Position
President, Algonquin College
As the College’s Chief Executive Officer, the President is accountable to the Board of Governors for the operation of the College.
The President provides executive leadership to the College staff to ensure that the College is successful in meeting the diversified educational and training needs of the
College level post-secondary students and clients that it serves.
The President directs the development of the College’s strategic plan for approval by the Board, including the identification of annual educational and operational goals required to achieve the strategic plan.
The President works with the senior management team to provide leadership to College employees regarding the effective utilization of the College’s educational, financial, capital and human resources to achieve both short and long term college objectives. The President is accountable for creating a work environment that is conducive to effective team/individual performance necessary to support the development and delivery of high-quality, sustainable and educational programs/services, leading to a high level of student/client confidence and satisfaction with college programs/services.
The President develops and optimizes strategic linkages and partnerships with all levels of government, community, education, business, industry and international educational sectors to secure new educational and training opportunities in a competitive educational marketplace.
Key Duties
Positions the College to provide high-quality, sustainable full and part-time college level post-secondary education and training that meet the needs of students and clients that it serves.
Works with the senior management team to determine the best methods for delivering educational programs and services in a competitive educational marketplace (public and private, local, national and international educational providers); to assess current and future educational needs; and, to develop and implement policies and programs that balance the economic, political and social factors of College stakeholders within the broad community that the College serves.
Leads in the development and making of broad operational decisions concerning the College’s infrastructure of human, educational, financial and physical resources required to develop, deliver and support the post-secondary educational courses and programs offered by the College.
Performs the function of the President and Chief Executive Officer of the College by providing the leadership to develop the internal/external structures necessary for effective and efficient College operations. This involves the effective hiring and development of key College staff and the effective delegation of responsibilities and accountabilities; ensuring that key College systems function appropriately so that College staff have the necessary resources to operate the College effectively; and, ensuring College assets are protected, adequately maintained, and not at risk.
Ensures that Board members are provided with the relevant, timely and sufficient information they need for productive discussions and sound decisions. Provides specialized, authoritative advice and leadership to the Board of Governors to assist the Board with the development of the College’s strategic plan, including the short and long-term educational and operational objectives necessary to advance the strategic plan and ensure its success.
Develops and maintains relationships vital to the College with municipal, provincial, federal and international government representatives, with business/industry leaders and other educational organizations, as appropriate, to obtain/retain financial and capital resources, and secure new educational opportunities, partnerships and resources in a competitive educational environment.
Acts in the best interests of the College in securing and promoting its educational, community, administrative and financial objectives, showing an acceptable level of foresight.
Role of the Board of Governors
As one of the largest of Ontario’s twenty-four public community colleges, Algonquin College is governed by a Board that strives to provide learners with high quality education and training for employment in the fast changing world in areas such as business, technology, health and community services.
The Board of Governors is comprised of seventeen individuals: 12 external Governors who reflect the various sectors of the community served by the College; four internal Governors representing Students, Faculty, Support Staff and Administrative Staff plus the President. Two thirds of the external members are Board-appointed, and one third of the external members are appointed by the Lieutenant Governor in Council. The Board of Governors has all the powers and duties of a corporation under the Ontario Corporations Act, except where additions or modifications have been made through regulation under the Ministry of Colleges and Universities Act.
In practice, the Board of Governors does not manage the College on a day to day basis. That task is delegated to the College Administration, headed by the President, who is appointed by the Board of Governors.
Board members play an important role, flowing from their responsibility as trustees of the public interest. Examples of Board activities include:
- Adoption of policies for the delivery of high quality instruction and efficient management of College resources;
- Approval of programs of instruction, operating and capital budgets;
- Monitoring of College performance in key educational and administrative areas;
- Appointment of advisory committees to ensure continuing relevance of College programs