JOBS AT DALHOUSIE UNIVERSITY

Dalhousie University is seeking an experienced and accomplished academic leader for the Dean, Faculty of Agriculture and Campus Principal position.

Dalhousie University
Founded in 1818, Dalhousie is located in the Province of Nova Scotia (in the territory of Mi’kma’ki) with 21,000 students on four campuses in Halifax and Truro and satellite locations in Yarmouth and Saint John, New Brunswick. Nova Scotia is growing rapidly, and Halifax is one of Canada’s fastest-growing cities with a booming technology community and a diverse economy fueled by proximity to the Atlantic Ocean. With more than 6,600 employees, Dalhousie is one of Nova Scotia’s largest employers, and the university benefits locally, regionally, and nationally from a reputation as a high-quality employer. As we strengthen our important role in service to our province and communities, our strategic plan, Third Century Promise, signals our long-term ambitions while providing a clear, actionable strategy to guide us over five years.

As part of Canada’s U15 research-intensive universities, Dalhousie is a key driver of the region’s intellectual, social, and economic development. Dalhousie University’s first 200 years have seen it transform from a local centre of learning to an institution with global impact. At the dawn of its third century, Dalhousie is more relevant, connected, and vibrant than ever.

The Faculty of Agriculture and the Agricultural Campus
The Dalhousie Agricultural Campus is a geographically distinct campus, located in Bible Hill, Nova Scotia, approximately 100 km from the Dalhousie campuses in Halifax. The Faculty of Agriculture is currently the primary academic unit on the campus. The Faculty of Agriculture is home to a working farm, almost 250 ha (600 ac) of research fields, gardens and greenhouses, and is built on a proud history of industry-leading education and research since 1905. The Faculty has four departments supporting globally recognized researchers, and the campus is home to over 20 research centres, labs and groups from crop and livestock production to environmental sciences, engineering and social sciences.

For more than 100 years, the Faculty has provided agricultural-based programs from technical diplomas to masters-level degrees and PhDs as the Atlantic institution with the mandate for post-secondary education in agriculture. The Faculty’s unique programs combine the core disciplines of agricultural sciences with business management and innovative technology. The Faculty has an Extended Learning unit dedicated to providing continuing education services to the agricultural community, and an international office linking faculty and students with global opportunities.

The Agricultural Campus hosts the Truro Start program, a new pathways program that provides the opportunity for students to join a small cohort with dedicated resources and support to build a strong foundation in their chosen field before transitioning into their second and final years in Halifax. The Truro Start program currently offers programming from the Faculty of Computer Science, the Faculty of Science, and the Faculty of Arts and Social Sciences, with plans to add offerings from other Faculties in progress.

Reporting to the Provost and Vice-President, Academic, and in consultation with the President and Vice-Chancellor for all campus-wide responsibilities, the Dean, Faculty of Agriculture and Campus Principal provides strategic and operational leadership over the administrative and academic priorities of the Faculty and serves as the executive leader for the campus.

The Dean and Principal fosters an inclusive and respectful environment and develops and empowers faculty, staff and administrators to ensure continuous improvement and evolution of programs and services supporting student learning, needs, and success across campus. The Dean and Principal also actively embraces and promotes the values of equity, diversity, inclusion, accessibility and reconciliation within the Faculty and across campus. The Dean and Principal advocates for the Faculty and campus, building provincial, national, and international external partnerships and engaging with local community leaders, including playing a pivotal role in advancement and alumni relations development.

As the senior leader on the Dalhousie Agricultural Campus, the Dean and Campus Principal provides leadership to the campus through cooperation and collaboration with the vice presidents and fellow deans responsible for providing services and support to the campus. The Dean and Principal oversees all operations at the Agricultural Campus and ensures alignment with the overall university mission, vision, and strategic priorities. Leading an empowered team on campus, the Dean and Principal provides integrated delivery of administrative services and community engagement to local government, community groups, the private sector, and Indigenous communities.

Recognizing that no single candidate for the position is likely to meet all the following criteria in equal measure, these are the desirable criteria and will be used in the assessment of candidates.

Required:

Assets:​

For more information, including a copy of the Executive Brief, please contact Katherine Frank (kfrank@kbrs.ca) or Lauren Wright (lwright@kbrs.ca).

If you are interested in this opportunity, please apply online at www.kbrs.ca/career/17552.
The committee will begin review of applications on March 15, 2024 and will continue until the position is filled. It is recommended that candidates submit materials prior to this date. 

Dalhousie University commits to achieving inclusive excellence through continually championing equity, diversity, inclusion, and accessibility. The university encourages applications from Indigenous persons (especially Mi’kmaq), persons of Black/African descent (especially African Nova Scotians), and members of other racialized groups, persons with disabilities, women, and persons identifying as members of 2SLGBTQIA+ communities, and all candidates who would contribute to the diversity of our community. For more information, please visit www.dal.ca/hiringfordiversity.

Should you require an accommodation to participate fully in the recruitment process, please inform KBRS at accommodate@kbrs.ca.

All qualified applicants are encouraged to apply; however, Canadians and permanent residents will be given priority.