OCAD University acknowledges the ancestral territories of the Mississaugas of the Credit, the Haudenosaunee, the Anishinaabeg and the Huron-Wendat, who are the original owners and custodians of the land on which we live, work and create.
NOTE: THIS APPOINTMENT IS OPEN ONLY TO PERMANENT OCAD U FACULTY MEMBERS.
Reporting to the Governing Committee of the Global Centre for Climate Action (GCCA), the Director of the Global Centre for Climate Action will provide visionary leadership and strategic oversight to advance the Centre’s mission of integrating art, design, and sustainability. This role involves leading interdisciplinary research, fostering global and local partnerships, and overseeing the Centre’s operations, programming, and initiatives. The Director will ensure that the Centre’s work aligns with OCAD University’s strategic priorities of sustainability, decolonization, and social justice. The GCCA is a centre dedicated to addressing the climate crisis through innovative art, design, and research. With a commitment to decolonization and social justice, the GCCA integrates creative vision with sustainable practices to foster interdisciplinary collaborations and amplify calls for cultural transformation. The Centre operates across physical and virtual spaces, including the OCAD University (OCAD U) campus and the Bathurst Quay Silos, and serves as a hub for global climate action initiatives.
Summary of Responsibilities:
Strategic Leadership:
- Develop and implement the strategic vision and goals of the GCCA in alignment with OCAD University’s Academic & Strategic Plan
- Provide leadership in framing creative, cross-disciplinary climate action and research through a lens of social justice and decolonization
Fundraising:
- Oversee fundraising strategies to ensure financial sustainability for the work of the GCCA, including its operational structure
- Work with Advancement, Government Relations and the Research Office to determine fundraising goals associated with public grants and private sector sponsorship
- Lead fundraising efforts with major gift donors and corporate foundations and be the face of the GCCA
Operational Oversight:
- Oversee the daily operations of the Centre, including managing staff, budgets, and resources
- Ensure effective use and maintenance of both physical sites (OCAD U campus and Bathurst Quay Silos) and virtual resources
Program Development and Management:
- Design and implement innovative programs, exhibitions, and events that advance the Centre’s mission and engage diverse audiences
- Coordinate research initiatives, artist residencies, and public art projects that address climate change and social justice issues
Partnerships and Collaboration:
- Cultivate and maintain relationships with local and global organizations, Indigenous communities, scholars, artists, and activists
- Facilitate interdisciplinary collaborations and build networks to enhance the Centre’s impact and visibility
Advocacy and Representation:
- Represent the Centre in public forums, conferences, and meetings, promoting its mission and achievements
- Advocate for the integration of Indigenous knowledges and perspectives in climate action and sustainability initiatives
Governance and Administration:
- Serve as a key member of the Governing Committee, contributing to decisions on policy, programming, and appointments
- Oversee compliance with the Centre’s governance structure and ensure adherence to OCAD University’s policies and procedures including but not limited to the Policy on the Establishment and Review of Research Organizations
Research and Innovation:
- Drive research initiatives that explore new forms of creative and interdisciplinary approaches to climate action
- Support the development and dissemination of research findings through the Centre’s virtual portal and other platforms
Community Engagement:
- Foster a vibrant community of scholars, artists, and activists dedicated to climate action and social justice
- Engage with local communities and Indigenous groups to ensure that the Centre’s work reflects and respects their interests and needs
Qualifications:
- A Ph.D. or Master’s degree in a relevant field such as Environmental Studies, Art and Design, Social Justice, Indigenous Studies, or a related discipline
- Proven track record of leadership in a research or creative institution, with experience in managing complex projects and interdisciplinary teams; experience in climate action, sustainability, or social justice is highly desirable
- Must be a current permanent faculty member at OCAD U
- A minimum of ten (10) years of experience at the post-secondary level
- Strong leadership and strategic planning abilities
- Excellent communication and public speaking skills
- Ability to build and maintain partnerships with diverse stakeholders
- Experience with budget management and resource allocation
- Familiarity with Indigenous perspectives and decolonization practices
- Proficiency in digital tools and platforms for virtual engagement and research
- Experience in interdisciplinary program development
- Experience leading a faculty development centre’s programs and services
- Significant experience in leading and facilitating institutional and administrative change
- Experience leading and managing change initiatives
- Demonstrated flexibility to multi-task and juggle multiple roles and demands simultaneously
- Demonstrated interpersonal skills, team player with ability to develop consensus, strengths in oral and written communication, and sensitivity to the needs and concerns of students, faculty and administration
- High level of initiative with a particular interest in working within the context of a visual art and design educational university
- Demonstrated leadership, organizational, and problem-solving skills
- Strong skills in evaluating and managing staff performance
- Demonstrated ability of working culturally diverse teaching and learning environment
- Experience developing and managing budgets to achieve targets
- Ability to effectively manage financial and human resources
- Experience building successful partnerships with key service coordinators and staff
Remuneration:
- Administrative stipend
- Three (3) course releases in the first twelve (12) months of the position. Subsequently, it is required the Director will raise the funds required to cover three course releases annually.
Contract: This is a two (2) year directorship, subject to renewal. The anticipated start date is January 6, 2025.
This is an internal search only. Interested applicants are invited to submit an updated *resume and cover letter (PDF) by selecting “Apply Now” below. The review of applications will begin on Friday, November 1, 2024, and will continue until the position is filled.
*Please upload your resume and cover letter as one PDF. Please name your upload: FirstName_LastName-Job Code
As an employer committed to employment equity, we encourage applications from members of equity-deserving communities including women, racialized and Indigenous persons, persons with disabilities, and persons of all sexual orientations and gender identities/expressions.
We encourage members of designated equity-deserving groups to self-identify within the voluntary Applicant Questionnaire.
In order to alleviate the under-representation of racialized and Indigenous academic administrators, priority in hiring will be given to qualified racialized and Indigenous persons who self-identify as such in the application process. This initiative is a special program under the Ontario Human Rights Code.
OCAD University is committed to providing an inclusive and barrier free experience to applicants with accessibility needs. Requests for accommodation can be made at any stage during the recruitment process. Please contact People & Culture for more information or refer to OCAD U’s Policy of Accommodation in Employment for Persons with Disabilities.
All qualified persons are encouraged to apply; however, Canadians and permanent residents of Canada will be given priority. While we thank all candidates for their interest, only those short-listed will be contacted.