Please see Special Instructions for more details.

To submit your application, please apply directly through Leaders International using the following link: Dean, International

Posting Details

Position Information

Position Title

Dean, International

Position Summary

The Dean, International is a senior academic and administrative leader who advances Red Deer Polytechnic’s vision through integrated strategic, academic, and operational leadership for international education. As a member of the Polytechnic Leadership Team, the Dean contributes to enterprise-level decision-making and drives alignment between international strategy, institutional priorities, and global and regional labour market demands.

The Dean is accountable for the strategic direction, delivery, and continual enhancement of international recruitment, global partnerships, and international student services. The role ensures a high-quality, responsive, and holistic learner experience for prospective and current international students, supporting recruitment, retention, and student success.

The Dean strengthens Red Deer Polytechnic’s global presence and reputation by fostering strategic partnerships with international academic institutions, government, business, and community stakeholders. Through these relationships, the Dean enhances global engagement, increases partner participation and sponsorship, and supports pathways that connect international learners to academic programs. Through effective leadership of faculty, staff, and academic leaders, the Dean enables teams to excel, innovate, and contribute to institutional sustainability, global impact, and Red Deer Polytechnic’s role as a destination of choice for international learners.

Position Responsibilities

Strategic & Institutional Leadership

• Provide strategic and enterprise leadership to advance Red Deer Polytechnic’s internationalization priorities, aligning global recruitment, partnerships, and international student services within RDP’s polytechnic and entrepreneurial model.
• Cultivate and steward strategic international partnerships with academic institutions, government agencies, industry, and community organizations to enhance global engagement, mobility pathways, applied learning opportunities, and workforce aligned outcomes for international learners.
• Represent Red Deer Polytechnic as a senior leader in international education engagements with governments, regulators, sector organizations, and external partners, ensuring effective advocacy, regulatory compliance, risk management, and alignment with policy, immigration, and funding frameworks.
• Lead transparent, data-informed communication with senior leadership on international education performance, enrollment trends, market intelligence, risk factors, and emerging global opportunities to inform institutional planning and decision making.
• Drive cross-institutional collaboration to advance integrated international learner pathways, operational effectiveness, and a cohesive approach to international recruitment, student support, and global engagement across academic Schools and service divisions.

People Leadership

• Provide strategic leadership for the recruitment, development, performance management, and where required, dismissal, within International Education, ensuring alignment with institutional priorities and collective agreements.
• Establish and continuously optimize organizational structures, processes, and teams to enable effective delegation, collaboration, and operational agility.
• Foster and sustain a culture of professionalism, innovation, accountability, and continuous improvement that empowers teams to respond to global market dynamics and deliver high quality service and learner experiences.

Resource & Financial Management

• Provide accountability for multi-year financial planning, budgeting, and resource allocation to ensure the sustainability, risk management, and financial performance of the International Education portfolio.

Academic & Learner Success

• Provide strategic oversight of international recruitment, onboarding, retention, and services to ensure a high-quality learner experience aligned with institutional standards and regulatory requirements.
• Champion a learner-centred approach that advances access, inclusion, retention, and success for international learners by integrating academic pathways, student services, and support mechanisms that respond to diverse learner needs and global contexts.

Global Engagement, Partnerships, and Market Development

• Establish and lead a multi-year Business Plan that aligns with institutional priorities, enrollment sustainability, and risk diversification.

• Build and sustain strategic international partnerships with academic institutions, government bodies, sector organizations, and community stakeholders to enhance global visibility, learner pathways, and institutional reputation.

• Ensure strong financial oversight and accountability for international recruitment and partnership activity, including revenue generation, market risk management, and sustainable growth.

Required Qualifications

• A graduate degree from a recognized institution is required; a terminal degree is preferred.

• 5-10 years experience of progressively responsible senior leadership experience in post-secondary education or a related sector, demonstrating success in international education, global engagement, external partnerships, and collaborative ventures that support international learner pathways, enrollment sustainability, and institutional reputation;

• 5-10 years leadership experience in international education, global partnerships, or related administrative environments; plus

• Demonstrated tolerance for ambiguity and reasonable risk taking, with proven ability to lead teams through change, navigate complex and regulated operating environments, build collaborative and inclusive cultures, and support innovation in international recruitment, partnerships, and student support services.

Preferred Qualifications

Salary or Hourly?

Salary

Salary

A competitive compensation package, including an attractive base salary and excellent benefits, will be provided. Further details will be discussed in a personal interview.

Benefits and Compensation Information

Red Deer College offers a comprehensive benefits package including extended health and dental care through Blue Cross, access to a health spending account, pension plan, generous vacation allotments, credit tuition waivers and opportunities for professional development funding.
Additional time off due to College closures between Christmas and New Year general holidays.

Eligibility to access the above mentioned benefits dependent upon the EXEMPT Terms and conditions of Employment and related RDC policies.

About Red Deer Polytechnic

Focused on advancing the economic and social priorities of Alberta, Red Deer Polytechnic(RDP) provides more than 100 industry-relevant credit and non-credit programs to approximately 11,000 credit, non-credit and apprenticeship students. With modern teaching and learning spaces, and state-of-the-art research and innovation centres, RDP provides education and applied research opportunities in partnership with industry and communities.

Red Deer Polytechnic’s main campus is located on Treaty 7, Treaty 6 and Métis ancestral lands. This is where we will strive to honour and transform our relationships with one another.

Whatever brings you to Red Deer Polytechnic, we are glad you are here. And we look forward to having you as a valued member of our polytechnic community**.**

Posting Detail Information

Competition Number

2026-E-011

Employment Type

Permanent Full-Time

Number of Vacancies

1

Desired Start Date

07/02/2026

Position End Date (if term-certain)

FTE

1.0

Hours of Work

Open Date

05/26/2026

Close Date

Open Until Filled

Yes

Note to Applicant

Red Deer Polytechnic fosters an inclusive learning and working environment where everyone can bring their full selves and share their unique talents. We are committed to being responsive to the evolving needs and expectations of our diverse community.

At RDP, we are committed to a merit-based hiring process, and we believe in an inclusive workplace that is fair, equitable, supportive, welcoming and respectful. We recognize, value, and leverage differences in identities, abilities, background, cultures, skills, experiences, and perspectives. Our practices are guided by the principles of the Alberta Human Rights Act and support the Truth and Reconciliation Commission of Canada’s Calls to Action. If you believe you have the skills and equivalent experience and potential to contribute to this role, we encourage you to apply

Red Deer Polytechnic will provide job applicants with accommodations in accordance with the Alberta Human Rights Code. To request an accommodation, please contact Peopleandculture@rdpolytech.ca.

Special Instructions to Applicants

To submit your application, please apply directly through Leaders International using the following link: Dean, International

Required Documents

• Cover Letter

• Resume

Optional Documents

• References Names and Contact Information