York University is one of Canada’s top-ranked institutions, recognized for its commitment to academic excellence, innovation, and social impact. Located across the Greater Toronto Area (GTA), one of the most diverse and dynamic communities in the world, York offers a vibrant and inclusive environment for teaching, research, and community engagement. York University’s School of Medicine, embedded within the Faculty of Health, is a newly established medical school launching in 2028 with an ambitious mission to shape the next generation of physicians through innovation, compassion, and discovery. Guided by the School of Medicine Strategic Plan, the School is at a pivotal moment of foundation building, requiring leaders who are energized by the opportunity to help shape its future and build meaningful partnerships with communities and health systems across Ontario. Through its Integrated Community-based Learning Network (ICLN), the School is advancing a distributed model of medical education that connects learners to diverse clinical settings, reinforcing its commitment to community engagement from the outset.

Reporting to the Vice Dean, Medical Education, School of Medicine, York University seeks an inaugural Associate Dean, Learner Affairs to provide strategic academic leadership towards comprehensive learner support across the medical education continuum. The Associate Dean is responsible for ensuring a learner‑centred, inclusive, and culturally safe environment that prioritizes learner and resident well‑being, personal and professional development, and success. The role oversees the Learner Affairs Office and the delivery of integrated support services to promote learner wellbeing and resilience. Working closely with learners, the senior leadership team, faculty, staff, and clinical partners, the Associate Dean proactively addresses learner needs, oversees policies and processes related to learner support, ensures compliance with provincial and national accreditation standards, and represents the School’s learner affairs interests externally.

The ideal candidate will be a highly respected academic physician with experience in student or resident affairs and medical education leadership. They will bring a demonstrated understanding of and a vision for learner support services, wellness initiatives, and accreditation requirements within the Canadian medical education context, along with experience leading complex support programs in distributed or community‑based education environments. The successful candidate will possess strong interpersonal, communication, and systems‑level leadership skills, with a compassionate and collaborative approach to addressing sensitive learner issues and fostering trust among diverse stakeholders. A deep commitment to equity, diversity, inclusion, decolonization, and Indigenous Peoples engagement along with cultural competency to support a diverse learner population is essential. The candidate will hold an MD or equivalent, be eligible for licensure in Ontario, and have a record of teaching excellence, mentorship, scholarship or innovative contributions to learner support or medical education.

This is a publicly advertised job posting for an existing vacancy. The Associate Dean will ideally take office in August 2026, or as mutually agreed, with consideration of candidates beginning immediately.

Hiring Policies:

• Salary will be commensurate with qualifications and experience.
• All York University positions are subject to budgetary approval.
• Clinical faculty are hired in their professional capacity as a member of the medical profession because they are required to apply their medical training, medical knowledge, and medical skills in connection with the performance of their duties and responsibilities.
• York has a policy on Accommodation in Employment for Persons with Disabilities and is committed to working towards a barrier-free workplace and expanding the accessibility of the workplace to persons with disabilities. Applicants who require accommodation are invited to Nicole Lewis, Manager, Office of the Dean, School of Medicine at lewisn22@yorku.ca.

Application Process:

• Due date for completed applications: May 29, 2026.
• Provide required information regarding your Canadian work status and optional self-identification for Affirmative Action purposes as part of the online application at this link: YUWorkAA.
• York University has partnered with Andrea Patrick and Cora Hui at Odgers to lead this recruitment. To apply, please submit a comprehensive CV along with a cover letter which sets out your interest in the role and encapsulates the aspects of your experience relevant to the required criteria. The preferred method of application is online. For more information, please reach out to York_medicine@odgers.com.