President and Vice Chancellor

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Memorial University, President and Vice-Chancellor

We acknowledge that the lands on which Memorial University’s campuses are situated are in the traditional territories of diverse Indigenous groups, and we acknowledge with respect the diverse histories and cultures of the Beothuk, Mi’kmaq, Innu, and Inuit of this province.

Memorial University of Newfoundland and Labrador invites applications for its next president and vice-chancellor (president). This position offers an extraordinary opportunity to play a transformative role in shaping the future of Memorial and its profound impact on the province of Newfoundland and Labrador, Canada, and the world. We look forward to welcoming a people-centred leader who shares our passion for this exceptional post-secondary institution and this unique province.

As the only university in Newfoundland and Labrador – and one of the largest postsecondary institutions in Atlantic Canada, Memorial makes a significant impact in the region, across Canada and globally. With approximately 18,000 students from more than 127 countries and approximately 3,800 faculty and staff, Memorial University spans six campuses and various locations, fostering a welcoming environment of learning, teaching, research, creativity, and engagement.

Reporting to the Board of Regents, the next president will be a galvanizing leader for the Memorial University of Newfoundland and Labrador community, providing overall strategic direction for the academic and financial affairs of the university. The successful candidate will work collaboratively to define and achieve the university’s goals and advance its vision and mission. The president will be appointed for a five-year (renewable) term, and the position will also include an underlying faculty appointment at the rank of full professor in a discipline represented at Memorial. As a custodian of the shared governance processes of the university, the president will be an ex-officio member of the Board of Regents and also serve as chair of the university’s Senate.

The ideal candidate will be a people-first leader who will focus on strategies to move the institution forward and strengthen its commitment to the region and province. They will bring a recognized scholarly track-record and experience delivering transformative impact as an academic leader, including substantial experience in strategic leadership, governance, management, and finance within a post-secondary environment. The president will demonstrate a strong commitment to equity, diversity, and inclusion and anti-racism (EDI-AR), as well as supporting Memorial’s ongoing efforts to make the university a welcoming place for Indigenous peoples, by advancing truth, reconciliation, and Indigenization across the university. They will champion building and maintaining a culture of trust at Memorial and bring outstanding integrity, exceptional relationship-building and communication skills, curiosity, empathy, and emotional intelligence to the role. They will have broad experience in external relations, including government engagement and fundraising. These skills and experiences will empower them to help Memorial continue to make a meaningful difference across the university, the province and beyond.

As Newfoundland and Labrador’s only university, Memorial University has a special obligation to the peoples of the province. Established as a living memorial to the Newfoundlanders and Labradorians who lost their lives during the First World War and subsequent conflicts, Memorial University draws inspiration from the sacrifices of the past to build a better future for the province, country, and the world. Because of its unique place within the province, the university plays an unparalleled role in the continuing development of the region. Memorial University stands out with its impressive geographic reach, featuring six dynamic campuses. In St. John’s alone, you’ll find three thriving locations. Travel west to Corner Brook to visit Grenfell Campus, or journey east across the Atlantic Ocean to Harlow Campus in the United Kingdom for an international perspective. The newest addition is the Labrador Campus, home to the innovative School of Arctic and Subarctic Studies and the Pye Centre for Northern Boreal Food Systems, where students delve into essential research and hands-on learning with a Northern focus.

Memorial has grown into a research-intensive university with outstanding researchers including nationally and internationally recognized faculty. Over the past decade, the university has seen significant growth in national and international rankings, currently placed 17th among top research universities in Canada (Research Infosource, 2023). Notably, in the past five years, Memorial has been ranked the top Canadian university for marine and ocean engineering studies (Shanghai Rankings). Memorial’s research activities are increasingly showcasing its vital contributions to a socially resilient, economically prosperous, culturally vibrant, inclusive, innovative, healthy and sustainable Newfoundland and Labrador.

An executive search is being undertaken by Memorial’s search partner, Perrett Laver. Perrett Laver will assist the university in identifying a diverse pool of qualified candidates and in evaluating them against the selection criteria.

Applications should consist of a full curriculum vitae and a cover letter briefly outlining how the candidate meets the selection criteria, why the appointment is of interest, and what they believe they can contribute to the role. Further information, including a full position description and selection criteria, as well as details on how to apply, can be found at https://apptrkr.com/5810905 quoting reference number 7481. Interested candidates are asked to submit applications by Sunday January 19th, 2025 Newfoundland Time.

Diversity and inclusion constitute core values for Memorial. In supporting an inclusive workforce at the university, Memorial is committed to providing an unbiased recruitment and selection process. Memorial aims to be a welcoming, favourable and accommodating environment for employees and candidates for employment from diverse backgrounds. Identifying and removing systemic barriers is an important step in this process.

Memorial University is strongly committed to employment equity and especially welcomes applications from all qualified candidates, including members of visible minorities, Indigenous persons, members of diverse sexuality and gender, and persons with disabilities. All qualified candidates are encouraged to apply; however, Canadian citizens and permanent residents will be given priority.

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