St. Francis Xavier University is located in Mi’kma’ki, the ancestral and unceded territory of the Mi’kmaw people. We honour their enduring stewardship and commit to advancing reconciliation through learning, reflection and action. We are all Treaty People.
St. Francis Xavier University (StFX) is one of Canada's leading primarily undergraduate universities, recognized for excellence in teaching, research, community engagement, and student success. Located in Antigonish, Nova Scotia, StFX offers an immersive learning environment through its Faculties of Arts, Science, and Education; the Gerald Schwartz School of Business; the Rankin School of Nursing; and the Coady Institute. Home to approximately 5,000 students, 250 faculty members, and 460 staff, the University is supported by an engaged global alumni network of more than 50,000. StFX is known for fostering intellectual growth, leadership, service, and lifelong connections while advancing its commitment to community development and social justice.
StFX is seeking an Associate Vice President (AVP), Administration, who can connect people and operations, strengthen planning and advance the University’s academic mission and institutional priorities. As a key member of the executive leadership team, the AVP will provide strategic leadership and oversight across a broad portfolio including information technology, facilities management, long-term infrastructure and capital planning, athletics and recreation, ancillary services, conferences and events, residences and related operations. This portfolio shapes the daily experience of students, employees and visitors while supporting student success, employee engagement, institutional growth and community impact.
Reporting to the President and Vice-Chancellor, the AVP will serve as a trusted advisor and work closely with the Vice President, Finance, other executive and senior leaders, and the Board of Governors. They will bring alignment, structure and focus to the portfolio, establish clear priorities, strengthen planning and information-sharing, and support long-term operational sustainability through responsible stewardship of institutional resources.
The AVP will champion service excellence and continuous improvement, using data-informed decision-making to strengthen organizational effectiveness. They will advance practical modernization and revenue opportunities, collaborate with Advancement and partners, and apply disciplined business planning to residence, conference, event and other ancillary activities. They will manage operational and infrastructure risk and help manage reputational and service risks associated with high-profile functions.
The successful candidate will be a strategic and collaborative leader with post-secondary education in a related discipline and senior leadership experience across complex, multi-stakeholder and multi-unit operations, with a track record of improving operational performance. Experience in higher education, government, healthcare, municipal administration, or a similarly complex organization would be considered an asset. They will bring strong administrative and operational expertise, financial acumen, and the ability to assess costs, benefits, revenues and risks. An exceptional communicator and relationship builder, the AVP will inspire high-performing teams, bring teams across diverse functions together around shared goals, and cultivate inclusion, accountability and service. The AVP will embrace visible participation in campus and community life, including major events, Convocation and athletics.
To learn more about St. Francis Xavier University, please visit: https://www.stfx.ca/
StFX is committed to upholding the values of equity, diversity, inclusion and accessibility. StFX encourages applications from members of groups that have been historically disadvantaged and marginalized, including Indigenous persons (especially Mi’kmaq), racialized persons (especially African Nova Scotians), persons with disabilities, those who identify as women and/or 2SLGBTQIA+ and any others who would contribute to the diversity of our community.
If you are a member of one of these underrepresented groups, we invite you to self-identify on your cover letter or resume.
StFX is committed to the elimination of barriers to participation for persons with disabilities. If you require an accommodation(s) to participate in the application, interviewing or selection process, please contact Georgia Jones at gjones@royerthompson.com.
Please submit a combined resume and cover letter online by clicking “Apply.” For further information about this opportunity, please contact Erica Armstrong (earmstrong@royerthompson.com), or Dr. Dominique Roche (droche@royerthompson.com) in confidence.
Royer Thompson is a Canadian executive advisory firm focused on capturing the full potential of people in pursuit of leadership and organizational excellence. Our core services include executive search, management recruitment, executive development, HR advisory and inclusion & belonging.
