Recruitment posting
Athabasca University Board of Governors
Competition #: 290
Ministry : Advanced Education
Opening Date : 2016/09/21
closing Date : 2016/10/05
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 26 under Competition Number 1037833 and has been transferred to this site effective September 20, 2016. **
The Minister of Advanced Education is seeking applications from individuals interested in serving as Chair of The Governors of Athabasca University.
Athabasca University is a public, board-governed, open, and on-line university operating as a Comprehensive Academic and Research Institution under authority of the Alberta Post-secondary Learning Act and the Athabasca University Regulation. Working as a partner with Campus Alberta, Athabasca University is committed to collaborating with other key stakeholders to ensure a seamless and responsive advanced education system that provides and supports high-quality lifelong learning opportunities for Albertans. With over 1,100 employees serving nearly 40,000 students in every province and territory in Canada and 92 foreign countries, Athabasca University offers approximately 900 courses in more than 55 undergraduate and graduate programs in a range of arts, science and professional disciplines.
As Canada's only open university, Athabasca University is devoted to the removal of barriers to post-secondary education, providing access to learning regardless of age, gender, culture, income, disability, career and family obligations, geographic location, or educational background.
Athabasca University's approach to post-secondary education is based on four key principles:
• Excellence: Athabasca University is dedicated to achieving the highest standards in undergraduate and graduate teaching, research, scholarship, and student service.
• Openness: Athabasca University is committed to their mission of guaranteeing access to post-secondary learning to all who have the ability and desire. Anyone 16 or older is eligible for admission.
• Flexibility: Athabasca University's flexible learning model adapts to student needs, putting students in the driver's seat. Enrollment in many undergraduate programs and registration for many undergraduate courses is available at multiple times throughout the year and students work at their own pace, studying at home, at work, or wherever they may find themselves.
• Innovation: Athabasca University continues to adopt and develop new, learner-centred learning models and technology-based alternatives to traditional, classroom-based instructional channels and contexts. Athabasca University applies technology to make learning accessible and to help students achieve their learning goals. Athabasca University governs itself through a bicameral governance structure, as set out in the Alberta Post-Secondary Learning Act and the Athabasca University Regulation. The Board of Governors is the senior governing body, but shares academic governance with the General Faculties Council, the academic governing body.
Board and Committee Structure
The Board consists of ten public members and a chair appointed by the Lieutenant Governor in Council, as well as eight 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: Academic Affairs Committee, Audit Committee, Executive Committee, Finance & Property Committee, Honorary Awards Committee, Human Resources Committee, and the Institutional Advancement Committee.
ROLE OF THE BOARD
The Board is a policy-governance body with responsibility for strategic oversight and ensuring the activities of Athabasca 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.
KEY ACCOUNTABILITIES
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.
Key Roles and Responsibilities of all Board Members Include:
• Strategic Planning: Overseeing Athabasca University's strategic planning process, approving the strategic plan and monitoring the implementation and effectiveness of the strategic plan.
• Governance: Establishing and maintaining appropriate governance principles and guidelines for Athabasca University, and establishing such committees as it deems necessary to assist the Board in carrying out its duties and responsibilities.
• Financial, Risk Management and Internal Controls: Ensuring that the processes are in place to identify the principal risks of Athabasca University, and that systems are implemented to measure and manage these risks as well as ensuring that effective internal controls and financial systems are in place and are being complied with to ensure the effectiveness and efficiency of operations.
• President's Evaluation, Compensation and Succession: Overseeing the procedures relating to appointment, compensation, performance evaluation and succession planning of the President.
OPPORTUNITIES AND CHALLENGES
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 Athabasca University, the successful candidate will have an opportunity to use his or her 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 Athabasca University and cultivating partnerships within the Campus Alberta system that promote access, affordability and quality educational opportunities for all Albertans.
This role presents the successful candidate with the opportunity to participate in setting a new direction for Athabasca University, ensuring that the institution remains sustainable into the future. Recognizing the fiscal pressures that the University is facing, it will be incumbent upon the successful candidate to fortify and maintain robust relationships with stakeholders. Key stakeholders include the Minister of Advanced Education, the Board of Governors, the Faculty, Staff and Students of Athabasca University, and the community of Athabasca.
The Minister and the Board are looking for a Chair who:
• Demonstrates a passion and appreciation for the vision, mission and values of Athabasca University;
• Demonstrates knowledge and understanding of the current and emerging issues affecting post-secondary education;
• Has strong ambassador skills and a good reputation with the region and community 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 system within which it operates, and the community it serves;
• Has an understanding of how a board operates and the time commitment required;
• Demonstrates accountability through clear communication, articulation of expectations and standards, a focus on solutions, and acceptance of responsibility for decisions; and
• Has an understanding of stakeholder and community demographics, perspectives and needs, including the diversity of the population and stakeholder interests being served by Athabasca University.
The successful applicant will demonstrate the following competencies and skills:
• System thinking: experience dealing with multiple stakeholders within 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 and policy governance models, and/or current or previous board or committee experience. Specifically, experience in chairing a Board or similar governance body.
• Experience with government and the public sector environment: experience with government processes, relations, models (federal, provincial, municipal), and/or experience with legislation or public policy development processes, such as experience liaising with multiple levels of government and stakeholders.
The preferred candidate may also demonstrate the following education and experience:
• Experience advancing post-secondary education, and/or the education of adults;
• Understanding of the community served and the diverse interests impacting Athabasca University;
• Experience with strategic planning in a leadership role within a large organization with multiple stakeholders;
• Experience and capacity to preside over, collaborate with and, where necessary mediate multiple interests that are involved in a modern university;
• Financial literacy and financial management expertise; and
• Expertise with infrastructure development related to capital, including IT projects.
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 by Order in Council for a term of up to three years and may be eligible for reappointment for another term, to a maximum of ten consecutive years. The Board meets at least five times per year, in addition to committee meetings. The Chair can expect a significant time commitment to meet the demands of this role. There is no honorarium available with this opportunity. Members are reimbursed for allowable expenses as per Board policy.
Meetings of the board are primarily held in Athabasca, Alberta.
To apply for this opportunity of Chair, please submit your resume and application to Conroy Ross Partners at pies_edmonton@conroyross.com or directly to Jennifer Huntley at: jhuntley@conroyross.com.
Copy and Paste the following job title and code and place it in the subject line of your email so we can identify the job and confirm receipt of your application: AWRX-117366 Chair, Board of Governors, AB - Edmonton and Area (CRPAPPLY)
Applications received through the Electronic Public Agency Appointment System (ePAAS) will be forwarded to Conroy Ross Partners.
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.
For further information about Athabasca University, please visit the Athabasca University Website and the Governors of Athabasca University Website.