THE ORGANIZATION
University of Toronto
Fully committed to teaching and research as complementary facets of scholastic achievement, U of T is consistently ranked among the top 25 universities in the world for innovation, teaching, and the impact of its research publications. In 2015, U of T was ranked 10th in the world for the employability of its graduates. Alumni include hundreds of distinguished researchers, teachers, decision-makers, and persons of influence, including prominent federal, provincial, and municipal politicians, global business leaders, and eminent philanthropists. The University is linked to the acclaimed clinical and research centres of its nine fully affiliated hospitals, and supports a vigorous program of commercialization through the Banting & Best Centre for Innovation & Entrepreneurship and other accelerators. The Association of Research Libraries (ARL) ranks the U of T Libraries third in North America, after Harvard and Yale. President Meric Gertler has identified enhancing undergraduate education, deepening international collaboration, and leveraging the University’s position in the Greater Toronto Area – one of the world’s most vibrant and diverse urban regions – as the top three strategic priorities of his term.
The University’s leadership in the field of employment and provision of a healthy workplace has been recognized by Canada’s Top 100 Employers (9th consecutive year) and Canada’s Best Diversity Employers (8th consecutive year), among others. Additional information is available at: www.utoronto.ca
MANDATE
The Vice-President, International will play a leadership role in the achievement of the University’s goals as one of the top public research and teaching universities in the world and in executing on the strategic priority of strengthening international partnerships, one of the University’s Three Priorities. The Vice-President, International is responsible for ensuring that the University’s strengths, vision, presence and, impact are recognized internationally. The Vice-President, International will be a distinguished scholar and educator with demonstrated excellence as a leader and an administrator.
Reporting directly to the President, the Vice-President, International will have responsibility for overseeing the development and execution of the University’s international strategy, and for collaboratively advancing the University of Toronto’s international objectives across its three campuses and its many divisions. The Vice-President, International will work in close partnership with the other members of the Vice-Presidential team, as well as with Deans and Principals. The Vice-President, International is expected to lead the consultative process of developing an institutional international strategy that will provide an overarching framework, with a clear sense of direction and priorities, within which academic divisions can set and advance their priorities. The Vice-President will lead in the establishment and strengthening of University-level relationships with international academic partners as well as those from the public and private sectors. The Vice-President will also play a lead role in ensuring the effective integration of international activities arising from different functional activities – including student and faculty recruitment, research and innovation partnerships, joint teaching and other forms of academic cooperation, international experience for students, alumni relations, and communications and branding – to achieve the University’s international objectives. The Vice- President will provide advice and guidance on international activities and initiatives, as well as facilitate cross-divisional conversations, to further the goals and aspirations for internal stakeholders in the context of an overall institutional strategy. The Vice-President will also ensure that the distinct strengths of the University’s tri-campus system are represented internationally.
The Vice-President, International will play a leadership role in facilitating the advancement of the goals of the strategic priority of strengthening international partnerships as outlined in the Three Priorities:
- Enhance the ability of the University’s faculty and students to meet global challenges
- Enhance the University’s global reputation and profile
- Support the University’s ability to recruit in national and global markets
- Develop the global citizenship and fluency of University of Toronto students
- Support the University’s urban strategy by leveraging opportunities to learn from institutional partners in other great city-regions around the world
The Vice-President, International, along with the portfolio’s team, will serve as the University’s primary point of contact for international delegations with a goal of leveraging these interactions for the purpose of potential partnerships and enhanced visibility internationally.
THE CANDIDATE
Education and Qualifications
- Credentials appropriate for a tenured faculty member.
Experience
- Senior administrative leadership experience in a complex academic environment.
- Demonstrated experience of working internationally, and demonstrated effectiveness in intercultural communication and collaboration.
- A record and reputation for integrity, sensitivity to cultural diversity, openness, decisiveness and sound judgment as exercised in favourable and in more difficult circumstances.
Personal Characteristics
- A passion for and deep commitment to the aspirations of the University of Toronto.
- Stature within an academic environment.
- Motivational and persuasive leader.
- Strategic thinker with ability to articulate a compelling vision for the institution.
- Demonstrated ability to work successfully in a collegial decision-making environment.
- Collaborative approach and mindset.
- Experience in leading and managing teams.
- Clear communicator with excellent listening and interpersonal skills.
- Political sensitivity and acuity.
- Finely honed diplomatic skills.
- Evidence-based and principled in decision-making.
- Ability to represent the University externally, and in particular in an international environment.
- Ability to build and maintain strong relationships with elected and appointed government officials, diplomats, corporate leaders, benefactors, alumni, and members of the wider community.