Associate Director, Office of the President & Strategic Initiatives

Classification: Associate Director

Appointment Type: Continuing Full Time

Salary Range: $94,443 to $138,516, typical hiring range $113,332 to $125,924 

Desired Start Date: June 15, 2026

Closing Date: May 25, 2026

 

Special Instructions to applicants: Reporting in a senior administrative capacity, the successful candidate will be expected to demonstrate flexibility in response to changing workloads, including evening work to support executive‑level events and special activities.

Position Summary

The Associate Director, Office of the President & Strategic Initiatives provides senior, governance, and operational advice and leadership to advance the President's priorities and strategic initiatives and ensure the effective functioning of the Office of the President in a multi‑campus college context. Reporting directly to the President and in collaboration with the Executive Team, the Associate Director acts as a trusted advisor, facilitator for institutional level initiatives, and a liaison between the President and internal and external communities.

The Associate Director coordinates and aligns the President's internal and external engagement with a keen focus on elevating impact and ensures internal follow‑through on commitments. As part of the Office of the President, the role supports an effective governance system at the College. The role supports the college's high‑touch culture while facilitating an externally focused Presidential role and the realities of a diverse region with multiple campuses and communities.

Functions and Duties
Strategic Support

• Manages the flow of internal and external contacts, issues, information, and decisions to and from the President, ensuring matters are triaged effectively, appropriately delegated, and tracked to resolution.
• Provides confidential strategic advice, analysis, and recommendations to the President on complex issues internal and external to the College, risks, and opportunities, drawing on input from the Executive Team, relevant members of Leadership Council, and external partners.
• Anticipates situations and keep attentive to current and potential issues internal and external to the College that may impact the College and its reputation and ensure timely communication to the President. 
• Compiles background information, prepare complex briefing notes and reports, conduct research, analyze information and determine timelines and levels of issues to make recommendations and provide advice to the President.
• Drafts or oversees drafting of correspondence and other documentation prepared on behalf of the President.
• Supports the President in leading cultural change as the college balances its high‑touch, relationship‑based culture with an external focused Presidential role.

 

President Coordination

• Ensures that the President's time is managed as a strategic resource, balancing internal visibility with external obligations and delegating appropriately to other members of the Executive Team.
• Shapes and oversees the President's calendar strategically, ensuring meetings, events, and engagements align with institutional priorities, create value for the college, and are supported by high‑quality briefing materials and clear outcomes.
• In collaboration with the Vice President, Enrolment and College Relations and the Director, Advancement, plans and coordinates the President's local, regional, national, and international engagement schedule so that external appearances, community visits, advocacy moments, and fundraising efforts are well‑sequenced and properly supported.
• Ensures the President is well briefed for internal and external appearances, community visits, advocacy moments, and fundraising efforts, and meetings, coordinating internally to develop key messages, briefing notes, and follow‑up actions.

 

Executive Coordination and Operations

• Leads and manages the operations of the Office of the President, including direct supervision and coaching of the Executive Assistant to the President and the Governance and Privacy Coordinator, and functional leadership of executive assistants supporting the Executive Team.
• Prepares and manages budgets within the direct responsibility of the President and executive office; reviews all expense claims requiring the President’s approval.
• Designs, implements, and continually improves office processes, standards, and tools to support integrated planning, decision‑making, and information flow across the Executive Team.
• Coordinates the work of the Executive Team meetings, ensure agendas are strategic, materials are coordinated, and actions are documented and monitored.
• Maintains awareness of the work being undertaken by Leadership Council, Provost Council, Enrolment Council, and Education Council to ensure integration and alignment with the work of Executive Team and the Office of the President. 
• Oversees cross‑coverage and business continuity plans for executive support to ensure key tasks have clear ownership, cross‑training, and documented procedures.

 

Governance

• Serves as the senior staff lead for governance within the Office of the President, working closely with the Governance and Privacy Coordinator to support the Board of Governors and its committees as well as Education Council and its committees.
• Supports the alignment of governance bodies (Board, Education Council, internal councils) so that major academic, financial, and strategic decisions move predictably and transparently through the system.
• Coordinates with the Governance and Privacy Coordinator to align the annual governance calendar, including Board and committee cycles, Education Council and its committees, and the flow of recommendations between Education Council and the Board with institutional priorities.
• Supports the high‑quality preparation of agendas, briefing materials, and minutes for the Board and its committees, and support the President and Board Chair in planning and debriefing meetings.
• Provides advice to the President and members of the Executive Team on governance practices, policy and bylaw changes, and compliance with relevant legislation and institutional policy, in collaboration with the Governance and Privacy Coordinator and appropriate senior leaders.

 

Policy & Issues Management

• Coordinates institutional responses to complex issues involving students, employees, and external stakeholders, including academic appeals, complaints, suspensions, and other sensitive matters escalated to the President.
• Oversees, from the institution’s perspective, the monitoring and review of board, administrative, and academic institutional policies, ensuring alignment with strategic priorities and governance processes.
• Leads the review and renewal of institutional and administrative policies for which the Office of the President has responsibility.
• Supports the Governance and Privacy Coordinator in the coordination of Freedom of Information responses and privacy‑related matters that require the President's awareness or decision.

 

Strategic Projects

• Leads or oversees strategic projects and initiatives assigned by the President, ensuring objectives, timelines, risks, and accountabilities are clear and that outcomes are evaluated and reported.
• In collaboration with the Executive Team, synthesize community feedback and issues, advising the President on patterns, risks, and opportunities, and coordinating follow‑up actions.
• Oversees and supports the planning and delivery of Presidential events and special initiatives, ensuring alignment with institutional priorities and reputational goals.
• Builds and maintains strong relationships with internal and external stakeholders to foster effective communication and collaboration on behalf of the President and Executive Team.
• In collaboration with the Vice President, Enrolment and College Relations, leads or supports institutional protocols for dignitary visits.

 

Leadership & People Management

• Provides direct supervision to the Executive Assistant to the President and the Governance and Privacy Coordinator, including recruitment, onboarding, performance management, coaching, and professional development.
• Provides functional leadership to executive assistants supporting the Executive Team, setting shared standards for service, documentation, and cross‑coverage, in collaboration with the Executive Team as their direct supervisors.
• Establishes expectations for service and professionalism in the Office of the President, modelling a collaborative and respectful culture.
• Mentors and develops staff within the executive office, supporting cross‑training and succession planning for key support roles.

 

Education and Experience:

• Undergraduate degree in a relevant field, or an equivalent combination of education and senior‑level experience.
• Significant progressive experience (typically 7–10+ years) in higher education, public sector, or a complex multi‑stakeholder environment, including experience in executive‑level advising, project management, or governance.
• Demonstrated experience providing strategic support to senior executives, managing sensitive and confidential information, and navigating complex political and organizational environments.
• Experience working with or supporting a governing board, council, or similar body, including preparation of agendas, materials, and records.
• Experience supervising and developing staff and leading cross‑functional teams or initiatives.
• Experience working in a unionized environment; understanding of the implications of collective agreements for institutional strategy and change.
• Experience in a regional, multi‑campus, or rural/remote context is an asset, including understanding of access, equity, and sustainability challenges in smaller communities.

 

Knowledge, Skills, Abilities, and Core Competencies

The Associate Director is expected to demonstrate the following knowledge, skills, abilities, and core competencies, consistent with the College's competency framework:

 

1. Strategic Leadership and Vision

a. Demonstrated ability to think and act strategically, aligning the work of the Office of the President with the College's strategic plan, reputation, and brand.

b. Ability to scan the internal and external environment, anticipate emerging issues, and integrate complex information into clear advice, options, and recommendations for the President and Executive Team.

c. Capacity to lead through influence, champion institutional priorities, and support organizational change.

 

2. Collaboration and Relationship Building

a. Strong ability to build and sustain trusting, collaborative relationships with a wide range of stakeholders, including governors, executives, faculty, staff, students, Indigenous partners, unions, government, and community organizations.

b. Demonstrated skill in working across portfolios and levels of the organization to solve problems, broker agreements, and support shared decision‑making.

c. Commitment to a service‑oriented approach that balances responsiveness with appropriate boundaries around the President's time and role.

 

3. Communication and Influence

a. Exceptional written and verbal communication skills, including the ability to prepare and edit clear, concise, and compelling briefing notes, reports, presentations, and correspondence for diverse audiences.

b. Ability to communicate complex or sensitive information with tact, diplomacy, and political acuity, adjusting style to audience and context.

c. Strong facilitation skills to support effective meetings, dialogue, and engagement across the College and with external partners.

 

4. Governance, Systems, and Organizational Awareness

a. Deep understanding of governance and decision‑making structures in colleges.

b. Strong organizational awareness and systems thinking, with the ability to understand how decisions and changes in one area impact students, employees, programs, campuses, and communities across the region.

c. Knowledge of relevant legislation, policy frameworks, and collective agreements affecting the College's operations and governance.

 

5. Inclusion, Reconciliation, and Cultural Competence

a. Demonstrated commitment to inclusion as well as to Indigenization and reconciliation, and ability to integrate these commitments into advice, decision‑support, and project leadership.

b. Cultural competence and humility in working with diverse communities and perspectives.

c. Ability to identify and address systemic barriers, and to support inclusive engagement and decision‑making processes.

 

6. People Leadership and Development

a. Proven ability to lead, coach, and develop staff, fostering a respectful, collaborative, and high‑performing team culture in the Office of the President.

b. Skill in setting clear expectations, providing constructive feedback, and supporting learning and growth for direct reports and functional teams.

c. Ability to model the College's values and leadership competencies, and to act as a culture carrier for professionalism, integrity, and accountability.

 

7. Results Orientation and Execution

a. Strong planning, organizational, and project‑management skills, with the ability to manage multiple priorities, meet deadlines, and deliver high‑quality work in a fast‑paced environment.

b. Demonstrated ability to move complex initiatives from concept to implementation, including clear goal‑setting, risk assessment, stakeholder engagement, and evaluation of outcomes.

c. Focus on continuous improvement and innovation in processes, tools, and practices within the Office of the President and across executive support functions.

 

8. Judgment, Integrity, and Resilience

a. Exceptional judgment, discretion, and integrity in handling confidential and sensitive information and issues at the highest levels of the organization.

b. Political acuity and resilience, with the ability to navigate ambiguity, manage conflict constructively, and remain calm and effective under pressure.

c. Personal adaptability and self‑awareness, including the ability to reflect on feedback, adjust approach, and model healthy, sustainable work practices.

 

Okanagan College is committed to increasing the equitable and inclusive participation of marginalized people in all aspects of college life. We welcome and encourage applications from Indigenous Peoples, Black People, members of racialized groups/visible minorities, people with disabilities and people with diverse gender identities or expressions. People with disabilities who anticipate needing accommodations for any part of the application process may contact, in confidence, [email protected].