Dean of Arts, St. Francis Xavier University

St. Francis Xavier University; Antigonish; On-site; CAD 100,000 - 150,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading Canadian university located in Antigonish, Nova Scotia is seeking an experienced Dean of Arts to provide strategic and academic leadership. The role involves fostering excellence, supporting faculty, and advocating for the arts. Ideal candidates should have a strong academic record, experience in leadership, and a commitment to equity and diversity. Competitive application process begins January 3rd, 2026.

Qualifications

• Appointable at a full professor level with a strong track record in research and teaching.
• Significant experience in a senior academic leadership role.
• Demonstrated commitment to EDIA principles.

Responsibilities

• Provide strategic academic leadership to the Faculty of Arts.
• Promote faculty development and support.
• Advocate for arts education in the university and broader society.

Skills

Visionary and strategic thinker

Collaborative and transparent leader

Excellent communicator

Ability to build external strategic partnerships

Education

PhD in a related discipline

Job description

Dean of Arts, St. Francis Xavier University Antigonish, Nova Scotia

St. Francis Xavier University (StFX) is seeking a visionary and dynamic leader to serve as the next Dean of Arts. This role provides a unique opportunity to support liberal arts education at one of Canada’s leading undergraduate universities.

The Organization

St. Francis Xavier University stands on the lands of Mi’kma’ki, the ancestral and unceded home of the Mi’kmaw. We express our deep gratitude and appreciation to the generations of Mi’kmaw who, since time immemorial, have loved and stewarded these lands and the beings who call them home.

St. Francis Xavier University, renowned for its commitment to academic excellence and social justice, is a vibrant academic community located in Antigonish, Nova Scotia. With approximately 5,000 students and an engaged alumni network of over 50,000, StFX is recognized nationally and internationally for its dual commitments to excellence in teaching and research. At StFX, students pursue undergraduate and graduate degrees, as well as certificates and diplomas, across a range of academic and professional disciplines.

The University offers an immersive learning environment that encompasses Arts, Science, Education, Business, and the Coady Institute, with strong ties to Mi’kmaq Nation and 8 of the province's 52 historical African Nova Scotian communities, in Trenton, Antigonish, New Glasgow, Sunnyville, Lincolnville, Monastery, Mulgrave, and Upper Big Tracadie.

The Role

Reporting to the Vice-President Academic and Provost, the Dean of Arts is a key member of the University’s academic leadership team and is responsible for providing strategic, academic, and administrative leadership to the Faculty. The Dean will foster academic excellence, support faculty development, and advocate for the central role of arts education in the life of the university and broader society. As a leader, the Dean will champion equity, diversity, inclusion, and accessibility (EDIA), collegial governance, and community engagement, and will contribute to the implementation of StFX’s strategic plan.

The Dean is responsible for the following areas of oversight:

• Strategic Leadership: Develop and advance a compelling academic vision for the Faculty of Arts aligned with StFX’s institutional priorities. Support innovation in curriculum, pedagogy, and experiential learning.
• Faculty Development and Support: Promote excellence in teaching, research, and scholarly activity. Support recruitment, retention, mentorship, and career progression for faculty and academic staff.
• Operational and Administrative Oversight: Provide effective oversight of budgets, staffing, resource allocation, policy implementation, and compliance with collective agreements.
• Advocacy and Relationship Building: Serve as an articulate and passionate advocate for the arts. Build strong relationships within the university and externally with community, government, and academic partners.
• Equity, Diversity, Inclusion, and Accessibility (EDIA): Advance a culture of inclusion and respect, address systemic barriers, and ensure that EDIA principles are embedded in academic and administrative practices.

The Ideal Candidate

As the ideal candidate, you are an accomplished scholar and leader with a proven record of academic leadership, research excellence, and strategic vision. You bring experience in academic administration, a deep understanding of the role of the arts in higher education, and a leadership style grounded in collaboration, empathy, and strategic thinking. You are committed to the values of liberal arts education, institutional service, and community engagement. You have managed academic programs, including recruiting and developing faculty, and fostering innovation in teaching and research. You are a data‑driven decision maker that has a record of fostering positive culture through strong and effective relationships across administrative and faculty departments. You are a collaborative and inclusive leader with exceptional communication skills and a deep commitment to equity, diversity, inclusion and accessibility.

Qualifications and Experience

While the Search Committee recognizes that no one candidate is likely to meet all qualifications in equal measure, those listed below are desirable and will be used to compare candidates.

• Appointable at a full professor level with a PhD in a related discipline, with a strong track record of research, scholarship, and teaching.
• Significant experience in a senior academic leadership role.
• Relevant administrative experience including performance evaluation, project management, and budgeting, annual reporting, and successful fundraising efforts.
• Experience working collegially and effectively within a unionized environment, building trusting relationships both internally and externally.
• A demonstrated commitment to EDIA, with examples of fostering inclusion in business spaces during their career.
• Demonstrated experience in conflict management, with strong ability to navigate difficult and complex situations in a calm, clear, and consistent manner.
• An understanding of the current provincial funding landscape and opportunities.
• Demonstrated skill in institutional strategic planning and implementation.
• Evidence of exceptional team building skills and consultative leadership.
• Demonstrated success in developing external strategic partnerships.

Skills and Attributes

• A visionary and strategic thinker with a passion for arts education.
• A collaborative and transparent leader committed to inclusive decision‑making.
• An excellent communicator and active listener with strong interpersonal skills.
• A visible and engaged presence in both academic and broader communities.
• A principled and courageous decision‑maker who leads with integrity and respect.
• A community‑builder who inspires trust, inclusion, and shared purpose.
• Courageous leadership with the ability to face challenges, and to exercise integrity, flexibility, and wisdom.
• A facilitative and decisive style, with the ability to exercise good judgment and make timely, informed decisions.

Application Process

St. Francis Xavier University is committed to fostering a diverse and inclusive environment and encourages applications from all qualified individuals, including but not limited to women, persons with disabilities, visible minorities (especially African Nova Scotians), Indigenous Peoples (especially Mi’kmaq), and persons of any gender identity and sexual orientation.

St. Francis Xavier University is committed to providing an inclusive and barrier‑free experience to applicants with accessibility needs. Requests for accommodation can be made at any stage during the recruitment process by contacting [e-mail].

To Apply

If you are interested in this opportunity, contact Kate Spares at [e-mail], Abbey MacLeod at [e-mail], or Kyle Steele at [e-mail], or submit your complete application package online at: https://www.kbrs.ca/Career/17600091113020000008uzl We will begin reviewing applications on January 3rd, 2026.