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Dean, Faculty of Arts

Job ID: 24522
Location: Main Campus
Updated February 01, 2024

This job posting is no longer active.

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We would like to take this opportunity to acknowledge the traditional territories of the people of the Treaty 7 region in Southern Alberta.
The City of Calgary is also home to Métis Nation of Alberta, Districts 5 and 6.

Position Description

Dean, Faculty of Arts
University of Calgary 

2500 University Drive NW Calgary, AB T2N 1N4


Dr. Edward McCauley, President and Vice-Chancellor of the University of Calgary has struck an advisory committee Chaired by Provost and Vice-President (Academic) Dr. Teri Balser, inviting applications from outstanding scholars and leaders for the position of Dean of the Faculty of Arts at the University of Calgary. 

Located in Canada’s most enterprising city, the traditional territory of the peoples of Treaty 7 and Region 3 of the Métis Nation of Alberta, the University of Calgary (UCalgary) is a global and innovative intellectual hub for teaching and learning, research and scholarship, and community engagement.

UCalgary is one of Canada’s top comprehensive research universities, with more than 6,500 graduate students and 28,500 undergraduate students, more than 1,800 academic staff (continuing, contingent term or limited term appointment), more than 1,300 sessionals, and more than 3,200 non-academic staff, in 14 Faculties, across five campuses. The vibrant and research-intensive environment at UCalgary is home to 146 research chairs (75 Canada Research Chairs), and more than 50 research institutes and centres. UCalgary has the fastest growth rate in attracting research funding among the 10 largest universities in Canada.

The university’s new Framework for Growth establishes principles and focus areas for the University of Calgary over the coming decade. It will ignite our entrepreneurial spirit to turn challenges into opportunities to improve the world around us. It will help to meet our academic and research ambitions and strengthen our community engagement in one of Canada’s most diverse cities, whose exciting future is unfolding rapidly, and where scientific disciplines will play a major role. Built around three big ideas (transdisciplinary scholarship, integration with our community and future-focused program delivery), the Framework will distinguish the university and drive growth.

To learn more about this vision please see: https://www.ucalgary.ca/president/growth 

The Faculty of Arts is a large and dynamic faculty within one of Canada’s most innovative, bold and ambitious universities. Our faculty is home to internationally acclaimed researchers from humanities, social sciences, creative, performing, and fine arts, as well as many emergent multidisciplinary fields. We strive to engage, inspire and discover. Our mission is to reflect on the world and our place in it through critical inquiry, creative practices and collaborative exploration.

The Faculty of Arts is a multidisciplinary academic community with more than 360 academic staff (continuing, contingent, and limited term), 140 sessionals, 130 non-academic staff, 7,900 undergraduate and 630 graduate students. The Faculty has 10 Canada Research Chairs, 28 Royal Society of Canada Fellows, and three Royal Society College of New Scholars, Artists and Scientists.  Some of our researchers are conducting cognitive neuroscience at the Foothills Hospital, while others are choreographing exquisite dance performances. Likewise, some of our students are training to master Earth-space technologies, while others are learning the vocabulary and grammar of ancient languages.

We see diversity as our strength. As the largest teaching faculty and the site of exceptional scholarly and creative activity, the Faculty of Arts is home to highly motivated educators, researchers, and students, with 54 undergraduate and 48 graduate programs, 12 departments, two schools, and a number of world-class research centres that engage and collaborate with the community. We create an environment where our students, faculty and staff foster critical thinking, engage as global citizens, and collaborate as leaders, bold innovators, and creative practitioners. We are excited about promoting a distinctive student experience, and our commitment to citizenship, diversity and inclusion helps build a healthy and respectful campus culture for all.

Reporting to the Provost and Vice-President (Academic), the new Dean of the Faculty of Arts will be an accomplished scholar with a breadth of academic and research experience who is motivated to lead an exceptionally diverse and dynamic Faculty at the University of Calgary. As a forward thinking and strategic visionary, the Dean will be responsible for the overall administration and operations of the Faculty, providing leadership for academic activities, scholarship, community engagement, and fund development. The Dean will enhance the direction of the Faculty by developing and implementing the next strategic plan, defining standards of excellence and identifying directions for new growth. 

The Dean will engage and lead a unified team with a culture that promotes collaboration, extraordinary academic and research activities, and strengthen interdisciplinary partnerships with other faculties and university stakeholders. As a transparent and trustworthy decision maker, the Dean will inspire and cultivate relationships with students, faculty, staff, alumni and cultural communities to sustain and enhance the reputation of the Faculty of Arts.  Focusing on building new, and deepening existing relationships with Arts stakeholders (Indigenous peoples and other internal and external communities) as well as engagement with their various practices, theories and ideas, will be instrumental to the Dean’s, the Faculty’s, and the University’s success. 

With demonstrated cultural sensitivity, the Dean will promote a vision to the broader community to attract resources and secure funding for sustainability and growth. As a bold advocate and exceptional communicator, the Dean will advance the core elements of the Faculty – social sciences, humanities, and creative, performing, and fine arts – as essential, relevant, and valued programming at the University, in the community, and to society at large.
 
The ideal candidate is a recognized scholar in the Arts, Humanities, and/or Social Sciences with demonstrated organizational leadership and administrative management skills, and experience in a senior role as an academic leader including a Dean or higher, an Associate Dean, a Chair of a department or as a Director of an Institute or Centre or an equivalent academic framework or institution. This leader has a proven capacity to advocate, build trust, influence, and collaborate.  They will demonstrate proven success in academic productivity and building community partnerships. A track record in external funding successes and the ability to build strong relationships with the local, national and international communities, government, and alumni is essential. 

The successful candidate will hold a PhD or professional graduate degree, or comparable terminal degree in one of the disciplines of the Faculty of Arts, and qualifications commensurate with an appointment with tenure at the rank of full professor. The successful candidate also provides leadership in creating space for people who hold diverse perspectives, such as knowing, understanding and engaging with members of equity groups, including but not limited to, Indigenous peoples, racialized people, members of the LGBTQ2S+ communities, and groups who may express non-dominant ideas, practices, and expectations. With an authentic and demonstrated commitment to, and understanding of equity, diversity and inclusion practices and Indigenous engagement, this leader will exhibit the ability to drive change and inspire faculty, students, staff, and community partners.  

The appointment as Dean, Faculty of Arts is for a five-year period with the possibility of renewal.  The successful candidate will be offered an academic position “With Tenure” at the rank of Professor.

With an authentic commitment to, and an impactful understanding of equity, diversity and inclusion principles and Indigenous engagement, this leader exhibits the ability to lead change and inspire and engage faculty, students, staff, administrators and community partners. The candidate will actively lead local implementation of the major university strategies: Indigenous (ii' taapoh'to'p), Sustainability, Global Engagement, Mental Health, as well as an emerging EDI strategy, as well as actively addressing barriers to equity, diversity, and inclusion through measurable actions.

Recently ranked the 5th most liveable city in the world (2019) by The Economist, and possessing one of the youngest populations of major cities in Canada, Calgary is home to world-class attractions, sporting amenities and public infrastructure that supports a healthy lifestyle, making it a great place to raise a family (https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCnh-WugziiiHwMT44-sVwrA). Situated where the Canadian plains reach the sunny foothills of Canada’s majestic Rocky Mountains, Calgary is a major urban centre surrounded by an area of profound beauty with an awe-inspiring mountains, lakes, rivers and gorgeous prairie. 

Consistently rated by the United Nations as the world’s best country to live in, Canada is the world’s second largest country by total area and is one of the most ethnically diverse and multicultural nations. Canada ranks among the highest in international measurements of government transparency, civil liberties, quality of life, economic freedom, and education.

The University of Calgary’s comprehensive benefits and pension program is designed to promote a productive level of health and well-being to staff members.  In Alberta, decanal salaries are provincially regulated with the total compensation maximum set by the reform of Agencies, Boards, and Commissions (Post-Secondary Institutions) Compensation Regulation. In alignment with this regulation the salary range for this position is $167,000 - $284,000 and is subject to the approval of the University of Calgary's Human Resources and Governance Committee.  To learn about our comprehensive benefits package for this Calgary-based, English speaking position, please visit https://www.ucalgary.ca/hr/benefits-pension

As an equitable and inclusive employer, the University of Calgary recognizes that a diverse staff/faculty benefits and enriches the work, learning and research experiences of the entire campus and greater community. We are committed to removing barriers that have been historically encountered by some people in our society. We strive to recruit individuals who will further enhance our diversity and will support their academic and professional success while they are here. In particular, we encourage members of the designated groups (women, Indigenous peoples, persons with disabilities, members of visible/racialized minorities, and diverse sexual orientation and gender identities) to apply. We encourage all qualified applicants to apply, however preference will be given to Canadian citizens and permanent residents of Canada.

To explore this opportunity further, please send your CV and Letter of Interest in confidence to [email protected]

 

Additional Information

The University strongly recommends all faculty and staff are fully vaccinated against COVID-19.

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