Provost and Vice-President, Academic
Tracking Code: req2102
Faculty/Department: Office of the Provost
Number of Positions: 1
Appointment Type: Full-Time Continuing
Posting Date: July 3, 2026
Closing Date: August 15, 2026 (7:00 pm EST)
The Organization
Ontario Tech University is a rapidly growing institution with a clear purpose:
to advance the discovery and application of knowledge that accelerates economic growth, regional development, and social innovation. Located in Durham Region, the University serves a diverse and expanding community of students and partners. Ontario Tech University is recognized for its strengths in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics, with leadership in areas such as artificial intelligence, energy systems, health, education, and the humanities, and technology-enabled learning. Grounded in experiential learning and strong community and industry partnerships, the university prepares graduates to address complex, real-world challenges. This commitment is reflected in national recognition, including a No. 1 ranking in Canada for reputation among primarily undergraduate universities in the 2025 Maclean’s University Rankings and designation as Canada’s Undergraduate Research University of the Year by Research Infosource in 2025. Ontario Tech continues to evolve its academic programs and delivery across in-person, hybrid and online environments to meet the changing needs of students and society.
The Role
Reporting to the President and Vice-Chancellor, the Provost serves as the senior academic leader of the University and provides leadership for all academic programs and initiatives at the institution. At a time of sustained growth and ongoing transformation, the Provost will play a critical role in advancing academic excellence while ensuring alignment with the University’s strategic direction. This includes strengthening academic planning processes, accelerating program development timelines, and fostering a culture that embraces innovation while maintaining academic rigor.
The Provost is responsible for overseeing the University’s budget, academic policies, procedures, and strategic academic planning. The incumbent works collaboratively with faculty, staff, and administrators to ensure the delivery of high-quality education, promote academic excellence, and foster a positive and inclusive learning environment. They play a key role in the development and implementation of the University’s next strategic plan and will create the next academic plan. As a member of the University’s Senior Executive Team, they collaborate with peers to drive the academic mission of the institution, while ensuring long-term sustainability, responsible management of budgets, community engagement, and institutional reputation.
Key areas of oversight and responsibility are:
Strategic Academic Leadership and Execution –
Lead the development and implementation of the University’s academic vision and
priorities, translating strategy into clear, actionable plans with measurable
outcomes. Ensure alignment across faculties and units while maintaining
momentum in a rapidly evolving environment.
Academic Excellence, Innovation, and Program Development –
Advance excellence in teaching, learning, and research by supporting
high-quality academic programs and accelerating the development and renewal of
offerings. Champion innovation in delivery models, including online, hybrid,
and in-person learning, and promote the thoughtful integration of emerging
technologies, such as artificial intelligence.
Leadership, Culture, and Accountability – Build
and lead a high-performing academic leadership team, fostering a culture of
collaboration, clarity, and accountability. Set expectations, support and
develop Deans and academic leaders, and engage in constructive, at times
difficult, conversations to ensure progress and results.
Institutional Growth and Resource Stewardship –
Contribute to enrolment strategy and long-term institutional sustainability
through responsible academic planning and resource allocation. Support growth
across domestic and international markets and ensure efficient, effective use
of academic resources.
Partnerships, Engagement, and Campus Evolution –
Strengthen internal collaboration and external partnerships that support the
academic mission. Provide leadership on the evolution of academic spaces and
contribute to a modern, connected campus that reflects the University’s
future-focused vision.
The Ideal Candidate
As the ideal candidate, you are an experienced and visionary
academic leader with strategic thinking and collaborative skills, and a
commitment to diversity and inclusion. Your entrepreneurial spirit,
systems-thinking approach to growing institutions, and strong administrative
skills position you as an inspiring leader who can effectively shape the
University's academic direction and enhance its reputation. You have a strong
background in research and teaching, and a proven track record of successfully managing
academic programs and their budgets, promoting excellence, and fostering an
inclusive and vibrant learning environment. You have demonstrated success in
managing change and taking advantage of opportunities as they are presented.
You build effective policies and procedures and make transparent and informed
decisions that align with institutional culture and values. You exhibit
excellent communication and interpersonal skills to build trusting
relationships, resolve conflicts, and engage with all constituents.
Qualifications and Education
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
doctoral degree in a relevant field or equivalent, with a record of
scholarship that justifies appointment at the rank of Professor.
- Extensive
experience in academic leadership roles, at the dean level and/or provost,
vice-president, or associate vice-president level.
- Strong
understanding of university governance and the dynamics of bicameral
decision-making.
- A
track record of advancing innovation in teaching and learning, including
technology-enabled education and experiential learning.
- Experience
managing academic resources and budgets effectively.
- Proven
ability to build alignment, influence outcomes, and deliver results across
a complex organization.
- Commitment
to Reconciliation and diversity, equity, and inclusion in all aspects of
academic life, demonstrated in actions and decisions you have taken.
- Demonstrated
success developing and executing on a vision and strategic plan.
- Demonstrated
experience in academic planning, program development, and quality
assurance.
- Strong
knowledge of current trends and best practices in higher education and
familiarity with accreditation standards and the academic cyclical review
process.
- Demonstrated
experience managing relationships and partnerships within a unionized
environment, including university departments, associations, and among
faculty, staff, and students.
- Demonstrated
skill and transparency in strategic financial management and long-term
resource planning, including multi-million-dollar budgets.
- Experience
creating a culture where excellence and innovation in teaching, service,
research, and scholarly activities are valued, rewarded, and celebrated.
Skills and Attributes
- An
entrepreneurial and engaging leadership style, able to navigate a rapidly
changing environment, take calculated risks, and find opportunities to
innovate through interdisciplinary collaboration.
- Exceptional
communication skills, including strong listening skills, and a
collaborative and collegial mindset.
- Integrity,
compassion, and vision, embodying and exemplifying the values of the
University.
- A solution-focused problem solver with the ability to maintain resilience
under pressure.
- Commitment
to academic and creative excellence and academic freedom.
- A good
steward who makes their organization stronger, more relevant, and more
sustainable than when they started.
- Ability
to adapt to changing local, provincial, national, and international
landscapes.
How to Apply:
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/17763647083680000008wht
Application review will begin on August 15, 2026.
Ontario Tech University is actively committed to equity, diversity, inclusion, indigenization and decolonization (EDIID), and welcomes applications from all qualified candidates, while especially encouraging applications from First Nations, Metis, Inuit peoples, Indigenous peoples of North America, racialized persons, persons with disabilities, and those who identify as women and/or 2SLGBTQ+. All qualified candidates are encouraged to apply; however, Canadian citizens, permanent residents, Indigenous Peoples in Canada, and those eligible to work in Canada, will be given priority.
Ontario Tech University respects people's different needs and therefore will take all reasonable steps to ensure accommodation for applicants where appropriate. The University is also committed to ensuring that confidentiality is maintained throughout all aspects of the recruitment cycle.
The university acknowledges the lands and people of the Mississaugas of Scugog Island First Nation which is covered under the Williams Treaties. We are situated on the Traditional Territory of the Mississaugas, a branch of the greater Anishinaabeg Nation which includes Algonquin, Ojibway, Odawa and Pottawatomi.
Job Location: Oshawa, Ontario, Canada
Expected Start Date: 1/1/2027
