This competition is open to all applicants however; internal candidates and applicants who were former employees of the University of Alberta will be given priority consideration before external candidates. Please log in to verify your internal candidate status.
Location - This role is hybrid with a mix of remote and in-person work at North Campus Edmonton.
About ISTAR
The Institute for Stuttering Treatment and Research, known as ISTAR, provides specialized treatment for children, teens, and adults who stutter. With offices in Edmonton and Calgary, ISTAR also advances research in stuttering, provides professional training for speech-language pathology students and clinicians, and promotes public awareness of stuttering and its treatment.
About the Role
Reporting to the Dean of the Faculty of Rehabilitation Medicine, the Executive Director provides strategic, operational, clinical, and community-facing leadership for ISTAR. This role is responsible for advancing ISTAR’s mission through strategic planning, clinical service excellence, staff leadership, financial and operational management, donor and community engagement, student training, and alignment with the Faculty’s broader strategic direction.
This is a unique opportunity for an experienced speech-language pathology leader who is energized by combining clinical expertise with organizational leadership. The Executive Director will guide a specialized clinical team, support high-quality services across Edmonton and Calgary, strengthen partnerships and donor relationships, contribute to research and training, and help shape the future of a nationally recognized institute.
The Executive Director will also maintain clinical relevance by providing speech therapy services to clients alongside their administrative and leadership responsibilities.
The Faculty of Rehabilitation Medicine is Canada’s only free-standing faculty dedicated to rehabilitation. It offers accredited professional programs in Occupational Therapy, Physical Therapy, and Speech-Language Pathology, along with a substantial research and continuing education portfolio. With campuses in Edmonton, Calgary, and Camrose, the faculty serves approximately 1,000 graduate students and is a national leader in advancing rehabilitation practice and outcomes.
Strategic and Operational Leadership
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Lead ISTAR’s day-to-day operations across Edmonton and Calgary, ensuring effective service delivery, responsible use of resources, and a safe, inclusive, and client-centred environment.
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Develop and implement plans, metrics, and initiatives that advance ISTAR’s service, education, research, and community impact.
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Oversee financial, operational, space, equipment, technology, and administrative activities in collaboration with Faculty of Rehabilitation Medicine partners.
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Prepare reports and provide updates to the ISTAR Executive Council, ISTAR Foundation Board, CSD Council, major donors, and Faculty leadership.
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Lead policy, procedure, program, and service improvements that support ISTAR’s continued excellence.
People and Team Leadership
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Provide full-scope supervision for ISTAR staff, including recruitment, onboarding, coaching, performance management, scheduling, leave management, and professional development.
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Build a collegial, transparent, inclusive, and high-performing team culture.
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Work with HR and Faculty partners on employee relations, labour relations, collective agreement requirements, recruitment, retention, and other people-related matters.
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Develop mentorship and development plans for new and continuing staff.
Clinical Direction and Service
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Provide assessment and treatment services to clients with speech and language delays or disorders, with a primary focus on stuttering.
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Oversee client flow, referrals, assessments, treatment planning, clinical documentation, and service quality across ISTAR programs.
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Support intensive, refresher, individual, group, in-person, virtual, and school-based programming.
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Mentor clinical staff and support program development, evaluation, and continuous improvement.
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Ensure clinical programs are effective, evidence-informed, and responsive to client, family, school, and community needs.
Education, Training, and Research
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Support student clinical placements, supervision, training, and learning experiences.
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Provide or oversee workshops, webinars, guest lectures, professional development sessions, and training for students, clinicians, educators, and allied professionals.
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Contribute to research activities through clinical implementation, data collection, knowledge translation, and dissemination where appropriate.
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Collaborate with research partners and Faculty colleagues to connect clinical practice, education, and research.
Community Engagement, Donor Relations, and Advocacy
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Represent ISTAR with community groups, professional organizations, donors, service clubs, educational partners, and regional, provincial, and national organizations.
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Work with Faculty development and communications partners to support fundraising, donor stewardship, public awareness, marketing, and outreach.
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Develop presentations, reports, newsletters, proposals, and other materials that promote ISTAR’s work and impact.
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Support clients and families in accessing treatment funding and resources where appropriate.
Minimum Qualifications
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Master’s degree in Speech-Language Pathology.
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Registration with the Alberta College of Speech-Language Pathologists and Audiologists.
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Specialized training and experience providing stuttering interventions, such as Palin PCI, the Lidcombe Program, the Comprehensive Stuttering Program, Camperdown, or related approaches.
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At least five years of supervisory experience, including experience leading, mentoring, and managing staff.
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At least five years of experience in organizational management, including financial, human resource, operational, and strategic responsibilities.
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Demonstrated experience leading small teams and managing complex service, clinical, or program operations.
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Strong communication, interpersonal, problem-solving, analytical, and decision-making skills.
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Demonstrated ability to manage competing priorities, make sound decisions under pressure, and meet deadlines in a complex environment.
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Experience with program planning, implementation, data collection, evaluation, assessment, and dissemination.
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Proficiency with Microsoft Office, Google applications, and related administrative systems.
Preferred Qualifications
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Experience working in a post-secondary environment.
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Experience working within a school system.
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Experience with University of Alberta administrative systems, such as PeopleSoft.
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Experience applying collective agreements, institutional policies, HR practices, or labour relations processes in a unionized environment.
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Prior University of Alberta supervisory experience.
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Prior experience with ISTAR.
Application Instructions
Click "Apply Now" to submit your resume and cover letter.
This position has a comprehensive benefits package and an annual salary range of $89,729 to $149,540.
The terms and conditions of this appointment are governed by Schedule F of the collective agreement between the Board of Governors of the University of Alberta and the Association of Academic Staff of the University of Alberta.
The University of Alberta acknowledges that we are located on Treaty 6 territory, and respects the histories, languages and cultures of First Nations, Métis, Inuit and all FirstPeoples of Canada, whose presence continues to enrich our vibrant community.
The University of Alberta is a community of knowledge seekers, change makers and world shapers who lead with purpose each and every day. We are home to over 14,000 faculty and staff, more than 40,000 students and a growing community of 300,000 alumni worldwide.
Your work will have a meaningful influence on a fascinating cross-section of people - from our students and community members, to our renowned researchers and innovators, making discoveries and generating solutions that make the world healthier, safer, stronger and more just. Learn more.
At the University of Alberta, we are committed to creating an inclusive and accessible hiring process for all candidates. If you require accommodations to participate in the interview process, please let us know at the time of booking your interview and we will make every effort to accommodate your needs.
We thank all applicants for their interest; however, only those individuals selected for an interview will be contacted.
All University employees have a responsibility to foster a workplace that prioritizes safety in all its forms—physical, cultural, and psychological. This is achieved by promoting a safe environment, adhering to all safety laws, policies and procedures, completing all required safety training, identifying hazards and implementing controls, reporting incidents, and contributing to a culture of belonging and respect, while endeavoring to ensure that all colleagues feel valued and safe to express their thoughts, perspectives and concerns.
The University of Alberta is committed to creating a university community where everyone feels valued, barriers to success are removed, and thriving connections are fostered. We welcome applications from all qualified persons. We encourage women, First Nations, Métis and Inuit persons, members of visible minority groups, persons with disabilities, persons of any sexual orientation or gender identity and expression, and all those who may contribute to the further diversification of ideas and the University to apply.
L’Université de l’Alberta s’engage à créer une communauté universitaire où chaque personne se sent valorisée, où les obstacles à la réussite sont éliminés et où des connexions enrichissantes peuvent se développer. Nous accueillons les demandes de toutes les personnes qualifiées. Nous encourageons les femmes; Premières nations, Métis et Inuits; membres des groupes minoritaires visibles; personnes handicapées; personnes de toute orientation sexuelle ou identité et expression de genre; et toutes les personnes qui peuvent contribuer à la diversification des idées et à l'université à postuler.
