Please see Special Instructions for more details.
This position will remain open until filled; however, review of applicants are ongoing.
Posting Details
Position Information Position Title Associate Dean - Trades & Technology
Position Summary
Exciting Opportunity at Red Deer Polytechnic! We’re thrilled to announce a full-time position for an Associate Dean in the School of Trades and Technology. With an anticipated start date in August 2026, we’re on the look for an enthusiastic individual to join our leadership team to support our growing student population and program mix. This role focuses on Skilled Trades programs, making it a unique and rewarding opportunity for the right candidate. Come be a part of our vibrant academic community and contribute to the growth and success of our students!
Red Deer Polytechnic’s School of Trades and Technology is a multidisciplinary school committed to innovation, applied learning, and student success across a broad spectrum of programs. We are Alberta’s third-largest provider of Skilled Trades Apprenticeship training, offering 17 trades. RDP is a major sponsor of Skills Canada Alberta and has seen many of our students excel in Skills competitions provincially, nationally, and at World Skills.
Our School’s strength lies in its diversity—where apprentices learn alongside future scientists, engineers, and technology professionals in state-of-the-art facilities, with access to innovation centres and cutting-edge equipment. Faculty across all disciplines prioritize excellence in teaching, industry engagement, and meaningful experiential learning opportunities. Whether in the trades, engineering technology, sciences, or computing fields, our graduates are known for being skilled, adaptable, and ready to contribute to the evolving needs of Central Alberta and beyond.
Position Responsibilities
The Associate Dean serves an academic and operational leadership role, contributing to the future growth of the School and Red Deer Polytechnic. You are responsible for:
Academic & Operational Leadership Provide academic leadership for skilled trades, and apprenticeship programs ensuring alignment with institutional priorities, industry standards, and regulatory requirements.
- Oversee the development, renewal, delivery, and evaluation of curriculum, including apprenticeship classroom training and applied technology programs.
- Support learner success by addressing academic progression, instructional quality, and student experience across trades and apprenticeship pathways.
- Contribute to School‑level strategic and operational planning, with an emphasis on enrolment management, program sustainability, and emerging trades and technology opportunities.
- Allocate and manage resources within established budgets, including facilities, equipment, and staffing, to support high‑quality hands‑on learning environments
Trades, Apprenticeship, and Industry Engagement Maintain strong relationships with industry partners, employers, apprenticeship sponsors, and regulatory bodies to ensure programs remain current and labour‑market responsive.
- Support provincial apprenticeship requirements, including compliance with training standards, and technical training expectations.
- Advance work‑integrated learning, applied projects, and industry partnerships that enhance student employability and job readiness.
- Represent the School on internal and external committees related to trades, culinary arts, and workforce development.
Teaching Excellence, Applied Research, and Innovation Provide leadership and support to faculty in the delivery of high‑quality, learner‑centred instruction within shop‑ and lab‑based environments.
- Encourage the effective integration of educational technologies and innovative delivery models suited to trades and applied technology education.
- Promote applied research, innovation, and industry‑driven projects aligned with the School’s mandate and regional economic priorities.
- Collaborate with Applied Research and Work‑Integrated Learning teams to expand opportunities for students and faculty.
People Leadership Provide direct leadership and supervision to faculty within the School of Trades and Technology.
- Recruit, develop, coach, and evaluate employees in accordance with collective agreements, institutional policies, and People & Culture practices.
- Foster a culture of safety, professionalism, continuous improvement, and learner‑centred practice within shop‑ and lab‑based environments.
Communication & Relationship Management* Ensure clear, effective communication within the School and across the Polytechnic.
- Build and sustain internal and external partnerships that support student recruitment, retention, apprenticeship growth, and technology program expansion.
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Required Qualifications
Education and Experience:
- Journeyperson credential in one or more Skilled Trades
- A minimum of five (5) years of successful teaching experience, preferably in a post-secondary environment, and five (5) years of progressively responsible leadership of adults in a teaching environment
- Significant experience teaching or facilitating learning in trades, apprenticeship, or applied technology education
- Progressive academic or operational leadership experience, including direct supervision of faculty and staff.
- Demonstrated experience in curriculum development, program quality assurance, and industry engagement.
- Strong understanding of apprenticeship systems, applied learning environments, and workforce‑aligned education.
Skills and Abilities:
- Proven ability to work collaboratively across organizational lines in furthering organizational goals
- Strong emotional intelligence
- Strong Communication, problem-solving, and decision-making skills
- Proven ability to lead change, manage complexity, and support innovation.
- Proven ability to promote a positive environment through honesty, integrity, and ethical behavior consistent with the core values of Red Deer Polytechnic
Preferred Qualifications
- Required educational qualifications plus additional undergraduate or Master’s degree in Education or Leadership
- Progressive academic leadership experience involving direct supervision of post- secondary Faculty members (involving recruitment and selection; development and coaching; performance assessment and management)
Salary or Hourly? Salary
Salary Salary will be commensurate based on experience and education.
Benefits and Compensation Information
Red Deer Polytechnic offers a comprehensive benefits package including extended health and dental care through Blue Cross, access to a health spending account, pension plan, Employee & Family Assistance Program, generous vacation allotments, credit tuition waivers and opportunities for professional development funding. Additional time off due to Institution closures between Christmas and New Year general holidays.
- Eligibility to access the above mentioned benefits is dependent upon the EXEMPT Terms and Conditions of Employment and related RDP policies.
About Red Deer Polytechnic
Focused on advancing the economic and social priorities of Alberta, Red Deer Polytechnic(RDP) provides more than 80 industry-relevant programs within a breadth of credentials to approximately 6,300 credit and apprenticeship students and 3,400+ learners with Extended Education programming. With modern teaching and learning spaces, and state-of-the-art research and innovation centres in advanced manufacturing and energy innovation, the Polytechnic provides applied research opportunities, leadership in the social, economic, and cultural development of Alberta, and myriad lifelong learning opportunities.
Red Deer Polytechnic’s main campus is located on Treaty 7, Treaty 6 and Métis ancestral lands. This is where we will strive to honour and transform our relationships with one another.
Whatever brings you to Red Deer Polytechnic, we are glad you are here. And we look forward to having you as a valued member of our polytechnic community.
Posting Detail Information Competition Number 2026-E-008
Employment Type Permanent Full-Time
Number of Vacancies 1
Desired Start Date 08/03/2026
Position End Date (if term-certain)
FTE 1.0
Hours of Work You will be employed on a full-time basis. It is understood that the hours of work involved will vary and be irregular and are those hours of work required to meet the objectives of your employment. Normal hours of operation are 8:00 am to 4:00 pm, M - F
Open Date 07/14/2026
Close Date
Open Until Filled Yes
Note to Applicant
To fulfill Red Deer Polytechnic’s mission to enrich the intellectual, economic, cultural, and social development of Central Alberta, people representing diverse perspectives and experiences are required. We welcome and encourage applications from Indigenous persons, Black and racialized persons, women, persons with disabilities, persons with any sexual orientation, and persons of any gender identity or gender expression. Red Deer Polytechnic will provide job applicants with accommodations in accordance with the Alberta Human Rights Code. To request an accommodation, please contactPeopleandculture@rdpolytech.ca. All qualified candidates are encouraged to apply; however, Canadians and permanent residents will be given priority.
Special Instructions to Applicants
This position will remain open until filled; however, review of applicants are ongoing.
Required Documents
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Cover Letter
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Resume
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References Names and Contact Information
Optional Documents
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