President and Vice-Chancellor

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Wilfrid Laurier University (Laurier) invites nominations and applications for the position of President and Vice-Chancellor, an exceptional opportunity to lead a distinctive, student-centered and research-engaged multi-campus university at an exciting moment in its evolution.

Guided by the Laurier Strategy, Wilfrid Laurier University is preparing people to thrive as engaged global citizens equipped to address the world’s most pressing challenges. Anchored by the interconnected priorities of thriving community and future-readiness, Laurier is addressing emerging societal needs while building on longstanding institutional strengths in academic excellence, research, partnerships, and community engagement. Distinguished by a deeply connected and differentiated student experience, a vibrant culture of belonging, and growing academic and research impact, Laurier is redefining what a modern Canadian university can be - expanding its relevance, advancing innovation, and deepening its local and global impact across the communities it serves and beyond.

The current context presents a rare opportunity for a visionary and collaborative leader to shape the future of the university, building on strong momentum, a connected community, a clear sense of purpose, and an unwavering focus on the success of its students and communities. At a time of significant change across higher education and within Canada, the President will articulate a bold, forward-looking institutional vision that builds on Laurier’s foundational strengths in academic excellence, the student experience, research, partnerships, and community across its dynamic multi-campus environment.

Reporting to the Chair of the Board of Governors, and working closely with the senior leadership team, Senate, faculty, staff, students, alumni, and external partners, the President will define and advance an ambitious vision for the future of Wilfrid Laurier University. Building on Laurier’s distinctive culture and strengths across its multi-campus system, the President will inspire the institution toward its next phase of growth, influence, and impact, fostering an environment where academic innovation, research excellence, student success, interdisciplinarity, entrepreneurship, and community engagement thrive. The President will champion a future-focused agenda that positions Laurier to anticipate and respond to emerging societal, technological, and economic change while remaining deeply committed to inclusivity, accessibility, academic freedom, and an exceptional student experience.

As the university’s principal ambassador, the President will elevate Laurier’s profile and strengthen its reputation as a dynamic and collaborative institution with growing national and international influence. Leveraging the strong momentum already underway across the university, the President will cultivate strategic relationships with governments, donors, alumni, Indigenous communities, industry leaders, and community partners to expand Laurier’s reach and define new possibilities for partnership, innovation, and impact. With strategic vision, engaging institutional leadership, and financial acumen, the President will guide Laurier through a complex and evolving landscape, ensuring the university remains resilient, aspirational, and well positioned for its next chapter.

Laurier’s next President will be an established academic leader with a record of scholarly achievement and senior academic leadership within a complex, publicly funded post-secondary institution. They will bring a strong orientation to long-term strategy, decisive leadership, and the ability to navigate complexity with nuance, transparency, sound judgment, and an innovative mindset. Authentic, accessible, and highly visible, the President will demonstrate a deep commitment to collegial governance and academic freedom. They will build and sustain trusted relationships with students, faculty, staff, and the Board of Governors, fostering confidence, collaboration, and shared purpose across the university community while paving the way for deeper impact and innovation.

They will be an inspiring and empowering mentor to the senior team; bring a genuine dedication to the student experience; and exemplify a personal commitment to equity, diversity, inclusion, accessibility, and Indigenous engagement. As an outward-facing leader, the President will champion Wilfrid Laurier University as a destination for academic excellence, leadership, and a differentiated student experience, strengthening fundraising success, advancing government and community partnerships, and building meaningful connections across the diverse communities Laurier calls home through its multi-campus presence.

Laurier has partnered with Andrea Patrick, Julia Robarts, and Krutika Hotwani of Odgers for this recruitment. For details on how to apply, please visit https://careers.odgers.com/en-ca/job/30907. Applications are encouraged immediately and no later than September 18, 2026. The new President will take office in July 2027. For a conversation in confidence or to submit inquiries or nominations, please write to the National Education Practice at Odgers at [email protected].

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Wilfrid Laurier University strives to improve its relationship with the land and people with whom we share it. As such, it is important to further our understanding of the long-standing history that has brought Laurier to reside on the land, and to seek to understand our place within that history.

Laurier’s Kitchener-Waterloo, Brantford and Milton campuses are close to 18 First Nations communities and 12 Métis councils. The Six Nations of the Grand River and Mississaugas of the Credit First Nations are only a 15-minute drive from our Brantford campus.

Acknowledging them reminds us of our important connection to this land where we live, learn and work. We recognize, honour and respect these Nations as the traditional stewards, since time immemorial, of the lands and water on which Laurier is now present.

Laurier's Waterloo and Brantford campuses are located on the shared traditional territory of the Neutral, Anishnaabe (Anish-nah-bay) and Haudenosaunee (Hoe-den-no-show-nee) peoples. This land is part of the Dish with One Spoon Treaty between the Haudenosaunee and Anishnaabe peoples and symbolizes the agreement to share, protect our resources and not to engage in conflict.

From the Haldimand Proclamation of Oct. 25, 1784, this territory is described as: “six miles deep from each side of the river (Grand River) beginning at Lake Erie and extending in the proportion to the Head of said river, which them and their posterity are to enjoy forever.” The proclamation was signed by the British with their allies, the Six Nations, after the American Revolution. Despite being the largest reserve demographically in Canada, those nations now reside on less than five per cent of this original territory.

Laurier's Milton campus is located on the traditional territory of the Mississaugas of the Credit, and part of the Nanfan Treaty of 1701 between the British Crown and the Haudenosaunee Confederacy. We continue to work with our Indigenous partners and colleagues to ensure that we are appropriately acknowledging those lands and their stewardship.

Founded in 1911, Wilfrid Laurier University is a leading multi‑campus institution recognized for academic excellence, an outstanding student experience, and a rapidly expanding research profile across its ten Faculties and Schools. Ranked among the top 13% of universities globally in the Times Higher Education University Impact Rankings, Laurier serves more than 20,000 undergraduate and graduate students across campuses in Waterloo, Brantford, and Milton. The university is home to 2100 faculty and staff, and offers more than 100 undergraduate, graduate, and professional programs.

Laurier combines a personalized, community‑focused learning environment with growing research strength, supported by 23 research centres and institutes, 13 Canada Research Chairs, a Yellowknife office that serves as a vital hub for cold regions research and Laurier’s longstanding partnership with the Government of the Northwest Territories, and strong external funding. Known for the quality of its student experience, teaching excellence, experiential learning, and interdisciplinary research, Laurier is deeply committed to equity, diversity, inclusion, accessibility, Indigenous engagement, and meaningful community impact in Canada and beyond.

Equity, diversity and creating a culture of inclusion are part of Laurier’s core values and central to the Laurier Strategy. Laurier is committed to increasing the diversity of faculty and staff and welcomes applications from candidates who identify as Indigenous, racialized, having disabilities, and from persons of any minority sexual and gender identities.

Please advise Odgers at [email protected] if you require accommodation at any stage in the search process.