy under stressful circumstances.

Closing Date: 10/11/2026,11:59PM ET
Employee Group: Salaried 
Personnel Subarea: PM
Appointment Type : Budget - Continuing 
Schedule: Full-Time
Pay Scale Group & Hiring Zone:  PM 8 -- Hiring Zone: $165,350 - $192,911 -- Broadband Salary Range: $165,350 - $275,585 (Open)
Job Category: Administrative / Managerial