Provost and Vice-President (Academic) and Pro 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 is seeking a visionary and dynamic leader as its next Provost and Vice-President (Academic).
Reporting to the President, the Provost and Vice-President (Academic) is the chief academic officer of Memorial University and is responsible for all academic programming to a diverse population of undergraduate and graduate students across a wide range of disciplines. The Provost oversees the internal governance and management of the university and leads the vice-presidents and other senior executives to ensure that academic and administrative plans, activities, and resources are aligned with Memorial University’s vision, academic aims and priorities.

Memorial University is one of the largest postsecondary institutions in Atlantic Canada, and home to more than 18,000 students from more than 127 countries, and approximately 3,800 faculty and staff who learn, teach, research, create and engage. 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. As Newfoundland and Labrador’s only university, Memorial University has a social mandate to provide access to university education for the people of the province, and to contribute to the social, cultural, scientific, and economic development of Newfoundland and Labrador and beyond. This includes the university’s commitment to Indigenous students and peoples, as well as the almost 5,000 international students that join its vibrant community. One of the unique features of Memorial University is the geographic reach of its six campuses, including three campuses in St. John’s, one in Corner Brook, its Harlow campus in the United Kingdom, and Memorial’s newest campus in Labrador.

Memorial University is a medical/doctoral comprehensive university with 19 faculties and schools offering more than 100-degree programs and over 300 different program options. Undergraduate and graduate teaching and research opportunities are offered across a wide range of disciplines, including the humanities and social sciences, health disciplines, sciences, fine arts, education and business. A global network of more than 100,000 accomplished alumni throughout the world strengthens Memorial’s capacity and reputation for leadership in research, teaching and public engagement.

Memorial has grown into a research-intensive university with outstanding researchers and nationally and internationally recognized faculty. The university has also experienced significant growth over the past decade in national and international rankings and is currently ranked 17th among top research universities within Canada. Over the past five years, Memorial is also the top Canadian university for the study of marine/ocean engineering.
More than ever before, research activities highlight Memorial’s important contributions to a socially resilient, economically prosperous, culturally vibrant, inclusive, innovative, healthy and sustainable Newfoundland and Labrador.

Memorial University is at a pivotal time in its trajectory: a time for thinking boldly about the future and forging new strategic directions; a time for positioning the university as a leader in teaching and research; a time to deepen community ties; and, a time to bolster its commitment to the North. Memorial’s strategic plan ‘Transforming our Horizons’ identifies the university’s priorities and actions through 2026, capitalizing on its greatest strengths – people and place. The Provost will lead the Memorial community in the ongoing implementation of the strategic plan and ensure goals are aligned with the university’s mission and priorities.

Working collaboratively with university leadership and the broader university community, the Provost will provide exemplary leadership to help Memorial realize its full potential. The Provost will lead a collegial academic planning process with vision, and define priorities that ensure investments are strategically placed in academic programs that capitalize upon our collective strengths and demonstrate our relevancy in the global marketplace. The Provost will champion student success by ensuring resources and student supports are aligned with teaching and learning goals. Recognizing Memorial’s fiscal realities, the Provost will oversee the allocation of resources in a complex budgetary environment with a sound understanding of Memorial’s strengths and opportunities, its core mission, and the university’s unique responsibility to the province and its people. This will require an experienced, dynamic leader who engages others, embraces change and inspires trust and confidence within the university community.

As the successful candidate, you will have outstanding academic credentials and be eligible for appointment at the rank of full professor. You bring considerable academic leadership experience with a distinguished record of scholarship and research activity; a commitment to excellence and innovation in teaching and learning; and a record of successful community collaborations. Significant leadership experience in university administration, including experience managing complex budgets and implementing transformational change, is required. You appreciate Newfoundland and Labrador’s rich history and cultural and economic landscape and bring an enthusiasm for leading the university to realize its opportunities and achieve its full potential. As an effective team-builder, you have an ability to unite, inspire and create new and innovative opportunities for collaboration across all faculties, departments and campuses. You must also bring outstanding advocacy and interpersonal skills; a transparent and collaborative approach to building relationships; demonstrated experience establishing strong and trusting partnerships with government and other external constituencies; and, an abiding respect for the principles of collegial governance. You have a deep commitment to advancing the principles of Indigenization, equity, diversity, inclusion, and anti-racism in leadership, teaching and scholarship and promoting an inclusive and accessible university culture.

The appointment, which is renewable, is for five years and is to take effect at the earliest mutually agreeable opportunity.

Consideration of candidates will commence in August 2024 and continue until the position is filled. For more information about this exciting leadership opportunity, please contact provostsearch2024@mun.ca.

To apply, please submit your complete application including your CV and cover letter here: https://careers.mun.ca/academic/apply/advertisements/5373.

All qualified candidates are encouraged to apply; however, Canadians and permanent residents of Canada will be given priority. Memorial University is committed to employment equity and diversity and encourages applications from all qualified candidates, including women, people of any sexual orientation, gender identity, or gender expression; Indigenous peoples; visible minorities and racialized people; and people with disabilities.

Memorial University of Newfoundland respect people’s different needs and therefore will take all reasonable steps to ensure accommodation for applicants throughout the recruitment and hiring process. If you require accommodation to participate in these processes, please inform us.

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