Provost and Executive Vice-President (Academic)

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Provost and Executive Vice-President (Academic)

McGill University

At a pivotal moment in its history, McGill University is looking for a visionary leader to assume the role of Provost and Executive Vice-President (Academic). As a trusted partner to the President and the defender of McGill’s academic mission, the Provost will be energized by the potential to drive transformation, foster and build excitement around new, bold initiatives, and seize opportunities to strengthen the institution’s impact locally and on a global scale. 

As McGill’s chief academic and budget officer, the Provost will be responsible for leading the planning, development and implementation of McGill’s strategic academic plan, and will be instrumental in upholding academic standards, championing excellence and innovation in programming and scholarship, and advocating for a thriving, respectful campus atmosphere. McGill’s incoming Provost will bring an ambitious, forward-thinking vision for the University’s future and the ability to navigate challenges and see new possibilities for change where others may see constraints. They will empower members of the McGill community to develop ideas beyond and across silos to build upon McGill’s successes and chart a transformative path forward for its academic enterprise.

The Provost and Executive Vice-President (Academic) will be a respected academic leader with a distinguished track record of transformational leadership and a deep commitment to teaching, research, scholarship, faculty relations and service at a comparable research-intensive institution. The Provost will bring a passionate commitment to enhancing the quality of the student experience and have a genuine desire to engage meaningfully with the student community.

An inspiring leader, the Provost will possess extensive academic administrative experience earned within a complex and unionized environment, and the ability to foster a culture of trust and empowerment and nurture reciprocal relationships with internal and external partners. They will bring a significant track record of leadership that demonstrates expertise in financial and change management, as well as the ability to advance strategic priorities in a manner that supports the University’s commitment to Indigeneity, equity, diversity, and inclusion across all academic activities, policies, and practices. They will be an excellent communicator and relationship-builder who exhibits integrity, sound judgement, optimism and enthusiasm in all aspects of the role. The successful candidate will be either fluently bilingual or bring a commitment to acquiring this capability over a short period with support from the University.

The new Provost and Executive Vice-President (Academic) will take office in July 2026 or as mutually agreed. Consideration of candidates will commence immediately and continue until the position is filled. Inquiries and/or applications, in confidence, should be directed to Michael Williams, Andrea Patrick or Krutika Hotwani of Odgers at [email protected]. You may also apply directly at https://careers.odgers.com/en-ca/30376.

Founded in 1821, McGill University has established a strong reputation for being a leader in higher education globally, distinguished by the excellence of its faculty, the dedication of its staff, the talent and quality of its students, the contributions of its 325,000 alumni, and its exceptional record in both teaching and research. McGill is the top medical-doctoral university and the most internationally diverse research-intensive public university in Canada, with approximately 30% of students from more than 150 countries. The University is home to 39,000 students and over 12,000 employees spanning 11 faculties, 13 professional schools and over 400 programs of study. McGill’s exceptional faculty and alumni- which has historically included 12 Nobel Prize winners - are recognized for their scientific and technological breakthroughs and for examining the social, environmental, ethical and policy impacts of business practices, technology, science, and medicine; 184 are Canada Research Chairs and 209 are active Fellows of the Royal Society of Canada. McGill offers faculty, staff, and students a cohesive university-wide environment of academic excellence that is second to none, where the community is stimulated to push the boundaries of knowledge creation in every field imaginable. For more information about McGill, please visit www.mcgill.ca.
 

McGill University is committed to equity and diversity within its community and values academic rigour and excellence. We welcome and encourage applications from all qualified candidates including racialized persons/visible minorities, women, Indigenous persons, persons with disabilities, ethnic minorities, and persons of minority sexual orientations and gender identities with the skills and knowledge to engage productively with diverse communities.

At McGill, research that reflects diverse intellectual traditions, methodologies, and modes of dissemination and translation is valued and encouraged. Candidates are invited to demonstrate their research impact both within and across academic disciplines and in other sectors, such as government, communities, or industry.
 

All qualified applicants are encouraged to apply; however, in accordance with Canadian immigration requirements, Canadians and permanent residents will be given priority.

*This advertisement is also available in French

McGill University is committed to equity and diversity within its community and values academic rigour and excellence. We welcome and encourage applications from racialized persons/visible minorities, women, Indigenous persons, persons with disabilities, ethnic minorities, and persons of minority sexual orientations and gender identities, as well as from all qualified candidates with the skills and knowledge to engage productively with diverse communities.

At McGill, research that reflects diverse intellectual traditions, methodologies, and modes of dissemination and translation is valued and encouraged. Candidates are invited to demonstrate their research impact both within and across academic disciplines and in other sectors, such as government, communities, or industry.

McGill further recognizes and fairly considers the impact of leaves (e.g., family care or health-related) that may contribute to career interruptions or slowdowns. Candidates are encouraged to signal any leave that affected productivity, or that may have had an effect on their career path. This information will be considered to ensure the equitable assessment of the candidate’s record.

McGill implements an employment equity program and encourages members of designated equity groups to self-identify. It further seeks to ensure the equitable treatment and full inclusion of persons with disabilities by striving for the implementation of universal design principles transversally, across all facets of the University community, and through accommodation policies and procedures. Persons with disabilities who anticipate needing accommodations for any part of the application process may contact, in confidence, [email protected].

All qualified applicants are encouraged to apply; however, in accordance with Canadian immigration requirements, Canadians and permanent residents will be given priority.