Provost and Vice-President, Academic{
Guided by a bold Academic Plan, an ambitious research agenda, and a Master Plan to revitalize the campus and surrounding neighbourhood, Toronto Metropolitan University (TMU) is among the most applied-to universities in Ontario and its reputation with business and community leaders continues to rise. TMU offers more than 125 undergraduate and graduate programs. Culturally diverse and inclusive, the university is home to more than 48,000 students, including nearly 3,000 master's and PhD students, over 3,800 faculty and staff, and more than 200,000 alumni worldwide. From 2015 to 2019, TMU was named one of the Top GTA employers and one of Canada’s Best Diversity Employers.
TMU’s programs combine the foundational knowledge of a discipline with real-world experiential learning experiences and the development of life skills such as self-confidence to take calculated risks and creativity to generate new ideas. Effective communication, critical thinking, and resourceful problem-solving skills are emphasized across programs. Cross-cultural competence and a deep appreciation of the linguistic and cultural diversity of the campus and the city help students become responsible and engaged global citizens. Research at TMU is on a trajectory of success and growth: externally funded research has more than doubled in the past four years. A solid foundation of scholarly, research and creative (SRC) excellence has resulted in the University experiencing outstanding success in the Research Infosource 20-year retrospective where it placed first in total comprehensive university income growth, second in not-for-profit research income growth, and third in corporate research income growth.
TMU cherishes its role as a city-builder and continues to reshape the downtown core of Toronto. The University has opened a series of new buildings including the Mattamy Athletic Centre at Maple Leaf Gardens, the Image Centre, the Sheldon and Tracy Levy Student Learning Centre, the Centre for Urban Innovation, and the Daphne Cockwell Health Sciences Complex. In Fall 2020, TMU opened its doors to the first cohort of law students, establishing TMU’s new Lincoln Alexander School of Law that will provide leading-edge education with a focus on contemporary issues. And in March 2022, the Province of Ontario confirmed its support for TMU’s proposed school of medicine, which will house 80 medical school seats for undergraduate students and 95 postgraduate seats. TMU’s school of medicine in Brampton will welcome its first cohort of medical students in 2025.
It is within this context that Toronto Metropolitan University invites applications and nominations for the appointment of its next Provost and Vice-President, Academic. This appointment will be for a term of five years, commencing July 1, 2023 or soon after.
Reporting to the President and Vice-Chancellor Dr. Mohamed Lachemi, the Provost and Vice-President, Academic is Toronto Metropolitan University’s chief academic officer, chief operating officer and the principal advisor to the President on all academic affairs. The Provost provides leadership in academic priorities, in academic policy and programming, strategic planning, and university budgeting. Fulfilling priorities set out in the Academic Plan, the Provost will lead and support greater student engagement and success through exceptional experiences; increase the excellence, intensity, and impact of TMU’s scholarly, research, and creative activity; advance EDI initiatives; promote internationalization of the university; foster an innovation ecosystem; and expand community engagement and urban partnerships. The university-wide Provost’s team includes vice-provosts, deans and chief librarian, and directors of academic support services and facilities.
The successful candidate for Provost & Vice-President, Academic must be an accomplished scholar, possessing a strong record of academic and research achievements, and tenure as a senior academic administrative leader. They must hold a PhD, or equivalent terminal degree, and be appointable at the rank of full professor. The Provost and Vice-President, Academic should demonstrate a deep commitment to academic values, curricular excellence, and to the continuation of strong community engagement through values-based partnerships and to ensuring the campus is a positive and welcoming place for all students, researchers, instructors, faculty and staff. The leadership style and attributes which will benefit the successful candidate include being collaborative and collegial; a strong communicator; a strong advocate of equity, diversity, inclusion and reconciliation; and an engaging problem solver who is respectful and a good listener. The ideal candidate embodies what TMU is known for: academic excellence, collegiality, innovation and entrepreneurship, leadership, nimbleness and responsiveness, and commitment to promoting equity, diversity, and inclusion.
Toronto Metropolitan University welcomes those who have demonstrated a commitment to upholding the values of equity, diversity, and inclusion; and will assist us to expand our capacity for diversity in the broadest sense. In addition, we encourage applications from members of groups that have been historically underserved, including First Nations; Metis and Inuit peoples; Indigenous peoples; racialized persons; persons with disabilities; and those who identify as women and/or 2SLGBTQ+.
This position falls under the jurisdiction of the Toronto Metropolitan University Faculty Association (TFA) (www.rfanet.ca). The TFA collective agreement can be viewed here; a summary of TFA benefits can be found here.
The University encourages applications from members of groups that have been historically underserved, including First Nations, Metis and Inuit peoples, Indigenous peoples, racialized persons, persons with disabilities, and those who identify as women and/or 2SLGBTQ+.
To apply, or explore this key academic leadership position at Toronto Metropolitan University further, please contact Jane Griffith (jane@griffithgroup.ca) and Sam Walton (sam@griffithgroup.ca).
All applications must be received by Wednesday, February 8, 2023.
Toronto Metropolitan University is an equal opportunity employer. In accordance with the Accessibility for Ontarians with Disabilities Act, 2005, upon request, accommodation will be provided by both Griffith Group and Toronto Metropolitan University throughout the recruitment, selection and/or assessment process to applicants with disabilities.