York University is a leading international teaching and research institution, Canada’s third-largest university, and a dynamic part of the Greater Toronto Area, enriched by its multi-campus identity and bilingual character. With deeply rooted commitments to inclusion, equity, and the public good, York provides a broad sociodemographic of students with access to high-quality education at a research-intensive institution. More than 53,000 students and nearly 7,000 faculty and staff find their…
place across three diverse GTA campuses. York advances social justice and equity through critical inquiry, creative problem solving, and socially responsible action. With a strong commitment to access and more than 390,000 alumni in 173 countries, the University serves as a gateway to education and to the world.
A comprehensive university with foundational strengths in the humanities, social sciences, and creative arts, York offers significant breadth across health, science, environmental and urban studies, education, law, business, engineering, and a wide range of pure, applied, and professional fields. Its newest campus in Markham, Canada’s most diverse city, connects students and scholarship with a vibrant, growing community and innovation ecosystem. York continues to make innovation its tradition. The University leads the $318 million Connected Minds program, advancing transdisciplinary research on pressing societal challenges arising from new technologies. Its School of Medicine, opening in 2028, will be the first in Canada established with a core mission to train primary care physicians within a fully connected community-care network.
York University takes special pride in its distinctive progressive ethos summed up in its motto, Tentanda Via: The way must be tried.
It is within this context that York is seeking its next President and Vice-Chancellor.
Building on York’s strengths and championing its distinctive values and forward-looking ethos, the President brings authentic, visible, and people-centred leadership to a progressive, comprehensive university deeply connected to its communities. The University’s 2026–2030 University Academic Plan provides an institutional compass for the next President, for whom balancing new opportunities with strategic focus and responsible stewardship will be essential. This next chapter calls on the President to foster greater collaboration, interdisciplinarity, and innovation across programs, Faculties, and administrative units. The President will also help realize the possibilities of York’s new School of Medicine and ensure its integration into the University’s collective identity.
The President fosters and upholds collegial governance within York’s bicameral governance system. As a leader of leaders, the President empowers and works alongside a high-performing senior team while valuing the expertise and contributions found at every level of the University. Building trust and cultivating relationships with faculty, staff, instructors, students, alumni, unions, governing bodies, and academic and administrative leaders is central to the role. The President supports this commitment through constructive, good-faith partnerships with unions and a relationship-based approach to labour relations.
In keeping with York’s longstanding commitment to accessible education, the President strengthens a relevant, supportive, and connected student experience across a predominantly commuter, multi-campus institution. The President fosters connections among students, faculty, staff, and administrators and advances student success, wellbeing, and belonging. Social justice, equity, diversity, and inclusion, together with York’s commitments to Decolonization and Reconciliation, are reflected in institutional policies, decisions, and resource allocation. This work is grounded in meaningful, sustained relationships and partnerships with Indigenous Peoples and communities. Together, these efforts support a welcoming, inclusive, and safe environment in which to learn, live, and work while upholding academic freedom, human rights, institutional autonomy, and collegial governance.
Central to this mandate is strengthening York’s financial position, including bringing greater transparency, clarity, and community confidence to decisions about investment and resource allocation. As the University’s lead ambassador, the President amplifies York’s academic and research excellence, comprehensive mission, interdisciplinary strengths, community and global engagement, and contributions to the public good. The President diversifies revenue by deepening relationships with governments, alumni, donors, industry, partner and peer institutions, and communities locally, nationally, and globally, expanding support for York’s priorities and continued ambitions.
An ideal candidate will bring a proven record of leadership and the breadth of perspective needed to guide a large, complex university. You are a distinguished scholar and academic leader, holding a PhD or equivalent terminal degree, with a strong record of publication and/or other research activity. You bring a record of academic distinction and accomplishment that commands respect across the University’s diverse scholarly communities, together with an informed appreciation of teaching, research, graduate education, professional programs, and student services. You understand and respect collegial governance within a bicameral system. Proficiency in both French and English is highly desirable, as is the ability to represent York comfortably in both official languages.
You skillfully navigate complexity, have successfully led through significant change, and apply strategic judgement and strong financial acumen in translating vision into focused priorities. Collaborative and decisive, you listen with humility, communicate with candour and clarity, and lead with integrity, empathy, and consistency. An exceptional relationship builder, you inspire trust and confidence and engage meaningfully with faculty, students, staff, alumni, unions, employee associations, and governing bodies. You are deeply committed to the student experience and to creating the conditions for students to thrive, connect, and belong. You demonstrate a substantive commitment to access, social justice, equity, diversity, and inclusion, Decolonization, Reconciliation, and community wellbeing. You are a credible advocate who can build relationships across all levels of government, support fundraising and advancement, and engage donors and philanthropic communities. You have the presence to represent York, develop strategic partnerships with industry, peer institutions, and community groups, and enhance the University’s reputation and influence locally, nationally, and globally.
To learn more about this opportunity, please contact Mike Young (myoung@boyden.com) and Sam Walton (swalton@boyden.com) for more information. To apply, please submit your curriculum vitae along with a cover letter in confidence via: boyden.thriveapp.ly/job/3413
The Presidential Search Committee will begin reviewing applications in January 2027 with an anticipated start of July 1st, 2027. For further information on the ongoing recruitment process, please visit: https://www.yorku.ca/secretariat/presidential-search/
York University campuses are located on the Toronto Purchase Treaty No. 13 lands and territory of the Mississaugas of the Credit First Nation and the lands of the Anishinabek of the Williams Treaties First Nations. Our campuses are also situated on the traditional territories of the Wendat and the Haudenosaunee.
Treaty history is foundational, and it is our collective responsibility to honour the land, as we honour and respect those who have gone before us, those who are here and those who have yet to come. We are grateful for the opportunity to be learning, working and thriving on this land, and we commit to learn the truth and be active in the process of reconciliation.
York University is committed to a positive, supportive and inclusive environment. The University welcomes applications from all qualified individuals, including, but not limited to women, persons with disabilities, visible minorities (racialized), Indigenous Peoples and persons of any gender identity and sexual orientation.
Accommodations are available throughout the recruitment process. If you are selected for an interview and require accommodation, please contact Sam Walton (swalton@boyden.com).
York University invites applications from all qualified individuals; however, Canadian citizens and permanent residents will be given priority.
Artificial Intelligence (AI) will not be used in the evaluation or assessment of candidates.