Consider this exciting opportunity to make a meaningful difference by overseeing the policy, programs, and compliance activities that support students in private career colleges. The Director of the Private Career Colleges Branch has the unique opportunity to also exercise independent legislated authority as the Superintendent of Private Career Colleges — a growing and complex sector that is increasingly involved in key government priorities for education and training.
This Director will lead a high-performing and multi-functional team to work collaboratively with external partners, other levels of government and internal partners across the ministry and government to successfully provide client-focused services. The Director will also work with their leadership team and staff to advance innovation, creative problem-solving, and best practices in regulatory oversight and postsecondary education in Ontario. As a member of the ministry's senior leadership team, this Director will be accountable for advancing employee engagement and wellbeing, and upholding a diverse, inclusive, accessible and respectful workplace where every employee has a voice and the opportunity to fully contribute.
An effective leader in the Ontario Public Service (OPS) is responsible, innovative and collaborative. A responsible leader is someone who demonstrates authenticity, accountability, and courage in how they interact with others. An individual who models ethical behavior, and who is honest and capable of making difficult choices. An innovative leader is someone who leads with common purpose, embraces positive disruption, and has a future mindset. An individual who inspires others, values continuous learning, and encourages development and integration. A collaborative leader focuses on helping others to grow, drives people-centered outcomes and promotes an environment of inclusivity. A leader who consistently works to confront bias and systemic barriers while understanding the importance of creating a more diverse and accessible workplace.
How we support diversity, inclusion and accessibility
The OPS is an innovative, responsive, and accountable public service that works hard to be diverse, anti-racist, inclusive, accessible, merit-based, respectful and equitable. Diversifying leadership teams is a top OPS priority with the goal to achieve parity with the Ontario labour force by 2025 for the most underrepresented groups (Indigenous, racialized and persons with disabilities) in leadership positions.
To advance this goal, the OPS is collecting socio-demographic information that will help to address potential barriers and achieve equity in hiring. You are requested to complete the voluntary survey and contribute to building a more diverse, anti-racist, inclusive and accessible OPS.
The OPS invites all interested individuals to apply and encourages applications from Indigenous and racialized individuals and persons with disabilities.
Visit the
OPS Anti-Racism Policy and the
OPS Diversity and Inclusion Blueprint pages to learn more about the OPS commitment to advancing racial equity, accessibility, diversity and inclusion in the public service.
The OPS offers employment accommodation across the recruitment process and all aspects of employment consistent with the requirements of Ontario's
Human Rights Code. Refer to the application instructions below if you require a disability-related accommodation.
About the job
Reporting to the Assistant Deputy Minister, Advanced Education Learner Supports Division the Director and Superintendent of Private Career Colleges, is responsible for:
• Overseeing the private career colleges sector, including development and implementation of policies, legislative and regulatory changes; implementation of the Private Career Colleges Act, 2005; financial oversight; compliance activities; and exercising independent decision-making powers related to registrations, institution and program approvals, and enforcement actions
• The administration of the International Student Program to approve institutions permitted to enroll international students and related policy development and implementation; and
• Collaborating within the ministry, across ministries, and with external stakeholders to advance ministry and government priorities related to postsecondary education and vocational training
• Advancing a culture of innovation, continuous improvement, and client-focused service delivery across all policy, program, financial, and regulatory activities
• Expertly anticipating and managing issues in the sector and providing strategic advice to senior leaders and decision-makers
• Building and maintaining positive and productive relationships with external stakeholders and responding to inquiries and concerns from institutions and members of the public
• Overseeing the development of financial accountability and risk mitigation frameworks for the sector, including the collection of administrative fees and administering the multi-million-dollar Training Completion and Assurance Fund to provide financial protection to students
• As a member of the divisional senior management team, contributes to key decisions related to division strategic planning, program analysis/evaluation, policy/standards development, and issues management
• Provide overall direction for the planning and delivery of the branch's services, business relationships, corporate and enterprise-wide initiatives, budgets and project initiatives to meet ministry/government priorities and requirements
• Advancing a culture among colleagues and staff that prioritizes collaboration, engagement, inclusion, equity, excellence, and well-being
What you bring to the team
Executive Leadership
• You are an inclusive leader who fosters and creates a culture of diversity, inclusion, anti-racism, and equity in the workplace
• You demonstrate resiliency and have experience leading and motivating high-performing and multi-functional teams in a fast-paced, highly visible, and demanding environment, while promoting employee wellbeing and engagement.
• You demonstrate political acuity and can effectively brief and deliver strategic and confidential advice to Ministers, senior management, and various other stakeholders
• You have a strong track record of building credibility with staff, stakeholders, and partners
• You are experienced in change management and have a track record of championing the adoption of innovative methods and technologies that drive true transformative business practices and solutions and taking measured and appropriate risks related to innovation
Policy and Political Acuity
• You have a thorough understanding of policy development and government decision-making processes, including the legislative and regulatory processes
• You have demonstrated experience with the principles of policy planning and strategies to lead complex multi-partner projects/initiatives
• You have experience leading engagements with internal and external stakeholders, including on matters that may be contentious and/or politically sensitive
• You are a strategic and analytical thinker who has directed the development and implementation of viable policies, programs and standards
• You have knowledge of and experience with the stages of public policy development from inception to approval to implementation
• You have proven political acuity and an ability to manage complex issues within an organization with a high public profile and scrutiny
• You can handle challenging situations with tact and discretion
• You have demonstrated success leading issues management and risk mitigation strategies
• You are skilled at providing advice and briefings regarding issues and negotiations to senior executives
Operational Leadership
• You have experience in an operational, front-line, and/or regulatory environment and are passionate about delivering quality services and supports to clients
• You use collaboration and innovation to improve service delivery, create efficiencies, and reduce burden for internal and external partners
• You understand the importance of accountability and integrity to earn and maintain the public trust. You have experience leading front-line or operational/delivery team members to hold themselves to the highest level of accountability, integrity and professionalism
• You have experience with compliance, investigations, inspections and/or enforcement
• You have a track record of continuous improvement and implementation of program measurements, metrics and outcomes
• You can interpret, convey and translate technical information into clear dialogue and understandable concepts
• You have experience with financial administration, planning, and oversight, including but not limited to developing TB/MBC submissions, administrative fees, oversight of funds and/or special purpose accounts, and branch budgeting and administration
Stakeholder Management, Collaboration and Communication
• You are an effective communicator, negotiator and consensus builder who is able to work collaboratively with colleagues and stakeholders to advance shared priorities and manage complex issues
• You have demonstrated ability to communicate complex issues and details to a diverse range of audiences, including senior decision-makers, clients and members of the public
• You can independently build and manage relationships with external partners and stakeholders based on transparency, accountability, and trust
• You can work collaboratively across divisions, ministries, levels of government, and/or with external partners to advance innovative initiatives and continuous service improvements