Associate Dean, Animation, Emerging Technology and Game Design

Reporting to the Dean, Faculty of Animation, Arts & Design, the Associate Dean is responsible for providing leadership to the faculty, staff and students in a number of specified programs within the Faculty. This includes leading the development, delivery and review of programs and supervision of teaching and learning processes within the Faculty to ensure quality and relevancy of program outcomes. It also includes the planning and administration of resources and the development of industry partnerships and initiatives in collaboration with other departments within the Faculty and College. The Associate Dean plays a key role in attracting and developing talent, creating an engaging work environment and managing performance to ensure faculty commitment to quality teaching, professional development and currency in their discipline. The Associate Dean contributes to building a strong identity, positive reputation and a clear sense of direction of programs through educational objectives that are current with industry and community (including Program Advisory Committees and Applied Research projects), effective, relevant to student needs and consistent with the Faculty and College strategic direction.

What You’ll Be Doing

• Providing strategic and academic leadership for the School/Department, establishing a clear vision, identity and direction aligned with Faculty and College priorities while responding to evolving student, industry, government and community needs;
• Leading the development, delivery, continuous improvement and review of academic programs and curriculum, ensuring programs remain innovative, relevant, high quality and responsive to emerging workforce, technological, economic and demographic trends;
• Identifying and advancing opportunities for program growth, innovation and differentiation, including new programs, interdisciplinary initiatives, applied research, alternative delivery models and strategic partnerships;
• Leading the recruitment, development, performance and engagement of faculty and staff, including workload planning, performance management, professional development and the advancement of excellence in teaching and learning;
• Fostering an inclusive, collaborative and student-centred academic environment that promotes student success, faculty and staff engagement, shared accountability and excellence in the teaching and learning experience;
• Providing leadership and guidance in addressing complex academic, student and employee matters, including conflict resolution, student concerns, grade appeals, grievances and other matters requiring sound judgement and effective problem-solving;
• Leading the strategic planning and management of enrolment, budgets and resources, ensuring the effective allocation of financial, human, technological, space, equipment and facility resources to support operational and longer-term priorities;
• Building strong, collaborative relationships across the College, partnering with academic and administrative areas to advance shared priorities, integrated initiatives and innovative approaches to academic delivery;
• Developing and maintaining strategic external relationships and partnerships with industry, government, professional bodies, educational institutions and community organizations to strengthen programs, create opportunities and enhance the School’s profile and impact;
• Leading and participating in Faculty, College-wide and external committees and initiatives, contributing academic leadership and expertise to broader institutional priorities;
• Maintaining currency in the discipline, post-secondary education and emerging sector trends, modelling ongoing professional development and encouraging continuous learning and innovation among faculty and staff;
• Leading and participating on various internal and external committees.
  
  

About You

You have the skills and knowledge to work with an increasingly diverse student and staff population as well as a proven commitment to anti-oppression, equity, and inclusion.

You are a self-directed natural leader and have a highly collaborative spirit which, combined with your keen interpersonal and communication skills, empowers you to build positive and collaborative relationships and create and maintain a positive organizational culture.

You have superlative presentation and influencing skills with an ability to influence at all levels and obtain buy-in when diverse needs and competing priorities exist and can clearly communicate complex information verbally and in writing across multiple levels.

You have sound understanding of project management principles and tools and have the ability to multi-task, prioritize, balance, and manage multiple complex and competing demands.

You exercise sound judgement and your sharp problem solving and conflict resolution skills, along with your ability to invite new ways of thinking, allow you to solve challenges in a creative way to help advance organizational goals.

You are passionate about educational innovation and shaping the future of post-secondary education.

The Ideal Candidate Will Also Possess The Following Qualifications

• Master’s degree in Animation, Gaming, Emerging Technologies or related screen industries
• PhD considered an asset
• 7 years of experience working in a post-secondary educational environment with significant management/leadership experience or progressive work experience in Animation, Gaming, Emerging Technologies or related screen industries. (Equivalency to be considered).
• Post-secondary teaching experience and experience in curriculum development and design
• Strong connections to the Animation, Gaming, Emerging Technologies or related industries with an understanding of emerging trends & issues
• Familiarity with educational technology (preferred)
• Sound understanding of challenges, emerging trends and issues in post-secondary education
• Demonstrated commitment to academic excellence and student success
• Experience in financial budgeting, management and reporting
• Awareness of Occupational Health and Safety responsibilities (preferred)
  
  

Who We Are

Every member of the Sheridan community is passionate about the transformational role we play in people’s lives. Our strategic plan, Sheridan 2027: Forging the Future (https://www.sheridancollege.ca/sheridan2027), charts a path towards a new ground-breaking model of higher education that reshapes post-secondary education and better prepares students for the future. We are committed to demonstrably advancing equity, diversity and inclusivity. Diversity is our strength and fuels our commitment to excellence. Across our campuses, we’re making meaningful strides towards developing an equitable and inclusive community.

• For more information, visit: Why Work at Sheridan
  
  

Other Details

Faculty: Animation, Arts and Design

Primary Work/Campus Location: Trafalgar (may be assigned activities at any Sheridan campus)

Work Categorization: Hybrid Position | On-site at least 3 days/week

Reference #: J0926-1036

Employee Group: Administrative

Payband: NO

Salary Range: $128,623.85 - $160,779.05

Type of Vacancy: This is a replacement position

Application Deadline: October 21, 2026

Application Details: Applications will be reviewed as they are received, and interviews may be scheduled prior to the closing date. Interested candidates are encouraged to apply early.

Commitment to Equity, Diversity & Inclusion

First Nations peoples have lived on this part of Turtle Island for millennia, stewarding the land, the water and all that contributes to life in this region. Today, the culture and presence of First Nations, Inuit and Metis peoples enrich the lands and people of this territory.

Over two centuries ago, the Mississauga people welcomed settlers to this territory, providing sustenance and engaging in trade and commerce. Between 1781 to 1820, eight treaties were signed with the Mississaugas of the Credit First Nation who opened their territory to settlement. Today, Sheridan campuses are located on Treaty 14, also known as the Head of the Lake Purchase of 1806 and Treaty 22 and 23 of 1820.

Treaty history is foundational, and it is our collective responsibility to honour the land, as we honour and respect those who have gone before us, those who are here and those who have yet to come. We are grateful for the opportunity to be learning, working and thriving on this land, and we commit to learn the truth and be active in the process of reconciliation.

Sheridan values the diverse and intersectional identities of its students, faculty, and staff. Sheridan regards equity and diversity as an integral part of academic excellence and is committed to accessibility for all employees. Sheridan seeks applicants who embrace our values of equity, anti-racism, and inclusion. As such, we encourage applications from qualified candidates who have been historically disadvantaged and marginalized, including those who identify as First Nations, Métis and/or Inuit/Inuk, Black, members of racialized communities, persons with disabilities, women and/or 2SLGBTQ+.

Sheridan will provide job applicants with accommodation in accordance with the Ontario Human Rights Code and the Accessibility for Ontarians with Disabilities Act. To request accommodation, please contact Human Resources.

You may be asked to provide copies of your educational credentials at the time of interview. Upon hire, we require official confirmation of educational credentials and Canadian equivalency assessments, if applicable.