Dean, Faculty of Health, University of Waterloo

The University of Waterloo invites applications, nominations, and expressions of interest for the position of Dean, Faculty of Health, with the appointment to be effective July 1, 2027. This is an exciting opportunity to lead an innovative and interdisciplinary Faculty whose research and teaching enhances all aspects of quality of life for individuals, communities, and populations.

The University of Waterloo is a leading global research-intensive institution that contributes to local and global prosperity. It is home to a renowned talent pipeline, game-changing research and technology, and an unmatched entrepreneurial culture. Together with the world’s largest co-operative education program in a research-intensive university, these differentiating strengths allow its students and faculty to create solutions that tackle today’s challenges and transform the future. The University’s north campus has been selected to be the site for the new regional hospital, opening up exciting opportunities for education and research partnerships in health. The University has built an extensive network of healthcare and industry collaboration, generated nearly 20 percent of tech founders in Canada, and delivers a dynamic learning experience for more than 42,000 undergraduate and graduate students. Waterloo is at the forefront of innovation and is home to transformational research and inspired learning. Located in the heart of Canada's technology hub, the University is growing a network of global partnerships that will shape the future by working beyond disciplines and building bridges with industry, institutions, and communities. Waterloo at 100 outlines the University’s strategic visioning.

The best and brightest are drawn to the University of Waterloo for the opportunity to collaborate with, and be elevated by, a world-class peer group with enviable rankings. Waterloo is cited as “one of the world’s top technology schools” and has been ranked by peers as Canada’s most innovative university for 30 of the last 33 years. The Faculty of Health intersects with the Faculties of Arts, Engineering, Environment, Mathematics, and Science to explore the human condition, frame the experiences of a rapidly changing world, and help make sense of it to address the world's biggest challenges. Strategic integration of teaching and academic excellence, experiential education, entrepreneurial spirit, and impact-driven and foundational research make the University of Waterloo one of the most relevant, connected, and innovative institutions in the world.

The vision of the Faculty of Health is a healthier world with the mission to promote and protect health and well-being through excellence in education and research, and through advocacy, collaboration, and partnerships. Its three academic units (School of Public Health Sciences, Kinesiology and Health Sciences, and Recreation and Leisure Studies) are home to approximately 867 full- and part-time graduate and 2,775 undergraduate students, 84 faculty members (50% female; 15 research chairs) and 90 staff members, including research staff. The Faculty of Health offers a variety of undergraduate and graduate degrees and professional programs, in addition to online degrees and collaborative PhD programs, and has more than 17,000 accomplished alumni.

With funding across all three Tri-Agencies and external organizations, the Faculty of Health hosts collaborative, high impact research groups including the Centre of Research Expertise for the Prevention of Musculoskeletal Disorders (CRE-MSD), Centre for Community, Clinical and Applied Research Excellence (CCCARE), Healthy Communities Research Network (HCRN), Network for Aging Research (NAR), Aging and Innovation Research Program (AIRP), and interRAI Canada. The University of Waterloo is a founding partner of the Schlegel-UW Research Institute for Aging (RIA).

Reporting to the Vice-President, Academic & Provost and participating as a member of Waterloo’s senior administration, the Dean of the Faculty of Health provides visionary strategic direction, academic planning leadership, and administrative oversight to further the Faculty’s teaching, research, and advancement initiatives. Committed to the success and development of students, faculty, and staff, the new Dean will successfully manage the Faculty’s human, physical, financial, and administrative resources. Working collaboratively with academic, community, alumni, and both private and public sector partners, the new Dean will continue to raise the impact, resources, and reputation of the Faculty.  

The successful candidate will be an accomplished leader and academic with strong achievements in teaching, innovative research, and external relations. With proven academic leadership experience and a record of building strong teams, the new Dean will possess an open and collegial style, a creative approach to problem solving, outstanding management, communication and interpersonal skills, and the ability to identify and generate new sources of funding. The new Dean will be able to promote excellence, equity, diversity, and inclusion amongst all faculty, staff, and students, while relating successfully to a range of internal and external partners.

The University of Waterloo acknowledges that much of our work takes place on the traditional territory of the Neutral, Anishinaabeg, and Haudenosaunee peoples. Our Waterloo campus is situated on the Haldimand Tract, the land granted to the Six Nations that includes six miles on each side of the Grand River. Our active work toward reconciliation takes place across our campuses through research, learning, teaching, and community building, and is co-ordinated within the Office of Indigenous Relations.

The University values the diverse and intersectional identities of its students, faculty, and staff. The University regards equity and diversity as an integral part of academic excellence and is committed to accessibility for all employees. The University of Waterloo seeks applicants who embrace our values of equity, anti-racism and inclusion.  As such, we encourage applications from candidates who have been historically disadvantaged and marginalized, including applicants who identify as First Nations, Métis and/or Inuk (Inuit), Black, racialized, a person with a disability, women and/or 2SLGBTQ+. All qualified candidates are encouraged to apply; however, Canadians and permanent residents will be given priority. 

The University of Waterloo is committed to achieving barrier free accessibility for persons with disabilities studying, visiting and/or working at Waterloo. Waterloo stands by the responsibility to acknowledge, communicate, and promote an understanding of the complexity and uniqueness of the University of Waterloo’s campus community, presenting the ideals by which campus members should engage one another – with respect, sensitivity, and fairness – and to fostering an accessible campus environment for persons with disabilities. Learn more about Policy 58. If you have any application, interview, or workplace accommodation requests, please contact Human Resources at hrhelp@uwaterloo.ca  or 519-888-4567, ext. 45935 

The consultants will begin review of candidates immediately, with committee consultation beginning early in the new year. The search will continue until the position is successfully filled, ideally by July 1, 2027. Applications should include a letter of interest, curriculum vitae, and the names (not letters) of three references (who will not be contacted without the consent of the candidate), and should be submitted in confidence to the University’s executive search consultants:

Laverne Smith & Associates Inc.

WaterlooHealth@lavernesmith.com