Chair, Allied Health & Life Sciences

Position Summary Full-time Administrative, replacement position The Chair, Allied Health and Life Sciences is accountable for providing academic, technical and administrative leadership, supervision and direction to the faculty, support staff, students, and project partners in full- and part-time programs, including areas such as life sciences, medical imaging, and allied health sciences such as paramedicine, respiratory therapy, massage therapy and others. The Chair is accountable for the research, planning, development, delivery, accreditation, budgeting, and marketing of daytime, evening and weekend activities, both on and off-site, including full-time programs in areas such as, but not limited to, allied health and life sciences. The Chair is responsible for planning space and equipment to support programming, including the design and operations of new specialized lab and clinical spaces. There is extensive contact with agencies, industry and professional organizations. The position is ultimately responsible for delivering a high-quality suite of programs that support the college’s overall academic direction and generate profit to contribute to the college's financial health. Successful candidates will be required to conduct work in Ontario and must be available to work on campus as required. It is anticipated that this position will meet the department's needs through a hybrid work arrangement, with a minimum of three days on-site, primarily at Conestoga’s Doon Campus, located at 299 Doon Valley Dr, Kitchener, with occasional travel required to other Conestoga campuses, and additional presence as required for meetings and events. Responsibilities Team leadership and culture Provide leadership to faculty and staff in alignment with collective agreements and college policies Develop annual staffing plans in collaboration with Human Resources and Finance Lead recruitment, hiring, onboarding, and assignment processes Support employee growth through goal setting, coaching, feedback, and development planning Foster a respectful, inclusive, and collaborative teaching and learning environment, both in person and online Promote ongoing professional and pedagogical development opportunities Ensure compliance with Occupational Health and Safety standards Program leadership Contribute to the School of Health & Life Sciences’ strategic planning and academic priorities Oversee program delivery, ensuring high-quality teaching and learning, and student outcomes Lead curriculum development and program review cycles (e.g., Annual and Major Program Reviews, PEQAB) Maintain compliance with academic policies, including student progression and academic integrity Guide accreditation processes and continuous improvement initiatives Collaborate with internal partners to support effective program operations Program development and innovation Support the creation of new programs, delivery models, and technology-enabled learning approaches Lead the development and implementation of new programs through established college processes Resources, planning and partnerships Develop and manage operating budgets across the program portfolio Lead financial planning for grant-funded initiatives involving programs in the portfolio Monitor enrolment trends and lead recruitment and conversion efforts to meet enrolment targets Ensure appropriate infrastructure, equipment, and learning environments are in place Build and sustain partnerships with industry and community stakeholders Qualifications A master's degree in combination with a health-related diploma, advanced diploma or degree is required A minimum of seven years of progressive experience in post-secondary education or a related health environment, including teaching, program coordination, or academic leadership, is required Knowledge of the polytechnic/college education model is required Experience with curriculum development, teaching, and/or student recruitment in post-secondary settings is an asset Demonstrated experience leading teams, supporting performance and development, and contributing to financial planning Excellent interpersonal, organizational, and collaboration skills, with the ability to work effectively across diverse teams and perspectives Knowledge of human resource practices, including employee relations and conflict resolution Experience with budgeting, analysis, and resource allocation Sound judgment, adaptability, and a commitment to continuous improvement Demonstrated commitment to student-centred and outcomes-based education Ability to maintain laboratory facilities, equipment, and safety standards

Provide academic and administrative leadership for Allied Health and Life Sciences programs, overseeing faculty, budgeting, and program delivery. Responsible for curriculum development, accreditation, and building industry partnerships to ensure high-quality student outcomes.

Requires a master's degree combined with a health-related diploma or degree and at least seven years of progressive experience in post-secondary or health environments. Must possess strong leadership skills and knowledge of the polytechnic education model.

• CompliancePreferred
• Financial planningPreferred
• Team LeadershipPreferred
• Conflict ResolutionPreferred
• Stakeholder ManagementPreferred

Identified from the job description. Confirm important requirements above.

• Academic Leadership
• Curriculum Development
• Budget Management
• Strategic Planning
• Team Leadership
• Program Accreditation
• Financial Planning
• Stakeholder Management
• Employee Relations
• Conflict Resolution
• Student Recruitment
• Resource Allocation
• Pedagogical Development
• Laboratory Management
• Performance Management
• Compliance

• Education
• Management & Leadership
• Healthcare
• Science & Research
• Administrative

Minimum education

Master’s degree

Minimum experience

5+ years

Apply by

Oct 1, 2026

Posting language

English

Working hours

40 hours per week

Office presence

3 days per week

Seniority

Director