Vice President, Strategic Academic Initiatives
Yorkville University is seeking a strategic, innovative, and collaborative academic leader to serve as its next Vice-President, Strategic Academic Initiatives. This is a unique opportunity to shape and advance transformative academic priorities, institutional partnerships, and future-focused initiatives that strengthen student success and organizational impact.
Yorkville University
At Yorkville University and Toronto Film School, we believe education is more than the pursuit of knowledge – it is a catalyst for transformation. Our mission, grounded in democratizing education, is to create access for learners from every background and empower them to achieve their aspirations and advance their careers.
We are committed to delivering rigorous, flexible programs that are both personally fulfilling and professionally rewarding, while contributing to the betterment of society. Since 2004, Yorkville has been among Canada’s few private, for-profit, fully accredited degree-granting universities, with campuses in Ontario, British Columbia, and New Brunswick. Together with Toronto Film School, we offer creative and academic pathways at both the college and university levels, cultivating a multidisciplinary environment where innovation and the arts converge.
Our community is vibrant and diverse. Many of our learners are adults balancing education with careers and personal commitments. Every member of our team – whether in teaching, operations, or technology – is dedicated to removing barriers and expanding access. Together, we deliver flexible, industry-informed learning that leads to meaningful opportunities.
At our core is human connection – guiding people to reimagine their futures in a community defined by opportunity, creativity, and growth.
The Position
Reporting to the Provost, the Vice President, Strategic Academic Initiatives leads Yorkville University’s academic growth agenda by overseeing the planning, prioritization, and execution of all new programs across Yorkville University and Toronto Film School and other academic strategic initiatives across Yorkville University’s (YU) campuses. The VP is responsible for shaping the long-term program portfolio strategy, ensuring institutional readiness for new offerings, enabling the New Program Development to work cross-functionally to take programs from concept to launch while supporting the planning, deployment, and change management functions for key academic priorities.
As a senior academic leader, this role is responsible for leading, developing, and executing high level academic operational process improvement projects, working closely with academic leaders, internal cross functional partners, and external stakeholders. The role provides oversight and leadership for the review and analysis of academic operations initiatives identified by the academic division, legal and through the self study program review process. Through this work, and in partnership with the academic leaders, the regulatory team and the Student Experience team, the role drives program operational innovation and change, and ensures revised processes are high quality, market aligned, strategically positioned and effectively implemented. The role requires strong academic operational experience and related skills, exceptional relationship building skills, and experience leveraging institutional knowledge and experience across the university to support the execution of academic initiatives.
The Ideal Candidate
While the Search Committee recognizes that no one candidate is likely to meet all the following qualifications in equal measure, they are desirable and will be used in the assessment of candidates for the position:
Additional Details
How to Apply or Learn More
To learn more about this opportunity or to request a copy of the Executive Brief, contact Katherine Frank (kfrank@kbrs.ca) or Beth McLennan (bmclennan@kbrs.ca). Completed applications can be submitted online using the "Apply Now" button below.
All qualified candidates are encouraged to apply; however, Canadians and permanent residents will be given priority.
Diversity, equity, and inclusion are critical components of life at Yorkville University and Toronto Film School, and we are committed to making these values an integral part of our culture. We encourage applications from all qualified applicants, including women, persons with disabilities, Black, Indigenous and People of Colour (BIPOC), people from the Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender, Transsexual, Queer, Questioning, Two-Spirit, Intersex, Asexual + (LGBTQ2SIA+) community and other equity-seeking groups.
Yorkville University and KBRS will provide support in the recruitment process to applicants with disabilities, including accommodation that takes into account an applicant’s accessibility needs. If you require accommodation in order to participate as a candidate in the recruitment process, please contact accommodate@kbrs.ca or communicate your needs to the recruitment professional named above.
We acknowledge the land Yorkville University operates on in Ontario is the traditional territory of many nations including the Mississaugas of the Credit, the Anishnabeg, the Chippewa, the Haudenosaunee and the Wendat peoples and is now home to many diverse First Nations, Inuit and Métis. We also acknowledge that the applicable treaty for this region is referred to as the Toronto Purchase.
We reaffirm our responsibility to increase awareness and understanding of First Nations, Métis and Inuit peoples and colonial legacy, and commit to strengthening our relationship with Indigenous peoples throughout Canada.
Yorkville University
At Yorkville University and Toronto Film School, we believe education is more than the pursuit of knowledge – it is a catalyst for transformation. Our mission, grounded in democratizing education, is to create access for learners from every background and empower them to achieve their aspirations and advance their careers.
We are committed to delivering rigorous, flexible programs that are both personally fulfilling and professionally rewarding, while contributing to the betterment of society. Since 2004, Yorkville has been among Canada’s few private, for-profit, fully accredited degree-granting universities, with campuses in Ontario, British Columbia, and New Brunswick. Together with Toronto Film School, we offer creative and academic pathways at both the college and university levels, cultivating a multidisciplinary environment where innovation and the arts converge.
Our community is vibrant and diverse. Many of our learners are adults balancing education with careers and personal commitments. Every member of our team – whether in teaching, operations, or technology – is dedicated to removing barriers and expanding access. Together, we deliver flexible, industry-informed learning that leads to meaningful opportunities.
At our core is human connection – guiding people to reimagine their futures in a community defined by opportunity, creativity, and growth.
The Position
Reporting to the Provost, the Vice President, Strategic Academic Initiatives leads Yorkville University’s academic growth agenda by overseeing the planning, prioritization, and execution of all new programs across Yorkville University and Toronto Film School and other academic strategic initiatives across Yorkville University’s (YU) campuses. The VP is responsible for shaping the long-term program portfolio strategy, ensuring institutional readiness for new offerings, enabling the New Program Development to work cross-functionally to take programs from concept to launch while supporting the planning, deployment, and change management functions for key academic priorities.
As a senior academic leader, this role is responsible for leading, developing, and executing high level academic operational process improvement projects, working closely with academic leaders, internal cross functional partners, and external stakeholders. The role provides oversight and leadership for the review and analysis of academic operations initiatives identified by the academic division, legal and through the self study program review process. Through this work, and in partnership with the academic leaders, the regulatory team and the Student Experience team, the role drives program operational innovation and change, and ensures revised processes are high quality, market aligned, strategically positioned and effectively implemented. The role requires strong academic operational experience and related skills, exceptional relationship building skills, and experience leveraging institutional knowledge and experience across the university to support the execution of academic initiatives.
The Ideal Candidate
While the Search Committee recognizes that no one candidate is likely to meet all the following qualifications in equal measure, they are desirable and will be used in the assessment of candidates for the position:
- 10+ years of progressive experience in academic program development, academic leadership, or related strategic roles in post-secondary education; executive experience preferred.
- Proven track record of developing innovative programs using cutting edge learning technologies.
- Experience working directly with industry regulators, and accreditation bodies.
- Experience leading pan-institutional change initiatives.
- Proven experience with change management processes.
- Experience analyzing academic business processes and work flows and making recommendations for continuous improvement.
- Master’s required, doctorate (PhD) preferred to support academic credibility and effective engagement in curriculum and program development.
- Demonstrated experience developing successful program business cases across different regulatory jurisdictions.
- Strong market research and competitive analysis experience; comfort translating labour-market data in inform the program strategy.
- Proven ability to influence academic and operational stakeholders at senior levels.
- Excellent written/presentational skills and experience preparing materials for Academic Council / Senate and external regulators.
- Experience launching online, hybrid and campus-based programs.
- Strategic thinker with an entrepreneurial mindset and strong change leadership skills.
Additional Details
- This role is based in Toronto, Ontario
How to Apply or Learn More
To learn more about this opportunity or to request a copy of the Executive Brief, contact Katherine Frank (kfrank@kbrs.ca) or Beth McLennan (bmclennan@kbrs.ca). Completed applications can be submitted online using the "Apply Now" button below.
All qualified candidates are encouraged to apply; however, Canadians and permanent residents will be given priority.
Diversity, equity, and inclusion are critical components of life at Yorkville University and Toronto Film School, and we are committed to making these values an integral part of our culture. We encourage applications from all qualified applicants, including women, persons with disabilities, Black, Indigenous and People of Colour (BIPOC), people from the Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender, Transsexual, Queer, Questioning, Two-Spirit, Intersex, Asexual + (LGBTQ2SIA+) community and other equity-seeking groups.
Yorkville University and KBRS will provide support in the recruitment process to applicants with disabilities, including accommodation that takes into account an applicant’s accessibility needs. If you require accommodation in order to participate as a candidate in the recruitment process, please contact accommodate@kbrs.ca or communicate your needs to the recruitment professional named above.
We acknowledge the land Yorkville University operates on in Ontario is the traditional territory of many nations including the Mississaugas of the Credit, the Anishnabeg, the Chippewa, the Haudenosaunee and the Wendat peoples and is now home to many diverse First Nations, Inuit and Métis. We also acknowledge that the applicable treaty for this region is referred to as the Toronto Purchase.
We reaffirm our responsibility to increase awareness and understanding of First Nations, Métis and Inuit peoples and colonial legacy, and commit to strengthening our relationship with Indigenous peoples throughout Canada.