Dean of Science

Dean of Science
Trent University
Peterborough, Ontario

Trent University is seeking a visionary and dynamic leader to serve as the next Dean of Science. This role provides a unique opportunity to shape the future of scientific education and research at one of Canada’s top-ranked universities.
The Organization
Trent University respectfully acknowledges it is located on the treaty and traditional territory of the Mississauga Anishinaabeg. We offer our gratitude to First Peoples for their care for, and teachings about, our earth and our relations. May we honour those teachings.
One of Canada’s top universities, Trent University was founded on the ideal of interactive learning that’s personal, purposeful and transformative. Trent has been Ontario’s number one undergraduate university for 13 years in a row, according to McLean’s magazine and is ranked among the top 7.4% University in the World according to the Center for World University Rankings (2023).
Trent University is committed to creating a diverse and inclusive campus community. All qualified candidates are encouraged to apply; however, Canadian citizens and permanent residents will be given priority. Preference will be given to candidates from underrepresented groups including women, Indigenous People (First Nations, Inuit and Métis), persons with disabilities, members of visible minorities or racialized groups and LGBTQ2+ people.
The Role
Reporting to the Provost and Vice President, Academic, the Dean of Science will provide academic leadership and strategic direction for the Sciences at Trent, overseeing programs that contribute to Trent’s reputation for excellence in scientific research and education. They will work closely with faculty and staff to ensure that Science academic programs are innovative, relevant, and responsive to the needs of students. The role involves managing Science operations including faculty supervision, fiscal performance, and strategic growth, while also fostering interdisciplinary collaboration and partnerships across the university.
The Dean is accountable for building effective and collegial relationships within the Sciences and among cognate disciplines in the University, with service and academic partners, and with partners in the community. They act as a member of the senior academic leadership team at Trent, partnering with fellow Deans on strategic projects, initiatives, and advising.
Key responsibilities include:
Academic Leadership: Provides leadership to the Sciences, ensuring the academic quality of programs and promoting a student-centered approach to teaching and learning.
Operational Leadership: Manages Science operations, including human resources management, financial management and resource allocation, ensuring the effective use of resources to promote academic and research excellence.
Research Excellence: Advances Science-related research initiatives, facilitating and encouraging faculty and student efforts in cutting-edge research and pursue external funding opportunities.
Teaching and Curriculum Innovation: Fosters an active culture of excellence and innovation in program development and science pedagogy and supports the ongoing development of faculty as research-informed teachers.
Collaboration and Partnerships: Builds strong, collaborative relationships within the Sciences, across the university, and with external stakeholders to support fundraising, growth, and development of the science disciplines at Trent.
Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion: Promote EDI values in the Sciences and across the institution, creating an inclusive environment for all students, staff, and faculty members.
The Ideal Candidate
As the successful candidate, you are an experienced and strategic leader with outstanding communication and interpersonal skills and a transparent, consultative management style. You lead with compassion and integrity and bring a track record of innovation and improvement in academic settings. Your expertise in academic administration and research, along with your appreciation for the critical role that science plays in addressing global challenges have made a significant impact in your past work. You are an evidence-based decision maker that has a record of building strong and effective relationships across administration and faculty.

Qualifications and Experience
While the Search Committee recognizes that no one candidate is likely to meet all qualifications in equal measure, those listed below are desirable and will be used to compare candidates.

• A PhD in a science-related discipline with academic credentials suitable for a tenured faculty position.
• Significant experience in academic leadership, with a demonstrated ability to manage complex academic programs and research initiatives.
• Significant experience in managing human and financial resources, with a proven ability to lead a large, multi-disciplinary team in a university setting.
• A commitment to fostering research excellence and innovation within the Faculty of Science.
• Experience working collaboratively within a unionized environment, building strong and effective relationships with faculty, staff, and students.

Skills and Attributes
• An innovative leader with curiosity and empathy.
• Strong commitment to equity, diversity, and inclusion, with a demonstrated ability to embed these principles in academic leadership.
• Exceptional communication skills, with the ability to build consensus and advocate for the Sciences within and outside the university.
• A facilitative leadership style, combined with decisiveness and the ability to make sound, evidence-based decisions.

We will begin reviewing applications on November 18, 2024.

We will provide support and accommodations to applicants with disabilities, upon request. If you need accommodation in order to participate as a candidate in the recruitment process, please contact [email protected] or communicate your needs to the recruitment professional named in the job description.

If you are interested in this opportunity, contact Abbey MacLeod at [email protected], Kyle Steele at [email protected], or Dr. Jennie Massey at [email protected] or submit your full application package online at: https://www.kbrs.ca/Career/18370

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