As the University of Windsor (UWindsor) enters a period of renewal and targeted reinvestment for growth, it seeks a bold academic leader as its next Provost and Vice-President, Academic. The Provost will be energized by the opportunity to unlock UWindsor’s untapped potential, strengthen its academic enterprise, and advance scholarly excellence, positioning the institution for sustained success as a meaningful contributor on the national and global stage.

Reporting to the President and Vice-Chancellor, and supported by a team of Deans, Associate Vice-Presidents and Directors, the Provost is UWindsor’s chief academic leader and a member of the University’s senior leadership team. The Office of the Provost has strategic and financial oversight for academic initiatives, faculty and labour relations, lifelong learning, the Library, the Registrar and enrolment management, institutional analysis, experiential learning, and the student experience. The Provost is responsible for leading the planning, development, and implementation of UWindsor’s strategic academic plan and is instrumental in upholding academic standards; championing excellence and innovation in programming, teaching and learning, and scholarship; and advocating for a thriving, inclusive campus environment. The Provost will lead the transition to a re-visioned budget model where they have significant authority over budgetary and operational decisions, ensuring that financial priorities align with the University’s academic mission.

The ideal candidate is an academic leader with a distinguished record of teaching, research, and university administration, earned in a complex, unionized environment. They bring a proven track record of leadership, expertise in strategic visioning, budgetary oversight, and change management, and the ability to navigate challenges and seize new opportunities. They will inspire intellectual curiosity and creativity, champion interdisciplinary collaboration, and bring a deep commitment to academic freedom, collegial governance, and student success. Experience advancing equity, diversity, inclusion, accessibility, and Truth and Reconciliation, and embedding these principles into academic decision-making, governance, and campus culture, is essential. A skilled relationship-builder and compelling communicator, candidates should demonstrate the ability to inspire and empower faculty and staff, foster trust and transparency across campus, and engage the academic community around a unified vision. Candidates should possess a track record as a visible and engaged leader and exhibit high emotional intelligence, resilience, integrity, optimism, and sound judgment.

This is a publicly advertised job posting for an existing vacancy. The University of Windsor has partnered with the leadership advisory firm Odgers for this recruitment. Applications are encouraged immediately, and ideally by February 20, 2026, to Julia Robarts and Krutika Hotwani. Inquiries, nominations, or accommodation requests can be directed to uwindsorvpa@odgers.com.

The University of Windsor is a vibrant, globally connected institution located on the Canada–U.S. border, serving as a dynamic hub for education, research, and innovation. Home to over 15,600 students from nearly 100 countries and supported by 2,500 faculty and staff, UWindsor offers more than 280 programs across nine faculties and professional schools, including Arts, Humanities and Social Sciences; Science; Engineering; Law; Nursing; Business; Education; Human Kinetics; Graduate Studies; and a medical program in partnership with Western University’s Schulich School of Medicine and Dentistry. UWindsor experienced significant research growth, leading Canada with a 37% increase in research funding and a 45.5% rise in research intensity (income per faculty) in 2024, according to Canada's Innovation Leaders (CIL) report. This success places UWindsor among the top 30 research universities nationally, driven by strong industry partnerships (e.g., Magna, Schaeffler) and key projects in areas like biomanufacturing (INSPIRE initiative) and sustainable mobility, fostering real-world impact. UWindsor is shaping the future through academic excellence, sustainability, and community engagement, grounded in a strong commitment to Truth and Reconciliation and to equity, diversity, and inclusion

The University of Windsor is a welcoming community committed to equity, diversity, inclusion, and accessibility in its teaching, learning, and work environments. In pursuit of the University’s Employment Equity Plan, members from the designated groups (women, Indigenous/Aboriginal (First Nations, Métis, Inuit) persons, racialized persons/visible minorities, persons with disabilities, and persons of a minority sexual orientation and/or gender identity) are encouraged to apply and to self-identify.

In accordance with the AODA Act, accommodation will be provided to individuals with disabilities throughout the recruitment process. Please write to uwindsorvpa@odgers.com or call +1 (416) 366-1990 for accommodation at any point in the search process.