Director, Global Rankings and Reputation

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Job Summary

Reporting to the Vice-Provost, Global Engagement, the Director, Global Rankings and Reputation is a member of the Vice-Provost’s senior leadership team and is accountable for leading and advancing Queen’s University’s institutional rankings performance and global reputation, including full ownership of the design, execution, and continuous advancement of a comprehensive, university-wide rankings strategy. The role provides authoritative leadership to support Queen’s Bicentennial Vision and the university’s ambition to be among the world’s top 120 universities through measurable improvements in rankings performance.

The Director is the university’s recognized institutional authority and subject matter expert on global rankings, reputation and related performance indicators, with institutional accountability for rankings participation, performance outcomes, and strategic alignment across academic, research and reputational priorities. Working in close collaboration with Institutional Research and Planning, University Relations, the Office of the Vice-Principal Research, Faculty leadership, and other senior partners, the Director directs a university-wide, data-informed approach to rankings participation and performance, establishes and oversees institutional governance, and translates analytical insights into strategic direction and high-impact initiatives to enhance rankings performance and raise Queen’s global profile. The incumbent is responsible for driving institutional alignment and accountability across senior leadership to embed rankings-informed decision-making, directing the preparation and approval of all institutional ranking submissions, and leading the implementation of rankings improvement strategies. The Director serves as the institutional lead with external rankings organizations and service providers.

The incumbent directs a cross-institutional portfolio of resources and subject matter experts across key portfolios to prepare rankings submissions and provide analysis of the university’s ranking data and performance and works with University Relations to communicate Queen’s ranking performance to enhance reputation in priority international markets. The Director is accountable for establishing institutional performance targets, monitoring progress against key rankings indicators, and driving continuous improvement in Queen’s global positioning.

Due to the scope and requirements of the role, flexibility and adaptability to international travel are required.

Job Description

KEY RESPONSIBILITIES:
Rankings Strategy, Governance and Implementation
• Design, implement and continuously refine a comprehensive, university-wide strategy for international rankings and reputation in keeping with global best practice.
• Provide expert advice on and guidance to senior leadership on matters related to global rankings and reputation.
• Lead implementation of the formal rankings governance framework at Queen’s, including a Steering Committee consisting of the senior leadership team and Faculty Deans, with accountability for institutional alignment, decision-making, and performance outcomes across Faculties and units.
• Lead a dedicated project team across key portfolios (University Communications, Institutional Research and Planning, Office of the Vice-Principal Research etc.) to prepare rankings submissions and provide analysis of the university’s ranking data and performance. Approve final rankings submissions.
• Develop and implement mechanisms and programs to build internal support for improving rankings and reputation and to embed rankings - aware decision - making across the university and drive institutional accountability.
• Exercise decision-making authority over institutional participation in specific rankings based on strategic value.
• Set institutional priorities and performance targets related to rankings indicators, ensuring alignment with strategic and academic plans, implement processes and projects to achieve these targets, and ensure alignment of resources and initiatives to achieve measurable improvements in rankings performance.
• Conduct high-level research and analysis on domestic and international rankings to develop and implement the University’s institutional ranking strategy.
• Direct and oversee execution of university-wide, high-impact initiatives related to rankings and performance, including establishing clear timelines, roles, resources, quality controls, and escalation mechanisms with accountability for delivery, outcomes, and impact on rankings performance.

Performance Monitoring and Optimization
• Direct institutional performance monitoring across university -wide and discipline - and program - specific rankings and translate analysis into concrete recommendations for improving rankings performance.
• Lead comparative benchmarking of Queen’s rankings performance against peer, aspirational, and competitor institutions, and translate findings into actionable institutional strategies and priorities.
• Provide data, analysis and recommendations and direct Faculties and units in understanding and implementing evidence-based improvements tied to rankings indicators.
• Authorize frameworks, tools and reporting mechanisms used across the university to monitor rankings performance and ensure consistent institutional adoption and use.
• Work collaboratively with Institutional Research and Planning to strengthen data governance, quality and alignment with rankings methodologies.
• Develop dashboards, briefing materials, and executive reports to inform senior leadership decision-making and track progress against institutional rankings targets.

Global Reputation Strategy and Narrative
• With University Relations, lead the development of an evidence-based institutional reputation narrative for domestic and international markets aligned with rankings performance and institutional priorities, academic excellence, research impact, teaching quality, and global engagement priorities.
• Partner with University Relations to integrate rankings outcomes into institution-wide reputation-building strategies and activities in priority global markets, including events and digital communications.
• Identify and provide strategic direction on reputational opportunities and risks arising from ranking results, peer movements, and external perceptions.

Research, Analysis and Expertise
• Prepare high-level analytical reports and briefings for senior leadership and the Board, ensuring alignment between rankings strategy and Queen’s strategic priorities.
• Conduct environmental scans on issues affecting the postsecondary environment, rankings, institutional rankings performance, methodologies, and competitive market intelligence.
• Monitor and communicate changes to methodology, performance of peer institutions and other factors that impact rankings.
• Maintain professional expertise through participation in relevant networks, conferences, and professional forums related to rankings, reputation and global higher education.

Relationship Management and Collaboration
• Represent the university as the senior institutional lead with global rankings agencies and service providers including Times Higher Education, QS, and Maclean’s through regular update meetings, conference attendance and other mechanisms.
• Develop and implement strategies to build trust and institutional alignment and drive adoption of rankings-informed priorities across academic and administrative leadership.
• Participate in international and multi- institutional working groups related to rankings and reputation.
• Represent Queen’s University in external, national, and international forums related to rankings and institutional reputation.
• Promote a culture that supports diversity, equity and inclusion in the workplace and acknowledge diverse ideas and the interests of all stakeholders when making decisions.

REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS:
• University degree, preferably Master’s, in a relevant field, with a minimum of seven years of experience at a senior contributor or management level in higher education institutions, rankings organizations or similar organizations.
• Demonstrated experience leading university rankings submissions and developing and implementing rankings improvement recommendations.
• Demonstrated experience advising or partnering on institutional communications, brand, or reputation strategy, including work that supports external visibility, stakeholder perception, or strategic positioning.
• Strong data literacy and analytical skills with confidence in analyzing complex data sets to inform strategy and senior level decision–making.
• Exceptional skill in building and maintaining relationships with internal and external partners and in fostering positive, collaborative working relationships to build professional credibility amongst senior executives.
• Excellent communication skills with the ability to engage diverse audiences, communicate complex information clearly and influence strategic decision – making.
• Project management experience, including the proven ability to lead and deliver on projects. Exceptional attention to detail with superior organizational, project management and planning skills to manage multiple priorities and make decisions regarding competing and sensitive priorities in a confidential, fast-paced and demanding environment.
• Demonstrated experience in, strategic planning, data acquisition and analysis, and report writing.
• Broad knowledge of university administrative processes, systems and regulations is considered an asset.
• Excellent intercultural communication skills and demonstrated commitment to diversity and inclusivity.
• Consideration will be given to an equivalent combination of education and experience.
• Valid Passport required.

SPECIAL SKILLS:
• Strategic leadership and systems thinking in complex institutional environments.
• Ability to influence senior academic and administrative leaders without direct authority.
• Advanced analytical reasoning and judgment in data-rich, ambiguous contexts.
• Change leadership and stakeholder engagement across diverse academic cultures.
• Executive-level communication and presentation skills.

DECISION MAKING:
• Exercise independent decision-making authority over institutional approaches to rankings participation, governance, and strategy.
• Approve methodologies, data submission strategies, and engagement with ranking bodies, ensuring institutional consistency and accuracy.
• Determine institutional priorities, performance targets, and resource alignment recommendations that directly influence academic, research and reputational investments related to rankings and reputation.
• Identify opportunities for improvement and provide recommendations for changes, including the introduction of new policies, procedures, and processes and reporting mechanisms affecting multiple portfolios and Faculties. Direct implementation of changes across multiple portfolios and Faculties.
• Resolve complex institutional issues and risks related to rankings data, interpretation, and reputational impact.
• Advise executive leadership with recommendations that directly inform institutional decisions, including those presented to the Board.
• Prioritize own work and work of project team members, including directing cross-functional resources and aligning efforts across Faculties and central units, in accordance with evolving and/or competing priorities. Determine appropriate assignment of resources, evaluate progress on assigned work of project team members, assist in solving problems and suggest directions that would result in timely and accurate completion of tasks.
• Resolve problems and decide when to refer highly complex and/or sensitive matters along with collected background information and recommendations for problem resolution to the Vice Provost, Global Engagement.
• Determine appropriate research approaches, analytical tools, and third-party services related to rankings and performance analysis.
• Interpret requests from external agencies and institutions and determine appropriate responses.

Employment Equity and Accessibility Statement

The University invites applications from all qualified individuals. Queen's is strongly committed to employment equity, diversity, and inclusion in the workplace and encourages applications from Black, racialized persons, Indigenous people, women, persons with disabilities, and 2SLGBTQI+ persons. In accordance with Canadian Immigration requirements, priority will be given to those who are legally eligible to work in Canada.

The University provides support in its recruitment processes to all applicants who require accommodation due to a protected ground under the Ontario Human Rights Code, including those with disabilities.