OCAD University acknowledges the ancestral territories of the Mississaugas of the Credit, the Haudenosaunee, the Anishinaabeg and the Huron-Wendat, who are the original owners and custodians of the land on which we live, work and create

OCAD University, Canada’s largest and oldest art and design university, is a vibrant community of bold, curious and compassionate artists, designers and scholars who are imagining and creating a joyful, equitable and sustainable world. The University is an internationally renowned hub for art, design, digital media, research, innovation and creativity, and arts administration. It embraces collaborative and interdisciplinary approaches to change-making through art, design-thinking curriculum and research, making OCAD U a local, regional, national and global leader in art and design.

It is an exciting time to join the OCAD U community as the University is at a key stage in its institutional transformation, with the implementation of its Academic and Strategic Plan and guiding principles — driving positive impact; decolonization, indigenization and equity; environmental sustainability; emerging as a vibrant hub; student centered approaches; innovation in learning teaching and research; and financial stewardship.

Reporting to the Executive Director, People & Culture, and working closely with other senior leaders, the Director, Organizational Development & Transformation will lead the planning and execution of strategic change initiatives across the University and plays a critical role in implementing recommendations informed by a recent institutional review. In a small team environment, the Director is expected to be hands-on and contribute directly to the delivery of key organizational development and change management work, while providing direction and support to a team of two Organizational Development Specialists and an Organizational Learning Specialist. The Director will play a key role in cultivating a culture of entrepreneurialism and opportunity assessment, aligning change efforts with strategic growth and innovation. The Director will develop and oversee a comprehensive change strategy and roadmap, combining hands-on project management oversight with expertise in change leadership, to guide leaders, foster engagement, and ensure successful transition and adoption. This role will also provide strategic leadership and operational oversight for the University’s organizational development and organizational learning portfolios.

Summary of Responsibilities:

• Provide leadership for organizational change and transformation initiatives aligned with the University’s academic & strategic plan, mission, and values
• Develop and execute a change management strategy and implementation roadmap for recommendations from institutional review, including restructures, program and digital transformation, institutional reviews and culture change
• Champion a culture of entrepreneurialism and opportunity assessment by identifying innovative approaches to change initiatives and fostering strategic thinking across the organization
• Design and implement change governance structures and decision-making processes
• Advise and coach senior leaders and project sponsors on change readiness, engagement, risk mitigation, and effective change leadership strategies to drive adoption and sustain change outcomes
• Lead organizational diagnostics, impact and readiness assessments, and targeted interventions to enhance effectiveness, collaboration, service delivery, and role clarity across academic and administrative units
• Support leaders with organizational design, governance, and decision making structures
• Lead the planning, execution and monitoring of change deliverables integrated with project plans, ensuring timelines, milestones, dependencies, and risks are actively managed
• Identify, assess, and develop strategies to address resistance to change
• Implement feedback mechanisms and pulse surveys to gauge change effectiveness
• Develop contingency plans and risk mitigation strategies
• Monitor progress, identify risks, and recommend correct actions to keep initiatives on track
• Conduct stakeholder analysis, change risk analysis, impact and readiness assessments to inform approach
• Design and deliver communication strategies and plans, in consultation with the Director, Communications & Media, including executive presentations and briefing materials for senior leadership and updates for organizational partners
• Embed equity and human rights informed approaches into change, organizational development, and leadership practices
• Design and deliver coaching, strategic workshops and engagement sessions for managers and change champions to build internal capability and momentum for change initiatives
• Oversee post-implementation project reviews to identify key learnings and opportunities for improvement
• Provide subject matter expertise and guidance to project teams and change champions, fostering a culture of continuous improvement, entrepreneurial thinking, and opportunity-driven innovation
• Provide leadership, coaching, and day-to-day direction to three Specialists; set priorities, review work, and contribute directly to deliverables as required in a small team environment
• Manage budgets, resources, and priorities to ensure effective delivery of programs and initiatives
• Assist with special projects and initiatives contributing to the successful operation of People & Culture

Qualifications:

• A graduate degree in Human Resources, Organizational Development, Business Administration, or related field, or an equivalent combination of education and experience
• Change management certification and/or other relevant professional designation (e.g., CHRP/CHRL, CTDP, Prosci, ACMP) strongly preferred
• A minimum seven (7) years of progressive experience, including two (2) years in a leadership capacity, working in change management or organizational development within complex organizations (higher education or public sector an asset)
• Demonstrated experience leading complex, large-scale organizational and transformational change initiatives, including cost optimization and workforce transitions
• Proven knowledge of change management tools, principles, and methodologies
• Proven experience overseeing teams of professional specialists and managing multiple, concurrent strategic initiatives
• Deep expertise in organizational development, change management methodologies, learning and leadership development
• Strong project management skills with ability to manage multiple priorities and meet tight deadlines
• Knowledge of adult learning principles and training design
• Excellent communication, facilitation, and stakeholder engagement skills, with the ability to translate complex concepts into practical, actionable strategies
• Ability to navigate, influence change, and establish priorities in an often ambiguous environment
• Strong interpersonal skills and judgement, with a demonstrated ability to handle sensitive or confidential matters with discretion
• A collaborative and consultative working style with an ability to develop and maintain effective working relationships in a manner that gains trust, respect and cooperation
• Demonstrated commitment to the principles of equity and diversity, and experience promoting a respectful work and learning environment for students, staff and faculty

Mode of Work: Hybrid Model, 3 days on campus.

Compensation: $113,519.00 - $133,527.00 annually, commensurate with experience

Hours of Work: Monday to Friday, 35 hours per week. This is a temporary contract expected to continue until May 31, 2027.

Application Deadline: Interested applicants are invited to submit an updated * resume and cover letter (PDF) . The review of applications will begin Friday May 29th and will continue until the position has been filled.

• Please upload your resume and cover letter as one PDF*. Please name your upload:* FirstName_LastName-Job Code

As an institution committed to art, design, digital media and related scholarship, OCAD University recognizes the profound and essential value that diversity brings to the creation, reception and circulation of creative practices and discourse. OCAD University understands that valuing diverse creative practices and forms of knowledge are essential to and enrich the institution’s core mission and vision as an art and design university with a local and global scope.

As an employer committed to employment equity, we encourage applications from members of equity-deserving communities including women, racialized and Indigenous persons, persons with disabilities, and persons of all sexual orientations and gender identities/expressions.

OCAD University is committed to providing an inclusive and barrier free experience to applicants with accessibility needs. Requests for accommodation can be made at any stage during the recruitment process. Please contact People & Culture for more information or refer to OCAD U’s Policy of Accommodation in Employment for Persons with Disabilities .

All qualified persons are encouraged to apply; however, Canadians and permanent residents of Canada will be given priority. While we thank all candidates for their interest, only those short-listed will be contacted.