Memorial University of Newfoundland
Dean, Faculty of Engineering and Applied Science
Position Profile
The Opportunity
The role of Dean of Engineering and Applied Science at Memorial University of
Newfoundland (MUN) is a unique opportunity for a visionary and energetic leader to
engage with all of the Faculty’s communities to advance its profile, further excellence in
teaching and research, and ensure its continued success as one of the University’s
outstanding professional schools. The Faculty of Engineering and Applied Science at
Memorial is a leader in engineering education, competitive in research and well-connected
with industry and the engineering profession. Engineering at Memorial is one of the few
schools in Canada where the co-op model is integrated into the undergraduate curriculum.
Its undergraduate co-op programs are highly respected for educating well-qualified,
enterprising engineers with strong academic and consummate professional preparation.
Undergraduate co-op programs include civil, computer, electrical, mechanical, ocean and
naval architectural, and process engineering, as well as options in oil and gas. Graduate
programs are available at the master’s and doctoral levels in civil, computer, electrical,
mechanical, ocean and naval architectural, and offshore oil and gas engineering. There are
currently 1200 undergraduates enrolled, as well as 350 graduate students.
The Faculty of Engineering and Applied Science is one of eleven Faculties and Schools at
Memorial. Its Dean should possess a record of successful leadership and management in a
university or professional setting; proven skills in developing and executing strategic
directions; a leadership style characterized by collegial and innovative approaches; a
commitment to student engagement, and the importance of teaching, research and
scholarship in a professional school. Candidates must possess a PhD and be will be expected
to register with the Professional Engineers and Geoscientists of Newfoundland and Labrador
(PEGNL). For more detailed information please visit www.engr.mun.ca.
Function
The Dean of the Faculty of Engineering and Applied Science provides dynamic leadership in
all areas of the Faculty’s activities including: undergraduate and graduate education;
teaching and learning; research; engagement with the engineering profession; industrial
relations; university service work, fundraising and advancement; and community
engagement. The Dean reports to the Vice-President (Academic) and Pro Vice-Chancellor
and is the chief academic officer of the Faculty.
Position Responsibilities
Academic Leadership
The Dean provides visionary and energetic leadership and administration to the Faculty of
Engineering and Applied Science. Working collaboratively with the Vice-Presidents, Deans,
and members of the senior management group the Dean will:
Develop a collegial vision for the Faculty’s future and work with faculty, staff, and
students to develop a multi-year academic plan, availing of timely opportunities within
Memorial, in the province, and in the broader industrial community. A significant
expansion in the Faculty’s programs is envisioned over the next 5 years, and a draft
plan is already in progress which envisions growth in the faculty complement based on
an increase in undergraduate and graduate enrolments and increased research funding
opportunities;
Promote excellence and integrity in teaching, research and university service;
Engage all personnel in creating and sustaining an exemplary workplace culture
throughout the Faculty;
Raise the Faculty’s profile internally and externally, nationally and internationally;
Develop strategic alliances and partnerships – both internally and externally – for the
achievement of common goals;
Build and maintain effective relationships with a diverse group of stakeholders,
advancing the Faculty’s relationships across various sectors;
Engage the faculty, staff and students in the evolution of the Faculty as a leading
Canadian engineering school, with internationally recognized areas of excellence;
Provide leadership in the development of a Faculty advancement strategy that includes
alumni relations, fundraising, corporate relations, and community relations; and
Be actively involved in advancement activities, including fundraising.
Teaching and Learning
Inspire and lead faculty and staff in providing first class educational experiences for all
students within the University’s recently adopted Teaching and Learning Framework;
Display openness to innovation in the design and delivery of courses, curricula, and
degree programs, and to collaborative programming within Memorial and with the
College of the North Atlantic and other institutions;
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Display and instill an understanding of: pedagogical and technical advances in
education; professional accreditation requirements; and frameworks for learning
outcomes and degree expectations for undergraduate and graduate degree programs;
and
Facilitate regular evaluation of degree programs with a view to maintaining excellence
and full accreditation.
Research and Scholarly Activity
The Dean will:
Support engineering scholarship, embracing the wide range of fundamental and
applied research in engineering disciplines;
Promote research productivity in the Faculty, taking advantage of recent
developments including the establishment of the Research and Development
Corporation by the Province, as well as opportunities occasioned by the growth of
ocean and energy industries;
Work in collaboration with the Office of the Vice-President (Research), providing
support and encouragement to faculty scholars and researchers to achieve exemplary
performance; and
Work in collaboration with the Office of the Vice-President (Academic) to plan
academic personnel needs within the Faculty and establish strategies to compete in the
recruitment, career development, and retention of high caliber faculty who excel in
teaching, research, and service.
External Relations
The Dean will:
Work with institutions in the public and private sectors, both industrial and
educational, to enhance the goals of the Faculty;
Build and maintain effective relationships with a diverse group of stakeholders as part
of the University’s Engagement Framework;
Demonstrate significant ‘real world’ experience through involvement with industry,
boards of relevant organizations, and the engineering profession;
Play an effective role in the provincial professional engineering association, PEGNL, in
the interests of the Faculty’s graduates;
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Work with the University’s senior management team on fundraising and advancement
activities in support of the Faculty’s priorities; and
In collaboration with the University’s senior management team, contribute to the
development of a plan for advocacy with the provincial government in order to make a
compelling case for Faculty growth.
Opportunities and Challenges
The new Dean of Engineering and Applied Science at Memorial will come to the Faculty at
an opportune time. Initial discussions are underway concerning significant growth of the
Faculty’s academic programs and its faculty complement, particularly in its core areas so that
it will be poised to take advantage of solid economic growth and resource development in
the province. The Dean will guide the Faculty in its anticipated growth through a collegial
implementation process that recognizes the future potential, building on existing strengths,
and availing of timely opportunities in the province and the broader industrial community.
The faculty have been working collegially to identify nodes of excellence in research,
including oceans, energy, environment and sustainable infrastructure, and information
engineering, which will become focal areas for future development.
As a leading professional school at Memorial, co-operative education and the accreditation
process are key to the success of the undergraduate program. The Canadian engineering
accreditation process, through Engineers Canada, is undergoing change, which will
necessitate review and adjustment of local programs. The new Dean, as the chief academic
officer of the Faculty, will ensure that the Faculty remains innovative, and preserves a strong
reputation for high quality programs in the context of this evolving accreditation climate. In
addition maintaining full accreditation for all programs is an essential foundation for the
proposed expansion of the Faculty.
Economic development in Newfoundland and Labrador is leading the country, a result of
which is that Newfoundland and Labrador is now a ‚have‛ province. Funding for research
and development has increased beyond previously experienced levels, as have opportunities
for linkages and partnerships, with industrial partners coming from growth sectors including
sustainable and alternative energy, oil and gas, aerospace, mining and processing,
information technology, and ocean sciences. The new Dean will lead the Faculty in pursuit
of new resources for the school, developing priorities through collegial discussions with all of
the members of the engineering community at Memorial.
The success of Engineering at Memorial has led to the recruitment of new faculty, the
development of new programs, and the creation of new positions in the faculty complement.
Likewise, the Faculty has been enjoying considerable success in internationalization, and
international student numbers are robust and growing. The new Dean will continue this
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impressive success in recruitment and internationalization and facilitate and advocate for
additional opportunity for the Faculty.
The Dean has an ex officio relationship with two very important organizations, PEGNL and
the Centre for Cold Ocean Resources Engineering (C-CORE); the latter is a separately
incorporated research and development corporation of Memorial University. The new Dean
will work to enhance these relationships, identifying potential collaborations for the benefit
of the Faculty, the profession and industrial partners.
The Appointment
The appointment, for an initial five-year term, begins July 1, 2012. The Search Committee will
begin consideration of candidates September 2011.
Memorial is actively committed to diversity and to the principles of Employment Equity and
invites applications from all qualified candidates. Women, Aboriginal peoples, members of
visible minorities, and people with disabilities are especially encouraged to apply. All
qualified candidates are encouraged to apply; however, Canadian citizens and permanent
residents will be given priority.
All inquiries regarding this position will be treated in strict confidence and should be
directed to Gerri Woodford or Marie Owens at Janet Wright & Associates Inc. (JWA), 174
Bedford Road, Suite 200, Toronto, Ontario M5R 2K9, Phone: 416-923-3008; E-mail:
admin@jwasearch.com.
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