Dean, Faculty of Health Disciplines

Athabasca University (AU), Canada's Open University, is devoted to the removal of barriers that restrict access to and success in university-level study and to increasing equality of educational opportunity for adult learners worldwide. As Canada’s only open online university, created by Alberta innovators, Athabasca University’s classrooms, collaboration spaces and student hubs are virtual rather than brick and mortar facilities. Athabasca University provides learning for life. Through the achievements of its students, faculty and staff, AU stands out as a provider of high quality post-secondary education. AU serves over 40,000 students and offers more than 850 courses in more than 55 undergraduate and graduate programs in a range of arts, science and professional disciplines. To learn more about AU, please visit www.athabascau.ca.

The Faculty of Health Disciplines (FHD) offers an innovative and accessible spectrum of learning and teaching activities in undergraduate and graduate programs and courses. The Faculty prepares graduates for careers and leadership in Counselling, Health Studies and Nursing. The Faculty has developed active partnerships with industry, schools and the community and undertakes initiatives including promoting science awareness and creating learning opportunities within northern Alberta Aboriginal communities. The Faculty is proud of the range of program offerings and the calibre of academics.

As the Faculty’s chief academic and administrative officer, the Dean is responsible to the Provost and Vice President Academic for providing strategic, academic and administrative leadership for the Faculty of Health Disciplines. A key member of the executive and academic leadership team, the Dean will have responsibility for developing the strategies, programs, services and supports to enhance AU’s diverse range of health disciplines programming; to improve student learning outcomes; to support a vibrant culture of research in the Faculty; and to collaborate with leaders across the organization to advance strategic priorities for the University.

The ideal candidate will be an experienced, collaborative leader with strong interpersonal skills and the ability to foster excellence in teaching and research.  The new Dean will possess considerable administrative experience, as well as a record of teaching and research accomplishment consistent to the rank of associate or full professor. A demonstrated ability to fairly balance the demands of a multi-disciplinary Faculty and to capitalize on opportunities for collaboration within the Faculty and across the University is critical for success in the role.

Athabasca University develops and maintains an environment that supports equitable working conditions for individuals traditionally unrepresented in universities. AU is committed to employment equity, encouraging applications from women, indigenous peoples, persons with disabilities, and members of visible minorities.

All qualified candidates are encouraged to apply; however, Canadians and permanent residents of Canada will be given priority.

This is an exciting opportunity to serve in a transformational capacity at Canada’s leading online university. To learn more about this exciting leadership opportunity, please call The Geldart Group at 587.534.2220 or forward your CV, a letter of introduction along with the names and contact information of three referees, in confidence, to info@thegeldartgroup.com.