Job Details: Position Title: Chair, Early Childhood Studies
Status: Full Time
Hours: 37.5 hours per week
Program/Department: University of Guelph-Humber
Campus/Location: The University of Guelph-Humber (Humber Polytechnic's North Campus at 207 Humber College Blvd, Toronto, Ontario) is located within the traditional and treaty lands of the Mississaugas of the Credit.
Minimum Starting Salary: $144,930; starting salaries are determined based on qualifications and years of related experience.
Timeline: Screening of applications will begin the week of October 19, 2026.
The Chairs Role In this role, the incumbent provides academic leadership and manages the academic and administrative affairs of the Early Childhood Studies program. The Chair is accountable for the overall operational planning/management of the program and for maintaining relevancy, competitiveness, and currency in the field of study and ensuring industry needs are met. The Chair is responsible for the management of the physical, financial, and human resource requirements of the program.
Collaboratively with the Office of the Vice-Provost, the Chair supports strategic directions that advance the university's commitment to academic and scholarly excellence and student-centered supports. In this role, the incumbent works collegially and collaboratively with chairs and department heads across the university and liaises with and supports the strategic directions of partner institutions, the University of Guelph and Humber Polytechnic, where appropriate.
Academic and Scholarly Excellence • Leads/participates in academic and university initiatives/events to achieve University priorities and goals.
• Teaches within their discipline expertise as per the Office of the Vice-Provost-established semester guidelines.
• Engages in other assigned academic related activities (i.e., Study Abroad, Independent Study) as per the Office of the Vice-Provost-established semester guidelines.
• Participates in scholarship through professional activities and creative contributions that advance the incumbents field of study and fosters an enhanced profile and positive reputation of the program and university.
• Participates in research or scholarly activities in the incumbent's field of study and produces work that advances their field of study and fosters an enhanced profile and positive reputation of the program and university.
• Mentors students in their research endeavors and/or pursuit of graduate school or their employment aspirations after graduation.
Academic Program Management and Leadership • Leads the development and implementation of a vision for the program that ensures relevancy, competitiveness, and currency in the field of study and ensuring industry needs are met, with an emphasis on the quality of the student experience.
• Is accountable for the overall operational planning/management of the program (e.g., course planning that is fiscally responsible, recommendations for instructor/faculty appointments, appropriate and consistent application of academic rules and regulations).
• Continuously develops curriculum to maintain quality and relevance through assessment, applied research or scholarly activities.
• Leads the curriculum development/revision/renewal process for courses according to established University practice and process.
• Collaborates with internal and external stakeholders to ensure quality and relevancy of the program content.
• Chairs program committees as required (e.g., Curriculum Committee, hiring committees).
• Participates in University committees as required (e.g., Academic Management and Programs Committee, University Operations Committee).
• Responsible for initiatives that support student engagement and success.
• Responsible for resolving complex student matters.
Academic Rules and Regulations/University - Polytechnic Policies and Procedures • Interprets the academic rules and regulations, University of Guelph, and Humber Polytechnic policies and procedures, and translates these into proposed actions.
• Communicates academic rules/regulations/policies and procedures to faculty/instructors (as required).
• Approves final grade submissions from all instructors each semester.
• Assesses and approves program related requests according to academic rules and regulations.
Human Resources and Resource Management • Leads annual performance review(s) for direct report(s) and provides formative feedback routinely.
• Oversees and contributes to faculty/instructor hiring (e.g., hiring committee, hiring decisions).
• Recommends faculty/instructor hires to the Office of the Vice-Provost as per the established University process.
• Oversees performance of staff within assigned area as per requirements of University of Guelph and Humber Polytechnic.
• Hires and manages employees that support the operations of the portfolio.
Managing Financial Operations of the Program • Prepares annual operating budget in collaboration with Finance team at the University of Guelph-Humber.
• Is accountable for management of the operating budget, monitoring expenditures and maintaining records to ensure expenditures do not exceed available funds.
• Monitors course enrolments each semester.
Internal and External Constituencies • Fosters, leads, and assists in university and community service activities to enhance and elevate the academic credibility and reputation of the University.
• Participates in professional associations/organizations (as appropriate).
• Acts as an ambassador for the University (e.g., external events, study abroad, establishing pathway agreements).
• Fosters opportunities for new partnerships (e.g., research collaborations, visiting professorships, exchanges).
What you bring to the role: Education: • An earned master's degree in the Early Childhood Studies field or a closely related field. An earned doctorate is preferred.
Experience and Skills: • 5 - 9 years of extensive postsecondary experience (e.g., teaching, scholarly work, coordination, administration, research).
• Demonstrated administrative capability.
• Demonstrated ability to think strategically; manage complexity; lead through ambiguity; value, appreciate, and respect different perspectives and cultures; make thoughtful and informed decisions; and lead through continuous change.
• Exceptional oral and written skills.
Application Process At the University of Guelph-Humber, we don't just accept difference - we celebrate it! Experience comes in many forms, skills are transferable, and a progressive mindset goes a long way at Guelph-Humber. If your experience is close to what we're looking for, consider applying and tell us why you are a great candidate for this job.
Applications should be submitted electronically through the Humber Polytechnic's careers portal.
Applications should include: a detailed resume and a cover letter indicating how you meet some or all of the criteria.
We thank you for your interest in working with the University of Guelph-Humber. Only applicants selected for an interview will be contacted. Consideration for Support Staff and Academic positions will be given to internal employees in accordance with the respective Collective Agreements.
What's In it for you? - An opportunity to be a part of building the University of Guelph-Humber's future.
- Be part of a diverse, hard-working, and supportive team.
- Tools and technology that will allow you to succeed at your job.
- Work/Life balance with above-average days off due to university closure schedules.
