Vice-Provost, Planning and Analytics

Dalhousie University is the largest university in Atlantic Canada, comprised of more than 6,000 faculty and staff and 20,000 students amongst its 13 Faculties. As part of Canada’s U15 group of research-intensive universities, Dalhousie is a key driver of the region’s intellectual, social, and economic development. Dalhousie University’s first 200 years have seen it transform from a local centre of learning to an institution with global impact. Now, at the dawn of its third century, Dalhousie is more relevant, more connected, and more vibrant than ever. 

Read more about Dalhousie’s vision for the next five years in our recently launched Strategic Plan. 

Dalhousie is seeking a Vice-Provost, Planning & Analytics (VPPA) to lead this key portfolio. As a member of the leadership team reporting to the Provost and Vice-President Academic, the VPPA works closely with other senior leaders across the University to provide leadership for, and support to, the planning, policy formulation, and data-informed decision-making activities of the University in support of the academic mission. The VPPA acts as an advisor, a facilitator, and a project manager on key institutional priorities and is integral to the development and achievement of institutional strategic plans. 

The VPPA works with other members of the Provost’s senior team on the prioritization, creation, development, and administration of academic initiatives including financial and space planning and enrolment planning. The VPPA also provides oversight for institutional research projects in support of strategic plans and leadership and project management on complex projects with University-wide impact. As the leader of the analytics unit, the VPPA is responsible for the timely provision of accurate data to support long-range planning activities and for designing, planning, implementing, and evaluating data-driven and data-informed systems that support strategic initiatives including integrated budget planning. The VPPA takes a leadership role in governing the effective and ethical use and management of enterprise-wide data and will guide the university in its efforts to identify, introduce, manage, and effectively utilize data analytics platforms.   

The VPPA is also engaged with a broad range of university strategic priorities, issues management, policies and procedures, administrative systems, and community engagement opportunities beyond the immediate portfolio, as needed. 

As the ideal candidate, you are a well-respected leader with superior communication and relationship building skills. You have a graduate degree and experience working in a Canadian post-secondary institution (preferably a university) in a similar or related role.  With exceptional understanding of information governance, macro data analytics and the context in which data supports decision-making, you have an understanding of, and can make recommendations in relation to, quantitative, qualitative, and mixed methods approaches to data analysis. You have proven financial and general business acumen and can effectively deliver multi-faceted and complex information and concise reports, ensuring clarity and compliance with established standards and practices. Experienced in managing teams, you work collaboratively with a wide variety of stakeholders and can clearly communicate messages that address different perspectives and levels of engagement of multiple audiences.  You demonstrate a leadership style that is fair, helpful, and objective and you consistently demonstrate collegiality, sound judgement, and professionalism. 

If you are interested in this opportunity, contact Katherine Frank at kfrank@kbrs.ca or Laura Brannan at lbrannan@kbrs.ca, or submit your application online at: www.kbrs.ca/Career/14846. Review of applications will begin Feb. 11, 2022 and continue until the position is filled. 

If we contact you for an interview and you are a person with a disability who requires technical aids or alternative arrangements, please let us know of these needs and any way in which we can be of assistance. Dalhousie University recognizes its obligation to accommodate candidates in order to ensure full, fair, and equitable participation in the hiring process. Our complete Accommodation Policy can be viewed here.  

Dalhousie University supports a healthy and balanced lifestyle. Our total compensation package includes a defined benefit pension plan, health and dental plans, a health spending account, an employee and family assistance program and a tuition assistance program. 

Dalhousie University is committed to fostering a collegial culture grounded in diversity and inclusiveness. The university encourages applications from Indigenous persons (especially Mi’kmaq), persons with a disability, racialized persons, including persons of Black/African descent (especially African Nova Scotians), women, persons of a minority sexual orientation and/or gender identity, and all candidates who would contribute to the diversity of our community. For more information, please visit www.dal.ca/hiringfordiversity. 

The successful candidate will be required to provide proof of full vaccination or may seek an accommodation from Dalhousie’s vaccine requirements on grounds protected under provincial human rights legislation. Visit the Campus Check website for more information.