The University of Manitoba campuses and research spaces are located on original lands of Anishinaabeg, Ininiwak, Anisininewuk, Dakota Oyate, Dene and Inuit, and on the National Homeland of the Red River Métis.
UM recognizes that the Treaties signed on these lands are a lifelong, enduring relationship, and we are dedicated to upholding their spirit and intent. We acknowledge the harms and mistakes of the past and the present. With this understanding, we commit to supporting Indigenous excellence through active Reconciliation, meaningful change, and the creation of an environment where everyone can thrive. Our collaboration with Indigenous communities is grounded in respect and reciprocity and this guides how we move forward as an institution.
The University of Manitoba invites applications, nominations, and expressions of interest for the position of Dean, I.H. Asper School of Business, with the appointment to be effective, ideally by July 1, 2027.
The University of Manitoba thrives as a place where challenges are embraced. It is the oldest university in Western Canada, celebrating 150 years in 2027. Since 1877, the University’s world-class research and outstanding student experience have made an indelible impact on Manitoba, Canada, and the world. The University offers more than 250 programs - more than any other post-secondary institution in Manitoba. This includes providing 100+ undergraduate and nearly 150 graduate programs to over 30,000 students, of which 19.7% are international students representing over 123 countries. The University of Manitoba is a vibrant, diverse, and impactful community of world-class researchers who share their expertise locally, nationally, and internationally. Researchers participate in over 50 research centres and institutes and are engaged with community and industry partners to advance knowledge and address pressing issues. The University has over 10,000 faculty and staff, and more than 228,000 alumni across Canada and 137 different countries. Contributing $7.3 billion in overall economic impact in Manitoba and attracting more than $200 million annually in sponsored research income, the University is located on two campuses in the city of Winnipeg, Manitoba’s culturally diverse capital area with a population of almost one million. Winnipeg offers a high quality of life with affordable housing, a long heritage of diverse cultural activities, and numerous recreational opportunities.
Reporting to the Provost and Vice-President (Academic), and as a member of the university’s senior leadership team, the Dean is responsible for the overall academic and administrative leadership of the I.H. Asper School of Business (Asper School). The Dean will be an inspiring and innovative leader with the skills and vision to work with the School to establish evidence-based initiatives, implement continuous quality improvement frameworks and initiatives to enrich and strengthen existing programs, and build on Asper’s national and international reputation for teaching and research excellence, and enhance Asper’s competitive edge in response to national and global trends, industry needs, and emerging technologies.
The successful candidate will possess a PhD or a terminal degree and strong organizational, managerial, and facilitation skills; bring a demonstrated record of success in academic administration; boast a proven track record of scholarly activity and working collaboratively and collegially in pursuit of strategic goals; and lead with a commitment to Reconciliation and accessibility, equity, diversity and inclusion.
Centering the student experience in their leadership, the Dean will connect with and inspire students from diverse backgrounds to engage within the Asper community. The Dean will be exceptionally skilled at maintaining and enhancing relationships with the business community, Working in Good Ways with Indigenous communities, and important partners to enhance and advance Asper’s priorities, and to shape Manitoba’s and the world’s future leaders.
The I.H. Asper School of Business provides world-class education to students, leaders, and innovators who contribute ethically to the social and economic well-being of Manitoba and the world. In almost 90 years, the School has grown extensively, featuring a broad range of programs and interdisciplinary opportunities and forging linkages with other faculties and centres across the University and the broader community. As an AACSB-accredited business school, Asper is committed to maintaining global reputation and excellence in teaching and scholarship for its 2088 undergraduate and 226 Stu Clark Graduate School students. It is comprised of five departments – Accounting and Finance, Business Administration, Marketing, Supply Chain Management, and the Warren Centre for Actuarial Studies and Research, and is home to the Transport Institute and the James W. Burns Leadership Institute.
Award-winning faculty members contribute to the creation of new knowledge, and Asper students have won numerous national and international business planning and case competitions and have launched successful companies with significant market capitalization. The Asper School of Business is proud to have a robust co-operative education program and has developed other links with the community through its Stu Clark Centre for Entrepreneurship, James W. Burns Executive Education programs, and the Associates and Young Associates business networks. The Dean plays a pivotal role in cultivating and advancing this distinctive relationship, working closely with the Associates and Young Associates to strengthen alumni and industry engagement. The Asper School of Business’s Indigenous Business Education Partners program is committed to providing a welcoming and supportive community for Indigenous students. Over 60 of the world’s leading business schools have established international exchange partnerships with the Asper School of Business.
Just as its programs have evolved to address the changing needs of business, organizations, and people, Asper is evolving to proactively address important societal issues and longstanding inequities amongst all groups subject to historical discrimination. To support our commitment to equity, diversity, inclusion, and accessibility (EDIA), the school has formed a faculty-wide EDIA task force with a mandate to address sources of exclusion and inequity. Driving a cultural shift to foster an inclusive learning environment for every student, the task force is proactively creating systemic inclusion. This involves embedding practices, principles, and values of equity, diversity, inclusion, and accessibility into educational programming and throughout the school’s organizational culture.
The University of Manitoba is committed to the principles of equity, diversity, inclusion, and accessibility and to promoting opportunities in hiring, promotion, and tenure (where applicable) for systemically marginalized groups who have been excluded from full participation at the University and the larger community including Indigenous Peoples, women, racialized persons, persons with disabilities, and those who identify as 2SLGBTQIA+ (Two Spirit, lesbian, gay, bisexual, trans, questioning, intersex, asexual, and other diverse sexual identities). All qualified candidates are encouraged to apply; however, Canadian citizens and permanent residents will be given priority.
The consultants will begin reviewing candidates immediately, with committee consultation beginning in the fall. The search will continue until the position is successfully filled. 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.
