Director, Western Studies

IVEY BUSINESS SCHOOL FOUNDATION•London, ON

16d•Onsite

About The Position

Western Continuing Studies (WCS) connects Western University's educational strengths with emerging workforce, professional, and community learning needs through a portfolio of continuing professional education, certificates, diplomas, micro-credentials, and customized learning opportunities. The Director will lead WCS through its next phase of strategic growth, portfolio expansion, financial performance, and innovation, reporting to the Executive Director, Ivey Business School Executive Education. This role offers a unique opportunity to shape and scale a dynamic lifelong learning enterprise within a respected Canadian university, supported by Ivey's expertise in executive education. The Director will position WCS among leading providers of continuing and professional education, driving portfolio growth, program innovation, and learner impact by identifying opportunities aligned with workforce trends and societal needs. They will collaborate across all Faculties, professional schools, and with external partners to expand relevant, high-impact programming aligned with learner demand, Western’s strategic priorities, and the University’s commitment to educational access and community engagement. The Director will strengthen WCS’s market presence, competitive positioning, and sustainable revenue growth, including expansion in the Greater Toronto Area, advancing industry partnerships, and enhancing Western’s visibility in continuing education. Leveraging data and market intelligence, the Director will guide strategic decision-making and financial sustainability. Additionally, the Director will provide leadership to the WCS team, fostering a culture of collaboration, accountability, operational excellence, innovation, and learner-centered excellence, positioning WCS as a welcoming educational home for lifelong learners.

Requirements

Holds an undergraduate degree in a related field
Brings significant senior leadership experience in continuing education, executive education, or professional education in a comparable growth-oriented, market-facing environment
Has a track record of driving growth, innovation, and financial performance
Strong business and financial acumen
Experience leading teams and operations
Ability to translate market and workforce insights into strategic program development
Possess exceptional communication and relationship-building skills
A strategic and entrepreneurial mindset
Ability to operate effectively within complex academic and stakeholder environments
A demonstrated commitment to lifelong learning, learner access, and institutional mission

Responsibilities

Lead Western Continuing Studies through its next phase of strategic growth, portfolio expansion, financial performance, and innovation
Shape and scale a dynamic lifelong learning enterprise within one of Canada’s most respected universities
Contribute to positioning Western Continuing Studies among leading providers of continuing and professional education across Canada and beyond
Drive portfolio growth, program innovation, and demonstrable learner and program impact
Identify emerging opportunities aligned with workforce trends, industry developments, and societal needs
Expand relevant, high-impact programming aligned with learner demand, Western’s strategic priorities, and the University’s commitment to educational access and community engagement
Play a pivotal role in strengthening WCS’s market presence, competitive positioning, and sustainable revenue growth, including expansion in the Greater Toronto Area
Advance partnerships with industry and professional sectors
Enhance Western’s visibility in continuing and professional education
Leverage data, market intelligence, and learner insights to guide strategic decision-making, portfolio optimization, and financial sustainability
Provide leadership to the Western Continuing Studies team
Foster a culture of collaboration, accountability, operational excellence, innovation, and learner-centered excellence
Position WCS as a welcoming educational home for lifelong learners, including alumni and learners across the broad spectrum of communities where Western’s impact is felt locally, nationally, and globally