The Opportunity
Kwantlen Polytechnic University (KPU) is seeking a collaborative and experienced Associate Dean to join the leadership team within the Faculty of Trades and Technology. Reporting to the Dean, Faculty of Trades and Technology, the Associate Dean provides strategic, administrative, and educational leadership across a diverse range of departments and disciplines.
Working closely with the Dean, the Director, Strategy and Business Development, and other administrative leaders, you will help advance the Faculty’s academic priorities while supporting excellence in programs, curriculum, teaching, and the student experience. You will bring a strong understanding of the BC trades training system, a commitment to academic excellence, and the ability to navigate complex operational, employee, and student matters in a collaborative and solutions-focused manner.
As Associate Dean, Faculty of Trades and Technology, you will:
- Lead, coach, and support direct reports, including the Coordinator, Program Inventory and Support, by setting shared goals, guiding performance, and fostering a collaborative and respectful culture.
- Contribute to positive employee and labour relations by administering collective agreements, representing management in grievance processes, and consulting with Human Resources on interpretation and processes.
- Engage departments in collaborative long-term planning to advance Faculty and University objectives.
- Provide leadership and shared oversight for academic programs and curriculum, including curriculum development, program review, revisions, and the facilitation of program changes.
- Monitor faculty workload assignments, course offerings, enrolment patterns, and projections to support effective academic planning and resource allocation.
- Lead Faculty recruitment and hiring processes, chair faculty and staff search committees, and support the orientation, retention, evaluation, and assignment of employees.
- Respond to and resolve student complaints, appeals, academic integrity matters, and other complex student issues in accordance with University and Faculty policies.
- Review and oversee processes related to academic waivers and substitutions, transfer credit, independent study, and prior learning assessment.
- Participate in the development and monitoring of the Faculty’s budget, approve expenditures as a designate of the Dean, and support responsible resource management.
- Work with the Dean’s office, faculty, staff, and the Occupational Health and Safety Committee to support effective communication and coordination of health and safety matters.
- Represent the Faculty on departmental, divisional, University, and external committees, councils, and community bodies.
- Model high standards of service, accountability, professional practice, and continuous learning through assigned duties, education, and training.
- Promote and maintain a safe, equitable, respectful, and inclusive work environment grounded in University policies, procedures, and mandatory training.
What You Bring
You are an experienced academic leader who understands the opportunities and complexities of delivering high-quality trades and technology education in a post-secondary environment. You bring a collaborative and supportive leadership style, sound judgment, and the ability to balance strategic priorities with day-to-day academic and operational demands.
Your communication skills, relationship-building approach, and commitment to academic and service excellence enable you to work effectively with faculty, staff, students, senior leaders, unions, and external partners. You are comfortable addressing complex issues, making thoughtful decisions, and guiding teams through change while maintaining a culture of respect and accountability.
We’re looking for someone who:
- Holds a master’s degree or an equivalent combination of education, training, and experience.
- Brings at least five years of teaching experience in a post-secondary environment, including significant committee experience.
- Has demonstrated success in a leadership role with progressively increasing responsibility; experience as a Department Head, Chair, Associate Dean, or in a similar post-secondary academic leadership role is preferred.
- Has a fundamental understanding of the BC trades training system.
- Demonstrates knowledge of trades and technology programs and a strong commitment to academic excellence and the student learning experience.
- Understands academic programs, curriculum, faculty workload, enrolment planning, and faculty management processes.
- Has experience hiring, mentoring, coaching, and building leadership capacity among faculty and staff.
- Demonstrates strong interpersonal and communication skills and a record of developing effective working relationships.
- Can analyze complex situations, exercise sound judgment, and develop practical and effective solutions.
- Is able to work effectively under pressure, manage competing priorities, and resolve sensitive or complex matters.
- Brings strong organizational skills and the ability to manage academic, operational, and logistical responsibilities.
- Has experience working in a teaching-intensive post-secondary institution and a unionized academic environment; both are considered assets.
- Fosters a supportive, respectful, collaborative, and inclusive working environment.
The Location
KPU is a multi-campus institution. The Trades and Technology offices are located on the Cloverdale campus, however, frequent travel between campuses will be required.
Want to know more?
Click here to view the full job description.
Application Process
To apply for this opportunity, please submit your cover letter and resume as one document via KPU’s Career Centre. Resume review will be conducted on October 14, 2026; however, the competition will remain open until filled.
For inquiries or recommendations related to this position, please contact:
Evita Gandhi
Talent Acquisition Specialist
Email: evita.gandhi@kpu.ca
Salary Information
The above compensation range is the span between the minimum and maximum base salary for a position. Typically, initial salary placement is approximately halfway between the minimum and the maximum. This represents an employee that possesses full job knowledge, qualifications and experience for the position. In the normal course, employees will be hired, transferred or promoted between the minimum and approximately halfway of the salary range for a job with consideration given to internal equity.
