Provost and Vice-President Academic

University of Guelph; Guelph; On-site; CAD 180,000 - 240,000; Full time

Job summary

The University of Guelph invites applications for the position of Provost and Vice‑President, Academic. The Provost will shape the university’s growth while preserving its collegial culture, student‑centred values, and strong relationships. This leadership role requires vision, adaptability, and sound judgment to lead with confidence.

The appointee will guide priorities, manage resources, and engage with diverse stakeholders to advance academic excellence and innovation across the institution.

Qualifications

• Distinguished record in academic leadership, teaching and research.
• Experience leading high-performing teams within a complex university environment.
• Forward-looking perspective on higher education and AI, learner needs, and integrity.

Responsibilities

• Report to the President and serve as the university's chief academic officer and member of the executive leadership team.
• Guide academic priorities, inform institutional decision-making, and support long-term success.
• Foster an inclusive community and ensure alignment with the university's values and standards.

Skills

Academic leadership

Team leadership

Strategic leadership

Indigenization & inclusion

Communication skills

Financial planning

Job description

Location

Guelph, ON, CA, N1G 2W1

Indigenous Recognition

The University of Guelph recognizes that its campuses are located on the lands of the Dish with One Spoon Wampum and the traditional lands of the Hodinöhsö:ni’, Anishinaabeg and Huron Wendat, and offers respect to the Mississaugas of the Credit, Six Nations of the Grand River, the Delaware Nation at Moraviantown and the diverse communities of First Nations, Inuit and Métis peoples who reside on these lands. The University of Guelph also recognizes that its educational and research enterprises occur on Indigenous lands across Turtle Island and Mother Earth and endeavours to ensure that its activities honour and respect Indigenous peoples and their lands.

Role Overview

The University of Guelph invites applications and nominations for the position of Provost and Vice‑President, Academic. The next Provost will help shape the institution’s growth while preserving its collegial culture, strong relationships, and student‑centred values. This leadership role will guide the university through necessary change, make difficult decisions to secure long‑term sustainability, and bring a vision, adaptability, and judgment to lead with confidence.

Responsibilities

• Report to the President and serve as the university’s chief academic officer and member of the executive leadership team.
• Guide academic priorities, inform institutional decision‑making, and support the university’s long‑term success.
• Influence the full breadth of the university’s mission, focusing on enhancing the student experience, advancing academic excellence, supporting research and innovation, fostering an engaged and inclusive community, and ensuring alignment, capacity and stewardship required to achieve the university’s ambitions.
• Communicate with the President, fellow vice‑presidents, faculty, staff, students, Senate, Board of Governors, alumni, governments, Indigenous communities and external partners.
• Build and maintain a culture of inclusion and belonging, encouraging diverse perspectives and collective trust.
• Ensure operations align with the university’s values, with high standards of academic integrity and accountability.

Qualifications

• Accomplished scholar with a distinguished record in academic leadership, teaching and research.
• Experience leading high‑performing teams within a complex university environment.
• Strategic leader with strong self‑ and situational awareness, judgment, adaptability, credibility and integrity.
• Forward‑looking perspective on the future of higher education, including AI, changing learner expectations and new approaches to teaching, learning and academic integrity.
• Demonstrated experience making and implementing difficult academic prioritisation decisions, reallocating resources across programs and units in line with institutional priorities.
• Comfortable navigating competing priorities, communicating trade‑offs with clarity and candour.
• Strong commitment to Indigenization, equity, diversity, inclusion and belonging; capable of fostering a respectful, supportive and empowering environment.
• Excellent communication and relationship‑building skills; inclusive and empowering leader who values diverse perspectives.
• Experience designing innovative financial and incentive models to secure long‑term sustainability.

Eligibility and Commitment

The University of Guelph invites applications from all qualified individuals. Canadians and permanent residents will be given priority. The university is committed to ensuring all applicants have fair and equitable participation in the hiring process. Accommodation requests are available for those who need them during recruitment or selection processes.

Contact

Collin Ritch ([e-mail]) and Kate Ralston ([e-mail]) of Boyden Executive Search.

Position Details

Employee Type: Regular
Position Number: 10004021
Classification: Executive
Posting Date: 07/13/2026
Closing Date: Until Filled

How to Apply

To apply, please submit your cover letter and resume directly at: boyden.thriveapp.ly/job/3326