Manager Flexible Learning

75 hours biweekly

Saskatchewan Polytechnic considers the diversity of our workforce to be one our leading strengths and greatest assets. Our employee diversity enhances our ability to meet the needs of an increasingly diverse student population. Currently, approximately 20% of our students are Indigenous. A continued emphasis on the development of a representative workforce is one of Sask Polytech’s strategic priorities and, as an organization, we are making significant efforts to attract and retain Indigenous employees.

Saskatchewan Polytechnic provides the skills and education that the Province needs to grow and prosper. We have a long history of working with industry and the community to meet education needs demonstrated by our excellence in teaching, strength in research and proven student success. Through our partnerships we ensure our programs match opportunities in the real world. Our people are key to our success.

The Manager, Flexible Learning is part of the Centre for Continuing Education, and their role is to guide and lead exceptional staff in their commitment to our students and shared strategic priorities. The Centre for Continuing Education provides flexible learning opportunities in a wide variety of program areas. The Centre also offers customizable general, introductory, and specialized courses in a variety of disciplines through varied delivery methods.

The Manager has several direct reports located across the various Saskatchewan Polytechnic locations. The Manager will be responsible for all elements of the employee life cycle for faculty and staff in their program areas (staffing, recruitment, selection, orientation, training, discipline, and development). The Manager is responsible for monitoring the fiscal resources and recommending efficiencies.

1. Leadership

• Foster an organizational environment that encourages personal productivity, job satisfaction and the professional growth of faculty and employees in the program areas, including group and personal development plans.
• Foster a culture of organizational safety and security.
• Establish clear performance standards and goals for direct reports and hold them accountable for meeting standards and goals.
• Act as a first point of contact to interpret, administer and manage within respective collective bargaining agreements and ensure employee standards are applied appropriately.
• Promote communication between all organizational levels.
• Ensure a positive, diverse, and inclusive work and learning environment.
• Provide direction, coaching, and advice to Continuing Education Consultants, Continuing Education Administrators, and support staff. These employees are responsible for the delivery of flexible learning activities within their assigned portfolio.
• Plan, prepare, propose, and implement the Flexible Learning annual budgets and business strategies necessary to fulfill Flexible Learning objectives.
• Develop and implement strategies to satisfy continuous learning activity requirements which include financial, human resource and business impact considerations.

2. Relationship Management

Internal

• ·Support and collaborate with Sask Polytechnic faculty and staff to facilitate implementation of Centre goals and objectives related to flexible learning program delivery.
• Collaborate with various Saskatchewan Polytechnic divisions and stakeholders to ensure planned changes implemented through continuous learning are communicated and understood.
• Provide mechanisms for collecting feedback and providing ongoing support through the change management process.
• Collaborate with key service providers (i.e.: Enrolment Services, Finance, Human Resources, and Information Technology Services) in prioritizing infrastructure and delivery needs.
• Collaborate with and provide advisory services to the Director on effective program management issues and requirements.

External

• Develop and manage relationships with external agencies, educational and government organizations, colleges, and universities to remain current in the areas of extension best practices, standards, and requirements.
• Exhibit a high degree of professional discretion and confidentiality while developing strategic business initiatives with external stakeholders.
• Ensure Saskatchewan Polytechnic operations, performance, and reputation are accurately reflected in external communications to make certain relationships and partnerships with government, industry and other parties of interest are optimally realized.
• In collaboration with Continuing Education Consultants and Financial Services, and in accordance with Saskatchewan Polytechnic policy, manage external relationships including contract development and agreement negotiation.
• Provide accurate impact and risk assessments and reporting on initiatives that will affect Saskatchewan Polytechnic students and external partners.
• Manage complex situations escalated from staff regarding students, prospective students, alumni, and the general public.
  
  

3. People Management

• Manage human resources of this area through the employee life cycle reflecting the values of Saskatchewan Polytechnic
• Maintain a high level of staff performance through effective use of human resources practices and procedures including recruitment, selection, orientation, training, probationary reviews, motivating and assessing program faculty and employees.
• Address people management issues with direct reports, including independent authority to discipline, dismiss and/or terminate where appropriate, applied in a timely manner while ensuring compliance with the collective agreement and Saskatchewan Polytechnic policies.
• Work with direct reports to develop clear performance objectives. Monitor overall effectiveness in meeting these performance objectives and work to overcome obstacles as they arise.
• Provide leadership and expertise by acting as a resource to academic and professional services employees on project administration and governance.
• Develop resourcing/workforce plan(s) for project and program initiatives identifying the staffing levels, knowledge, skills, and abilities required to successfully meet objectives.
• Evaluate current skills inventory and in collaboration with human resources, provide workforce planning and structure recommendations to the Directors to ensure departmental effectiveness at delivering and maintaining services.
  
  

4. Resource Allocation

• Identify and set business plans for revenue generation opportunities within the Centre, monitoring results and value for services offered.
• Develop innovative solutions to resource challenges while ensuring alignment with the institute’s strategic goals.
• Ensure resource allocation for all programs and services are aligned with the strategic priorities and in accordance with Centre’s objectives; monitor the Centre’s progress in meeting its
• objectives, project plans and priorities, as set in the multi-year business plan.
• Review Centre budgets and manage faculty workload to ensure efficient use of resources and monitor yearend forecasts.

5. Risk Assessment and Management

• Identify, assess, and manage risks in the Centre planning processes and more broadly, across the organization.
• Assess the viability and feasibility of concepts for their innovation, sustainability, and relevancy to the Saskatchewan Polytechnic environment.
• Ensure accountability and transparency of the Centre’s activities, information, and reports.
• Ensure compliance with federal and provincial laws, regulations, institute policies and collective agreements.
• Ensure the general safeguarding and stewardship of all resources within the Centre. Define and hold accountable those with accountability and authority in the Centre.

Based at any campus the Manager, Flexible Learning is accountable to the Director, Flexible Learning. The Manager is primarily accountable for supervising, directing, and coaching in-scope staff in the roles of Continuing Education Consultant, Continuing Education Administrator, and support staff across multiple Saskatchewan Polytechnic locations. The Flexible Learning unit employs approximately thirty-five people.

The Manager, Flexible Learning is responsible for the leadership, planning, management, implementation and integration of flexible learning programs and courses. In collaboration with AVP’s, Deans, Associate Deans and Directors the Manager will oversee the implementation and coordination of strategies and plans for the Centre. This individual will be required to assess and ensure requisite staffing levels and skill sets, identify opportunities for growth and new offerings, monitor enrolments, identify and manage risk factors and ensure the appropriate management of flexible learning activity.

Travel is required to ensure the effective implementation and change management of cross-divisional extension processes. On a daily basis the Manager will interact with academic and professional services employees, senior Saskatchewan Polytechnic management personnel, and external clients.

A bachelor’s degree or higher in Business, Administration, Marketing, or Adult Education from a recognized university or post-secondary institution. The successful candidate will have five years of relevant experience at the management level. An equivalent combination of experience

and education related to the role may be considered. Experience managing in a unionized environment and supervising employees is desired.

Ability to travel within Saskatchewan and occasionally out of province is required.

Builds Leadership & Culture
Brings authenticity, emotional intelligence, and accountability to develop leadership effectiveness in individuals, teams, and our culture.

Cultivates Strong Relationships
Builds strong and trusting relationships and brings a stakeholder and learner-centric mind set and focus to all elements of the organization.

Drives Operational Excellence
Leverages business insight, financial acumen, and operational rigor to maximize productivity and build long-term, sustainable success.

Inspires Courage & Innovation
Models and enables creative thinking, curiosity, and calculated risk taking to create new solutions.

Leads Transformation
Anticipates emerging trends and creates opportunities that shape and transform the organization and polytechnic sector in Canada.