Under the general direction of the Dean, the Associate Dean is responsible for providing assistance to the Dean with regard to educational planning, staffing, budget, program development, program revision, student advising, student registration; liaison with other institutions and professional associations and the business community, and other matters related to the School of Business in accordance with the mission, values, goals, and policies of Okanagan College.

The Associate Dean is responsible, under the general direction of the Dean and in consultation with faculty, staff and other managers, for preparing proposals for consideration by the Dean and the faculty and staff on a range of matters related to the operation of the School of Business. This responsibility includes keeping the Dean informed of emerging issues within the portfolio and making suggestions on possible responses to those issues.

The Associate Dean usually provides the initial response to students, faculty and staff in the resolution of internal conflicts arising in the delivery of education programs and services. In this regard, the Associate Dean consults as required with members of faculty, Deans, and other members of the Management team. The Associate Dean makes regular progress reports to the Dean. The Associate Dean provides academic leadership and may engage in scholarly activity or accept a teaching assignment.

The Associate Dean maintains knowledge of current developments in business, teaching, and post-secondary education as well as future trends and conditions that may affect Business programming and other initiatives at Okanagan College; and promotes scholarly activity and professional development at all levels. The Associate Dean assists in implementing the annual operating and capital budgets for the School of Business in consultation with the Dean and in co-operation with Department Chairs and other staff.

The Associate Dean provides input and makes recommendations for the development and implementation of short and medium range plans, operating and capital budgets, and policies and procedures for the Faculty. The Associate Dean supports and enhances the efforts of the Dean in fostering a team approach and assisting with personnel matters. The Associate Dean fosters an atmosphere of co-operation encouraging innovative program development, ensuring quality of programming, developing partnerships, promoting the programs and maintaining academic standards. The Associate Dean is committed to providing quality educational services through the active development of continuous quality improvement.

The Associate Dean participates in scheduled meetings and committee activities to further the goals of the School of Business as a whole. The Associate Dean is responsible for developing and maintaining effective working relationships with a variety of internal and external groups, including other Okanagan College portfolios and faculties, administrative divisions and departments, Deans, secondary schools, other post-secondary institutions, external agencies, funding agencies, professional associations, community organizations and international exchange partners. This may include the Associate Dean, with the approval of the Dean, working directly with other academic portfolios on matters related primarily to those portfolios where the Associate Dean’s knowledge and expertise will directly benefit those portfolios or Okanagan College.

The Associate Dean must help to create and maintain conditions under which staff and students are motivated to give their very best efforts to their various responsibilities. The Associate Dean should be seen as a person who anticipates possible future effects of current transitions in education, and develops initiatives to ensure a continued commitment to high quality education and teaching. The Associate Dean serves to facilitate all activities for faculty and staff, allowing them greater freedom to focus on activities related to the instruction of students and their own professional growth.

1. Provides information to assist in the development of short and medium range plans and annual operating and capital budgets.  

2. Assists with the development and administration of policies and procedures. 

3. Assists the Dean in the development of the strategic plan.

4. Develops and implements promotional programs for course offerings and certificate, diploma, and degree programs.

5. Administers and ensures adherence to Okanagan College policies and collective agreements.

6. Assists the Dean in the grievance procedure, and provides input to Okanagan College’s negotiating committees.

7. Prepares plans for renovations and the development of new facilities.

8. Provides input to the Dean and assists in the consultation process re development of the Educational Plan.

9. Coordinates and implements the course advising process for students in all Business programs.

10. Takes responsibility for personnel matters within Business such as chairing selection committees, recommending the hiring of staff, providing orientation and training to staff, conducting performance evaluations, and monitoring and adjusting workloads.

11. Undertakes regular teaching and scholarly activity reviews of faculty/instructors/staff and recommends and implements appropriate follow-up actions.  

12. Assists the Dean in conflict resolution among faculty, staff and students.

13. Assists the Dean in effective communication both within and between the Business departments and between Business and other departments, divisions and units within the Okanagan College community.

14. Provides advice and assistance to the Registrar with respect to the registration of students in courses and programs.

15. Provides advice and assistance to the Deans of other instructional departments with regard to courses offered by Business for other programs, and by the other programs for Business.

16. Contributes to student satisfaction by ensuring a quick and appropriate response to employee and student complaints, concerns and suggestions.

17. Participates in Okanagan College committees and various ad hoc committees, teams, and task forces.

18. Chairs committees as directed by the Dean.

19. Builds and maintains effective working relationships with both Canadian and International partners.

20. Provides liaison, under the general direction of the Dean and in consultation with Regional Deans, between Business and the School Districts in the College Region.

21. May accept a teaching or other scholarly assignment if time and conditions permit.

22. Liaises with the Regional Deans re Business offerings across the College Region.

23. In the absence of the Dean, assumes responsibility for the day-to-day operation of the Faculty.

24. Ensures all members are familiar with the relevant health and safety regulations and receive proper instruction in safe work practices and accident prevention.

25. Performs other duties as assigned.

Minimum Master’s degree, with Doctorate or equivalent preferred. Educational background in one of the portfolio disciplines required.

Professional Development/Training: Commitment to scholarly activity.
- Faculty/Vocational – Service: Exemplary record of service
- Faculty/Vocational – Teaching: Exemplary teaching experience.

Minimum six years in post-secondary education including at least three years teaching experience. A minimum of three years in administration is also preferred.

Consideration will be given to equivalent combinations of education and experience.

Results Focused
• Creates and fosters an environment at the College that is student, employee, client, and community focused.
• Removes barriers and supports creation of programs, systems, and structures to improve student, alumni, and employee engagement.
• Continually assesses and adapts to future needs and positions the College to take advantage and respond to emerging trends and opportunities.
• Creates and executes on the vision and strategy for the College, leading in all its successful execution.

Leadership and Connection
• Champions a culture throughout the College of leadership, transparency, collaboration, and establishing mutually beneficial relationships.
• Actively builds strategic and long-lasting partnerships with community members that supports the College’s strategic plan, reputation, and brand.

Innovation and Change Adept
• Communicates and leads the College’s change initiatives and creates a culture supportive of innovation and change while measuring and monitoring the impact of change on students, employees, community, and stakeholders.
• Supports innovation that impacts the entire organization (e.g., system and policy changes) and removes obstacles to inter-departmental innovation and continuous improvement.
• Recognizes tenacity and resilience across the organization and establishes and implements organizational level resilience strategies and wellbeing initiatives.

Indigenous Cultural Awareness
• Commits to an Indigenization plan through engagement with Indigenous communities, and identifies possible changes to college policies, structures, and processes that will benefit all and that will contribute to the process of decolonization.
• Takes action to create an organizational environment that is open and that acknowledges and embraces the diversity and distinctness of the Indigenous communities. Integrity and Respect
• Develops and implements College strategies that promote and support integrity, ethical work practices and respectful behaviour in the workplace.
• Address and assists in the resolution of interdepartmental conflicts and unethical practices.
• Develops, communicates, and implements organizational strategies and initiatives that supports the principles of EDISJ and a culture within the College of integrity and respect.
• Models and builds a culture of inclusion when engaging with the College internal and external community.

If you have questions about this posting, please reach out to Joe Baker, Dean – School of Business, at jbaker@okanagan.bc.ca.