As a Director of Academic Administration, you will lead academic operations and administrative functions at post-secondary educational institutions within the Department of National Defence. You oversee curriculum development, student services, instructor coordination, and institutional compliance while ensuring alignment with DND priorities and educational standards. This role bridges academic excellence with military operational requirements, making it essential to the professional development of Canadian Armed Forces members and civilian personnel.
Your responsibilities include managing academic budgets, coordinating with faculty and support staff, implementing educational policies, maintaining accreditation standards, and evaluating program effectiveness. You work collaboratively with senior leadership, external educational partners, and stakeholders to enhance educational delivery and institutional reputation. You will also develop strategic initiatives that support evidence-based learning outcomes and respond to evolving defence and security needs.
You will work in a structured, mission-driven environment that values accountability, continuous improvement, and professional standards. This position offers the opportunity to shape military education and contribute meaningfully to the readiness and capability of the Canadian Armed Forces.
Key Responsibilities
Plan and manage the delivery of academic administration services and programs, Supervise and develop staff within the academic administration team, Monitor performance metrics and report on results, Develop and implement operational plans and procedures, Manage stakeholder relationships and ensure service quality
Bachelor's degree or equivalent; significant experience in the relevant discipline with demonstrated leadership
Training
To qualify for this position, you typically need a bachelor's degree from a recognized post-secondary institution, with preference for advanced qualifications such as a master's degree in education, business administration, public administration, or a related field. A minimum of 7 to 10 years of progressive experience in post-secondary education administration, academic program management, or institutional operations is generally required.
Desirable qualifications include knowledge of Canadian Armed Forces culture and operations, familiarity with educational accreditation processes, project management credentials, and experience managing multi-disciplinary teams. Professional development opportunities within the Public Service include training in government policies, leadership development programs, financial management, and specialized education administration certifications. The Government of Canada supports ongoing learning through tuition assistance programs and access to professional development courses relevant to your role.
Entry Plans
You can enter this career through several pathways within the federal Public Service. The most common route is competing in open staffing processes advertised on the Government of Canada Job Bank and DND internal career portals. Positions are typically posted at the Director level and may require applicants to demonstrate progressive experience in academic or institutional administration.
Lateral moves from related positions—such as Program Manager, Education Coordinator, or Administrative Officer roles within DND or other federal departments—are common and valued. If you are currently a Public Service employee, you may also apply through internal priority hiring processes. Experienced professionals from provincial education systems, universities, or military-equivalent organizations may be eligible to compete in external recruitment campaigns. The Public Service Commission oversees all staffing processes to ensure fairness and merit-based selection. We encourage candidates to monitor DND recruitment pages and set up job alerts for positions matching your experience and career goals.
Part-Time Options
Full-time positions are standard for Director-level roles due to the nature of academic leadership and institutional responsibilities. However, the Government of Canada recognizes the importance of work-life balance and supports flexible arrangements where operationally feasible.
Depending on the specific institution and organizational needs, some flexibility in work schedules may be available, such as compressed work weeks or adjusted start and end times. Remote work options may apply to administrative or planning activities, though the role typically requires on-site presence for meetings, oversight, and stakeholder engagement. Specific arrangements are negotiated at the time of hiring and must align with DND operational requirements and the educational institution's needs. Part-time or job-sharing arrangements at the Director level are uncommon but may be considered in exceptional circumstances. We encourage candidates to discuss flexibility options during the recruitment process with the hiring manager.
Related Careers
No related military careers on file for this position.
