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 CURRENT OCAD U FACULTY MEMBERS WITH TENURED OR PERMANENT TEACHING STREAM STATUS.
The Faculty of Design invites applications from current OCAD U faculty members with Tenured or Permanent Teaching Stream status for the position of Program Chair of the Environmental Design program. Reporting to the Dean of the Faculty of Design and working closely with the Associate Dean and other Faculty of Design Chairs, the Chair of Environmental Design develops and implements new and revised courses, refining existing programming in line with the Academic Plan to improve the student experience, foster interdisciplinary learning, and advance inclusion for underrepresented individuals.
The Program Chair position is expected to commence on July 1, 2026, and end on June 30, 2029, (3-year term) and is subject to budgetary approval.
The Environmental Design program focuses on designing ourselves back into the environment through expressive interior and architectural space. Projects are developed in an interior architectural, environmental and societal context, with thoughtful respect to the surrounding and pre-existing environments.
In order to alleviate the under-representation of racialized and Indigenous tenure-track/tenured faculty and 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.
SUMMARY OF RESPONSIBILITIES:
The successful candidate will:
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Provide academic leadership in designated program areas and support the implementation of the Academic Plan and strategic priorities of the University, including the Diversity & Equity Action Plan
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Work closely with Associate Dean on the development of recruitment and retention strategy for designated programs, including the monitoring of enrolment projections/targets and the establishment of admissions team and criteria
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Convene and Chair meetings with faculty and curriculum leaders to lead the review, development and implementation of new and revised curriculum, as well as propose curricular and program changes to the Curriculum and Innovation Committee of Faculty (CICOF) (if applicable)
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Participate in undergraduate program reviews and in the preparation and implementation of the review’s recommendations in compliance with the OCAD U Institutional Quality Assurance Process (IQAP) (if applicable)
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Provide input in planning and preparation of the Faculty annual operating budget in consultation with the Executive Director, Institutional Planning and Budgeting, as well as oversee the accounts and provide periodic reports to the Dean regarding fiscal matters of the Environmental Design program
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Contribute to a collaborative environment and initiatives across faculties, including Graduate Studies
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Maintain an active scholarly research record and professional practice within diverse fields of Environmental Design
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Provide service to the Faculty and University-wide governance system, as well as participate in building the University community and promoting the quality of student life and University culture
In addition, the successful candidate will contribute to:
Academic Staffing and Planning:
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In conjunction with the Associate Dean and the Office Manager, ensure business continuity by developing annual course scheduling and faculty assignments in the Environmental Design Program
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Oversee the work of curriculum leaders and faculty working on special projects and initiatives
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Actively participate in the faculty hiring process by participating in search committees for Tenure-Track, Continuing, CLTA, Teaching Stream (TS) and Sessional faculty appointments, as appropriate
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In consultation with the Associate Dean, provide input in faculty performance reviews and interviews
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Oversee the review of faculty course outlines
Outreach and Fundraising:
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Act as an ambassador and spokesperson for the Environmental Design program, and work with the Dean and Associate Dean on fundraising initiatives and creative leadership projects
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Provide stewardship and continuity for the existing relationships with donors and external partners/projects
Communication and Representation:
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Work with the Dean, Associate Dean and other Chairs to communicate and consult regularly with students and faculty regarding matters pertaining to the designated programs and the Faculty as a whole
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Hold regular faculty and student office hours and provide monthly reports to the Dean
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Liaise with various University offices and stakeholders and participate in academic committees and University governance
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In consultation with the Office Manager, assign and oversee the work of the Program Assistants and/or Coordinators and provide input in their annual performance reviews and setting of annual objectives
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In conjunction with the Associate Dean, other Chairs, Studio Management, Information Technology (IT) Services, and Facilities, support the management of facilities and allocation of resources and address issues arising from studio, computer and classroom facilities and ensure Health and Safety
QUALIFICATIONS:
The ideal candidate will have:
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A current Tenured or Permanent Teaching Stream appointment at OCAD University;
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Must hold a MDes or PhD or equivalent degree or experience and possess an understanding of environmental design as well as familiarity with its professional community
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A minimum of three to five years of teaching experience at the post secondary level with an excellent record of professional activity in various Environmental Design disciplines, as well as an affinity for cross-disciplinary dialogue and collaboration with an aptitude for innovative curriculum development
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Previous experience teaching in interdisciplinary programs, and teaching and supervising graduate students will be considered assets
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Proven record of research, scholarship, and publication, and experience in academic administration;
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Excellent oral and written communication skills and organizational abilities
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Demonstrated collegiality and ability to take initiative, with sound conflict resolution skills
- Familiarity with the current Memorandum of Agreement (MOA) is considered an asset
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Understanding of OCAD U Strategic and Academic Plans
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A lived experience and/or a solid theoretical/conceptual understanding of intersectional racialized and/or Indigenous epistemologies in this program is considered an asset
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A demonstrated commitment to the principles of equity and diversity, and proven ability to work effectively and collegially with a diverse population
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Experience proactively advancing decolonization, diversity and equity in curriculum, teaching, scholarship, and creative/professional activities
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Demonstrated academic leadership, collegiality, conflict resolution skills, sensitivity to the needs to students and the ability to take initiative
TERMS OF EMPLOYMENT: This appointment will be from July 1, 2026, and end on June 30, 2029 (3-year term), and is only open to current OCAD U Faculty members with Tenured or Permanent Teaching Stream status.
REMUNERATION: This academic leadership role includes an annual stipend, administrative release (scheduling to be determined in consultation with Dean, Faculty of Design) and access to professional development funding.
APPLICANT INFORMATION:
Applications must include the below materials as one continuous document in PDF format:
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The PDF file must include the following:
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An updated Curriculum Vitae (CV), including relevant links to recent work and publications.
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All electronic supplemental materials (journal articles, professional website pages/social media accounts, podcasts, interviews, conference presentations, etc.) must be hyperlinked in your CV in the appropriate areas.
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A letter of intent outlining the candidate’s interests in the areas of teaching, research/practice, and service to Faculty- and University-wide governance.
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A statement of teaching philosophy that responds to the profile of the position
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Names and contact information of three referees.
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Applicants are also welcome to include a digital portfolio of recent work/publications.
Any supplemental materials not published digitally can be included in candidate applications via PDF format (such as book chapters).
Incomplete applications will not be considered. Please name your upload: FirstName_LastName-AHVCS2025
Interested applicants are invited to submit their application in confidence, addressed to Chair, Search Committee, Faculty of Design .
The review of applications will begin on Monday, October 20th, 2025 and will continue until the position is filled.
As an institution committed to art, design, digital media and related scholarship, OCAD University (OCAD U) recognizes the profound and essential value that diversity brings to the creation, reception and circulation of creative practices and discourse. OCAD U understands that valuing diverse creative practices and forms of knowledge are essential to and enrich the institution’s core mission and vision as an art and design university with a local and global scope.
As an employer committed to employment equity, we encourage applications from members of equity-seeking communities including women, racialized and Indigenous persons, persons with disabilities, and persons of all sexual orientations and gender identities/expressions.
We encourage members of 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 U 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.
