President and Vice-Chancellor

Saint Mary’s University is located on the traditional land of the Mi’kmaq Nation. This territory is covered by the Treaties of Peace and Friendship which Mi’kmaq and Wolastoqiyik peoples first signed with the British Crown in 1725.
Founded in 1802, Saint Mary’s is known for extraordinary student experience, international collaborations, deep community connections, and research excellence. Located in the heart of Halifax, Nova Scotia, one of Canada’s most-loved and fastest growing coastal cities, the Saint Mary’s campus with its iconic architecture, park-like setting and athletic facilities is an integral part of a vibrant downtown community. One of Atlantic Canada’s most established and respected universities, Saint Mary’s has been recognized by MacLean’s University Rankings as one of Canada’s top 3 undergraduate universities for the last two years. Saint Mary’s is home to 6,500 students from over 115 countries and has over 55,000 alumni worldwide. With programs at the undergraduate and graduate level in Arts, Business and Science, Saint Mary’s offers world-class opportunities in a supportive welcoming community where students learn from caring faculty. The University is committed to equity, diversity, inclusion, and accessibility; university leadership, faculty and staff are focused on ensuring a supportive, progressive and respectful working environment. The University is a major investor in our communities through local partnerships, online learning and direct program support. As its tagline suggests, Saint Mary’s University is committed to a prosperous future for the world — a World without limits.
It is within this context that Saint Mary’s University invites applications and nominations for the position of President and Vice-Chancellor commencing July 1, 2025, or soon after.
Reporting to the Board of Governors, the President and Vice-Chancellor (“President”) will lead the University in its next chapter. Capitalizing on the University’s accomplishments, the President will steer the University toward a financially sustainable and resilient future at a time when the post-secondary sector and the world at large are exposed to significant headwinds including declining international student enrolment and reductions in government funding. The President will champion excellence in research, teaching, learning, and student success. They will support the University’s investment in its faculty and staff, foster broad community engagement and eagerly engage in advancement activities including alumni engagement and revenue generation activities including fundraising. The President will be action and team orientated, will demonstrate conviction and courage, be humble and compassionate, and have the ability to lead and make strategic decisions within a multifaceted, post-secondary environment.
As the ideal candidate, you are a proven and respected leader who brings a depth of experience from roles at the most senior leadership level from either a post-secondary institution, or another organization of like calibre. Your knowledge and appreciation for the role universities play in creating the next generation of leaders, of the bicameral governance structure, and of program accreditation are considered strong assets. You are knowledgeable and comfortable working in an institution with rigorous financial standards and hold the appropriate level of financial skills to manage the University’s large and complex budget. Your budgetary skills and desire to ensure a financially sustainable model, however, must be balanced with an appreciation for the academic pursuits of the University and its commitment to delivering an exceptional student experience. Your career includes people leadership, government relations and community engagement and view you as a transformational leader skilled in people leadership, government relations, and community engagement, adept at facing new and existing challenges to drive organizational progress. You are an excellent communicator who is at ease presenting in a variety of settings and to a variety of constituents. Candidates must hold a graduate level degree from a recognized university, and have a demonstrable commitment to diversity, equity, and inclusion and have fostered a safe, accessible, and inclusive environment in your institution.
To apply or explore this significant leadership position at Saint Mary’s University further, please submit a curriculum vitae along with a cover letter in confidence to Jane Griffith (jane@griffithgroup.ca) and/or Caroline McLean (caroline@griffithgroup.ca) or visit https://griffithgroup.ca/smu-presvc/

At Saint Mary’s University, equity and diversity are integral to excellence and enrich our community. As an institution committed to fostering an environment of inclusion and respect, we welcome applications from women, Indigenous peoples, racialized persons/visible minorities, persons with disabilities, persons of minority sexual orientation or gender identity, and others who might contribute to the growth and enrichment of our community. If you require accommodations during the recruitment process, please contact jane@griffithgroup.ca.
All qualified candidates are encouraged to apply; however, preference will be given to Canadian citizens and permanent residents.

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