Chair, Entrepreneurship, Marketing and Social Innovation

Job Title

Chair, Entrepreneurship, Marketing and Social Innovation

Requisition #

998396.1

Job Type

Limited Term (for any group)

Position End Date (if applicable)

6/30/2028

Location:

MRU Main Campus - Calgary, AB T3E 6K6 CA (Primary)

Posting

Founded in 1910 and located in Calgary, Alberta, Canada, Mount Royal University (MRU) grew into a vibrant college in the 1930s and became a mid- sized university in 2009. MRU has carved out a distinct niche by offering smaller class sizes, a robust liberal education, and unique undergraduate programs. Currently, more than 15,000 credit students choose from 13 bachelor degrees and 38 majors. MRU provides exceptional teaching, personalized learning and a strong foundation of experiential learning. We are striving to become one of Canada's top destinations for undergraduate studies.

MRU is located in the traditional territories of the Niitsitapi (Blackfoot) and the people of the Treaty 7 region in southern Alberta, which includes the Siksika, the Piikani, the Kainai, the Tsuut'ina, and the Iyarhe Nakoda. We are situated on land where the Bow River meets the Elbow River. The traditional Blackfoot name of this place is "Mohkinstsis," which we now call the City of Calgary. The City of Calgary is also home to the Métis Nation. Calgary is located in less than one-hour drive from the majestic Canadian Rocky Mountains. The city brings a mix of dynamic big city energy, cheerful western hospitality, and wondrous natural beauty.

MRU is committed to removing barriers and fostering the inclusion of voices that have been historically underrepresented or discouraged in our society. In support of our belief that diversity in our faculty and staff enriches the work, learning, and research experiences for the entire campus community, we strongly encourage members of the designated groups (women, Indigenous Peoples, persons with disabilities, members of visible minorities, and diverse sexual orientation and gender identities) to apply and self-identify.

The Department of Entrepreneurship, Marketing and Social Innovation invites applications for the position of department chair, with tenure at the rank of Associate or Full Professor. The appointment commences on July 1, 2023 for a five-year term.

This position is open to existing employees of Mount Royal University.

The department, which includes 13 full-time faculty, 20 contract faculty, and an administrative assistant, is committed to maintaining integrity, diversity, and equality in order to foster an inclusive, safe, and respectful environment. The Department of Entrepreneurship, Marketing and Social Innovation houses the Bissett School of Business' marketing major and the entrepreneurship and social innovation concentrations. These three separate departments meld to provide innovative programming for students eager to change the world — pursuing their dream jobs or launching their own unique ventures.

As well as the Bachelor of Business Administration – Marketing degree, the department offers both a minor and a certificate in marketing. The degree program develops marketing professionals who can effectively blend insight, strategy, and creativity to bring extraordinary products, services, and campaigns to the marketplace. While considering the theoretical and functional strategy-focused curriculum common in most undergraduate marketing degrees, the “ideal marketer” was reimagined with the support of industry partners. The resulting updated curriculum is designed to support organizations that require future leaders with a foundation in creative and strategic knowledge, skills, and abilities. Students are exposed to marketing in multiple experiential learning settings and work with real-life clients including non-profit organizations, marketing agencies, start-ups and large corporations, and in- house marketing teams across a variety of industries.

The concentration in Innovation and Entrepreneurship is designed to graduate curious and entrepreneurial minds that drive innovative business development in dynamic, growth-oriented companies. The entrepreneurship concentration prepares graduates to either join an organization in a customer-facing role with unlimited potential, or start their own business. Also, an Innovation and Entrepreneurship minor is offered to students from across campus. Our experiential programs go beyond teaching mind-set and business models, to executing product and business development strategies for the commercialization of innovative ideas.

MRU is an Ashoka Changemaker campus, and many of our courses work with partners to take concepts from the classroom to the community. The Department of Entrepreneurship, Marketing and Social Innovation is also home to the Social Innovation concentration, which engages students in systems thinking and business practices that foster social and economic change and success.

For further information concerning the position please contact Dr. Kelly Williams-Whitt, Dean, Faculty of Business and Communication Studies, [email protected].

The chair will provide leadership and foster collaboration among department colleagues, guiding the department's future. The chair will maintain and communicate a sense of direction; act as a responsible advocate for the department; encourage respect for a range of career paths and various forms and fields of teaching and scholarship; provide mentorship to tenure-track and newly hired faculty members; foster the values of fairness, excellence, and collaboration; and maintain a sense of pride, achievement, and community among all members of the department.

Administratively, the chair is expected to work within the practices and policies of the University, including various collective agreements; be responsible for following and shaping departmental policy to ensure effective, efficient and collegial operation of the department; provide support and direction to individual members of the department; work effectively as a representative on the Faculty's Dean's Advisory Group; and ensure that department interests are well represented in university-level initiatives.

Future Initiatives

The entrepreneurship program anticipates applying for the major “Creativity and Innovation Management” (the current name is a placeholder). As such, the chair will provide support for the application process and liaise with internal and external parties to facilitate its approval.

The chair will liaise with internal MRU contacts within and beyond Bissett, in disciplines such as Social Work and Information Design, to continue the growth and success of the Social Innovation program.

The marketing program is currently conducting its mandated program review and will, over the next five years, be integrating new programming, new courses, and new opportunities for students. The chair will facilitate program development by bringing together faculty, alumni, external partners and community leaders in conversations about the future of marketing education at MRU.

The successful candidate will have excellent interpersonal skills, strong leadership qualities, and proven administrative capabilities. Candidates should exhibit an understanding of the challenges associated with leading an interdisciplinary department, demonstrate skill as a consensus builder, and appreciate the diversity of our community.

Credentials require a master's degree, with preference for a PhD, and demonstrated leadership experience, preferably as a chair or equivalent.

Talented and committed employees are the driving force behind student success. We strive to be an employer of choice among Canadian post-secondary institutions.

At Mount Royal University, we recognize that people are a combination of many intersecting identities; we work to cultivate an environment that welcomes the whole person, and harnesses the strength that is available in our diversity, creating a rich and inclusive workplace.

Investing in the learning and development of our employees benefits the individual and the University. A variety of services, resources and programs encourage a healthy, productive workplace. Mount Royal University offers a competitive total compensation package including health and dental benefits, pension, health and personal spending accounts, paid vacation, winter holiday closure, personal days and a free membership in our fully equipped recreation centre.

Our campus offers the convenience of a full medical clinic, dentist and pharmacy, as well as a variety of wellness services such as physiotherapists and massage therapists. Campus Recreation offers many activities, including personal training, fitness classes, climbing, aquatics, sports, tournaments and certifications for students, employees and the public.

Closing Date: Open until a suitable candidate is found

Application should submit:

We thank all applicants for their interest. Only applicants selected for an interview will be contacted. After the close date, you can check on the status of your application through your Career Centre. New career opportunities arise frequently and are posted as they become available. Please check back often to view our latest postings on our Career Opportunities page. All qualified candidates are encouraged to apply; however, Canadians and permanent residents will be given priority. Mount Royal University hires on the basis of merit and is strongly committed to fostering diversity as a source of excellence, intellectual and cultural enrichment, and social strength. We welcome applications from those who would contribute to the further diversification of our staff, faculty and their scholarship including but not limited to Indigenous Peoples, women, persons with disabilities and persons of any sexual or gender identity, ethnic, national or socio-economic background, religion or age.