President & CEO

Universities Canada is located in Ottawa, un-ceded Anishinabe Algonquin territory. The peoples of the Anishinabe Algonquin Nation have lived on this territory for millennia. Their culture and presence have nurtured and continue to nurture this land. We honour the peoples and land of the Anishinabe Algonquin Nation and honour all First Nations, Inuit and Métis peoples and their valuable past and present contributions to this land. _

Universities Canada is the voice of Canadian universities, with a mandate to foster and promote the interests of Canadian higher education, at home and abroad. Universities Canada provides Canadian university leaders with a unified voice and strong advocacy for higher education, research and innovation. Universities Canada advances the mission of its member institutions to transform lives, strengthen communities and find solutions to the most pressing challenges facing the world. Based in Ottawa, near Parliament Hill, Universities Canada is a membership-based organization with 97 member institutions drawn from every Canadian province.

The organization's five main priority areas are: advocating for Canadian universities at the federal level; providing a forum for university leaders to share ideas and address challenges in higher education; supporting students by providing online information on university study and offering scholarships on behalf of public and private sector organizations; promoting Canadian universities abroad (international student recruitment, exchange of best practices and information sharing with international counterpart organizations); and, fostering collaboration among universities, governments, the private sector, communities and international partners to help build a better world.

Reporting to a 13-member Board of Directors, the President and Chief Executive Officer provides the strategic and visionary leadership of the organization. Acting as the main spokesperson, the President & CEO ensures the organization's short
- and long-term sustainability through the development of strong government advocacy strategies that represent the interests of Canadian universities to federal ministers, departments of the federal government, parliamentary committees, and task forces concerned with higher education, talent development, research, innovation and other topics of importance to universities. To achieve this goal, the President & CEO hosts a number of annual events for members, forges strategic alliances with likeminded organizations in Canada and internationally, facilitates cohesion with respect to federal government programs and initiatives that affect all of its member universities' operations and administration, and represents Canadian universities to domestic and foreign governments, institutions and media. The President & CEO plays a key role in supporting the Executive Heads by offering training and leadership development opportunities, and by providing sound guidance for the diverse 97 member universities who can hold similar or different views, perspectives, and priorities. The President & CEO leads an established and highly professional team and works closely with the Senior Management Committee (SMC) to ensure that the organization respects the highest standards in its relations with Indigenous Peoples, Accessibility and in promoting Equity, Diversity and Inclusion.

Universities Canada is committed to advancing equity, diversity, inclusion and anti-racism in all aspects of its work. It recognizes and upholds its responsibility to advance truth and reconciliation with First Nations, Métis and Inuit people. Universities Canada seeks to empower all members of its organization and is committed to removing all barriers to personal and collective success that are caused by inequality, discrimination, social injustice and racial trauma. It is working to create an environment that fosters greater awareness of inclusive practices, enables open communication and cultivates strong collaborative relationships.

Universities Canada and Griffith Group Executive Search are committed to an inclusive, accessible and welcoming hiring process that provides reasonable accommodation to all applicants. Please advise Jane Griffith ( ) should you require any accommodation to participate in the recruitment processes.

Please be advised that only those invited for an interview will be contacted. Universities Canada reserves the right not to fill this position.