Vice-president, Francophonie and external andcommunity relations

Vice-president, Francophonie and external andcommunity relations University of Ottawa, Ottawa Closing Date: February 4, 2026 Job Description About the University of Ottawa The University of Ottawa is a unique educational institution with a distinct identity, rootedin an outstanding ecosystem. It is the only bilingual research-intensive university in Canada, the largest French-Englishbilingual university in the world and an institution open to the languages and knowledgeof Indigenous peoples and the entire world. These three elements allow it to providestudents and employees with an environment that is linguistically, culturally andacademically open and diverse. Among the five top universities in Canada for research intensity, the University of Ottawais a key centre of power, leadership and change in the heart of a G7 capital, and, in abilingual city, at the intersection of scholarship, business and policy. It is just steps awayfrom Canada’s most important democratic institutions. It benefits from a worldwidenetwork of ambassadors, internationally-renowned hospitals and national researchagencies, a major arts sector and a flourishing business community. It has a presence inKanata North, the country’s largest tech park, where its campus continues to grow. This crossroads of scholarship, business and politics is the motor that drives its 50,000students and over 6,000 professors and administrative staff to constantly aim higher, tospur innovation and transform society. In total, professors and researchers attract over$500 million in research funding annually. Purpose The vice-presidency, Francophonie and external and community relations, reflects thevision of a university rooted in the community, meeting the latter’s needs and deriving thebenefits. The University builds on its unique identity and outstanding ecosystem to offer its studentsa world-class education, maintain its research intensity and make a transformationalimpact. Reporting to the president and vice-chancellor, the vice-presidency, Francophonie andexternal and community relations has two essential components. The first is promoting Francophone culture, growing the relationships with the diverseFrancophone communities and strengthening the University’s leadership in terms of theFrancophonie. The latter is historically rooted on both sides of the Ottawa River, in FrenchOntario as much as in Québec, and has an extended reach to the Francophone minoritycommunities in the rest of Canada, as well to international Francophone organizations. The Vice-President’s mandate will include implementing a Francophonie-related vision andaction plan along with the community. The second component deals with external and community relations. This includes therelationships with Francophone partners, but it goes beyond this to include relations withgovernment - municipal, provincial and federal - and with community groups and publicand private-sector partners in the National Capital Region and, more broadly, in Ontarioand the rest of Canada. Key responsibilities The new Vice-President will work with the various stakeholders to identify potential newstrategic partnerships and facilitate the implementation of initiatives to enrich our teachingand research, to raise the University’s profile, but also to best meet the needs of the societyin which we live. The incumbent will thus be expected to create synergies with Universityleadership and all academic and administrative units. These synergies will lead toinnovative projects, initiatives, policies and programs that will heighten the University’sreputation and positioning locally, provincially nationally and internationally. As well, this vice-presidency will help strengthen uOttawa’s leadership within theFrancophonie, enhance its links with Francophone minority communities across Canada aswell in Quebec and abroad and raise the University’s profile beyond the campus. It will alsobe an opportunity to act on its commitment to an inclusive, bold university deeply rootedin and committed to the Francophonie and the community. Target candidate profile The vice-president, Francophonie and external and community relations, will have provenmanagement expertise in complex settings, as well as a keen understanding of thediversity of Francophone communities in Ontario and across Canada. The vice-presidentwill be comfortable with the workings of strategic positioning, reputation management, andgovernment and community relations, and able to motivate through compelling narratives. This person will excel in establishing lasting and productive partnerships will a wide rangeof interested parties. Through the ability to inspire, persuade and motivate people, theincumbent will help strengthen the University community’s cohesion and support aninstitution responsive to its milieu. Driven by a deep commitment towards a diverse Francophonie and the University’smission, the incumbent will be appreciated for diplomacy, good judgment andunimpeachable integrity. Guided by a strategic, equity-seeking approach, this person willcontribute to the growth of an inclusive, caring and welcoming workplace, where respectand recognition are an essential foundation. Finally, with advanced skills in communication in both official languages and in interpersonalrelations, the incumbent will know how to navigate the institutional and political complexitiesof the university environment with sensitivity, and to cultivate mutually beneficial relationshipswith governments, community partners and the broader community. A committed, inclusive workplace The University of Ottawa is committed to diversity and inclusion in the workplace. As aninstitution, it is passionate about its people and dedicated to employment equity. It fostersa culture of respect, collaboration and inclusion, where teamwork, innovation and creativityfuel its quest for excellence in both teaching and research. The University of Ottawa and Boyden will strive to offer applicants a barrier-free processand do whatever is possible to meet their individual needs. Accommodations are thusavailable on request. A request for accommodation will not affect a person’s candidacy. Interested persons are invited to email their CV and all other relevant documents tomgaudreault@boyden.com byFriday, February 6, 2026, indicating the position title in the subject line of your message. We thank all applicants for their interest. However, only candidates selected for aninterview will be contacted. Our recruiters review all applications and always make the final hiring decision. Onoccasion, we may use AI-assisted tools to help review applications. #J-18808-Ljbffr