Job Description

Regular/Temporary

Regular

Job Title

Senior Director, MCE

Job ID

69325

Location

Downtown Centre

Open Date

05/21/2025

Job Type

Continuing

Close Date

06/27/2025

Employee Group

TMG

Favorite Job

Department

Office of VP Teaching&Learning

Salary Grade/Band

Band P

Salary Range

$137836.00 - $206754.00 (annual)

Hours per Week

35

Posting Details

For over 90 years, McMaster Continuing Education has been delivering excellence in lifelong learning and is one of Canada's largest and leading providers of certificate and diploma programs, professional development education, custom and corporate training. McMaster Continuing Education (MCE) is an entrepreneurial academic enterprise that serves the university and extended community, advancing adult learners' ambitions, transforming careers, and enriching communities through educational excellence, innovation, inclusion, and partnerships. MCE has a staff complement of 47 regular staff plus some 240 sessional instructors. MCE pays rent and 4.5% of gross revenues back to the university, in addition to flowing funds back to individual Faculties through program partnerships. Delivery of programs occurs primarily online, with asynchronous and virtual/synchronous course offerings.

The Senior Director is responsible for the strategic leadership, operation, and management of MCE, for program development, academic management, financial sustainability, facility management, marketing, recruitment, business development and public relations for the unit.

The Senior Director collaborates with and provides support to Faculties to meet identified continuing education needs, to assess and pursue viable revenue-generating professional education programs, and to Human Resources Services to assist them in meeting the needs of workforce training and development for McMaster staff and faculty.

Strategic Leadership

Establish the strategic direction of all operational areas of McMaster Continuing Education. Provide leadership on strategic planning, operational planning, an accountability and performance framework, benchmarks and measurement for MCE and its staff. Interact regularly with academic and administrative leaders to generate partnerships and support for MCE and to ensure that MCE's initiatives contribute to and align with University-wide priorities. Use understanding of continuing education environment, competition and trends to set strategic direction and drive growth of programs to meet financial targets, and education and market needs. Lead strategic planning sessions with MCE team and create an environment that facilitates and encourages entrepreneurship, innovation, and high academic standards in delivery methods and programming.

Financial

Ensure the financial sustainability of the unit by covering all operating costs, providing a return to the Faculties through partnerships and programs, and returning the required percentage of gross revenue to the university. Use generated net profit to reinvest in the growth of MCE and into one-time expenditures such as capital improvements, information technology, and enterprise systems software. Complete multi-year financial projections to align with business planning. Monitor performance and adjust as required. Prepare and present annual budget and fee recommendations.

Organizational/Business Processes

Oversee key strategic and business functions for MCE, including sales, marketing, recruitment, enrolment forecasting and management, admissions, student records, graduation, program quality reviews, and program evaluation. Collect and analyze key performance measures against benchmarks. Negotiate and develop partnership contracts with external parties, such as corporate clients, funding agencies or delivery partners. Lead special projects to drive sales growth and efficiency such as implementation of enterprise software for continuing education. Plan and oversee reviews of business processes with a view to increasing efficiency, reducing costs and improving customer service. Ensure an excellent customer service experience by developing and maintaining customer service standards, measuring the customer experience, and ensuring continuous improvement. Demonstrate and promote excellence in digital engagement and advanced technology, including championing the adoption of new tools to enhance our operations.

Program Development & Delivery

Establish and nurture a program portfolio that is synergistic within the broader McMaster credential ecosystem. Ensure quality of new programs implemented by engaging in market research and a collaborative needs assessment process. Champion new programs and revisions through the review and approval process at the university, maintaining collaborative relationships and communication with Faculties. Support the student learning experience, including communication, student counselling, academic integrity, registration, grades, and complaints for academic, professional development and corporate programs. Foster campus relationships and administrative arrangements to facilitate leveraging MCE core competencies in program development and delivery to campus partners in a mutually beneficial way

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Academic Accountability & Student Service

Ensure the implementation of proactive support systems for students Ensure readiness and compliance with AODA (Accessibility for Ontarians with Disabilities Act) regulations and standards. Responsible for hearing, investigating and resolving student complaints related to topics such as grades, transcripts, fees, instructors, staff and policies. Under the Student Appeals Procedure of McMaster University Senate, responsible for hearing and making judgements for specific types of student grievances.

Business Development

Initiate, create and foster strategic partnerships with public, private and community sectors, as well as with McMaster's faculties for academic programming opportunities. Lead a business development and sales strategy for corporate training and partnerships. Develop relationships, present to professional associations, meet with clients during sales process, consult on proposals, negotiate complex agreements, and ensure client satisfaction. Network to build leads for corporate training opportunities.

Marketing, Recruitment & Public Relations

Oversee the development and implementation of an annual marketing plan, including market research, market segmentation, marketing/promotion strategy, student retention strategy, e-marketing and evaluation/tracking indicators. Conduct internal and external public relations and act as the media spokesperson for MCE.

Human Resources Management

Plan and direct all activities through a team of professional and administrative support staff: Select, develop, and evaluate staff with the professional competencies required to achieve the present and future objectives; Monitor performance of all staff to determine whether strategies and plans will achieve success and evaluates the progress toward the attainment of these objectives. Develop, evaluate effectiveness and modify structure of unit based on changing needs, size and strategic focus of MCE. Ensure staff develop and maintain current knowledge and skills to allow MCE to be cutting edge and competitive in an international marketplace.

Collaboration with Faculties for Non-Degree Education Programs

Provide consultation and support to Deans, Associate Deans or faculty members to assess the viability and structure of professional continuing and executive education strategy or program ideas. Provide advice to Faculties on market research, program design, structure and marketing, financial modelling, risks and realistic financial returns of professional continuing education programs. Provide services to Faculties related to market research, program design, financial viability analysis, marketing, and other services on a fee-for-service basis to help them launch revenue-generating programs.

Facilities Management

Oversee the management of the MCE office space. Lead facilities planning, including capital improvements, lease negotiation, service level agreements, and maintenance planning.

Other Senior Director's Duties

Chair and/or participate in McMaster committees (e.g., Undergraduate Council, Senate, Faculty advisory committees). Maintain currency with international trends and best practices in continuing education and build relationships and partnerships with professional associations such as CAUCE, OCULL, ACHE, and UPCEA.

Other University-Wide Responsibilities

Advance and promote continuing education and other adult education activities across the university. Seek efficiencies and cost savings across the university by exploring common needs such as customer relationship management (CRM) or enrolment management software. Recommend policy changes and write policy related to continuing education programs to Undergraduate Council and Senate. Oversee consistency in adult and continuing education branding at McMaster. Provide advice and support to Human Resources Services regarding the strategies and programs to meet the needs of workforce training and development for staff ofMcMaster University.

Qualifications

Education:

A PhD in a related field is preferred or an equivalent combination of education and experience.

Experience:

Eight to ten years of progressively responsible experience directly related to the specific accountabilities of the position, including experience in a senior level management position.

How To Apply

To apply for this job, please submit your application online.

Employment Equity Statement

McMaster University is located on the traditional territories of the Haudenosaunee and Mississauga Nations and within the lands protected by the "Dish With One Spoon" wampum agreement.


The diversity of our workforce is at the core of our innovation and creativity and strengthens our research and teaching excellence. In keeping with its Statement on Building an Inclusive Community with a Shared Purpose, McMaster University strives to embody the values of respect, collaboration and diversity, and has a strong commitment to employment equity.


The University seeks qualified candidates who share our commitment to equity and inclusion, who will contribute to the diversification of ideas and perspectives, and especially welcomes applications from indigenous (First Nations, Metis or Inuit) peoples, members of racialized communities, persons with disabilities, women, and persons who identify as 2SLGBTQ+.


As part of McMaster's commitment, all applicants are invited to complete a confidential Applicant Diversity Survey through the online application submission process. The Survey questionnaire requests voluntary self-identification in relation to equity-seeking groups that have historically faced and continue to face barriers in employment. Please refer to the Applicant Diversity Survey - Statement of Collection for additional information.


Job applicants requiring accommodation to participate in the hiring process should contact:

Human Resources Service Centre at 905-525-9140 ext. 222-HR (22247), or Faculty of Health Sciences HR Office at ext. 22207, or School of Graduate Studies at ext. 23679

to communicate accommodation needs.

Hybrid Work Language

To ensure an ongoing and vibrant University community that meets the needs of our students, staff and faculty and supports the University mission, ability to work on-site continues to be a requirement for most University positions. The University is supportive of exploring flexible work arrangements that effectively balance operational needs and employee interests.

Interview Experience

At McMaster University, we believe in a comprehensive and inclusive interview process. Our interview methods encompass a variety of approaches that allow our hiring teams to provide a flexible and accessible experience for engaging with our candidates. Throughout your recruitment process at McMaster, you may be requested to participate in a variety of formats, that may include in-person, virtual or recorded interviews. If you have any questions as you move through the hiring process, please reach out to talent@mcmaster.ca or the HR contact associated with your position of interest.