Vice-Rector, Academic and Research

Location : Ottawa
Reason for search: retirement
Salary: $ 202,789 - $ 249,878

Founded in 1848 and located in the heart of the nation’s capital, Saint Paul University (SPU) is a bilingual institution federated with the University of Ottawa. Faithful to the Catholic Intellectual Tradition, SPU distinguishes itself through the quality of its teaching, the richness of its university life, and its commitment to human dignity, social justice, and the dialogue between faith, reason, and culture.

SPU offers undergraduate and graduate programs in a wide range of fields - including theology, philosophy, canon law, social communication, public ethics, social innovation, ecology and equity, counselling and psychotherapy, conflict studies, and transformative leadership and welcomes a diverse, open, and engaged university community.

Position Description
Saint Paul University is a bilingual, public, and Catholic institution recognized for its humanistic approach and expertise in interdisciplinary fields of study that address complex contemporary challenges. More than an institutional characteristic, interdisciplinarity is a true driver of academic development, research, and innovation, enabling the University to develop integrated responses to complex human and societal challenges. With a diverse student body, including a significant proportion of graduate students, the University is distinguished by its human-scale environment, its close connections with the communities it serves, and its capacity for innovation.

The University is currently at a pivotal stage in its development. Guided by an ambitious Strategic Plan 2025–2030, a renewed leadership team, and a clear commitment to strengthening its distinctive identity within the Canadian higher education landscape, Saint Paul University seeks to continue its growth while preserving the qualities that make it unique.

Reporting to the Rector, the Vice-Rector Academic and Research (VRAR) is a member of the Executive Team and serves as the University’s chief academic leader. The incumbent is responsible for all activities related to teaching and learning, research, pedagogical innovation, program development and evaluation and the advancement of research.

Working closely with the Deans, School Directors, academic leaders, and support units, the Vice-Rector provides the strategic and operational leadership required to implement the University’s priorities. The incumbent ensures an appropriate balance between teaching excellence and research development while fostering a culture of collaboration, dialogue, and accountability throughout the University community.

The Vice-Rector will also play a central role in positioning Saint Paul University as a distinctive and innovative institution recognized for its contributions to major social, human, and community issues, both nationally and internationally.

Opportunities During the First Mandate
Saint Paul University is entering a new phase of its institutional evolution. In this context, the successful candidate will have several significant strategic opportunities to shape the University’s future.

During the first mandate, the Vice-Rector will play a pivotal role in operationalizing the Strategic Plan 2025–2030 and consolidating a recently renewed leadership team. The incumbent will help foster a climate of stability, trust, and collaboration while supporting the University community through a period of transformation. The challenges currently facing higher education also call on universities to strengthen their adaptability, internal cohesion, and organizational resilience. In this context, the successful candidate’s ability to foster trust, collaboration, positive labour relations, employee engagement, and the long-term sustainability of academic communities will be essential to the success of this transformation.

The Vice-Rector will actively contribute to discussions regarding the evolution of academic and administrative structures in order to enhance decision-making agility, improve program coordination, and increase accountability across academic units. Particular attention will be devoted to strengthening the coherence of the academic portfolio, reducing unnecessary program overlap, and further leveraging the interdisciplinary approach that distinguishes the University.

The successful candidate will also contribute to student recruitment and enrolment growth efforts, particularly by enhancing the attractiveness of undergraduate programs. In the area of research, the Vice-Rector will be called upon to strengthen institutional support mechanisms, foster the development of scholarly activities, and increase the University’s research capacity in an environment where expectations regarding impact and funding continue to evolve.

Finally, the incumbent will contribute to further strengthening Saint Paul University’s distinctive identity and positioning within the Canadian higher education sector by promoting its unique mission, its bilingual character, its commitment to Francophone minority communities, and its expertise in specialized fields of study.

Ideal Profile
Saint Paul University is seeking a bilingual leader, fluent in both official languages, who is recognized for inspiring academic leadership, the ability to combine strategic vision with a people-centred approach, and the capacity to thrive in complex and evolving environments.

The successful candidate possesses a deep understanding of faculty realities and the collegial governance model characteristic of higher education institutions. They are able to bring diverse groups together around common objectives, facilitate dialogue across different organizational cultures, and build trust-based relationships that encourage collaboration and innovation.

The ideal candidate demonstrates a strong understanding of contemporary issues in higher education, including strategic enrolment management, academic program development, research, equity, diversity and inclusion, and the potential integration of emerging technologies and artificial intelligence into teaching and research.

An accessible, visible, and attentive leader, the successful candidate knows how to support teams while fostering autonomy and professional growth. They are recognized for their ability to solve complex problems, make thoughtful decisions, and mobilize talent around a shared vision.

The ideal candidate is fully committed to Saint Paul University’s mission and values and is inspired by the opportunity to contribute to the advancement of a bilingual, inclusive institution deeply dedicated to the common good.

A Committed and Inclusive Workplace
Saint Paul University is an equal opportunity employer. We strongly encourage applications from all qualified candidates, including those who are Indigenous, Black, racialized, 2SLGBTQI+, women, persons with disabilities, members of visible minorities and other equity-seeking groups. We value a workforce that reflects the communities we serve.  In keeping with Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada requirements, all qualified persons are invited to apply; however, preference will be given to Canadian citizens and permanent residents.

In keeping with the Accessibility for Ontarians with Disabilities Act, 2005, Boyden and Saint Paul University will provide accommodations upon request during the recruitment, selection and assessment process for candidates with a disability.

Submitting Your Application
Interested candidates are invited to submit their application package, including their curriculum vitae and any other relevant documentation, no later than Friday, July 31^st, 2026, to: [email protected], indicating the title of the position in the subject line of the email.

We thank all applicants for their interest in this position. Only those selected for an interview will be contacted.

Our recruiters review all applications and always make the final hiring decision. We may use AI-assisted tools to support the review of applications.