Are you an educational leader with outstanding strategic and operational skills and demonstrated stakeholder engagement abilities? If so, please consider this unique and important opportunity as the Executive Director of the Provincial and Demonstration Schools Branch (PDSB) with Ontario's Ministry of Education.
The Provincial and Demonstration Schools Branch is a leader in the delivery of elementary and secondary education and specialized integrated programming for students who are Deaf, hard of hearing, blind, low vision, Deafblind, or who have a severe learning disability. The PDSB operates three American Sign Language (ASL)/English provincial schools for the Deaf and three English-language demonstration schools for students with severe learning disabilities (co-located in Belleville, London, and Milton) and one English-language provincial school for the blind, visually impaired and Deafblind (in Brantford). In partnership with students, their families, district school boards and communities across Ontario, the PDSB supports over 550 students to develop to their full potential and succeed in a total experience including sports, music, recreational and leadership opportunities, in school and beyond.
The Ministry is looking for a collaborative leader with a deep understanding of Deaf culture and supporting students with disabilities and/or special education needs who will earn the confidence of stakeholders with competing interests and priorities, and effectively integrate public service and school operations, prioritizing commitment to student achievement and wellbeing.
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.
OPS Commitment to Diversity, Inclusion, Accessibility, and Anti-Racism:
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.
What can I expect to do in this role?
Reporting to the Assistant Deputy Minister, Student Support and Field Services, the Executive Director, Provincial and Demonstration Schools will provide oversight and strategic leadership to a leadership team including superintendents and managers that deliver education, curriculum, programs, maintenance, housekeeping, foodservice operations, information technology, lodging, transportation and support services to over 550 students, with 600 full-time staff across four campuses including 170 teachers and 12 principals/vice-principals as well as resource/outreach services, pre-school home-visiting programs and consultative services to district school boards across Ontario and the provision of learning resources for blind students spanning their educational career through post-secondary.
The Executive Director will lead the development and implementation of high quality, integrated, equity-centred, student focused services and supports, while apprising the Assistant Deputy Minister on operations and results and liaising regularly with bargaining unit leaders, parents, advocacy associations and government agencies. The Executive Director will lead strategic, business, and operational planning for the schools, aligning governance structure with educational and business objectives, upholding the highest standards of educational quality, and promoting programs and services that allow students to reach their maximum potential, while developing PDSB as a global leader in education.
This is a uniquely rewarding mandate for a senior educational leader with strong leadership skills to provide strategic and operational direction in the education of Deaf, hard of hearing, blind, low vision, Deafblind, and learning-disabled students.
How do I qualify?
Executive Leadership
• Preferred candidates will have extensive elementary and/or secondary education leadership experience, preferably with a concentration in Special Education, ideally with students who identify as Deaf, hard of hearing or blind, low vision, Deafblind, or with a severe learning disability.
• Experience managing sizable academic operations in a unionized environment, inspiring leaders, shaping organizational culture, providing financial and risk oversight and leadership and direction in labour relations matters and negotiations and achieving outstanding results.
• Inclusive leader who values, promotes and creates a culture of diversity, inclusion, accessibility, and equity in the workplace with a deep understanding of Deaf culture and service to students with disabilities/special education needs.
• Exceptional leaderships skills, based on a foundation of resiliency, collaboration, inclusion, and mentoring.
• Experience leading and managing transformational change resulting in enhanced outcomes, relationships, and operations.
• Experience as a leader in a highly visible role, subject to close public, media, and political scrutiny.
Relationship, Political Acuity, and Stakeholder Management
• Experience developing and maintaining strategic and collaborative relationships with a wide range of stakeholders, influencers, advocacy groups/associations, parents/caregivers, government ministries, and agencies.
• Excellent strategic communication skills, political acuity, and understanding of the impact of communications and its alignment with government policy and direction.
• You can anticipate and resolve emerging challenges and issues, ensuring aligned and effective communication in the process.
Equity and Inclusion
• Ensuring excellence in teaching and learning leading to excellent achievement and wellbeing outcomes for students in all PDSB schools and programs.
• Ensuring implementation of all policies that contribute to bias free, accessible learning and working environments.
• Promoting anti-audism beliefs and practices.
Knowledge
• Fluency in American Sign Language (ASL) would be considered a great asset
• Knowledge of second language acquisition and development would also be an asset
• Understanding of school board organizational structures and knowledge of economic, social, cultural, political, and educational issues facing Ontario and the inherent problems and opportunities they present to the schools.
Note:HOW TO APPLY
To express interest in this exciting opportunity, email your cover letter and resume to:
Patrick Rowan, Partner, Feldman Daxon Partners
45 St. Clair Avenue West, Suite 700, Toronto, Ontario M4V 1K9
Tel.: 416-515-7600 x254; Email: prowan@feldmandaxon.com
