Who is my supervisor?

• Each member of the academic team will have a supervisor.
• Each instructor will have a supervisor from the team of program managers and associate program managers.
• Instructors may have a supervisor who is not managing the program they are working on.
• Each program manager will supervise the associate program manager that is working with them.
• Each program manager will be supervised by the Director of Academic Programs.
• Supervisors may be changed due to changes of roles, teaching patterns or staffing.
• New staff will be assigned a supervisor before starting.
• The assignment of supervisees to supervisors is agreed in the Academic Management Team forum and is not subject to individual requests or preferences.

The Role and Responsibilities of Supervisors

• The supervisor acts as a first point of contact for any work-related queries that their supervisees may have. In this role, the supervisor provides professional support and advice.
• The supervisor is responsible for managing the Annual Performance Review (APR) in collaboration with each of their supervisees.
• The supervisor has a responsibility to facilitate the professional development of each of their supervisees. This will occur through the APR process and informally outside the APR. The APR cycle will include at least 3 formal meetings between supervisor and supervisee and more regular informal contact on a weekly basis is to be expected.
• As part of professional development, supervisors of teaching staff will conduct a minimum of two observations per year and will also help to facilitate peer observation where requested.
• The supervisor is responsible for managing each of their supervisees. This includes practical administrative processes such as leave requests; leave forms; monthly time sheets etc.
• The supervisor acts as the first point of contact for any issues relating to absence of any type including sickness, annual leave etc. The supervisor’s schedule will be available to supervisees. Supervisors will advise supervisees of any periods of absence from work.
• Supervisors will meet supervisees in confidence if requested in order to provide advice.
• The supervisor is the first point of contact for any complaints or issues that the supervisee may have. If the complaint or issue cannot be addressed directly to a supervisor, it should then be taken to the supervisor’s supervisor.
• If the supervisor is unable to answer a supervisee’s query, it is then the supervisor’s responsibility to direct the supervisee to the correct person/place to have it resolved.

Additional notes:

• The supervisor will not necessarily be someone with superior knowledge and experience to the supervisee. As outlined above, the supervisor is there to support, advise, manage and engage with the supervisee on a professional level.
• Supervisees with specific queries about students, classes etc. should still address these to the relevant Program Manager or Associate Program Manager.

Updated October 2014