Dean, Faculty of Science

Wilfrid Laurier University is seeking an inspiring, engaging, visionary, leader with a deep commitment to equity, diversity, inclusion and Decolonization as its Dean, Faculty of Science.

Wilfrid Laurier University and its campuses are located on the Haldimand Tract, traditional territory of the Neutral, Anishnaabe and Haudenosaunee peoples. This land is part of the Dish with One Spoon Treaty between the Haudenosaunee and Anishnaabe peoples and symbolizes the agreement to share, protect our resources and not to engage in conflict. Laurier’s Milton campus is located on the traditional territory of the Mississaugas of the Credit, and part of the Nanfan Treaty of 1701 between the British Crown and the Haudenosaunee Confederacy. We continue to work with our Indigenous partners and colleagues to ensure that we are appropriately acknowledging those lands and their stewardship.

The university’s 2019-2024 Strategy, Today. Tomorrow. Together. focuses on two distinct themes – thriving community and future-readiness – and positions Laurier to address societal and sector challenges and harness opportunities by leveraging foundational strengths in academic excellence, research, partnerships and community. The Strategy is supported by the Laurier Strategic Action Plan 2024-2028 which highlights four Focus Areas, supported by two Foundations for Success, to align the work of the university’s departments on shared objectives and goals, with measurable annual targets. In acknowledgement of its exemplary workplace policies and programs, and its commitment to sustainability and lifelong learning, Laurier was named one of the Waterloo Area’s Top Employers in 2019, 2020, 2021, 2022, 2023 and 2024. Laurier specializes in the humanities and social sciences, business and economics, music, science, social work, education and theology.

The Faculty of Science consists of eight academic departments (Biology, Chemistry and Biochemistry, Geography and Environmental Studies, Health Sciences, Kinesiology and Physical Education, Mathematics, Physics and Computer Science, Psychology) that offer 32 undergraduate and graduate academic programs, over one-hundred degree possibilities, and is home to several leading-edge research centres. The Faculty aspires to generate new ideas and discover the world in all its complexities; integrating research with teaching to advance knowledge to ultimately benefit society. The Faculty has grown rapidly in recent years to a current size of about 8,200 full-time and part-time undergraduate and graduate students and 140 full-time faculty members over three campuses (Brantford, Milton and Kitchener-Waterloo).

Reporting to the Provost and Vice-President Academic the Dean, Faculty of Science is responsible for the overall management of the Faculty of Science, providing strategic and effective leadership for students, faculty, the University and the science community. The new Dean will be an accomplished teacher and researcher, an experienced administrator, an exceptional communicator, and an enthusiastic promoter of the value of education in the sciences within Laurier and beyond.

As Dean, you will foster a collegial environment and will be a confident contributor to the University’s senior leadership. Working collaboratively with internal and external stakeholders, you will contribute to the development of the Faculty’s academic programs, teaching and research, promoting a student-centred approach, teamwork and engagement across all departments.

The ideal Dean, Faculty of Science will be an accomplished and collaborative academic and a dynamic leader with a record of building strong teams, promoting and supporting research, fostering academic innovation, managing resources, and advancing multi-disciplinary initiatives within the Faculty and in collaboration with other Deans. Proven effectiveness as an academic leader will enable the new Dean to relate to a range of internal and external partners and promote excellence, equity, diversity, and inclusion among faculty, staff, and students as well as support the decolonization and Indigenization goals of the university. The new Dean will possess an open and collegial style, outstanding management, communication and interpersonal skills, a creative approach to problem solving, a record of scholarly excellence, and a strong commitment to inclusive excellence in research and teaching.

Wilfrid Laurier University endeavors to fill positions with qualified candidates who have a combination of education, experience, skills and abilities to successfully perform the duties of the position while demonstrating Laurier’s Employee Success Factors (https://wlu.ca/about/working-at-laurier/employer-philosophy.html).

Equity, diversity and creating a culture of inclusion are part of Laurier’s core values and central to the Laurier Strategy. Laurier is committed to increasing the diversity of faculty and staff and welcomes applications from candidates who identify as Indigenous, racialized, having disabilities, and from persons of any minority sexual and gender identities. Indigenous candidates who would like to learn more about equity and inclusive programing at Laurier are welcomed to contact the Office of Indigenous Initiatives. Candidates from other equity deserving groups who would like to learn more about equity and inclusive programing at Laurier are welcomed to contact Equity & Accessibility equity@wlu.ca. We have strived to make our application process accessible, however if you require any assistance applying for a position or would like this job posting in an alternative format, please contact Human Resources. Contact information can be found at careers.wlu.ca/content/How-to-Apply-/

To apply please click here: boyden.thriveapp.ly/job/2655 For further information and the full executive briefing document, please contact Collin Ritch and Nick Chambers at critch@boyden.com.

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