Recruitment posting
Grant MacEwan University Board of Governors
Competition #: 271
Ministry : Advanced Education
Opening Date : 2016/09/19
closing Date : 2016/10/14
Role : Chair
It is recognized in Alberta as a fundamental principle and as a matter of public policy that all persons are equal. Diversity and inclusion are valued and supported on the boards of Alberta's public agencies.
**NOTE: This opportunity was posted on the Government of Alberta On-line Job board on August 10 under Competition Number 1037514 and has been transferred to this site effective September 19, 2016. If you have applied on this opportunity via the GOA On-line Job Board, you DO NOT need to apply on this site. Applications received from both sites will be fully considered. **
The Minister of Advanced Education is seeking applications from individuals interested in serving as Chair of The Board of Governors of Grant MacEwan University.
MacEwan University is a public, board-governed Baccalaureate and Applied Studies Institution within Alberta’s post-secondary system, operating under the authority of the Post-secondary Learning Act. The university serves a diversity of learners in the following major areas of study: liberal arts, business/commerce, communications, health and human services, nursing, performing and visual arts, and science. The university’s innovative approaches to program delivery are designed to maximize graduates’ opportunities to further their education and advance their careers. The university’s Integrated Strategic Plan is focused on being a distinctive, student-focused comprehensive undergraduate university.
Board and Committee Structure
The Board consists of ten public members appointed by the Lieutenant Governor in Council, one of whom is designated as Chair, as well as three members nominated or elected to represent various associations of the institution. The President is also a member of the Board by virtue of their position. Committees established by the Board include: Audit, Finance, investment, Governance and Human Resources, External Relations, and Campus Planning.
Role of the Board
The Board is a policy-governance body with responsibility for strategic oversight and ensuring the activities of the University are consistent with its mandate and governing legislation. One of the key functions of the Board is establishing policy under which the institution is expected to operate. While day to day operations are overseen by the President, the Board is responsible for hiring and evaluating the President and for providing the appropriate level of guidance and oversight. The Board is accountable for ensuring that public funds are used effectively and appropriately, and in this regard approves annual operating and capital budgets and regularly reviews expenditures, investments and borrowing. The Board acts as an intermediary between the institution and the public it serves and is responsible for ensuring that the institution is responsive to changing education and societal needs. The Board is accountable, through the Chair, to the Minister.
Role of the Chair
The Chair represents the Board and its interests in dealing with the Minister, the Department, the President, stakeholders and the community. The Chair is responsible for providing leadership for the Board and for effectively facilitating the work of the Board, including ensuring that the Board focuses on the broader governance tasks of policy and strategic decision-making; complies with enabling statutes and by-laws and acts in a fiscally and ethically responsible manner. The Chair will also ensure that the organization adheres to the purpose and vision established by the mandate.
Benefits of Serving as a Chair
The Chair is in a position to influence Alberta’s post-secondary learning system, contributing to the advancement of post-secondary education in the province as seen from the broader perspective of all Albertans, to the benefit of the diverse communities and population served, and the economy of Alberta. As Chair of the Board of Governors of MacEwan University you will have an opportunity to use your diverse set of competencies and experiences to lead the Board in effectively carrying out its mandate, including informing and influencing the decision-making process and the strategic direction of the University and cultivating partnerships within the Alberta post-secondary system that promote access, affordability and quality educational opportunities for all Albertans.
The Minister and the Board are looking for a Chair who:
• demonstrates a passion and appreciation for the vision, mission, values and strategic priorities of MacEwan University,
• demonstrates knowledge and understanding of current and emerging issues affecting post-secondary education,
• has strong ambassador skills and a good reputation within the region and communities served,
• has the ability to cultivate respectful and productive relationships based on integrity, impartiality, collaboration and inclusiveness,
• is committed to innovation, creativity, and continuous learning and improvement, and what is best for the institution, the post-secondary system, and the community it serves,
• has an understanding of how a board governs within a post-secondary environment, including the distinct roles of board and management,
• has an understanding of and appreciation for the shared governance model within an undergraduate public university setting,
• has the ability to meet time commitments and expectations of the role, including board/committee meetings, special events and engagement activities averaging 15 - 20 hours per week,
• demonstrates accountability through clear communication, articulation of expectations and standards, a focus on solutions, and acceptance of responsibility for decisions,
• has an understanding of stakeholder and community demographics, perspectives and needs, including the diversity of the population and stakeholder interests being served by the University.
• demonstrates an understanding of the importance of governance stability and institutional memory in relation to the unique transitional context of an undergraduate university experiencing significant change.
The successful applicant will demonstrate the following competencies and skills:
• Systems thinking - experience dealing with multiple stakeholders within the University, related industries, sectors or systems (such as Campus Alberta), and therefore having an understanding of the interrelationship of impacts and opportunities as well as a focus on end results.
• Leadership - experience inspiring and influencing others, as well as experience in key areas such as strategic planning and risk management.
• Relationship building and community partnerships - experience making strong community connections with diverse stakeholder groups and experience building consensus and partnerships.
• Governance - experience on or with board structures, policy governance models, and/or current or previous board or committee experience, preferably in a governance leadership capacity in the post-secondary sector.
• Experience with government and the public sector environment - experience with government processes, relations, models (federal, provincial, municipal), and experience with legislation or public policy development processes.
MacEwan University will be undergoing significant transition over the next 12-18 months in governance and presidential leadership, capital project completion, campus consolidation, program implementation, and implementation of an existing capital fundraising campaign.
In order to provide the appropriate oversight and governance leadership, the preferred candidate may also demonstrate:
• Experience in advancing post-secondary education, and/or the education of adults.
• Experience with presidential or senior leadership recruitment and transition, particularly in situations involving a governing board and multiple stakeholders.
• Experience with providing fiduciary oversight and ensuring financial and compliance accountability of large, complex organizations.
• Experience with Community and philanthropic leadership in relation to executing successful capital campaigns.
Credential and experience verification may be conducted.
The Government of Alberta is committed to offering qualified Albertans the opportunity to be considered as public members on Alberta’s public agencies, boards and commissions. To help ensure that Albertans are well-represented on boards, we invite applicants from all backgrounds who embody a range of knowledge, skills and expertise to apply.
The Chair is appointed for a term of up to three years and may be eligible for reappointment for a second term of three years. The Board meets at least six times per year, in addition to quarterly committee meetings and attending special events such as convocation, of which there are eight ceremonies each year. In addition, there are expectations with regards to community engagement, internally and externally. The Chair can expect a significant time commitment to meet the demands of this role averaging 15-20 hours per week. There is no honorarium or remuneration available with this opportunity. Members are reimbursed for allowable expenses as per institutional policy.
Meetings of the board are primarily held in Edmonton, Alberta.
Required Documents:
Required Documents: In addition to your cover letter and resume, we require a completed application form.
Click HERE to download the application form and insert your resume and cover letter where indicated. Upload your cover letter, application form and resume in the Applicant Information section and click 'apply'.
This posting may be used to fill both existing and future board vacancies.
**Please ensure you read the 'Additional Documentation' section above for full application instructions**
This opportunity was posted on the Government of Alberta On-line Job board on August 10 under Competition Number 1037514 and has been transferred to this site effective September 19, 2016. If you have applied on this opportunity via the GOA On-line Job Board, you DO NOT need to apply on this site.
If you are unable to apply on-line, please submit a completed application form including your cover letter and resume, quoting the recruitment posting competition number, to AE.BoardAppointments@gov.ab.ca
If you have any questions, please contact Governance Services, Alberta Advanced Education, 8th Floor Commerce Place, 10155 - 102 Street, Edmonton, Alberta, T5J 4L5, Phone: 780-415-0983, e-mail: AE.BoardAppointments@gov.ab.ca
This posting may be used to fill both existing and future board vacancies.
Carefully read the Recruitment Posting and the Position Profile to ensure this is an appropriate opportunity for you. Applicants are advised to provide information that clearly and concisely demonstrates how their qualifications meet the advertised requirements.
Online applications are preferred. To apply, click on the 'apply' button, create or sign into your account in the ePAAS system; upload your resume, view the listing under Current Opportunities and click on 'submit application'. The uploaded resume will be automatically attached.
Provide a short (maximum 200 words) biography using the Biography template found under additional documents section. Your biography should contain general information about your education, experience, community involvement, skills, etc. Please note that biographies may be edited for length and clarity.
Once your biography and other required form(s) are completed, save it to your PC. When you hit 'submit application', you will be prompted to upload additional documents. Drag and drop (or upload) your completed cover letter, biography and other form(s) into the 'Drop files below or click to upload' section before clicking the 'apply' button.
If you are unable to apply online, please submit a cover letter and resume, quoting the recruitment posting competition number, to the contact provided on the posting. We thank all applicants for their interest. All applications will be reviewed to assess which candidates' qualifications most closely match the agency's requirements. Only those selected for interviews will be contacted to advance to the next step in the appointment process. You can check the status of each competition on-line at https://www.alberta.ca/public-agencies.cfm.
All potential candidates will be screened for potential conflicts of interest. Please Note: Successful applicants will have the following information about them made publicly available on the Public Agency Secretariat Website: name,biography, public agency, position appointed to.