President and Vice Chancellor

Toronto Metropolitan University; Toronto; On-site; CAD 250,000 +; Full time

Job summary

A leading urban university is seeking a President and Vice-Chancellor to continue its momentum as a city builder and drive its mission of addressing societal challenges. The ideal candidate will have a proven track record in academic leadership within publicly-funded institutions, possess a strong commitment to diversity and community engagement, and be an inspiring communicator. The new President will be expected to nurture an environment of equity and inclusion, empowering teams and engaging with various stakeholders to further the university's goals.

Qualifications

• Experience in a complex, publicly-funded post-secondary institution.
• Dedication to fostering excellence in teaching and research.
• Authentic and transparent leadership style.

Responsibilities

• Lead the institution towards addressing society's pressing challenges.
• Cultivate a positive climate and empower a high-performing team.
• Drive community engagement and strategic government relations.

Skills

Visionary leadership

Strategic orientation

Commitment to diversity

Public engagement

Positive labour relations

Education

Advanced degree from a recognized institution

Job description

Toronto Metropolitan University President and Vice-Chancellor Toronto Metropolitan University (TMU) invites nominations and applications for the position of President and Vice-Chancellor. It is a pivotal time for an outstanding leader to become TMU’s next President, to continue its momentum as a city builder, and be “unapologetically bold” in driving the institution's mission of confronting society's most pressing challenges and preparing students for the future.

TMU’s distinctive identity is shaped by its urban setting, commitment to diversity and the education of first- and second-generation Canadians, and student-centred culture. TMU is a community defined by boldness, agility, grit, entrepreneurial spirit, and community impact, united by a shared passion for addressing real-world challenges, fostering positive change, and building a brighter future for all.

The university is seeking a visionary and inspiring leader with a distinctive record of academic and administrative achievement ideally earned in a complex, publicly-funded post-secondary institution. The President will bring an innovative and entrepreneurial mindset, a strong orientation to strategy, a deep commitment to collegial governance, and the skills and experience to lead government relations, community engagement, and advancement.

The new President will bring a genuine dedication to, and passion for, the student experience in a multi-cultural, urban campus; a track record of actively fostering excellence in teaching, scholarly, creative and research activities, and public engagement; a personal commitment to nurturing an environment that is equitable, diverse, inclusive, and accessible; and demonstrated success in proactively addressing inequities and advancing Indigenization. They will be an authentic, engaging, and transparent leader and a champion for the institution to the external community and the university’s many partners. A compelling communicator, the next President will possess the skills to empower a high-performing team and will have experience cultivating a positive labour relations climate. Above all, the President will be a person of integrity, with the passion and energy to engage with the TMU community and embrace its people, values, and ambition.

TMU has partnered with the leadership advisory firm Odgers for this recruitment. For details on how to apply, please visit https://careers.odgers.com/en-ca/job/30590. Applications are encouraged immediately and by January 20, 2026. The new President will take office in January 2027. For a conversation in confidence or to submit inquiries or nominations, please write to Julia Robarts, Andrea Patrick, and Krutika Hotwani at [e-mail].

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Established in 1948, Toronto Metropolitan University – Canada’s leader in innovative, career-oriented education – is a vibrant, future-focused institution where academic excellence meets real-world impact. TMU is home to a highly diverse population of more than 45,000 students, over 4,000 faculty and staff, 10 faculties and schools, over 200 undergraduate, graduate and continuing education programs, and a growing community of more than 260,000 alumni in 153 countries. TMU ranks in the top 10% of universities worldwide (Times Higher Education Impact Rankings), #1 nationally for Student Services, #1 on the Forbes list of Canada’s best Employers for Diversity, and #10 among Canada’s most comprehensive universities (Maclean’s 2026).

TMU is internationally recognized for its experiential learning and entrepreneurial spirit, with 100% of its full-time undergraduate programs incorporating experiential learning. The university’s DMZ, ranked the #1 university-based startup incubator in the world, along with its Zone Learning network, have launched over 4,700 start-ups and together with its 125 research centres, institutes and labs, form a thriving research and creative innovation ecosystem.

Notable successes in the past five years include the launch of the Lincoln Alexander School of Law in 2020 and the September 2025 opening of the new School of Medicine in Brampton. Exciting upcoming projects include: Student Wellbeing Centre, Centre for Housing Innovation, and Smart Campus Integration and Testing Hub. TMU enjoys mutually beneficial partnerships with industry, government, and community partners and prides itself on its deep commitment to advancing equity, diversity, inclusion, accessibility, and Indigenization across all aspects of university life. Situated in one of the world’s most dynamic and multicultural cities, the university offers an environment where energy, creativity, and diversity converge.

TMU welcomes those who have demonstrated a commitment to upholding the values of equity, diversity, and inclusion and will assist us in realizing the benefits of embedding these values into the work at every level and in every unit of the university. In addition, to correct the conditions of disadvantage in employment in Canada and to bring lived experiences to the work, we encourage applications from members of equity deserving groups that have been historically disadvantaged and marginalized, including First Nations, Métis and Inuit Peoples in Canada, First Nations Peoples in the United States, racialized people, Black people, persons with disabilities, women, and 2SLGBTQ+ people. Preference will be given to candidates with lived experiences as people from equity deserving groups, as well as experience working with these communities with which the University works every day. Please note that all qualified candidates are encouraged to apply and we welcome newcomers and immigrants to Canada. Please advise Odgers at [e-mail] if you require accommodation at any stage in the search process