Assistant Vice-President Equity, Diversity, Inclusion, Accessibility and Belonging

Dalhousie University; Halifax; On-site; CAD 100,000 - 140,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading Canadian university in Halifax seeks an Assistant Vice-President for Equity, Diversity, Inclusion, Accessibility, and Belonging. In this role, you will set strategic vision and implement initiatives that promote equity and inclusion across the institution. The ideal candidate is a respected leader committed to fostering a culture of belonging and collaborative problem-solving. Strong operational planning and communication skills are essential. Submit your application by October 26, 2025.

Qualifications

• Demonstrated leadership in delivering EDIA initiatives.
• Ability to navigate complex institutional systems.
• Experience with budget management and improving efficiencies.

Responsibilities

• Translate strategic vision into actionable EDIA initiatives.
• Develop governance structures for EDIA work.
• Foster a culture of trust and collaboration.

Skills

Leadership

Strong operational planning

Exceptional communication

Relationship-building

Commitment to anti-oppression

Education

Bachelor's degree

Job description

Assistant Vice-President Equity, Diversity, Inclusion, Accessibility and Belonging

Position Title: Assistant Vice-President Equity, Diversity, Inclusion, Accessibility and Belonging

Department/Unit: People and Culture

Location:

Posting Number: S170-25

Employee Group: EXAD

Position Type: Regular, On-Going

Employment Type: Full Time

Full-time Equivalency (FTE): 1.0

Classification: Provisional Statement

Dalhousie University is Atlantic Canada’s leading research-intensive university and a driver of the region’s intellectual, social and economic development. Located in the heart of Halifax, Nova Scotia, with an Agricultural Campus in Truro/Bible Hill, Dalhousie is a national and international university with more than 21,000 students and 6,000 faculty and staff. Our community fosters a vibrant, purpose-driven environment that celebrated 200 years of academic excellence in 2018.

Job Summary

The Office of Equity and Inclusion provides leadership, builds capacity, and encourages collaborative action to advance sustainable, systemic, and structural change that promotes diversity, equity, inclusion, and social justice in all dimensions of the mission, culture, and operations of Dalhousie University. The office works with senior leaders to make a collective impact in educating, preventing, and addressing equity issues at all levels of the institution.

In keeping with Dalhousie’s commitment to Equity, Diversity, Inclusion and Accessibility initiatives, the university invites applications for the position of Assistant Vice-President (AVP) Equity, Diversity, Inclusion, Accessibility (EDIA) and Belonging. Reporting directly to the Vice-President, People and Culture (VP) and in collaboration with senior leaders across People and Culture and the institution, the AVP will set the strategic vision for EDIA and translate that strategy into tangible outcomes. The AVP will ensure the successful implementation and coordination of initiatives and programs, embedding EDIA principles into university policies, practices, and culture. The AVP will work with the Provost and Vice-President Academic and other academic leaders to establish EDIA goals and strategies related to Dalhousie’s academic mission and student experience.

The AVP provides leadership for Dalhousie’s Employment Equity unit and program, the Accessibility, Accommodation and Wellness unit, and fosters education and community engagement across the institution.

As a senior leader, the AVP will foster a culture of belonging by championing equity, inclusion, and psychological safety across the organization. The AVP will shape and implement policies, programs, and structural changes that support an inclusive workplace where individuals feel valued and empowered. This includes driving organization-wide learning initiatives, embedding inclusive practices into business strategy, and modeling inclusive leadership. The AVP will collaborate with cross-functional teams to identify barriers to inclusion, measure progress, and ensure accountability for sustained workplace culture change.

Key Responsibilities

Key priorities for AVP EDIA & Belonging will include:

• Translating the strategic vision into actionable initiatives that advance EDIA across the university with clear, measurable goals and metrics to track implementation and impact.
• Developing an EDIA strategy, establishing governance structures for EDIA work, and promoting accountability and consistency.
• Providing leadership and support for unit staff, fostering a collaborative environment, and developing unit workplans and deliverables.
• Building and maintaining relationships with students, staff, faculty, and community partners, particularly from equity-deserving groups.
• Fostering a culture of trust, transparency, and collaborative problem-solving by engaging with EDIA committees, caucuses, Associate Deans responsible for EDIA, and advisory groups to ensure alignment of EDIA efforts.
• Serving as a primary spokesperson for EDIA matters, developing communication strategies that highlight EDIA successes and challenges, and promoting campus-wide awareness and engagement while maintaining transparency.

Required Qualifications

The ideal candidate will be a respected leader with a strong inclination towards strategy, program, and policy development. A commitment to inclusive leadership and the ability to navigate complex institutional systems are crucial. While the Search Committee recognizes that no one candidate will meet all criteria equally, the following qualifications will guide the assessment process.

• Bachelor’s degree required; a combination of comparable education and/or professional experience may be considered.
• Demonstrated leadership in delivering EDIA initiatives within complex institutional settings.
• Strong operational planning skills with the ability to execute long-term vision through practical actions.
• Proven experience in relationship-building, collaboration, and fostering inclusive environments.
• Exceptional communication skills with the ability to engage diverse audiences.
• Expertise in policy, program, and strategy development.
• Demonstrated commitment to anti-oppression, social justice, anti-racism, and community-centred leadership approaches.
• Collaborative conflict resolution skills and transformative leadership practices.
• Experience with budget management and improving efficiencies.
• Experience navigating internal and external challenges in EDIA advocacy and leadership.
• High emotional intelligence, self-awareness, diplomacy, and the capacity to manage conversations constructively.

Assets

• Graduate degree will be considered a strong asset.
• Experience leading and developing equity programs in an academic environment.
• Involvement with accessibility programs and accommodations.
• Familiarity with wellness initiatives and/or employee benefits programs.
• Ability to work within the intersectionality between programs, policies, and communities.
• Experience working with Mi’kmaq and African Nova Scotian communities.
• Track record in developing metrics for evaluating EDIA initiatives and communicating progress effectively.

Like all senior leaders at Dalhousie, the AVP, EDIA and Belonging will be expected to demonstrate the core and leadership competencies that make up the Dalhousie Competencies. Of particular interest will be the following competencies:

• Respect & Inclusion
• Thinking and Acting Strategically
• Relationship Building
• Communication
• Change and Innovation

Additional Information

A complete application will include a full CV and cover letter describing how you meet the selection criteria, why the appointment is of interest, and what you can bring to the role. To be considered, please submit your application by October 26, 2025. For more information and to review the more detailed position brief, please contact the leadership recruitment team at [e-mail].

Application Consideration

To be eligible for this position, you must self-identify as belonging to one or more of the equity-deserving groups listed below. For more information, including details related to our Employment Equity Policy and Plan, and definitions of equity-deserving groups, please visit www.dal.ca/hiringfordiversity

Diversity Statement

Dalhousie University commits to inclusive excellence and encourages applications from Indigenous Peoples, Black/African descent, and other equity-deserving groups. For more information, including the Employment Equity Policy and Plan, please visit www.dal.ca/hiringfordiversity. If you require accommodation, please let us know how we can assist. Our Accommodation Policy can be viewed here.

Required fields are indicated with an asterisk (*).

Documents Needed to Apply

Required Documents

• Cover Letter
• Résumé / Curriculum Vitae (CV)

Optional Documents