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Directs and coordinates all aspects of the National Dental Specialty Examination, including examination design, content development, examination delivery, scoring and psychometric analyses, and key validation.
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Oversees the staffing and management of the Examinations Department and ensures that internal and external deadlines are met.
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Ensures all examination content is accurately, safely, and appropriately stored and safeguarded.
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Ensures examination results are received, approved, and released to the candidates within the prescribed timelines.
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Develops, implements, reviews and updates relevant policies and procedures for the NDSE.
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Oversees delivery of key NDSE information through targeted campaigns and other media.
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Oversees the recruitment and management of the NDSE Examiners.
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Builds and maintains effective relationships with external stakeholders, vendors and testing organizations.
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Manages the NDSE Appeals process and adheres to timelines outlined in the policies.
Executive Brief
Director of Examinations
The Royal College of Dentists of Canada (RCDC)
Director of Examinations
Overview
Starting in 2024, RCDC will be the body in charge of administering the NDSE moving forward.
Reporting to the Managing Director and a key member of the executive team, the Director of Examinations is accountable for the effective development, delivery and evaluation of the National Dental Specialty Examination (NDSE), stakeholder management, and operational functions that contribute to the achievement of the organization's mission and goals.
Specific accountabilities include: examination content administration; examination analytics and key validation; Examiner engagement and recognition; recruitment, leadership and performance appraisal of a team of professionals; program leadership and priority setting including overall strategy and project management; maintenance of appropriate reporting; development and maintenance of examination and Examiner policies and practices; development and management of a budget, preparation of submissions to regulatory bodies.
Main Responsibilities
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Works with the College psychometrician to produce statistical data and reports on the NDSE as required.
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Prepares quarterly reports for the NDSE Committee on the activities of the Examinations Department.
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Performs examination related data analysis and statistical tests, and reports on the findings when requested.
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Member of, and staff resource for, the NDSE, Credential and Appeals Committees.
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Assists with the development of meeting materials in consultation with Committee Chairs.
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Maintains up-to-date records of Committee membership and contact information.
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Review approved plans and budgets as part of the annual planning and budgeting cycle and present recommendations to the NDSE Committee and Board of Directors.
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Ensures adherence to proper financial management procedures.
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Hires, rewards, disciplines, terminates, and sets the remuneration of, all departmental employees except for themselves in accordance with policy and/or approved budgets.
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Completes performance assessments for staff in accordance with established policies.
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Ensures departmental compliance with policies and procedures for records management and retention.
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Ensures protection and security of departmental files and records.
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Other duties as required.
Knowledge, Skills and Experience
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A dental license issued by a province in Canada or eligibility for dental licensure in a province in Canada would be an asset, but not a determining factor, as would an understanding or involvement in current dental education and the evaluation process.
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Similar experience in a related field may be considered.
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Possess extensive examination development knowledge, skills and experience.
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5+ years experience in leading operational teams at the senior leadership level.
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Knowledge of psychometric processes supporting high-stakes examinations.
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Experience and comfort in using a variety of technology.
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Demonstrated experience in working in a non-profit environment.
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Strong analytical and critical thinking skills.
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Excellent interpersonal skills.
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Ability to effectively and fluently communicate (written and spoken) in English and French (an asset)
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Demonstrated ability to set strategic direction for an operational department in alignment with executive peers
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Knowledge of high-stakes examinations best practices and procedures
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Knowledge of psychometric processes supporting high-stakes assessments and examinations
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Ability to monitor for, recognize and flag in a timely manner any emerging issues and/or areas of concern in relation to examination activities
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Ability to assess risks related to exam security and mitigating practices
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Ability to direct and motivate staff and work as a team player
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Ability to manage multiple activities and deadlines and work well under pressure
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Forward thinking with an ability to foster a climate of innovation and continuous improvement
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Demonstrated judgement, initiative, resourcefulness, tact, and discretion
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Strong analytical skills and critical thinking skills
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Excellent interpersonal skills
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Consensus building
Ideal Candidate Profile
This profile represents the “ideal” characteristics of the Director of Examinations. The next senior leader at The Royal College of Dentists of Canada (RCDC) will ideally have the following experience, characteristics, or aptitudes:
- Vision: The Director of Examinations is a visionary and inspirational leader who will be adept at identifying long term strategic goals, understanding ‘the big picture’, finding creative and strategic solutions to complex problems, and will ensure that RCDC is well positioned to meet current and future challenges when it comes to the effective development, delivery, and evaluation of the National Dental Specialty Examination (NDSE). The Director will reflect and champion RCDC’s vision to staff and stakeholders.
- Examinations Knowledge: The ideal Director will possess extensive examination development knowledge, skills, and experience to ensure that the production of the NDSE is psychometrically and statistically sound. The Director will have demonstrated knowledge of psychometric processes supporting high-stakes examinations, as well as will have the ability to monitor and flag any emerging issues and/or areas of concern in relation to examination activities.
- Dentistry and Oral Health Experience as an asset: The Director’s high degree of experience in the health professions’ education, assessment, or healthcare delivery sector(s), ideally in oral health and dentistry, is considered an asset, as is the Director’s eligibility for licensure as a dental specialist.
- Strategic Thinking: The Director is a systems thinker and organizational strategist who can develop and execute a shared vision and strategy across a complex organization. This opportunity will require extensive strategic thinking and planning by the Director, ensuring that consensus is reached around an NDSE strategic and operational plan that is designed and executed with a framework for which success can be measured.
- Experience with Change Management: The ideal candidate has experience running a significant and complex initiative with a national reach. The Director will guide RCDC as it becomes the body in charge of administering the NDSE starting in 2024 and does so under a new governance model. The Director will advise the Board and the Managing Director and will lead staff through the ‘growing pains’ of this change process. The Director has demonstrated experience leading a major organizational initiative/program in a time of transition and evolution.
- Leadership and Management: The Director is a natural leader who has demonstrated experience building a team and directing and leading staff to accomplish organizational goals and objectives. The Director brings out the best in people, attracts and retains top talent, rewards hard work, and is capable of creating and sustaining a respectful and productive work environment that inspires teamwork and positive results.
- Interpersonal Skills and Stakeholder Management: The Director will be adept at managing a variety of personalities, will be a skilled negotiator, consensus builder, facilitator, and networker. To best serve the interests of RCDC, the Director will develop, maintain, and steward strong working relationships with a variety of different stakeholders, and will build credibility with the regulators and the public. The Director recognizes that RCDC needs to maintain professional relationships with an ecosystem of stakeholders who may hold divergent views or different perspectives but often have similar goals.
- Communications Skills: The Director will need to have extensive experience in proactive outreach and impeccable communication skills that contribute to the effective administration of the NDSE and to the achievement of the RCDC’s mission and goals.
- Serving a Standing Committee: The Director will be particularly adept at managing the multiple points of view of members of a Standing Committee with the sole mandate of overseeing the administration of the NDSE. The Director will ensure that each Committee member feels heard, trusted, and respected.