Job Overview Osgoode Professional Development (OsgoodePD) is the revenue-generating professional education unit of Osgoode Hall Law School, operating within a highly competitive commercial market for professional and executive continuing education. OsgoodePD is unique within law schools: the scope and volume of its offerings and its financial contribution to the law school is unparalleled. OsgoodePD offers degree and non-degree programs to both local and international students. Offerings include full-time and part-time graduate degrees and diplomas, non-degree certificates, short courses and skills workshops, summer school and bridging programs, webinars, and custom training for private and public sector organizations. Staff and programs are located at both the York University campus and Osgoode’s downtown learning centre. A significant number of offerings are offered online.
The Executive Director & Assistant Dean (ED&AD) provides senior executive leadership and strategic direction for Osgoode Professional Development (OPD), with accountability for its academic portfolio, financial performance, market growth, revenue diversification, long-term sustainability, risk management, and reputation. Reporting to the Dean, the ED&AD establishes strategic priorities, approves multi-year business and academic plans, and sets strategic direction for the development of existing and emerging markets, programs, and revenue opportunities in alignment with Osgoode and University objectives.
Leading through a management team, the ED&AD oversees the development and governance of graduate, professional, and non-credit programs, approves business models and partnership approaches, and leads the development of strategies to respond to significant changes in market conditions, professional requirements, regulatory frameworks, and learner demand that may affect enrolment, program viability, and revenue. The role ensures effective resource allocation and accountability for program quality, compliance, financial sustainability, and organizational outcomes. As OPD’s senior representative, the ED&AD provides leadership in academic governance, represents OPD on internal and external bodies, and builds relationships within the legal and professional education communities. Drawing on knowledge of emerging trends and the needs of the profession, the ED&AD serves as a key advisor to the Dean on law school strategy and professional legal education.
Key Responsibilities
- Provide strategic leadership and direction for Osgoode Professional Development (OPD), working closely with the Dean to establish its vision, mission, values, and annual and multi-year strategic and business plans and to advance strategic opportunities and partnerships that support the priorities of OPD and Osgoode.
- Provide overall leadership and accountability for OPD’s academic, financial, marketing, and administrative functions through senior managers and professional staff.
- Oversee environmental scanning, market intelligence, and competitive analysis to inform OPD’s program portfolio, market positioning, and long-term growth priorities.
- Identify, evaluate, and advance opportunities to expand and diversify OPD’s markets and revenue streams in Canada and internationally, including entry into new geographic and learner markets and the development of new programs, credentials, non-credit offerings, and delivery models.
- Leads the development and implementation of market growth and revenue growth and diversification strategies, identifying and advancing new markets, program opportunities, and revenue streams to support the long-term financial sustainability of the portfolio and mitigate revenue impacts arising from significant changes in the external regulatory and market environment.
- Ensure OPD’s financial sustainability, operational viability, compliance, and risk management through oversight of budgets, financial reporting, resource allocation, revenue strategies, and performance objectives.
- Direct, coach, and evaluate OPD’s management team, empowering managers to lead day-to-day operations and make decisions within their respective areas of accountability, while fostering a high-performing, inclusive, and values-driven culture and ensuring compliance with institutional human resources policies.
- Lead organization-wide change and continuous improvement across OPD by establishing improvement priorities, directing the redesign of programs, processes, systems, and service-delivery models, and ensuring changes are implemented and evaluated through the management team.
- Provide executive oversight of business models, strategic partnerships, and joint ventures in Canada and internationally, including their development, approval, governance, and ongoing alignment with OPD’s academic, market development, and financial objectives.
- Build and maintain strategic relationships with internal and external institutions, professional associations, and legal education and training organizations in Canada and internationally to advance OPD’s academic, market development, partnership, and growth objectives.
- Collaborate with academic leaders on graduate program governance, including admissions frameworks, curriculum oversight, instructional resources, academic accommodations, program evaluation, and quality assurance.
- Ensure appropriate governance structures and accountabilities are in place for curriculum design, instructional quality, subject-matter expertise, academic policy compliance, accreditation, and program outcomes.
- Set the strategic direction for marketing and communications, ensuring brand alignment, market positioning, learner engagement, and enrolment growth objectives are met.
- Guide decisions regarding infrastructure, systems, technology, and learning-platform investments to support program quality, scalability, and operational efficiency.
- Provide academic leadership and represent OPD within Faculty and University governance, including Faculty Council, the University’s Non-Degree Studies Committee, and other academic committees and governance bodies, contributing to academic policy, program governance, and the advancement of graduate and professional legal education.
- Maintain accountability for the execution, promotion, and evaluation of OPD’s program portfolio through established performance measures.
- Provide final-level oversight and direction on escalated student and instructor matters, ensuring quality, equity, and institutional reputation are upheld.
Minimum Education, Training & Credentials
- A law degree, or, in the absence of a law degree, a master’s degree in business or a related field.
Minimum Experience
- Eight (8) years of related experience.
- Six (6) years of management experience.
- Experience in the practice of law, academic administration, management, product development, marketing or business.
- Experience in strategic leadership and financial accountability in a business role leading a team to produce tangible results.
Knowledge
- Comprehensive knowledge of professional, continuing, executive, and graduate education, including adult learning principles, credentialling models, curriculum and program development, delivery modalities, and the needs of professional learners.
- In-depth knowledge of the professional legal education environment, including emerging trends, competitive offerings, licensing and continuing professional development requirements, and pathways for internationally trained lawyers.
- Comprehensive knowledge of program portfolio management, market research and viability assessment, enrolment trends, pricing, and the development of new educational products and delivery approaches.
- Comprehensive knowledge of strategic and business planning, organizational development, business-model design, performance management, and growth strategies applicable to a revenue-generating educational enterprise.
- In-depth knowledge of financial planning, budgeting, forecasting, revenue generation, investment analysis, resource allocation, financial controls, and risk management.
- In-depth knowledge of University and academic governance, including academic policies, admissions principles, curriculum oversight, quality assurance, accreditation, program approval, and evaluation processes.
- Comprehensive knowledge of partnership and joint-venture development, contract and relationship management, stakeholder engagement, and collaborative governance involving academic institutions, professional associations, and other external organizations.
- Knowledge of applicable legislative, regulatory, and institutional requirements, including privacy, accessibility, human rights, employment, labour relations, records management, and contractual obligations.
Skills
- Effective leadership and interpersonal skills, including ability to foster inclusive, high-performing, results-oriented teams in a complex, unionized environment.
- Ability to build collaborative relationships, establish trust and effectively influence stakeholders at all levels, including external bodies, Advisory Groups, potential partners, and academic leadership.
- Ability to persuade potential stakeholders to participate in new initiatives, including new programs.
- Ability to drive strategic initiatives and achieve outcomes through collaboration, with a strong client-centred service orientation.
- Effective communication skills, with the ability to present complex information clearly and engage diverse audiences.
- Effective strategic thinking and change management skills, with the ability to conceptualize, implement and continuously improve processes, policies and operational frameworks.
- Ability to plan, implement and oversee complex, sensitive and high-impact initiatives, including new product development, infrastructure, facilities and health and safety-related projects.
- Effective problem-solving skills, with the ability to assess complex situations, identify risks and develop practical, solutions-focused and innovative approaches.
- Ability to proactively identify opportunities for revenue generation, product development, improvement and drive continuous enhancement in operations, infrastructure management and health and safety practices.
- Ability to exercise sound judgment, integrity, initiative, and maintain confidentiality and politically sensitive matters with discretion, tact and diplomacy.
- Effective organizational and leadership skills, with strong attention to detail and the ability to manage competing priorities in a fast-paced, changing environment.
- Ability to work independently and collaboratively, maintaining a high level of service to clients and stakeholders.
- Ability to project manage new product development, including new programs, and new educational technology.
- Proficient in Microsoft 365 applications (Outlook, Word, Excel, PowerPoint)
We appreciate the time and effort all applicants invest in their submissions. Please note that only candidates shortlisted for this role will be contacted directly. However, your profile will remain under consideration for future opportunities that align with your experience and career goals.All qualified applicants will receive fair consideration for employment. We welcome individuals of all backgrounds, experiences, and identities including those who identify as women, members of racialized groups, Indigenous Peoples, persons with disabilities, and 2SLGBTQIA+ communities. If you require an accommodation, please review our
accessibility policy and reach out to our accessibility officer with any questions. Our human recruiters review all applications and always make the final hiring decision. On occasion, we also use AI-assisted tools to help review applications.
