Academic Program Lead, Anatomy, Physiology and Pharmacology

The Biomedical Science Program Lead ensures that the vision and goals for academic undergraduate programming in Biomedical Sciences (BMSC) are achieved. The position provides expert strategic advice to the academic decision makers, BMSC Department Heads, Undergraduate Chairs and to the Colleges of Medicine and Arts & Science. The Program Lead is an academic programs expert, one who understands evolving academic practices and policies, and student enrollment trends. The position is responsible for presenting innovative ideas and initiatives, and strategic advice to the BMSC department heads on the emerging trends in academic programming, utilizing their industry expertise, and collaborating with USask and external academic program experts. The Program Lead achieves vision and goals through analysis and reporting, project management, people leadership and supervision, and planning and execution of the initiatives. The incumbent is an important liaison between the two BMSC departments and between the Colleges of Medicine and Arts & Science, and is a key member of the joint CoM and A&S academic program committees.

The Program Lead leads the undergraduate communications, admission policies, website design, recruitment strategy, undergraduate student engagement initiatives, and creation of new program initiatives such as study abroad/taught abroad and cooperatives.

The BMSC program offers six different lab classes in three lab spaces, supported by three lab instructors and two lab technicians. The incumbent is the people leader for the instructional lab team and leads the optimization of the lab spaces to achieve academic objectives.

Nature of Work

The Biomedical Science Program Lead works closely with the Department Heads of APP and BMI.

A very high degree of expertise, autonomy, initiative, and independence is required within the reporting structure. This position is expected to be self-motivated and to bring forward vision, innovative ideas and goals to the leaders of the BMSC program.  

The responsibilities of this position are diverse and complex, requiring a high capacity for problem solving, independence, sound judgment, and attention to detail. It exercises professional academic judgment and in-depth analysis in designing and interpreting academic policies and procedures, interpreting academic programs, and investigating other academic issues. It plays a key role in analyzing and defining problems and issues and finding and implementing solutions.

The position requires the development and maintenance of professional relationships and teamwork that support exceptional collaboration and problem solving, working closely and collaboratively with a broad range of personnel within the Colleges of Medicine and Arts & Science.

The manager is a member of the BMI and APP Undergraduate Affairs Committees and the BMSC Oversight Committee. They will take part in the BMSC Governance Committee, the Undergraduate Chair meetings of Arts & Science, and as needed, Faculty Council meetings of Medicine and Arts & Science.

Working conditions require innovation and flexibility and may be stressful given the high volume of work and require the ability to work under pressure (ongoing medium to high level of stress) in a fast-paced environment where competing deadlines and multi-tasking is the norm. The standard for the quality of work and timely completion of projects is high. Experiences pressure when managing competing interests toward satisfactory outcomes.

Accountabilities

Reporting to the APP and BMI Department Heads

• Leading, advising, consulting, and making recommendations to the BMSC Department Heads related to all aspects of program management, including but not limited to admissions, program requirements, student advising, student registration, and utilization of undergraduate student lab space
• Providing strategic analysis and advice to faculty, staff, undergraduate chairs, and senior leaders on all matters relating to BMSC undergraduate programming to implement the program initiatives required to meet program objectives
• Advising the Biomedical Sciences Leaders on policy, new initiatives, and emerging challenges
• Analysis and reporting on BMSC programs, policies, and statistics for department, college, and university stakeholders
• Providing leadership, direction, and oversight for departmental lab instructors and technicians in BMSC
• Reviewing and advising on updating BMSC laboratory courses as needed
• Coordinating the use of designated undergraduate laboratory spaces
• Developing, coordinating, and implementing engagement strategies for Indigenous undergraduate students in the BMSC program
• Ensuring that all information on university and college websites is correct and up to date for the BMSC undergraduate
• Contributing to the administration and leadership of the BMSC program through membership on committees as appropriate
• Liaising with Arts & Science on BMSC program priorities
• Understanding, appreciating, and upholding the college and institution values on equity, diversity and inclusion and participating in or leading activities where needed
• Dealing with sensitive and confidential issues using discretion, judgment and compassion.

Qualifications

Education: A four-year undergraduate degree from a recognized Canadian institution is required; a bachelor’s degree in a Biomedical Science discipline is preferred. A graduate degree will be considered an asset.

Experience:
A minimum of six years after graduation of increasingly responsible related work experience. This experience should include contribution to strategy development and implementation, change management, staff supervision, mentoring and leadership, and the design, development and maintenance of business processes and systems to support academic goals. A thorough understanding of the undergraduate program as well as academic and administrative structures in Biomedical Science, Arts & Science, and in the university in general, is required. The incumbent should have experience developing and articulating program goals and vision, facilitating dialogue, building effective, cooperative, and collegial working relationships with a broad range of personnel in a complex university environment and building consensus to effect change. Familiarity with college and university-wide electronic systems relevant to academic programming is required. Demonstrated experience in fostering effective professional relationships, including communication within and among groups is expected at the time of appointment

Skills:
The successful applicant will demonstrate the ability to contribute and collaborate within a team of senior leaders and lead a diverse team. They will demonstrate the ability to develop confidence in collaborators, and to develop productive relationships among internal and external stakeholders. The successful applicant is expected to have strong oral and written communications skills and an understanding of systems for institutional data management. They should have demonstrated supervisory skills, organizational skills, financial management skills, communication skills, and outstanding interpersonal skills with the ability to exercise judgment, tact, diplomacy, and confidentiality. The ability to identify individual and institutional priorities, and the capacity to establish and manage professional working relationships is required. The ability to effectively manage work under mutually agreed schedules and timelines will be essential. This position requires technical and policy knowledge, an ability to deal with competing priorities and deadlines, and personal initiative and judgment. It will suit an individual who is creative, innovative, versatile, and committed to upholding standards of accuracy, consistency, transparency, and equity in the university community.