Program Chair

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Job Description

About Bow Valley College

For 60 years, Calgary’s college has grown to prepare 14,000 students annually for meaningful careers in health care, social services, business, technology, and creative industries. Every program has a Work Integrated Learning requirement, ensuring students contribute to the workplace before they graduate. With a strong focus on advanced simulation training and Alberta’s evolving needs, Bow Valley College’s new Health Care Centre of Excellence is working to expand space and programs, aimed at graduating four-times as many health professionals annually by 2036. Proudly recognized as one of Canada’s Top 50 Research Colleges, we combine innovative learning with hands-on experience. Home to Alberta’s only major e-sports arena and a state-of-the-art digital production hub. Learn more about the opportunities Bow Valley College creates for students, Calgary, and Alberta at bowvalleycollege.ca.

Position Summary

This Program Chair position will be oversee the Interior Decorating Diploma and the Veterinary Assistant Certificate programs.

The Program Chair develops, plans, implements, and administers goals and objectives related to the assigned program(s) including quality course and program curriculum planning and reports directly to the Associate Dean.

The Program Chair works in consultation with the Associate Dean and other faculty to ensure academic excellence and learner success within the context of the Bow Valley College strategic plan.

The Program Chair helps to ensure effective communication and coordination between the activities of the Schools and programs, and with internal college stakeholders and external bodies as relevant. The Program Chair provides operational and academic leadership support to the programs, faculty, and learners in consultation with the Associate Dean.

Program Leadership

• Promotes a positive team environment by developing strong relationships, providing guidance, and encouraging connection and collaboration within the program, department, and College.

• Provides program consultation, mentoring, and/ or coaching and support to faculty and staff as needed and motivates faculty and staff to achieve school/department goals.

• Ensures effective channels of communication and collaboration among faculty, staff, Program Chairs, Associate Deans, and other college departments.

• Chairs team meetings to maintain appropriate communication flow regarding procedures, policies and programs; ensuring they are understood and carried out.

• Provides orientation to the school, department, pedagogy, and program/course curriculum for faculty and staff.

• Provides input to Associate Dean to support effective faculty and staff recruitment by participating in the interview and selection process.

• Develops and implements a comprehensive orientation process for faculty including the development of an information package (clarifying responsibilities and expectations) in collaboration with the Associate Dean.

• Conducts regular program meetings to maintain appropriate communication flow regarding learner issues, teaching and learning, curriculum development, and program maintenance.

• Identifies qualified individuals willing to serve on program advisory committees and recommends to Associate Dean.

• Meets with advisory committees, participates and follows up on recommendations; prepares annual summary of activities for Academic Office.

• Advocates to internal departments for initiatives to support instructional needs or creates support initiatives within department.

• Supports the initiatives of internal departments by welcoming them and inviting them into program areas to share their initiatives or meet their goals.

Program Maintenance, Development and Evaluation

• In collaboration with Associate Dean, contributes to program maintenance, development, and evaluation.

• Provides accurate record keeping of all required files.

• In consultation with Associate Dean and faculty, addresses curriculum issues, incorporates curriculum changes and feedback, and prepares responses to program review processes.

• Promotes an effective teaching and learning environment by promoting instructional best practices, creativity, and teaching excellence.

• Develops timetable and schedule (including teaching load assignments) within the context of College policy and program need and recommends to the Associate Dean for final approval.

• Informs Associate Dean of any faculty absences to ensure courses are appropriately covered.

• Participates in program accreditation, program reviews, certifications, and licensure procedures as appropriate.

• Participates in developing and implementing initiatives in line with Academic and Research priorities.

Promotes Positive Educational Learning Experiences

• Welcomes learners by organizing and attending orientation meetings each semester.

• Participates in program relevant meetings and events and maintains a high level of visibility to learners.

• Meets, guides, and provides advice to individual learners to support learner success.

• Collaborates with Associate Dean in managing learner issues and navigating the learner appeals process.

• Works with learners to ensure all required paperwork is completed (i.e., funding, mid and end of semester, etc.).

• Promotes awareness of available supports that faculty can offer learners; refers learners to appropriate departments for support.

• Meets with faculty to assist in the development of individual or group support plans for learners, as needed.

• Assesses, addresses, and upholds academic integrity in collaboration with faculty.

• Participates in learner achievement selection, awards and other recognition initiatives as appropriate.

• Provides/creates/supports workshops and additional professional development activities to support learner development

• Provides guidance and support for the program applicant process, including internal transfer credit and PLAR processes.

Supports Excellence of the Curriculum

• Ensures that regular ongoing assessment of all courses is current and is in accordance with best practice and program reviews and any program evaluations for external accreditation or approval processes are met.

• Promotes a sound approach to program planning, curriculum design and delivery, and pedagogy/andragogy in keeping with accepted principles of adult teaching and learning.

• Contributes to developing program and course learning outcomes that are achievable and measurable.

• Consults with subject matter experts and curriculum design experts as required.

• Work with the curriculum committee to approve curricula.

• Collaborate with other chairs to develop common courses, pathways and inter-professional education opportunities

• Oversees and participates in curriculum development as required or assigned and ensures standards and best practices are met.

• Reviews course schedules to ensure consistency with program requirements and refers inconsistencies to the Associate Dean.

• In collaboration with the Associate Dean, assesses factors leading to optimal retention rates.

• Liaises with Associate Dean, and program faculty to develop program planning guides.

• Maintains an awareness of industry/sector trends which may impact curriculum and makes recommendations for implementation into existing courses/programs.

• Monitors course offerings and recommends changes to keep the program current; coordinates the development of course outlines and resource materials within the assigned area.

• Participates in initiatives to obtain transfer credit with other institutions to create learner pathways

Promotes Collaboration with Internal and External Stakeholders and Promotes the Program and Bow Valley College

• Represents the school and college to external stakeholders including business sectors, government agencies, professional associations, and community groups.

• Establishes and maintains productive working relationships with internal stakeholders

• Assists in the development of marketing and promoting the program and faculty. Attends external program specific meetings as designated by the Associate Dean. 

• Promotes conducting programs in a manner that upholds the image and reputation of the College.

• Participates in College-wide and departmental committees and activities as required.

Promotes and Supports Applied Research

• Works with the Associate Dean to enhance capacity of the school in applied research.

• Participates in applied research as appropriate.

Models Professionalism and Life-Long Learning

• Models appropriate and professional behavior.

• Articulates professional development goals.

• Develops professional development plan.

Provides Quality Instruction In Courses as Assigned

• Instructs courses as assigned.

• Prepares and updates course outline and course offering information

• Creates lesson plans and course schedule.

• Develops and updates curriculum, manuals and guides as requested.

• Evaluates learner performance on an ongoing basis and provides learners and administrators with learner progress reports.

• Develops suitable assessment criteria.

• Maintains official records as required.

Minimum Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree.

• Master’s degree – depending on program accreditation.

• Five years experience in a post-secondary environment, with experience both in teaching and preferably academic program leadership; experience in the area of applied research would be considered an asset.

• An equivalent combination of directly related education and experience may be considered

Preferred Qualifications

• Master’s Degree.

• A commitment to learner-centred learning and outcomes-based education.

• Sound knowledge of program content and curriculum development.

• Knowledge of and experience in curriculum development, learner recruitment, learner retention and success factors, conflict resolution.

• Collaborative, innovative, and transparent style.

• Passionate about leading the advancement of programming and excellence in teaching.

• Demonstrated organizational and time management skills.

• Excellent verbal and written communication skills.

• Proven ability to work both independently and collaboratively with faculty and interdisciplinary groups across campus.

• Proficient computer skills.

• Ability to convey a professional image and represent the organization in the community and with all stakeholders.

Closing Date: August 15th, 2026

This opening is a 3-year Project (faculty) position, open only to current BVC faculty in continuous positions. Please note all successful candidates will be required to provide copies of government issued identification and proof of educational qualifications upon hire and may be required to provide an enhanced police information check.

Union :

BVCFA

Diversity and Inclusion Commitment
Bow Valley College is strongly committed to fostering diversity and inclusion within our community. We welcome applications from qualified candidates who would contribute to the further diversification of our employees including, but not limited to, visible minorities, Indigenous peoples, persons with disabilities and persons of any sexual orientation or gender identity.