Associate Dean, Undergraduate Medical Education

The School of Medicine at Queen’s University invites applications for the position of Associate Dean, Undergraduate Medical Education (UGME). We are searching for a visionary leader with proven administrative experience and strong leadership skills who, as Associate Dean, will develop and manage teams that will foster continuing excellence in undergraduate medical education. The qualified applicant must provide evidence of an ability to lead and work in an interdisciplinary, collaborative environment as well as demonstrated record of scholarly achievement. The ideal candidate will have strong attention to detail with experience applying complex and evolving policies, procedures, and accreditation requirements. Knowledge of and/or previous experience with medical school accreditation and experience with curricular reform would be considered an asset.  We are searching for an individual with superior interpersonal and communication skills, both verbal and written, to communicate with diverse individuals and stakeholders effectively and appropriately.

People from across Canada and around the world come to learn, teach, and carry out research at Queen’s University. The University is situated on the traditional territories of the Haudenosaunee and Anishinaabe, in historic Kingston on the picturesque shores of Lake Ontario. Equi-distant from Toronto, Montreal, and Ottawa, where the St. Lawrence meets Lake Ontario and the Rideau Canal (a UNESCO World Heritage site), Kingston is a stunning city that consistently ranks as one of the best places to live in Canada. Kingston’s community-minded citizens enjoy an outstanding quality of life enhanced by superb intellectual, cultural, recreational, and creative opportunities.

The University invites applications from all qualified individuals.  Queen's is strongly committed to employment equity, diversity, and inclusion in the workplace and encourages applications from individuals who self-identify as members of equity-deserving groups, including women, Indigenous Peoples, persons living with disabilities, racialized communities, and members of 2SLGBTQIA+ communities. Queen's is committed to fostering an institutional culture which recognizes and respects the equal dignity and worth of all who seek to participate in the life, work, and mission of the University. Visit Inclusive Queen’s for information on equity, diversity and inclusion resources and initiatives. Additional information about Queen’s University can be found on the Faculty Recruitment and Support website.

The overarching mission of Undergraduate Medical Education at Queen’s University is to advance our tradition of preparing excellent physicians and leaders in healthcare. We embrace a spirit of inquiry and innovation in education and research. One hundred students are admitted annually into the four-year program, leading to the degree of Doctor of Medicine. Our medical program is well known for the opportunities it provides; for close personal interaction between students and faculty members; for students to obtain relevant extensive hands-on clinical experience under supervision, particularly in an ambulatory setting. Our medical culture encourages participation and offers opportunities for students to engage in the administration development and evaluation of our medical curriculum and our governance structures. Our graduates are highly successful in obtaining postgraduate training sites and are known to be committed and enthusiastic citizens of their profession and their communities.

The ideal candidate will possess comparable leadership experience with a comprehensive understanding of the administrative, academic and governance structures of the university environment and the challenges faced by post-secondary institutions. We are searching for an individual who is also equipped with a solid understanding of the external environment for universities within the Province, Canada, and trends outside the nation; Experience with collaboration, relationship building, negotiation, and conflict resolution with the ability to represent and advance the interests of UGME and to identify innovative solutions to challenges as they arise.  The ideal candidate will demonstrate kindness, compassion and empathy with experience advocating for the interests of learners; Strong mentorship and influencing skills with the ability to develop, motivate and inspire; Integrity, vision and forward thinking with a keen understanding of the value and importance of our learners to the future of medical care delivery and leadership within our communities.   

The Associate Dean, UGME is responsible for the MD program within the School of Medicine. Central to the mission of the school, the responsibilities of the role, which will involve a 0.7 FTE time commitment (approximately three days per week), involve; regular engagement and consultation with student groups to inform the planning, development and implementation of initiatives that seek to enhance the student experience and to support student success and progression through the medical education program, and beyond. The Associate Dean, UGME participates in the development and implementation of student wellness initiatives, working closely with University leaders and community experts; Engages regularly with Department Heads and medical education leaders to ensure the overall quality and conduct of undergraduate programs, with specific attention to the accreditation standards; Liaises with the Chiefs of Staff and Medical Advisory Committees of the affiliated teaching hospitals; Conceptualizes, prioritizes, and implements both short-term and long-term strategic initiatives. The Associate Dean, UGME champions efforts to expand the medical school within the region, recognizing the specific distributed Queen’s SOM education model, fostering collegial and effective working relationships with distributed educational partners, engaging with all sectors of the educational continuum to strengthen the educational experiences of our learners and develop innovative opportunities for future learning, beyond the MD program.

The successful candidate will have the opportunity to represent the School of Medicine on the international stage, collaborating with the Associate Dean, PGME and other educational leaders as well as with external partners to develop and operationalize exchange program opportunities within Canada and abroad. The Associate Dean, UGME actively pursues opportunities to promote and advance interprofessional and inter-disciplinary activities and programs of teaching and research, forging impactful, multidisciplinary connections, engaging closely with the School of Nursing, School of Medicine and School of Rehabilitation Therapy to identify existing and novel opportunities for greater synergy and collaboration.  

Applications and nominations, the former to be accompanied by a letter summarizing leadership and administrative experience, a curriculum vitae and the names and full contact information of three referees, are to be directed to: Dr. Jane Philpott, Dean of the Faculty of Health Sciences and Director of the School of Medicine, c/o Katie Roberts, Faculty of Health Sciences to [email protected]. Review of applications and nominations will commence August 12, 2021 and will continue until the position is filled. Prospective applicants are encouraged to connect with Katie Roberts to request a detailed copy of the role description.  Support to applicants with disabilities, including accommodation that considers an applicant’s accessibility needs, will be provided in the recruitment processes. If you require accommodation during the interview process, please contact Katie Roberts as indicated above.

Faculty and their dependents are eligible for an extensive benefits package including prescription drug coverage, vision care, dental care, long term disability insurance, life insurance and access to the Employee and Family Assistance Program. You will also participate in a pension plan. Tuition assistance is available for qualifying employees, their spouses, and dependent children. Queen’s is pleased to provide a ‘top up’ to government parental leave benefits for eligible employees on maternity/parental leave.  In addition, Queen’s provides partial reimbursement for eligible daycare expenses for employees with dependent children in daycare. For more information on employee benefits, see Queen’s Human Resources.

All qualified candidates are encouraged to apply; however, in accordance with Canadian immigration requirements, Canadian citizens and permanent residents of Canada will be given priority. To comply with Federal laws, the University is obliged to gather statistical information about how many applicants for each job vacancy are Canadian citizens/permanent residents of Canada. Applicants need not identify their country of origin; however, all applications must include one of the following statements: I am a Canadian citizen/permanent resident of Canada; OR I am not a Canadian citizen/permanent resident of Canada. Applications that do not include this information will be deemed incomplete.