Memorial University of Newfoundland Dean, Faculty of Engineering and Applied Science Position Profile The Opportunity The role of Dean of Engineering and Applied Science at Memorial University of Newfoundland (MUN) is a unique opportunity for a visionary and energetic leader to engage with all of the Faculty s communities to advance its profile, further excellence in teaching and research, and ensure its continued success as one of the University s outstanding professional schools. The Faculty of Engineering and Applied Science at Memorial is a leader in engineering education, competitive in research and well-connected with industry and the engineering profession. Engineering at Memorial is one of the few schools in Canada where the co-op model is integrated into the undergraduate curriculum. Its undergraduate co-op programs are highly respected for educating well-qualified, enterprising engineers with strong academic and consummate professional preparation. Undergraduate co-op programs include civil, computer, electrical, mechanical, ocean and naval architectural, and process engineering, as well as options in oil and gas. Graduate programs are available at the master s and doctoral levels in civil, computer, electrical, mechanical, ocean and naval architectural, and offshore oil and gas engineering. There are currently 1200 undergraduates enrolled, as well as 350 graduate students. The Faculty of Engineering and Applied Science is one of eleven Faculties and Schools at Memorial. Its Dean should possess a record of successful leadership and management in a university or professional setting; proven skills in developing and executing strategic directions; a leadership style characterized by collegial and innovative approaches; a commitment to student engagement, and the importance of teaching, research and scholarship in a professional school. Candidates must possess a PhD and be will be expected to register with the Professional Engineers and Geoscientists of Newfoundland and Labrador (PEGNL). For more detailed information please visit www.engr.mun.ca. Function The Dean of the Faculty of Engineering and Applied Science provides dynamic leadership in all areas of the Faculty s activities including: undergraduate and graduate education; teaching and learning; research; engagement with the engineering profession; industrial relations; university service work, fundraising and advancement; and community engagement. The Dean reports to the Vice-President (Academic) and Pro Vice-Chancellor and is the chief academic officer of the Faculty.
Position Responsibilities Academic Leadership The Dean provides visionary and energetic leadership and administration to the Faculty of Engineering and Applied Science. Working collaboratively with the Vice-Presidents, Deans, and members of the senior management group the Dean will: Develop a collegial vision for the Faculty s future and work with faculty, staff, and students to develop a multi-year academic plan, availing of timely opportunities within Memorial, in the province, and in the broader industrial community. A significant expansion in the Faculty s programs is envisioned over the next 5 years, and a draft plan is already in progress which envisions growth in the faculty complement based on an increase in undergraduate and graduate enrolments and increased research funding opportunities; Promote excellence and integrity in teaching, research and university service; Engage all personnel in creating and sustaining an exemplary workplace culture throughout the Faculty; Raise the Faculty s profile internally and externally, nationally and internationally; Develop strategic alliances and partnerships both internally and externally for the achievement of common goals; Build and maintain effective relationships with a diverse group of stakeholders, advancing the Faculty s relationships across various sectors; Engage the faculty, staff and students in the evolution of the Faculty as a leading Canadian engineering school, with internationally recognized areas of excellence; Provide leadership in the development of a Faculty advancement strategy that includes alumni relations, fundraising, corporate relations, and community relations; and Be actively involved in advancement activities, including fundraising. Teaching and Learning Inspire and lead faculty and staff in providing first class educational experiences for all students within the University s recently adopted Teaching and Learning Framework; Display openness to innovation in the design and delivery of courses, curricula, and degree programs, and to collaborative programming within Memorial and with the College of the North Atlantic and other institutions; 2
Display and instill an understanding of: pedagogical and technical advances in education; professional accreditation requirements; and frameworks for learning outcomes and degree expectations for undergraduate and graduate degree programs; and Facilitate regular evaluation of degree programs with a view to maintaining excellence and full accreditation. Research and Scholarly Activity The Dean will: Support engineering scholarship, embracing the wide range of fundamental and applied research in engineering disciplines; Promote research productivity in the Faculty, taking advantage of recent developments including the establishment of the Research and Development Corporation by the Province, as well as opportunities occasioned by the growth of ocean and energy industries; Work in collaboration with the Office of the Vice-President (Research), providing support and encouragement to faculty scholars and researchers to achieve exemplary performance; and Work in collaboration with the Office of the Vice-President (Academic) to plan academic personnel needs within the Faculty and establish strategies to compete in the recruitment, career development, and retention of high caliber faculty who excel in teaching, research, and service. External Relations The Dean will: Work with institutions in the public and private sectors, both industrial and educational, to enhance the goals of the Faculty; Build and maintain effective relationships with a diverse group of stakeholders as part of the University s Engagement Framework; Demonstrate significant real world experience through involvement with industry, boards of relevant organizations, and the engineering profession; Play an effective role in the provincial professional engineering association, PEGNL, in the interests of the Faculty s graduates; 3
Work with the University s senior management team on fundraising and advancement activities in support of the Faculty s priorities; and In collaboration with the University s senior management team, contribute to the development of a plan for advocacy with the provincial government in order to make a compelling case for Faculty growth. Opportunities and Challenges The new Dean of Engineering and Applied Science at Memorial will come to the Faculty at an opportune time. Initial discussions are underway concerning significant growth of the Faculty s academic programs and its faculty complement, particularly in its core areas so that it will be poised to take advantage of solid economic growth and resource development in the province. The Dean will guide the Faculty in its anticipated growth through a collegial implementation process that recognizes the future potential, building on existing strengths, and availing of timely opportunities in the province and the broader industrial community. The faculty have been working collegially to identify nodes of excellence in research, including oceans, energy, environment and sustainable infrastructure, and information engineering, which will become focal areas for future development. As a leading professional school at Memorial, co-operative education and the accreditation process are key to the success of the undergraduate program. The Canadian engineering accreditation process, through Engineers Canada, is undergoing change, which will necessitate review and adjustment of local programs. The new Dean, as the chief academic officer of the Faculty, will ensure that the Faculty remains innovative, and preserves a strong reputation for high quality programs in the context of this evolving accreditation climate. In addition maintaining full accreditation for all programs is an essential foundation for the proposed expansion of the Faculty. Economic development in Newfoundland and Labrador is leading the country, a result of which is that Newfoundland and Labrador is now a have province. Funding for research and development has increased beyond previously experienced levels, as have opportunities for linkages and partnerships, with industrial partners coming from growth sectors including sustainable and alternative energy, oil and gas, aerospace, mining and processing, information technology, and ocean sciences. The new Dean will lead the Faculty in pursuit of new resources for the school, developing priorities through collegial discussions with all of the members of the engineering community at Memorial. The success of Engineering at Memorial has led to the recruitment of new faculty, the development of new programs, and the creation of new positions in the faculty complement. Likewise, the Faculty has been enjoying considerable success in internationalization, and international student numbers are robust and growing. The new Dean will continue this 4
impressive success in recruitment and internationalization and facilitate and advocate for additional opportunity for the Faculty. The Dean has an ex officio relationship with two very important organizations, PEGNL and the Centre for Cold Ocean Resources Engineering (C-CORE); the latter is a separately incorporated research and development corporation of Memorial University. The new Dean will work to enhance these relationships, identifying potential collaborations for the benefit of the Faculty, the profession and industrial partners. The Appointment The appointment, for an initial five-year term, begins July 1, 2012. The Search Committee will begin consideration of candidates September 2011. Memorial is actively committed to diversity and to the principles of Employment Equity and invites applications from all qualified candidates. Women, Aboriginal peoples, members of visible minorities, and people with disabilities are especially encouraged to apply. All qualified candidates are encouraged to apply; however, Canadian citizens and permanent residents will be given priority. All inquiries regarding this position will be treated in strict confidence and should be directed to Gerri Woodford or Marie Owens at Janet Wright & Associates Inc. (JWA), 174 Bedford Road, Suite 200, Toronto, Ontario M5R 2K9, Phone: 416-923-3008; E-mail: admin@jwasearch.com. 5