Director, Financial Literacy Institute

Please see Special Instructions for more details.

This position is contingent on conditional funding and does not qualify for conversion.

Position Information

Position Title

Position Summary

The Director, Financial Literacy Institute, provides strategic and operational leadership for Red Deer Polytechnic’s Financial Literacy Institute. The Director is responsible for leading the development, implementation, and ongoing management of a high-impact institutional initiative supported by a multi-year legacy investment. The Director is accountable for delivering a comprehensive five-year business plan, achieving defined performance metrics, and demonstrating measurable outcomes. Working with an external Governance Team that provides advisory oversight and sector expertise, the Director is responsible for day-to-day operations, stakeholder engagement, and the long-term sustainability and impact of the Institute.

Reporting through the Associate Vice President Student Experience, the Director oversees the design and delivery of accessible, polytechnic-wide programming that equips learners with the skills, confidence, and knowledge required for lifelong financial wellbeing.

Strategic & Program Leadership:

• Lead the development and continuous advancement of financial literacy initiatives aligned with RDP’s strategic priorities and learner outcomes
• Ensure alignment of and compliance with policies and procedures and any regulatory body where applicable that contributes to and supports a strong culture of teaching excellence and academic integrity in the learning environment
• Ensure alignment with RDP strategy and learning outcomes
• Advance an inclusive, accessible, and learner-centered environment that reflects the diversity of the community
• Promote innovation and excellence in financial literacy programming and delivery

Student Impact & Education:

• Oversee the development of micro-credentials focusing on financial skills and competencies
• Lead the development of digital and technology-enabled tools (e.g., gamified learning, AI-enabled advising) to enhance student engagement
• Oversee the creation of an AI Advisor that will provide quick advice to help build financial literacy skills
• Work with school divisions to implement and offer dual credit programming to high school students to bridge financial literacy training offered at post-secondary institutions
• Promote financial literacy as a key contributor to student success, retention and enrolment goals.

Collaboration & Business/Industry Engagement:

• Collaborate with Burman University and Olds College to ensure all post-secondary students in Central Alberta benefit from the programs and services offered by the Financial Institute.
• Build and sustain strategic partnerships with industry, alumni, and community organizations
• Represent the Institute in internal and external forums to advance its profile and influence
• Provide leadership within the Institute for continuous improvement, innovation, industry relevance in services and strong student centric operations
• Ensure effective workforce planning, role clarity, and distribution of work
• Operationalize and applies Collective Agreements and institutional policies as they apply to operations, in conjunction with the Associate Vice-President, Student Experience, other Deans, Associate Deans and People and Culture
• Responsible for recruitment and selection, retention, coaching, training, supervision, performance management in compliance with Human Resources policies and procedures, POPA , and collective agreements in support of a high performing team
• Facilitate where necessary discipline and dismissal of reporting staff done in consultation with the AVPSE and People and Culture
• Demonstrate accountability for Occupational Health & Safety responsibilities
• Maintain confidentiality of personal information in accordance with institutional policies, procedures, and POPA
• Approve, monitor, and report vacation and other absences for all staff under the direct supervision; arrange coverage for all vacation and long-term absences as required
• Promote and facilitate a culture of professional growth and development for everyone working in the Institute

Resource Management:

• Develop and manage operating and capital budgets aligned with strategic priorities
• Monitor and analyze budgets and makes in-year adjustments as required to achieve planned outcomes
• Provide guidance and engagement to Information Technology Systems to investigate, implement and maintain appropriate technologies to enable a continuously improving learning and service environment

Governance & Reporting:

• Support and engage with the Governance Committee to ensure alignment and effective oversight.
• Establish, track, and report on performance metrics, outcomes, and impact

Required Qualifications

• Undergraduate degree in Business, Finance, or related field required
• Graduate degree in a related field preferred

Preferred Qualifications

Experience:

• Progressive leadership experience in post-secondary education, applied research, or a related sector
• Demonstrated success in leading complex initiatives from development through implementation and evaluation
• Experience advancing innovative programming, including technology-enabled or learner-centered solutions.
• Proven ability to build and sustain strategic partnerships across industry, community, and academic environments.
• Strong experience in program development, project management, and stakeholder engagement

Skills and Abilities:

• Strong analytical, critical thinking, and problem-solving skills, with the ability to translate insights into action
• Demonstrated success with staff development, project management, and application of technology
• Strong collaboration skills, with experience working across academic, administrative, and service areas
• Demonstrated leadership in building, developing, and managing high-performing teams
• Proven ability to lead change and navigate complex organizational environments
• Experience in policy development, program evaluation, and continuous improvement
• High level of professionalism, sound judgment, and discretion, with a commitment to confidentiality
• Demonstrated understanding of post-secondary trends, including student success, financial wellbeing, and access
• Commitment to learner-centered and inclusive approaches to program and service delivery
• Proven ability to promote a positive environment through honesty, integrity, and ethical behavior consistent with the core values of Red Deer Polytechnic
• Demonstrated experience in creative outcomes and agile leadership
• Experience supporting innovative learning environments, student services, or applied learning initiatives is an asset

Salary or Hourly?

Salary Commensurate with education and experience

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, generous vacation allotments, credit tuition waivers and opportunities for professional development funding. Additional time off due to College closures between Christmas and New Year general holidays.

Eligibility to access the above-mentioned benefits 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 100 industry-relevant credit and non-credit programs to approximately 11,000 credit, non-credit and apprenticeship students. With modern teaching and learning spaces, and state-of-the-art research and innovation centres, RDP provides education and applied research opportunities in partnership with industry and communities.

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 .

Competition Number

Competition Number 2026-E-018

Employment Type

Employment Type Term-Certain Full-Time

Number of Vacancies

Number of Vacancies 1

Desired Start Date

Desired Start Date 11/02/2026

Position End Date (if term-certain)

Position End Date (if term-certain) 06/30/2031

FTE

FTE 1.0

Hours of Work

Open Date

Open Date 08/05/2026

Close Date

Open Until Filled

Open Until Filled Yes

Note to Applicant

Red Deer Polytechnic fosters an inclusive learning and working environment where everyone can bring their full selves and share their unique talents. We are committed to being responsive to the evolving needs and expectations of our diverse community.

At RDP , we are committed to a merit-based hiring process, and we believe in an inclusive workplace that is fair, equitable, supportive, welcoming and respectful. We recognize, value, and leverage differences in identities, abilities, background, cultures, skills, experiences, and perspectives. Our practices are guided by the principles of the Alberta Human Rights Act and support the Truth and Reconciliation Commission of Canada’s Calls to Action.

Red Deer Polytechnic will provide job applicants with accommodations in accordance with the Alberta Human Rights Code. To request an accommodation, please contact Peopleandculture@rdpolytech.ca.

Special Instructions to Applicants

This position is contingent on conditional funding and does not qualify for conversion.

Supplemental Questions

Required fields are indicated with an asterisk (*).

Documents Needed To Apply

Required Documents

• Cover Letter
• Resume

Optional Documents

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