Provost and Vice-President, Academic

The University of Saskatchewan’s main campus is situated on Treaty 6 Territory and the Homeland of the Métis. We pay our respects to the First Nations and Métis ancestors of this place and reaffirm our relationship with one another. Guided by ohpahotân | oohpaahotaan, the University’s Indigenous Strategy, the University of Saskatchewan is deeply committed to fostering a supportive, inclusive, and collaborative academic environment.

The University of Saskatchewan (USask) is one of Canada’s leading research-intensive, medical-doctoral universities and a member of the U15 Group of Canadian Research Universities. Home to more than 26,000 students and 7,000 faculty and staff, USask is a vibrant academic community committed to discovery, student success, and meaningful societal impact. With more than 200 programs across a comprehensive range of disciplines, USask combines academic breadth with a strong culture of interdisciplinary collaboration. The University is also deeply committed to international engagement, leveraging global partnerships, internationally enriched learning experiences, and collaborative research that amplify the University’s impact and contribute to addressing complex challenges around the world. Its research strengths - spanning food security, water security, energy, and human, animal, and environmental health - are supported by over $400 million in annual research funding and world-class infrastructure, including the Canadian Light Source (the country’s only synchrotron facility), the Global Institute for Food Security, the Global Institute for Water Security, the Sylvia Fedoruk Centre for Nuclear Innovation, and the Vaccine and Infectious Disease Organization (VIDO), a national leader in infectious disease research and pandemic preparedness.

The University of Saskatchewan is developing a new strategic plan to guide its focus, growth, and impact to 2035. Grounded in Saskatchewan’s people, place, strengths, and opportunities, the heart of this initiative is built on the belief that USask’s most meaningful global contributions will emerge from its local context. Leveraging what Saskatchewan has and what Saskatchewan does well, the University can identify where it is best positioned to make a distinctive impact on the global stage. To inform this work, USask is consulting broadly with internal and external stakeholders. To date, USask has engaged over 3,000 faculty, staff and students, industry executives, donors, alumni, community, and government officials. These perspectives are helping the institution coalesce around bold ideas that will shape its direction for the next decade.

With new Presidential leadership, a refreshed strategic direction, and significant institutional momentum, USask is at a pivotal moment in its evolution and is seeking a visionary and collaborative leader as its next Provost and Vice-President, Academic. This is a uniquely compelling opportunity for a new Provost to shape the academic direction of a globally engaged, research-intensive university.

Reporting to the President and serving as USask’s Chief Academic Officer, the Provost and Vice-President, Academic provides institution-wide leadership in shaping and advancing the University’s academic strategy, including teaching and learning, student and faculty recruitment, academic policies and structures, and faculty relations. The Provost also oversees Indigenous Engagement, the Library and the University’s Galleries & Museums. They will work closely with Deans, faculty, and partners to foster academic excellence, advance innovation in teaching and learning, and deliver an exceptional student experience. The Provost supports effective university resource planning and financial sustainability in close partnership with the CFO, as part of the Strategic Finance Committee; collaborates closely with the Vice-President Research to align and integrate the University’s overall teaching, learning and research missions; and, contributes to university-wide decision-making as part of the President’s Executive Committee. The role also involves engagement with government and external partners, while exemplifying the University’s core values of collegiality, equity, inclusivity, integrity, and respect.

The ideal candidate is a respected academic leader with a record of scholarship and extensive senior leadership experience in a complex university environment. They bring deep credibility in teaching, research, and academic leadership, along with an understanding of the Canadian higher education landscape. A strategic, collegial, and values-driven leader, they excel at translating vision into action, aligning academic priorities with resources, and fostering transparent, inclusive decision-making. They are an effective communicator and relationship builder who values shared governance, actively engages faculty, staff, and students, builds trust across communities, and fosters strong relationships both within and beyond the University, promoting a culture of respect and accountability. Deeply committed to student success, teaching excellence, and research impact, the successful candidate advances a clear academic vision while embedding equity, diversity, inclusion, and Indigenization into all aspects of the academic enterprise.

Inquiries and/or nominations can be submitted, in confidence, to Andrea Patrick and Krutika Hotwani of Odgers at USaskProvost@odgers.com.

This is a publicly advertised job posting for an existing vacancy. Applications by way of a curriculum vitae and letter of interest are encouraged immediately and by August 7, 2026, through this link:  https://careers.odgers.com/en-ca/31161.

The University of Saskatchewan aspires to be what the world needs and embraces equity, diversity and inclusion as foundational to excellence and innovation. We actively seek to create a welcoming environment where all individuals feel empowered to thrive, contribute, and grow. Applications from equity-deserving groups are encouraged as part of our ongoing efforts to reflect the diversity of the communities we serve.

All qualified applicants are encouraged to apply; however, in accordance with Canadian immigration requirements, Canadians and permanent residents will be given priority.

The University of Saskatchewan continues to grow our partnerships with Indigenous communities across the province, nationally, and internationally and value the unique perspective that Indigenous employees provide to strengthen these relationships. Verification of Indigenous Membership/Citizenship at the University of Saskatchewan is led and determined by the deybwewin | taapwaywin | tapwewin: Indigenous Truth policy and Standing Committee in accordance with the processes developed to enact the policy. Successful candidates that assert Indigenous membership/citizenship will be asked to complete the verification process of Indigenous membership/citizenship with documentation.

The University of Saskatchewan and Odgers are committed to providing accommodations to those with a disability or medical necessity. If you require an accommodation to participate in the recruitment process, please notify Odgers at USaskProvost@odgers.com.

The committee that oversees the search process is prescribed by the Search and Review for Senior Administrators Policy. The committee plays an integral role in ensuring the process follows the principles outlined in the Policy, reviewing the position profile, and interviewing viable candidates for the position.

As per the Policy, the search committee is comprised of:

• Vince Bruni-Bossio
• Scott Banda
• Robert Henderson
• Nazeem Muhajarine
• Lori Birrell
• Ralph Deters
• Jason Perepelkin
• Shaun Murphy
• Walter Siqueira
• Dee Henne
• Ashley Mendez Rosales
• Palash Roy

• Office of the Provost and Vice-President Academic