Program Coordinator & Full-Time Faculty - Markham, ON, CANADA
6 months ago
Irvine
Job DescriptionDescription: What if I told you it is possible to find a Company that lives to educate, inspires and empowers others while creating a family atmosphere that truly appreciates and respects their team? Would you apply? What if I threw in strong Company values, outstanding benefits, and the opportunity for you to make a tangible impact and feel appreciated? See below for a feel of what the Company culture is (REALLY) like. Hint: it's amazing. At Westcliff, we are constantly striving to be the best while valuing each of our team members as human beings and succeeding together! Westcliff is a leader in innovative global education. We are respected for our transformative, technologically advanced programs and initiatives with a focus on excellence, social responsibility, and diversity. Our tagline – “Educate. Inspire, Empower.” – is a summary of our Mission Statement. As it suggests, the main focus of our University is to strive to enhance the opportunities of our students and employees to enjoy success through empowerment, as a result of their education and hard work. With diversity and inclusion at the forefront of Westcliff’s core values, we promote a culture that celebrates diversity and inclusiveness regardless of, but not limited to, race, gender, sexual orientation, family status, religion, ethnicity, national origin, physical disability, veteran status, or age. By joining the Westcliff team, you’ll be playing a significant role in our growth, having an opportunity to put your personal touch on Westcliff’s progress as we grow and succeed together! Westcliff University is seeking a dynamic academic leader and educator to serve as the first Full-Time Faculty member and Program Coordinator for the Canadian launch of the Master of Information Systems and Technology (MIST) program. With concentrations in Cybersecurity and Smart Manufacturing, the MIST program is a cornerstone of Westcliff’s expansion into Canada. The Full-Time Faculty and Program Coordinator is responsible for the academic leadership, management, and oversight of the MIST program at Westcliff University. This dual role is both academic and strategic, requiring leadership in curriculum excellence, industry partnership development, applied research mentorship, and high-quality instruction. This faculty member will be the academic face of Westcliff Canada, fostering a culture of innovation, student success, and industry integration in alignment with provincial priorities and institutional goals. This position plays a pivotal role in ensuring the program's academic excellence, alignment with institutional goals, and adherence to Ministry standards. The Full-Time Faculty fosters faculty engagement, student retention and success, and program growth, while maintaining high standards for teaching, research, and service. Requirements:1. Academic Leadership Program Administration: • Collaborate with the Dean and Executive Director in curriculum development, implementation, and continuous improvement., • Ensure academic alignment with PEQAB, MCU, and Westcliff University accreditation standards., • Ensure program offerings that meet the evolving needs of the university, college, students, and industry trends., • Drive curricular innovation and ensure program relevance in response to Ontario’s tech and workforce needs., • Oversee student success metrics, including retention, capstone completion, and career placement., • Support the Dean in development and management of the program’s budget, including allocation of funds for teaching, research, and faculty development activities., • Serve as a subject matter expert and representative of the program to both internal and external stakeholders., • Prepare and submit regular reports to the Dean and Executive Director Canada, on the program’s performance, growth, and future needs., • Support the Executive Director Canada in strategic enrollment management initiatives by collaborating with admissions and marketing departments to recruit and retain students.2. Faculty Development and Supervision:, • Participate in the recruitment, hiring, and retention of high-quality faculty members, ensuring diversity and inclusivity within the program., • Support faculty teaching assignments, course loads, and scheduling, ensuring a balance between faculty expertise and student needs with the Office of Faculty Affairs., • Manage faculty performance, including reviewing evaluation results, offering constructive feedback, and ensuring that faculty members meet institutional and program standards in tandem with Team Leads and the Office of Faculty Affairs., • Support the mentorship of faculty in teaching, scholarship, and service activities, encouraging professional development through workshops, conferences, and continuing education with Team Leads, LITE and the Office of Faculty Affairs., • Support faculty in research, publication, and grant writing efforts, promoting a culture of academic excellence., • Mentor adjunct faculty and contribute to building a diverse, inclusive instructional team., • Support faculty development in industry trends, teaching innovation, and applied research., • Participate in peer review, onboarding, and academic standards setting for future hires.3. Student Engagement and Support:, • Monitor and foster high levels of student retention, success, and satisfaction within the program, leveraging data insights and direct interaction with students., • Address student academic issues, including advising, conflict resolution, and appeals processes., • Collaborate with faculty and staff to foster a supportive, inclusive, and engaging learning environment., • Work with College leadership to ensure the availability of adequate academic resources, such as advising and mentoring, for all students within the program in collaboration with the relevant university departments, • Provide academic advising and mentorship for students., • Champion initiatives that improve student satisfaction, outcomes, and professional development., • Actively support student integration, particularly for underrepresented and mid-career learners.4. Teaching, Curriculum and Program Management:, • Teach a minimum of three graduate-level courses annually., • Support the design, development, and review of the program’s curriculum, ensuring it remains current and relevant to industry and academic standards., • Coordinate with faculty to design new courses, update existing ones, and implement innovative teaching methodologies., • Participate in program evaluation efforts in conjunction with the leader of Institutional Effectiveness, including assessment of learning outcomes, accreditation preparation, and continuous quality improvement initiatives., • Participate in the program’s accreditation and re-accreditation processes, ensuring compliance with national and international standards., • Collaborate with other departments and external stakeholders to develop interdisciplinary and cross-departmental initiatives., • Maintain course quality and consistency, leveraging both online and in-person delivery models., • Integrate emerging instructional technologies, applied learning, and experiential pedagogy., • Contribute to the potential development of micro-credentials and executive education aligned with MIST domains. 5. Internal & External Relations and Community Engagement: • Build and maintain relationships with industry partners, innovation hubs, alumni, and community organizations to enhance the program’s visibility and relevance., • Represent the program at internal and external events, including conferences, advisory boards, and community outreach activities., • Work with internal and external stakeholders to identify internship, job placement, and collaborative research opportunities for students and faculty., • Lead development of Capstone project opportunities in collaboration with employers and alumni., • Lead the administrative charge with the program’s Advisory Board 6. Research & Thought Leadership, • Engage in applied research, scholarly publication, and conference presentations., • Lead or contribute to innovation-focused projects especially Curriculum integrated Capstones, • Encourage and support faculty and students to participate in industry-facing research collaborations.7. Institutional Service:, • Serve on university committees and task forces as needed, contributing to the broader institutional decision-making process., • Actively participate in university-wide events, such as commencement, orientations, and faculty meetings., • Collaborate with other academic leaders and departments to achieve the institution's overall goals.Qualifications:Required:, • Doctorate (PhD, DSc, or equivalent) in Information Systems, Computer Science, Engineering, Cybersecurity, Smart Manufacturing, or a closely related field., • At least 5 years of teaching experience in higher education, preferably with experience in both undergraduate and graduate levels., • Preferred record of scholarly activity, including publications, research, and grant acquisition., • Proven industry experience or demonstrated engagement in applied technology fields., • Demonstrated experience in academic administration, including faculty supervision, curriculum development, and budgeting., • Knowledge of accreditation processes and program assessment techniques., • Exceptional interpersonal, communication, and leadership skills.Preferred:, • Prior experience as a Program Coordinator, • Background in work-integrated learning, applied research, or professional graduate education., • Experience with online, asynchronous and hybrid teaching models., • Familiarity with learning management systems (LMS) and educational technology., • Knowledge of cross-border academic models and experience working with diverse student populations., • Experience working in multicultural and diverse academic environments., • Ability to teach across both Cybersecurity and Smart Manufacturing domains.Core Competencies:, • Leadership: Demonstrated ability to lead faculty, inspire students, and engage with stakeholders., • Collaboration: Proven ability to work cross-departmentally and with external partners to drive program success., • Problem-Solving: Ability to address complex academic, faculty, and student issues with creative and effective solutions., • Communication: Strong verbal and written communication skills, with the ability to engage with faculty, students, and administration., • Organizational Skills: Strong project management skills, attention to detail, and the ability to juggle multiple tasks., • Strategic Thinking: Capacity to develop and implement strategies for long-term program growth and success., • Industry Fluency: Strong understanding of trends and innovations in smart manufacturing and cybersecurity., • Pedagogical Excellence: Commitment to engaged, student-centered learning and competency-based education. The role requires attending faculty meetings, academic events, and occasional travel for conferences or external engagements. LIMITATIONS AND DISCLAIMER: This job description reflects the general tasks expected of the position but does not restrict additional responsibilities. This role may require travel to support the university’s needs. The faculty member is required to disclose and gain their leader’s approval for other part-time employment annually. They may not participate in activities that could harm the business of Westcliff. Westcliff may adjust the job description as necessary, following federal and state laws. Employment remains at-will unless contractually stated otherwise.
