Provost and Vice-President, Academic

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Location: Montreal

Concordia is an innovative, mission-driven university focused on transformative research, teaching and learning, collaborative action, and public impact. Located on two campuses in the heart of Tiohtià:ke/Montreal, Concordia ranks first in Canada and North America among universities under 50 years old according to QS World University Rankings and is recognized as one of the most international universities by Times Higher Education. In the 2022 Impact Rankings, Concordia stands out among the world’s top 25 universities most committed to advancing the United Nations’ Sustainable Development Goals, including climate action, reducing inequalities, and building sustainable cities and communities.

With more than 48,657 students—20% of whom are graduate students—coming from over 150 countries, Concordia is among the most diverse universities in Canada with 6,700 faculty and staff.

Established on the unceded territory of the Kanien’kehá:ka Nation, Concordia acknowledges its responsibilities to Indigenous peoples. Its Indigenous Directions Action Plan, launched in 2019 and revised in 2021, serves as a roadmap for the university’s decolonization efforts.

Purpose

This is a transformational moment for higher education. Like universities elsewhere in Québec and Canada, Concordia is simultaneously facing a number of major challenges with respect to structural underfunding of operations, the negative impact of government policies – federal and provincial – on international student mobility, and the impact that major technology change is having on teaching, learning, research and the operations of large organizations.

Like many universities, Concordia has experienced year-over-year deficits that are structural and is mid-way in delivering on a recovery plan to achieve budget equilibrium. This has placed many strains on the university community and it is clear that there are more challenging times ahead.

At the same time, the university has just celebrated its 50th anniversary, closed the most successful capital campaign in its history, and been buoyed by outstanding rankings as a young university that is home to top academic programs and areas of globally recognized leadership in research and research-creation.

While drawing on the multiple, existing strengths of the university and its academic and research programs, this moment calls for an important shift in how the University operates. Inevitably, this means reducing and controlling costs to align with revenues. But equally it involves developing new sources of revenue, strategic planning around recruitment, enrolment and retention, academic program development, improved student services, and targeted new initiatives, for example in the area of health.

Concordia is thus seeking a visionary leader in its next Provost and Vice President, Academic, who is capable of managing effectively in a very challenging financial environment, but who is equally committed to leading positive change internally and externally as the university navigates a complex present while positioning itself for future success.

The Role and Mandate

Reporting to the President, the Provost and Vice-President, Academic hereinafter referred to as the “Provost” is the chief academic officer of the University and a key member of the senior executive team. Committed to the scholarly life of the University and to excellence, equity, diversity, inclusion, decolonization, indigeneity and impact the Provost plays a major role in the design and achievement of Concordia’s strategic goals and objectives.

The Provost’s primary role is to promote the highest standards of academic excellence to enhance innovative teaching and learning. In this capacity, the Provost is responsible for leading the academic planning process and ensuring the continuous development of a superior learning environment. The mandate is to position Concordia as a leader in innovative pedagogy that advances societal needs and nurtures an inspiring student experience.

The Provost is also accountable for developing and implementing a strategic enrollment plan that guides student recruitment, retention and program growth, shaping a diverse and sustainable student body. The development of such a plan must take into account existing and anticipated local and global trends in student mobility and knowledge seeking, while being responsive to the changing policy landscapes with respect to immigration, funding, language and other factors affecting higher education. This plan is integral to supporting and sustaining the University’s academic mission and financial vitality.

The Provost must be fully comfortable operating according to the particularities of the Québec political and higher education context, particularly as it affects universities whose primary language of instruction and communication is English.

The University’s foundational mission is the pursuit of knowledge, furthering research and innovation. Closely linked to this is strategic enrollment planning. The Provost must lead and work in collaboration with internal and external partners to develop viable new approaches to revenue generation through strategic enrollment.

In addition, the Provost works in concert with the senior executive team to provide leadership on institutional budgeting, contributing also to the planning, delivery and oversight of the University’s operations, particularly as they relate to its academic mission.

The Provost must also lead and coordinate the university’s commitments to equity, diversity, inclusion, indigeneity and outreach to the wider Montreal community through oversight of the university’s Indigenous Directions Action Plan, the Black Perspectives Office, the Consortium of Anglophone Universities and Colleges, as well as the Office of Community Engagement.

Committed to the development and articulation of the University’s mission and vision, the Provost is an important champion of actions and initiatives that promote pride in the institution and advance the University’s status and global reputation. This includes being an effective representative of, and advocate for, the University’s interests.

The Provost oversees the following key positions and portfolios:

a) Deans of Faculties (Arts and Science, Gina Cody School of Engineering and Computer Science, Fine Arts, John Molson School of Business); University Librarian and Associate Vice-President of professional education and valorisation du français.
b) Deputy Provost; and Vice-Provosts for Innovation in Teaching and Learning; Planning and Student Experience; and Faculty Development and Inclusion.
c) Institute for Cooperative Education; eConcordia; Academic Planning; Community Engagement and Social Impact; Equity Office; Indigenous Directions; Black Perspectives Office; Campus Life and Support.
d) Financial Management: responsible for a budget over $ 330M.

Candidate Qualifications

The Provost will be an accomplished academic and an exemplary leader with a strong commitment to serving the needs of students and faculty. They will have a proven record of senior administrative success, as well as experience in academic planning and budgeting, building collaborative teams, relating to a range of internal and external partners. The Provost will be committed to decolonization and Indigenization, and to promoting excellence, equity, diversity, accessibility and inclusion. The candidate will possess an open and collegial style, outstanding management, communication in both official languages and interpersonal skills, a creative approach to problem solving, the ability to inspire a dedicated faculty and staff, and a sound appreciation of the Québec context.

This is a unique opportunity to contribute to something bigger than ourselves and to help shape the future of a university that is ready to do things differently.

To apply for this position, please submit your resume and cover letter by January 16th, 2026 to Marie-Hélène Gaudreault at mgaudreault@boyden.com and state the title of the position in the subject line of your email.

We thank all applicants for their interest, however, only those under consideration for the role will be contacted.

Concordia University is strongly committed to employment equity within its community, and to recruiting a diverse faculty and staff. The University encourages applications from all qualified candidates, including women, members of visible minorities, Indigenous persons, members of sexual minorities, persons with disabilities, and others who may contribute to diversification; candidates are invited to self-identify in their applications. In keeping with Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada requirements, all qualified persons are invited to apply; however, preference will be given to Canadian citizens and permanent residents.

Boyden and Concordia University will provide accommodations upon request during the recruitment, selection, and assessment process for candidates with a disability.

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