Director, School of Engineering

The University of Lethbridge (ULethbridge) is seeking a visionary leader for the inaugural Director to establish its School of Engineering within the Faculty of Arts and Science. Building on more than 40 years of delivering a first-year engineering transfer program in collaboration with the University of Alberta, ULethbridge is launching its first four-year Bachelor of Engineering degree in Integrated Engineering and is excited to accept the first intake of students in the Fall Semester of 2027. Reporting to the Dean, Faculty of Arts and Science, the Director will lead the development of a distinctive School with its own School Council and help shape the future of engineering education in southern Alberta.

The Director will oversee the strategic development of the School, from recruiting and supporting academic and technical staff, guiding curriculum and program development, to building internal and community partnerships, navigating successful national accreditation, and initiating research and graduate programming. Working collaboratively across the University, the Director will foster strong School governance, high-quality teaching and research, and the foundations for future graduate programming. This is a leadership opportunity for an academic innovator, relationship-builder, fundraiser, and strategic planner to shape the future of engineering education in southern Alberta.

An active advocate and ambassador for the School, the Director will build relationships with industry, government, Indigenous communities, alumni, donors, and research partners. They will advance foundational and applied research, attract external support, and help develop the facilities and partnerships needed for the School to thrive. The Director will establish an Industry Advisory Council and expand opportunities for cooperative education, internships, capstone projects, and other forms of work-integrated learning.

The Director will place students at the centre of the School’s development, creating an inclusive environment that welcomes diverse perspectives and connects engineering learning with real-world challenges. They will lead with respect and integrity, support collegial decision-making, and advance the University’s commitments to Indigenous engagement, sustainability, liberal education, accessibility, belonging, and community.

The successful candidate will hold a PhD in engineering and qualify for a tenured appointment at the rank of Associate Professor or Professor. They will be required to register as a professional engineer (P.Eng.) with the Association of Professional Engineers and Geoscientists of Alberta (APEGA). Applicants must have at least 10 years of experience teaching, conducting research, contributing to national accreditation requirements, and providing service in and to a four-year Canadian engineering degree program. A recognized scholar with academic leadership experience, the ideal candidate will bring the vision and practical judgment to build a new School, a record of securing external funding and developing partnerships, and an inclusive, collaborative approach to leading people through change. The appointment as Director, School of Engineering is for a five-year period with the possibility of renewal.

How to Apply
Janet Soles and Associates has been retained to conduct this search on behalf of the University of Lethbridge. For more information about this opportunity or to apply, please send an email in confidence to [email protected] with the subject line “Director, School of Engineering”. Applications should include a curriculum vitae and letter of interest.

About The University of Lethbridge
The University of Lethbridge is Iniskim, or Sacred Buffalo Stone, and is located in the heart of traditional Blackfoot Confederacy territory in southern Alberta. Thanks to a determined and forward-thinking group of citizens who believed southern Alberta warranted its own university, ULethbridge opened its doors in 1967 and established our home in west Lethbridge.  In 1996, the University opened its Calgary Campus. ULethbridge has supported the region, Alberta, and Canada through teaching, research, and outreach activities, and has prepared tens of thousands of graduates to make important contributions in communities around the world. 

Each year, ULethbridge welcomes approximately 8,000 undergraduate and graduate students from nearly 100 countries to our campuses in Lethbridge and Calgary. Today, approximately 55,000 ULethbridge alumni are making important contributions in communities across the globe.

We are an inclusive university that values diverse experiences and backgrounds, ensuring all students find their place and purpose here. Our people are our greatest strength, and we are dedicated to fostering growth and success for both our students and employees.

Leveraging the depth of student engagement enabled by our smaller size, we distinguish ourselves by holding the undergraduate and graduate student experience at the forefront of our exceptional teaching, research, and support activities. Our liberal education approach enables students and alumni to critically integrate ideas and experiences across disciplines, equipping them with the adaptive thinking and the skills necessary to navigate, succeed, and contribute in a rapidly changing world.

We are a public comprehensive university, with campuses in Lethbridge and Calgary, deeply committed to excellence and free inquiry in research, teaching and learning, and to supporting the aspirations of regional communities while having a global impact. We forge and strengthen meaningful connections within and between our communities, both on and off campus, and with our alumni community. Together we transform lives and communities.

In 2025, ULethbridge launched its new strategic plan, a shared vision to challenge boundaries and inspire curiosity; be a place where people aspire to learn, work, and contribute; engage communities and shape the future. To learn more, please visit: https://www.ulethbridge.ca/strategic-plan

The University of Lethbridge invites applications from all qualified candidates; however, in accordance with Canadian immigration requirements, Canadian citizens and permanent residents will be given preference.

The University of Lethbridge is committed to providing an inclusive and barrier-free work environment, including through all aspects of the hiring process. If you require support during the hiring process, please contact Human Resources at [email protected] so that accommodations can be put in place to support you. All private information received in relation to your request for support will be kept confidential, only information required to facilitate the accommodation will be shared with the selection committee.

About Lethbridge
Living and benefiting from the Blackfoot Confederacy’s traditional territory, Iniskim (ULethbridge) acknowledges and deeply appreciates the Siksikaitsitapi peoples’ connection to their traditional territory and honour the traditions of the Blackfoot people who have cared for this land since time immemorial. Home to more than 100,000 people, Lethbridge is a place where ideas grow. It is a culturally vibrant city with a flourishing arts scene and an active social calendar. We boast stunning scenery, four distinct seasons, spectacular sunrises and glowing sunsets that illuminate Alberta’s big sky. The University sits on the beautiful coulees, looking over the Old Man River. Lethbridge is only two hours from Calgary’s International Airport and a short drive to the mountainous Waterton Lakes National Park. Lethbridge is an affordable city, with many beautiful neighborhoods on both sides of the coulees and well-planned parks connected via walking and biking paths.