Dean, Faculty of Arts

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Guided by a bold Academic Plan, an ambitious research agenda, and a Master Plan to revitalize the campus and surrounding neighbourhood, Toronto Metropolitan University (TMU) is among the most applied-to universities in Ontario and its reputation with business and community leaders continues to rise. TMU offers 128 programs; 60 undergraduate, 45 Master’s, 20 Doctoral, and 3 graduate Diplomas. Culturally diverse and inclusive, the university is home to approx. 47,000 students, including nearly 3,000 graduate students, over 4,420 faculty and staff, and more than 250,000 alumni worldwide.

TMU’s Faculty of Arts connects academic excellence with relevant results, encouraging active and critical minds. It stimulates awareness for better understanding through examination of the past and present, both locally and globally. Through collaboration and inclusion – of diverse ideas, people, and cultures – it informs innovative policy and drives positive change for community and individual empowerment. The Faculty, which comprises over 5,700 students and 23 programs, 229 full-time faculty, and 50 contract lecturers, empowers students, graduates, and faculty members to become local and global citizens, leaders who are catalysts for positive change in society and our communities. Its world-class researchers are leading path-breaking projects that improve and enrich the lives of Canadians, Indigenous peoples, citizens and migrants globally.

It is within this context that Toronto Metropolitan University invites applications and nominations for the appointment of its next Dean, The Faculty of Arts, commencing July 1, 2025, or soon thereafter. This appointment will be for a term of five years and is renewable for a second term as outlined in the Policy and Procedures Relating to Search Committees and Appointments in the Academic Administration (AAA Policy).

Reporting to the Provost and Vice-President, Academic, Dr. Roberta Iannacito-Provenzano, the Dean, Faculty of Arts (“Dean”) is the academic leader of a large and diverse Faculty, represents it both internally and externally, and is responsible for all aspects of its operation, including strategy, policy development, implementation, and management. In order to meet the goals of TMU’s Academic Plan, the Dean of the Faculty of Arts will be expected to provide exemplary leadership in promoting excellence in teaching, scholarly, research and creative (SRC) and academic service activities, while building positive and collaborative relationships with TMU’s academic units, and sustaining and growing support for humanities and social sciences education and scholarship within the TMU community. The Dean must encourage and foster the development and delivery of high quality and innovative undergraduate, Master’s and Doctoral level programs, ensuring and expanding quality undergraduate education across the Faculty in the face of funding pressures and increasing class sizes, while supporting faculty members. Working with a team of administrators, faculty and staff, the Dean develops, implements, and adapts ideas as the Faculty moves forward in meeting the needs of students, faculty, and staff, while encouraging cooperation, bridging various disciplinary areas, developing interdisciplinary initiatives and strategic alliances, and promoting integration among areas and programs. The Dean also serves as an advocate and leader of the Faculty and the University by interacting effectively with industry, government, community and cultural organizations, external research institutes, donors and alumni. The Dean develops and manages the Faculty’s funding and budget allocations in an equitable and transparent fashion, to ensure world-class infrastructure in classrooms, facilities, other physical spaces, and information technology.

As the ideal candidate, you are an exemplary leader with a strong commitment to serving the needs of students and promoting teaching, SRC, program development, and the overall reputation of the Faculty of Arts. Your career includes a track record of academic and scholarly accomplishment, combined with progressive academic administrative experience and a level of scholarship and intellectual acumen that will facilitate credibility, both internally and externally. You have experience teaching at undergraduate and graduate levels and a successful record of interdisciplinary SRC accomplishments, combined with a comprehensive understanding of funding agencies. You are known for your interest and enthusiasm for both the humanities and the social sciences, your understanding and appreciation of the range of the Faculty of Arts’ teaching and SRC activities, and for your ability to support faculty members in achieving success and balance among SRC, teaching, and academic service activities. You possess an open and collegial style, outstanding management and interpersonal skills, and the ability to inspire a dedicated group of faculty and staff. You cultivate strong relationships with alumni and donors, community and research partners, and students. Leadership style and attributes that will benefit the successful candidate include being consultative and collaborative, outstanding communication with strong listening skills. A strong advocate for equity, diversity, inclusion and accessibility, and an engaging and respectful problem solver, you possess the leadership skills to foster positive and collaborative relationships with TMU’s academic units and ensure ongoing success in an entrepreneurial setting. Familiarity with university constituencies is a strong asset. The ideal candidate embodies what Toronto Metropolitan University is known for: collegiality, equity, innovation and entrepreneurship, nimbleness, and responsiveness.

Application Information

Please note that once in this position, the successful candidate is an “associate member” of the Toronto Metropolitan University Faculty Association (TFA) (https://www.tfanet.ca/). The TFA collective agreement can be viewed here; a summary of TFA benefits can be found here.

To apply, or explore this key academic leadership position at Toronto Metropolitan University further, please submit a curriculum vitae along with a cover letter in confidence to Jane Griffith (jane@griffithgroup.ca)and/or Caroline McLean (caroline@griffithgroup.ca).

All applications must be received before 5pm ET Friday May 2, 2025.

Toronto Metropolitan University welcomes those who have demonstrated a commitment to upholding the values of equity, diversity, and inclusion and will assist us in expanding our capacity for diversity in the broadest sense. In addition, to correct the conditions of disadvantage in employment in Canada, we encourage applications from members of groups that have been historically disadvantaged and marginalized, including First Nations, Métis, and Inuit peoples, Indigenous peoples of North America, Black-identified persons, other racialized persons,
persons with disabilities, and those who identify as women and/or 2SLGBTQ+. TMU is committed to accessibility for persons with disabilities. To find out more about legal and policy obligations please visit the accessibility and Human Rights websites.

TMU recognizes that scholars have varying career paths and that career interruptions can be part of an excellent academic record. Candidates are encouraged to provide any relevant information about their experience and/or career interruptions.

Please note that all qualified candidates are encouraged to apply; however, applications from Canadians and permanent residents will be given priority, in accordance with Canadian immigration regulations.

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