Dalhousie University is seeking a visionary, collegial administrative leader with a record of scholarly and professional excellence, as our next Dean, Schulich School of Law.
About Dalhousie and the Schulich School of Law
Dalhousie University combines innovative research, meaningful teaching and a deep sense of social responsibility. Located in Nova Scotia, Canada (Mi'kma'ki) with four campuses in Halifax and Truro, and satellite locations in Yarmouth and Saint John, New Brunswick, our broad range of academic programs attract and retain a diverse mix of talented and hard-working students, scholars, researchers, and staff who work together with interdisciplinary perspective and a focus on service. Our 13 academic Faculties expand understanding through teaching excellence and a drive for discovery that results in more than $214 million in research funding each year. As Atlantic Canada's primary research-intensive university and a member of the U15 Group of Canadian Universities, we are focused on providing a unique, interactive and collaborative environment that supports all our students, faculty, and staff to achieve excellence. With more than 6,000 employees, Dalhousie’s global reputation attracts a skilled international workforce and the university benefits from a reputation as a high-quality employer. Last year, Dalhousie launched our new Strategic Plan, Third Century Promise, which signals our long-term ambitions while providing a clear, actionable strategy to guide us over the course of five years.
The Schulich School of Law is a vibrant, collegial, and close-knit community of faculty and students from around the world. We live the Weldon Tradition of unselfish public service – of giving back and making the world a better place. The Schulich School of Law plays an extraordinary role in Canadian and international legal education. We are a national law school with an international reputation. With over 7,800 alumni, the School attracts talented students from every region of the country and from around the world into JD, combined JD/Masters, LLM, and PhD programs. Forty-five regular faculty, 11 holding research chairs, are part of a vibrant, collegial team of 150+ faculty and employees that provide a first-class legal education to its diverse student body. We graduateleaders. Our alumni practice every kind of law, hold every form of government office, teach in law schools, innovate in the provision of private and public sector legal services and in business, advance policy in the executive branch of governments, render decisions on courts across the country, and offer service to non-governmental bodies and non-profit and community organizations.
The Role
Reporting to the Provost and Vice-President Academic, the Dean is a key member of the university’s senior leadership team. The Dean has primary responsibility for setting strategy in pursuit of the academic mission of the school and ensuring the alignment of the School’s budget with that strategy. Recognizing that the people of the School are the primary engine of its excellence in the academic mission, the Dean supports the recruitment and development of faculty, staff, and students and fosters a collegial and respectful environment, playing a leadership role in relation to equity, diversity, inclusion, and accessibility. The Dean also advocates on behalf of the School and actively builds relationships internally and externally, including playing a key role in fundraising and alumni relations development. The new Dean will be expected to not only build upon the existing strengths of the School, but also facilitate the development of future strategic direction and continue the School’s leadership as a provider of innovative undergraduate and graduate legal education.
The Ideal Candidate
You have significant experience as a leader, scholar and administrator within an academic institution as well as legal experience outside academia from private practice, community and/or public service. You hold a law degree, preferably at the graduate level, with an accomplished record of teaching, scholarly, and research achievements as well as expertise working within a common law legal system. You bring a breadth of experience and proven leadership in equity, diversity, inclusion, and accessibility (EDIA) and Indigenization, and will work in partnership with members of the School, other senior leaders, and with community to deepen the School’s commitments in these areas. You are a collegial and collaborative people leader who will further build community and engagement across all members of the School. You have the required financial acumen to lead a large Faculty and are comfortable with revenue generation activities including fundraising, and government, private and community partnership building. You havea demonstrated commitment to unselfish public service in the Weldon tradition and advocatingfor the legal profession and legal justice issues.
Application Instructions
The appointment of the Dean is for five years, renewable, and is anticipated to commence July 1, 2023. Consideration of candidates will begin immediately.
For a detailed brief and/or to apply in confidence (include a cover letter, curriculum vitae, and completed Self-Identification Questionnaire) contact Heather Fookes at Leaders International Executive Search, [email protected]. A complete application must include a Self-Identification Questionnaire which can be found at Dal Self-Id.
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, persons identifying as members of 2SLGBTQ+ communities, and all candidates who would contribute to the diversity of our community. For more information, please visit https://www.dal.ca/dept/hr/employment_equity/fair-hiring-practices.html
In accordance with the provincial legislation, accommodation will be provided by Leaders International and Dalhousie University throughout the recruitment, selection and/or assessment process, upon request, to applicants with disabilities
Application Deadline: February 8, 2023