President and Vice-Chancellor

Wilfrid Laurier University•Waterloo, ON

4d•Onsite

About The Position

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.

Requirements

Established academic leader with a record of scholarly achievement.
Senior academic leadership within a complex, publicly funded post-secondary institution.
Strong orientation to long-term strategy.
Decisive leadership.
Ability to navigate complexity with nuance, transparency, sound judgment, and an innovative mindset.
Authentic, accessible, and highly visible.
Deep commitment to collegial governance and academic freedom.
Genuine dedication to the student experience.
Personal commitment to equity, diversity, inclusion, accessibility, and Indigenous engagement.

Nice To Haves

Experience in fundraising.
Experience in advancing government and community partnerships.
Experience building meaningful connections across diverse communities.

Responsibilities

Define and advance an ambitious vision for the future of Wilfrid Laurier University.
Inspire the institution toward its next phase of growth, influence, and impact.
Foster an environment where academic innovation, research excellence, student success, interdisciplinarity, entrepreneurship, and community engagement thrive.
Champion a future-focused agenda that positions Laurier to anticipate and respond to emerging societal, technological, and economic change.
Elevate Laurier’s profile and strengthen its reputation as a dynamic and collaborative institution with growing national and international influence.
Cultivate strategic relationships with governments, donors, alumni, Indigenous communities, industry leaders, and community partners.
Guide Laurier through a complex and evolving landscape, ensuring the university remains resilient, aspirational, and well positioned for its next chapter.
Build and sustain trusted relationships with students, faculty, staff, and the Board of Governors, fostering confidence, collaboration, and shared purpose across the university community.
Be an inspiring and empowering mentor to the senior team.
Champion Wilfrid Laurier University as a destination for academic excellence, leadership, and a differentiated student experience.
Strengthen fundraising success.
Advance government and community partnerships.
Build meaningful connections across the diverse communities Laurier calls home through its multi-campus presence.