THE ORGANIZATION

Our Client, Robertson College, has been in operation for over 100 years and has established itself as a leading private post-secondary institution in Canada that is undergoing significant growth and expansion both domestically and globally. They pride themselves on offering students an inclusive community that respects the diversity and uniqueness of each student.

At the heart of their philosophy is the pursuit of knowledge and personal growth and development. Robertson College provides the opportunity to expand horizons and prepare their students for the next stage of their personal journey. Meaningful, challenging, industry-reviewed programs taught by qualified, dedicated instructors are at the core of Robertson College’s operation. Robertson ensures its students’ success by providing quality instruction, industry-aligned curriculum, and practical hands-on learning experiences. Robertson’s commitment to its learners is to connect work-ready students and graduates with industry and employer partners helping them to conduct a successful job search and find post-program employment.

Robertson is the School of New Work. Their vision is for everyone to have a good life through a prosperous and fulfilling career. Robertson’s mission is to empower their students with the most relevant training and up-to-date industry insights to thrive in a modern work environment. Having a deep understanding of the demands of the modern workforce is integral to what Robertson offers their learners.

Robertson strives to improve access to quality post-secondary education for all students through instructor and self-guided learning. They empower students to craft their education experience, giving them the choice between online guided, hybrid and online self-guided courses.

Internally, Robertson places value on building a work culture that is flexible and adaptive to the changing world of work. Robertson provides their team members a #MeDay each week to invest in themselves. They also seek out diversity in their team by #CelebrateEverything and encourage team members to take paid time off to celebrate their cultural, religious, and spiritual holidays. Their team is intentionally talent-dense – their strength lies in the differences in backgrounds and expertise that each bring to the table. They operate in a fast-paced environment where they continually challenge themselves to think outside of the box. They want their team to feel welcomed, energized, and engaged while having fun.

For more information on Robertson College, please visit www.robertsoncollege.com.

THE OPPORTUNITY

As the Vice President, Operations you will report to the President & CEO, and bring operations knowledge and experience, innovative thinking, energy, and leadership to Robertson’s Canadian/Domestic Division. Your primary responsibility is to oversee the overall operations and related activities in the organization, ensuring development and implementation of efficient operations and cost- effective systems to meet current and future needs of the organization leading to superior learner experience.

Your dedication to motivating team members and promoting private college education to diverse student populations will drive the continued growth of Robertson. This role requires you to roll up your sleeves and join the team on the ground whenever needed.

As an experienced leader, you will serve as a key member of Robertson’s senior leadership team. As a hands-on leader, you will encourage a collaborative approach, support academic excellence, and promote originality and innovation at Robertson.

Your skills in operations as well as managing facilities will assist our organization in creating integrated spaces, minimizing disruptions to overall business operations, improving working conditions, and creating a safe and comfortable environment for both staff and students.

You will lead a team that embraces operational excellence within Robertson’s Domestic Division while providing an exceptional experience for their future and existing students.

RESPONSIBILITIES & ACCOUNTABILITIES

 Working collaboratively with other VPs and Leaders, the Vice President will champion and action the vision for the success of the domestic division by delivering high-quality programming, strong graduation outcomes, superior services, and facilities, designed to ensure learners continue to have a superior experience.

Operations & Student Experience (focusing on student retention & outcomes)

• Continue to evolve/drive the experience-based student experience strategies with clear objectives to maintain high student retention rates and graduation outcomes.
• Create or approve division-wide policies and procedures, ensuring they meet or exceed compliance requirements and best practice standards.
• Devise plans and strategies for developing the business and achieving company performance goals.
• Ongoing refinement of existing administrative processes to find efficiencies.
• Oversee all class reports, analyzing data and recognizing when changes need to be implemented.
• Oversee and manage attrition forecasting, planning, and budgeting processes.
• Implement strategies to develop and expand the company’s customer base.
• Develop an operational plan which incorporates goals and objectives that work towards the strategic direction of the organization.
• Develop and implement both short- and long-term tactical and strategic plans in accordance with business goals and objectives.
• Monitor and manage performance metrics and targets that are consistent with company goals.
• Develop an ongoing competitive analysis method and identify risks and opportunities.
• Set objectives for the company and ensure that planning initiatives are implemented to maximize both top- and bottom-line growth.
• Establishes, implements, and communicates the strategic direction of the organization’s operations division.
• Collaborates with executive leadership to develop and meet company goals while supplying expertise and guidance on operations projects and systems.
• Collaborates with other divisions and departments to carry out the organization’s goals and objectives.
• Identifies, recommends, and implements new processes, technologies, and systems to improve and streamline organizational processes and use of resources and materials.
• Ensures that departmental decisions and project plans such as those for staffing, development, organization, material efficiency, hardware acquisitions, and facilities are in line with the organization’s business plan and vision.
• Establishes, communicates, and implements operations-related policies, practices, standards, and security measures to ensure effective and consistent support and execution.
• Reviews and approves cost-control reports, cost estimates, and staffing requirements for projects.
• Presents periodic performance reports and metrics to the chief executive officer and other leadership.
• Maintains knowledge of emerging technologies and trends in operations management.
• Identifies training needs and ensures proper training is developed and provided.
• Performs other related duties as assigned.

Facilities Management

• Leads the integration of processes within the Robertson college facility operations (three campuses) to maintain and develop agreed services with each campus.
• Contributes to the delivery of strategic and operational objectives by reducing facility costs, and improving the productivity, revenue generating capacity and image of the entire organization.
• Ensures a safe and efficient working environment, essential to the performance of the business.
• Manages construction work and may coordinate and/or oversee contracted services for major construction.
• Manages facilities budget.
• Directs routine maintenance, responds to emergencies, manages risk, oversees security, and conducts site inspections.

Leadership

• Establishes, implements, and communicates the strategic direction of the organization’s operations division.
• Collaborates with executive leadership to develop and meet company goals while supplying expertise and guidance on operations projects and systems.
• Collaborates with other divisions and departments to carry out the organization’s goals and objectives.
• Identifies, recommends, and implements new processes, technologies, and systems to improve and streamline organizational processes and use of resources and materials.
• Ensures that departmental decisions and project plans such as those for staffing, development, organization, material efficiency, hardware acquisitions, and facilities are in line with the organization’s business plan and vision.
• Establishes, communicates, and implements operations-related policies, practices, standards, and security measures to ensure effective and consistent support and execution.
• Reviews and approves cost-control reports, cost estimates, and staffing requirements for projects.
• Establishes and administers the department’s budget.
• Presents periodic performance reports and metrics to the chief executive officer and other leadership.
• Maintains knowledge of emerging technologies and trends in operations management.
• Foster an environment of innovation, collaboration, and teamwork among the team as well as across the company.

People Management

• Recruits, interviews, hires, and trains management-level staff in the department.
• Oversees the daily workflow of the department.
• Provides constructive and timely performance evaluations.
• Handles discipline and termination of employees in accordance with company policy.
• Identifies training needs and ensures proper training is developed and provided.
• Leadership based on core values and company DNA including DEI & Truth and Reconciliation.
• Create a workplace culture that fosters success and ongoing business and goal achievement.
• Create an atmosphere where the team is encouraged and motivated.
• Provide ongoing coaching and motivation of the Robertson domestic team to achieve objectives by providing tools and creating metrics that encourage individual and team development as well as profit growth.
• Ensure all employees adhere to the company practices and regulatory requirements.
• Conduct and oversee the ongoing evaluation of the performance of the division.

Team Performance Management

• Active and ongoing performance management with appropriate KPI measures including sales pipeline.
• Set and administer performance standards to ensure the faculty and staff achieve their targets (for example, 90% retention, 90% graduation, 5-star rating).
• Develop and implement student service techniques for the team to ensure retention and outcomes targets and goals are successfully met.
• Ensure ethical teaching and learning practices are being employed, meeting all regulatory requirements and Robertson standards.
• In partnership with Marketing, review and provide input into marketing/advertising plans and make recommendations for growth and business development.
• In partnership with Marketing, monitor student reviews and referrals.

Fiscal Leadership

• Direct the budgeting and planning for the domestic division in accordance with the overall budget and planning direction set out for Robertson.
• Responsible for ensuring that the budget is expended in keeping with Robertson’s general objectives towards which the budget was developed.
• Establish both short-term results and long-term strategy, including expense forecasting.
• Monitor and understand the strategies and processes across the revenue cycle from customer acquisition to engagement to success.

Internal Relationships

• Ongoing collaboration and integration with other departments and stakeholders, so that Canadian learning trends are shared and incorporated throughout the operations (when required).
• Collaborate with the senior team to ensure daily functions of the college result in recognized revenue that correlate with monthly budgets.

External Relationships

• Manage key partner channels, promoting products and services in order to recruit employment partners.
• Manage key customer relationships and participate when required with the VP of Business Development in closing strategic opportunities.

Other Duties

• Lead/facilitate/participate in corporate-wide initiatives.
• Additional duties as assigned.

FIRST YEAR – MEASURES OF SUCCESS

• Observe, Learn, and Understand the Business within a National and Provincial Context including opportunities and challenges such as:
  • Private colleges are regulated provincially and are subject to province-specific legislation.
  • There is a high level of competition among private colleges in Canada.
  • Many public educational institutions in various provinces have been facing financial challenges with decreasing domestic enrollment and have been advertising more aggressively.
  • As a private college, students have very high expectations of Robertson to create the right conditions and environment to position them to be successful.
  • As part of the annual licensing process as a private college Robertson is measured and are required to report against performance outcomes including graduation and employment rates.
  • You will be attuned to evolving industry and government priorities and to inform the executive team of the identified needs.
• Build and Develop a Retention and Outcomes Strategy
  • Robertson has been transforming and building a dynamic culture deeply rooted in core values, brand, vision, and purpose. You will play a pivotal role in making sure domestic student experience is positive through building a mechanism to gather regular feedback.
  • The Vice President will lead the development and execution of a student retention and outcomes strategy and process to further enhance the team’s performance.
  • You will play an active role in shifting the team dynamic, adapting to a digital-first approach in all the communications with students.
• Lead in Times of Change – Top Line Growth and Management
  • Using exceptional relationship building and communication skills, the Vice President will work with the Operations team and other stakeholder.
  • You will lead, champion, embody, and support incorporating the brand – the School of New Work – into Robertson’s culture.
• Build Internal Partnerships and Pathways
  • You will encourage creativity and collaboration while working to build partnerships and pathways within Robertson’s divisions and respective departments.
  • Partnerships and pathways will be designed to create opportunities for better understanding Robertson’s diversified student population’s needs.

THE INDIVIDUAL

Given the pivotal role this individual will be expected to play in achieving the strategic objectives of the company and in supporting the success of the organization, it is essential that the successful candidate possess the following core competencies, experience, and attributes:

Education

• Bachelor’s degree in operations management, business administration, logistics, or another industry-related field required.
• MBA preferred.
• Lean Six-Sigma or similar designation and experience would be of value.

Experience

• Minimum 10 years of operations, supply chain- or lean-related experience with the ideal candidate coming from one of the following:
  • An industry that is experiencing innovation such as digital transformation and online delivery.
  • An industry that is highly regulated such as food production, medical, pharmaceutical, banking and others.
  • Industry that is service oriented and customer-facing.
  • Traditional manufacturing industries being considered.
  • Other relatable industries not included in the above.
• Minimum 7 years experience in leadership and upper management.

Competencies and Knowledge

• Excellent verbal and written communication skills.
• Strong supervisory and leadership skills.
• Excellent organizational skills and attention to detail.
• Strong analytical and problem-solving skills.
• Proficient with Microsoft Office Suite or related software.

Personal Profile

• Highly accountable and consistently taking ownership and initiative for your department.
• Can function independently without a lot of guidance.
• Is resourceful seeking information as needed.
• Strong communication skills keeping leadership and other stakeholders informed regularly.
• Excellent interpersonal skills with ability to build relationships with customers and colleagues.
• Is a strong coach and mentor supporting the leadership team with growth and learning.
• Collaborative working together as a team to get the desired results, not hierarchical.
• Enjoys a fast-paced and ever-changing environment viewing this as exciting and a challenge.
• Highly motivated, with a demonstrated passion for excellence and taking initiative.
• Lives the core values and vision of Robertson.
• “Roll up your sleeves” attitude and enjoys making things happen.
• Open to candid feedback seeing this as an opportunity for learning and individual growth.

COMPENSATION

An excellent compensation package awaits the successful candidate.

LOCATION

Calgary (preferred) or Edmonton, Alberta

WORK ENVIRONMENT

This position will work on-site and will be expected to travel to all Robertson College locations.

HOW TO APPLY

For the opportunity to join our client in the role of Vice President, Operations please email your resume to DreamBig@profoundtalent.com referencing Position ID # AEDV-003663.

Should you have an inquiry regarding this position, please contact Terri Davis at 587-200-0114 ext. 101.

For further information on ProFound Talent Inc. please visit: www.profoundtalent.com

EQUAL OPPORTUNITY

ProFound Talent is a woman owned and operated business, recognized and certified by Women Business Enterprise (WBE). We pride ourselves in supporting equity, diversity, and inclusion initiatives in our recruitment processes and in our work environment, where every individual feels valued and respected. We welcome applications from all qualified individuals to which you may confidentially share your accommodation needs at time of application. We will adjust our processes to ensure you have an inclusive, fair, and respectful experience that allows you to represent yourself in your unique and most authentic way.

* We thank all applicants for your submissions, however only candidates being considered for this role will be contacted.*