Dean, Faculty of Humanities

McMaster University is actively seeking a collaborative and strategic academic leader to serve as their next Dean, Faculty of Humanities. Joining the University at a time of renewed institutional momentum, the next Dean will have the opportunity to help define the next chapter of a Faculty known for its scholarly excellence, creative inquiry, and societal impact.

McMaster University

Ranked among the top 150 universities globally, through its cutting-edge research and world-class teaching and learning, McMaster University is a research-intensive, student-centred university dedicated to advancing human and societal health and well-being in its community and around the world. Known internationally for excellence in teaching, learning, innovation, and creativity, McMaster prepares students to be engaged, thoughtful citizens equipped to make a positive impact. As a member of Canada’s U15 group, McMaster boasts a research income of $423 million and is recognized for pioneering problem-based learning and educational innovation. With six Faculties including Business, Engineering, Health Sciences, Humanities, Science, and Social Sciences, McMaster fosters interdisciplinary collaboration to solve complex global challenges. McMaster is the only Canadian member of Universitas 21, a prestigious global network of research-intensive universities from 17 countries. Its research ecosystem includes McMaster Innovation Park, Mills Memorial Library, the Bertrand Russell Archives and Russell Research Centre, and distinguished rare books collections, providing scholars and researchers with access to internationally significant foundations for textual scholarship, intellectual history, archival discovery, and interdisciplinary inquiry.

Faculty of Humanities

The Faculty of Humanities at McMaster University is home to more than 100 full-time faculty members and over 3,000 undergraduate, master’s, and PhD students from across Canada and around the world. The Faculty brings together a diverse range of disciplines through its 10 academic units: the School of the Arts, Communication Studies & Media Arts, English & Cultural Studies, French, Gender & Social Justice, Greek & Roman Studies, History, Linguistics & Languages, Global Peace & Social Justice, and Philosophy. Faculty members are internationally recognized teachers, researchers, artists, leaders, and lifelong learners whose work is supported by world-class research institutes, centres, laboratories, studios, and performance spaces that foster interdisciplinary collaboration, innovative scholarship, research creation, and creative activity. Known for its interdisciplinary programs, experiential learning opportunities, and commitment to community engagement, the Faculty advances critical understanding of human experience, culture, language, history, justice, and the arts while preparing students to contribute meaningfully to society and a rapidly changing world.

The Position

Reporting to the Provost and Vice-President (Academic), the Dean, Faculty of Humanities is the academic, administrative, and community leader of the Faculty. As the senior officer of the Faculty, the Dean provides academic leadership and strategic direction, fostering unity and cooperation among faculty, staff, and community members while building and sustaining a culture that supports academic, research, and operational excellence. The Dean is also responsible for strengthening cohesion across the Faculty’s departments and encouraging, coordinating, and aligning the initiatives and activities of Humanities departments and programs, to ensure that the Faculty functions effectively and harmoniously. The Dean also provides sound fiscal oversight, ensuring the Faculty’s budget is managed strategically, sustainably, and in alignment with institutional priorities.

The Dean plays a critical role in fostering interdisciplinary collaboration and building partnerships across the university, working closely with other Faculties and units to advance shared academic and research priorities. The Dean champions artistic research and research-creation as integral dimensions of the Faculty’s research mission, ensuring that creative practices, outputs, partnerships, and forms of impact are appropriately supported, recognized, and celebrated. The Dean is accountable for creating a positive and inclusive work environment, which will serve as the foundation for the academic well-being of the Faculty.

The Dean helps to advance the goals of the Faculty and to build on its strengths. The Dean is responsible for leading the Faculty in terms of faculty recruitment, program development, and facilities, and for continuing to move the Faculty forward in terms of quality of the student experience, distinction, and influence. The Dean supports and enhances the Faculty’s strong reputation and continues to collaborate, advocate and build positive partnerships across the University, as well as locally, provincially, nationally and internationally. In addition, the Dean is an important member of the Provost’s senior leadership group and of the Provost’s Council.

The Ideal Candidate

The ideal candidate is an accomplished and respected academic leader with a doctoral degree in a discipline represented within the Faculty and a record of scholarly achievement consistent with appointment as a Full Professor. They bring demonstrated experience leading within a complex university environment, including strategic planning, academic administration, resource management, faculty recruitment, and partnership development. An authentic, collaborative, and transparent leader, they are skilled at building consensus, fostering trust, leading through change, and inspiring diverse groups around a shared vision. They possess a deep commitment to excellence in teaching, learning, research, and student success, with an appreciation for the breadth and value of humanities scholarship. The successful candidate will be financially astute; committed to equity diversity, inclusion and Indigeneity; and passionate about creating an environment where students, faculty, and staff can thrive. A relationship builder by nature, they excel at fostering interdisciplinary collaboration, engaging external partners and supporters, and championing innovation and creativity, in support of the Faculty's mission and future aspirations.

How To Apply

To learn more about this opportunity, including receiving a copy of the Executive Brief, please contact Katherine Frank at kfrank@kbrs.ca or Lauren Wright at lwright@kbrs.ca.

Applications must be submitted online at http://www.kbrs.ca/Career/17909464624190000008lPq

When applying for this position, please include:

• A cover letter (maximum of 4 pages)
• Curriculum vitae (CV)

The anticipated start date for this appointment is July 1, 2027.

McMaster University strives to embody the values of respect, collaboration and diversity, and has a strong commitment to employment equity. The diversity of our workforce is at the core of our innovation and creativity and strengths our research and teaching excellence. We strive to hire individuals who share our commitment to equity, diversity, and inclusion.

At McMaster, we believe that our diversity is integral to and at the core of all that makes us excellent. To grow and nurture our diversity, McMaster is committed to ensuring equal opportunity for all community members to meaningfully engage in the life and work of the university. Employment equity is a key initiative that drives inclusivity in the employment relationship, and is an ongoing process that identifies, addresses, and mitigates barriers in employment policies, practices, and procedures. While all qualified candidates are invited to apply, McMaster particularly welcomes applications from women, persons with disabilities, First Nations, Métis and Inuit peoples, members of racialized communities, and 2SLGBTQIA+ persons.

Canadians and permanent residents will be given priority.

McMaster University and KBRS will provide support in the recruitment process to applicants with disabilities, including accommodation that takes into account an applicant’s accessibility needs. If you require accommodation in order to participate as a candidate in the recruitment process, please contact accommodate@kbrs.ca or communicate your needs to the recruitment professional named in the job description.