Dean, Faculty of Science – St. Francis Xavier University (Filled)

Antigonish, NS

A champion for student and faculty success in natural and applied sciences

St. Francis Xavier University (StFX) is a leading Canadian university, recognized for its teaching, research, and success of primarily undergraduate students, and its strong commitment to intellectual and personal growth, community development and social justice. The University is nationally and internationally known for its intimate learning environment and a curriculum that encompasses the Faculties of Science, Arts, Education and Business, working together to foster curiosity, collaboration, and innovation.

Home to 140 faculty, staff and 1600+ students, the StFX Faculty of Science offers primarily undergraduate programs in the core sciences including Bachelor of Science degrees in Biology, Chemistry, Earth Sciences, Mathematics, Statistics and Computer Science, and Physics; in professional programs including Nursing, Human Kinetics, Engineering, and Human Nutrition; and in interdisciplinary programs including Aquatic Resources and combined Bachelor of Arts and Science degrees in Health, and Climate and Environment.

StFX carries a deep commitment to supporting faculty and staff with teaching and research in the sciences and supports Master of Science programs across several departments. A leader among Canada’s primarily undergraduate universities in both total NSERC funding and proportion of grant-holding faculty, StFX has also received significant funding through the CFI and AIF programs and operates a multi-institutional graduate NSERC CREATE program in Climate Sciences.

Reporting to the Academic Vice-President and Provost, the Dean is a member of the Senior Administration Team, with overall responsibility for the vision and leadership of the Faculty of Science and fostering excellence in teaching, research, and student success. The Dean oversees strategic planning, budgets, curriculum, faculty and staff recruitment and retention, program development, assessment and reporting, accreditation activities, administration, and external partnerships. An inclusive leader and people advocate, they enable and inspire faculty, staff, and students to contribute to the University’s mission and goals. They have a track record of recruiting and supporting top faculty and students, securing grant funding, and creating opportunities for individuals to excel and build their career.

The Dean is strategic, innovative, and a high-impact leader with a track record of success in developing trusted relationships, alignment, and positive outcomes across the University, and as a leader and champion for natural and applied sciences. They are committed to the sustainability of the Faculty of Science by developing and building high caliber programs and supporting natural sciences as foundational to a wide variety of careers, as well as a focus on health science disciplines and professions. In doing so, the Dean fosters increased cooperation and collaboration between departments and programs across the Faculty. The Dean joins the University at a unique time where they can play a key role in shaping the University’s future Centre for Innovation in Health, an exciting academic hub for health-related disciplines that brings together and connects diverse academic disciplines across the University.

The Dean has a PhD in any natural science, applied science or health science discipline or profession, with a keen awareness of the diverse nature of pure, interdisciplinary, and applied sciences. They are an established scholar and a leader in promoting teaching and learning, professional development, and scholarship at the undergraduate and graduate levels of university. They have a demonstrated track record in teaching and research achievement and administration. The Dean has a collaborative spirit and is immersed in and committed to strengthening equity, diversity and inclusion.

To learn more about St. Francis Xavier University, please visit: https://www.stfx.ca/

Royer Thompson is committed to presenting a diverse and inclusive roster of candidates to our clients. We welcome and encourage applications from the following under-represented groups: Indigenous persons, racially visible persons, persons with a disability, women, and persons of a minoritized sexual orientation and/or gender identity. If you are a member of one of these under-represented groups, we invite you to self-identify on your cover letter, or resume.

Please reach out in confidence to learn more about this opportunity by contacting Kim West at 902-220-3232 or Amy Reid at 902-222-8978.

Royer Thompson Management & Human Resources Consulting is a Canadian talent management firm focused on capturing the full potential of people in organizations by supporting a shared sense of purpose, recruiting and cultivating leadership, and fostering an innovative, caring and entrepreneurial spirit.