City : Hamilton

Category : Other

Industry : Education

Employer : McMaster University

McMaster University is seeking an innovative and entrepreneurial expert to lead as the inaugural Director, Futures Institute at Wilson College.  

McMaster University

Ranked among the top 120 universities globally, through its cutting-edge research and world-class teaching and learning, McMaster University is a research-intensive, student-centred university dedicated to advancing human and societal health and well-being in its community and around the world.

McMaster is a university that prioritizes impact. As the pioneers of problem-based learning, McMaster has a rich history of educational innovation. Through its six Faculties (Business, Engineering, Health Sciences, Humanities, Science, and Social Sciences), McMaster faculty and staff work across disciplines to find creative solutions to complex problems. McMaster’s signature pedagogies, such as inquiry and problem-based learning, have been incorporated into multiple programs across campus, and are recognized and adopted worldwide.

Currently, McMaster is home to over 37,000 students and over 19,000 faculty, research, staff, student, and interim employees. McMaster’s alumni network consists of over 244,000 graduates representing 143 countries. McMaster has been selected as a Hamilton-Niagara Top Employer for the past nine years in a row and has also been recognized as one of Canada’s Best Diversity Employers for the past six years. 

Wilson College for Leadership & Civic Engagement

Wilson College of Leadership & Civic Engagement is the first learning, research, and public engagement program of its kind in Canada, helping to nurture leaders who are prepared to take on societal challenges with creativity and determination.

Wilson College, made possible by a generous gift from former Chancellor Lynton “Red” Wilson in 2022, is a unique, interfaculty program designed to train future leaders to foster and sustain a civic culture for Canada that engages all citizens; it emphasizes the importance of collaboration between McMaster’s academic community and local, regional and national leaders in building a stronger Canada and sustainable, resilient communities. It integrates education, research, practice and public engagement to advance our understanding of how to create a civic culture for a flourishing Canada. 

Wilson College is home to Canada’s only Combined Honours Bachelor of Arts degree in Leadership and Civic Studies and another subject. Alongside leadership and civic studies, students receive a comprehensive liberal arts education from McMaster’s Faculty of Humanities and Faculty of Social Sciences—providing the societal context, ethical grounding, and spirit of inquiry essential to strong civic leadership.

The Role 

Reporting to the Wilson College Internal Governing Board, the inaugural Director of the Futures Institute at Wilson College will provide overall strategic and operational leadership for the Futures Institute, in close partnership with the Board and the Wilson College Academic Director. The Director will be accountable for advancing the Institute’s mission, setting strategic priorities, and developing and ensuring the effective delivery of high-impact student programming.

The Director will oversee all aspects of the Institute’s operations, including program planning and execution, financial stewardship, funding compliance and reporting, and the leadership of a small, unionized and non-unionized staff complement. The role includes responsibility for establishing work plans, performance objectives, and organizational priorities, as well as for cultivating strong relationships with internal and external constituents.

In partnership with the College’s Academic Director and faculty colleagues, the Director will support the development of new academic and co-curricular initiatives, including a proposed concurrent certificate in Futures Thinking and Social Innovation.

Working collaboratively within Wilson College and across the University, the Director will identify and advance initiatives, partnerships, and learning opportunities that enhance the Institute’s reach, relevance, and reputation. The role will also oversee the annual Future of Canada symposium, host distinguished guests at McMaster, and collaborate with the College’s External Director to expand student opportunities and strengthen Wilson College’s public profile.

The Director is a champion for the Institute, Wilson College, and University while also being responsible for advancing excellence in academic and non-academic activities, and in the creative development, delivery and ongoing quality review of innovative programs and initiatives within the Institute.

Ideal Candidate Profile

The ideal candidate for the inaugural Director, Futures Institute role will bring both an entrepreneurial and innovative mindset in combination with leadership experience and proficiency in both future-thinking theory and practice. Along with in-depth knowledge of future-thinking theory and practice, the Futures Institute Director brings outstanding communication and relationship building skills, as well as being a visionary leader with the ability to share their knowledge with faculty and students in all program areas. As a strong networker and relationship builder, the incumbent will possess a strong cross-sector network and proven experience applying a futurist perspective to real-world challenges. Personal characteristics include someone who is highly creative, innovative, entrepreneurial, and enjoys working with colleagues across disciplines and sectors. 

Experience and Qualifications

The inaugural Director, Futures Institute should possess the following experience and qualifications:

• Master’s degree in a relevant discipline, with a PhD or degree in Humanities or Social Sciences being considered an asset. 
• Experience working in the domain of future-thinking theory and practice and demonstrated interest in civic-focused activities required.
• Experience applying strategic foresight and future-thinking methodologies such as horizon scanning, trend analysis, scenario planning, and backcasting within complex organizational contexts in the public, private, and/or third sectors, with a preference for experience in public or mission-driven environments.
• Demonstrated success in building and growing relationships across diverse groups. 
• A track record of conceiving and executing projects and events that are high-impact and engage a broad cross-section of constituent groups. A record of being successful in securing funding for these projects and events would be an asset. 
• Experience developing and managing a budget. 
• Experience working in a complex multi-constituent group institution or organization. 
• Excellent leadership, oral and written communication and presentations skills.
• Experience working in the post-secondary sector would be considered an asset.
• Experience teaching/lecturing would be considered an asset.