Academic Vice President and Provost

Excellence in education built on a strong foundation of community and social engagement.

Situated on the unceded and ancestral territory of the Mi’kmaq, St. Francis Xavier University (StFX) is recognized as one of Canada’s best. A primarily undergraduate liberal arts university of 4,500 students, the University’s focus is on the academic and personal development of every student, making community engagement a large part of the learning experience. StFX students thrive in a vibrant learning environment that nurtures the development of the whole person.

StFX is home to four Faculties – Arts, Science, Education and Business - plus the Coady International Institute, the McKenna Centre for Leadership, and the Brian Mulroney Institute of Government. Faculty rank among Canada’s top teachers and researchers and – through service learning, research partnerships, and community outreach initiatives – both students and faculty play an active role in creating a more just, inclusive, and sustainable world. StFX is widely known for the quality of its academic programs, exceptional teaching and research across a range of disciplines, and the closeness and loyalty of its community. For more information, visit www.stfx.ca.

StFX seeks an inspirational and highly collegial Academic Vice President (AVP) and Provost to lead and promote the University’s academic vision by championing excellence and innovation in teaching and learning, research and scholarship, and service to the community. Reporting to the President and working closely with the Vice Presidents, Deans, and other senior leaders of the University, the AVP and Provost is the chief academic officer and principal advisor to the President on all academic affairs.

The position of AVP and Provost will interest individuals who thrive in an environment with a strong community spirit and a deep commitment to the values of excellence, equity, service, and dignity. The successful candidate will have strong academic credentials and significant leadership experience in university administration. They will possess a strong commitment to advancing StFX’s academic vision; a track record of leading transformational institutional change; the ability to inspire the University community in pursuit of its academic goals; and a genuine dedication to ensuring an outstanding student experience. The AVP and Provost must have excellent interpersonal and communication skills; a transparent and collaborative leadership style; a deep commitment to Indigeneity, equity, diversity, inclusion, and accessibility; and an abiding respect for the principles of collegial governance.

The new AVP and Provost will take office in the summer of 2022, and consideration of candidates will commence in November 2021. Nominations, applications and/or expressions of interest should be submitted, in confidence, to Colleen Keenan or Krutika Hotwani at stfxprovost@odgersberndtson.com

StFX respects diversity and welcomes applications from persons from historically excluded groups: women, Indigenous persons, People of African Descent, other racialized persons, persons with disabilities, and members of gender and sexual minority groups.  All qualified candidates are encouraged to apply; however, Canadian citizens and permanent residents will be given priority. 

StFX and Odgers Berndtson respect people’s different needs and therefore will take all reasonable steps to ensure accommodation for applicants during the process. If you require accommodation to participate in the recruitment process, please inform Odgers Berndtson.