President & Vice Chancellor
University of King's College
Halifax
The University of King’s College (King’s) is located in Kjipuktuk (Halifax), within the ancestral and unceded territory of the Mi’kmaq. University of King’s College (King’s) has been focused on the future since 1789. We’re proud to be Canada’s oldest chartered university and even more proud of the critical thinkers who graduate from King’s: innovators, entrepreneurs, professionals, and leaders tackling today’s biggest challenges. In an age of misinformation, polarization, and AI-generated manipulation, the ability to discern fact from fiction has never been more valuable.
King’s is renowned for its interdisciplinary programs in the liberal arts, journalism, writing and publishing. The School of Journalism, Writing & Publishing offers undergraduate, advanced and graduate programs in journalism, as well as MFA programs in creative nonfiction and fiction. The internationally recognized Foundation Year Program (FYP) takes students on an epic journey through literature exploring philosophy, history, drama, natural and social sciences. Interdisciplinary honours programs for upper-year students include specializations in Early Modern Studies, Contemporary Studies and the History of Science and Technology. King’s also offers multiple degree options in arts & humanities, science and music offered jointly with Dalhousie University.
Home to approximately 1,000 students, King’s fosters a highly personal, inclusive, and supportive learning environment where curiosity and dialogue thrive. Faculty and staff are deeply committed to academic excellence and to nurturing students as scholars, citizens, and leaders. King’s graduates are known for their intellectual curiosity, creativity, and capacity for thoughtful leadership. King’s alumni go on to become lawyers, doctors, journalists, authors, academics, entrepreneurs, and public servants who contribute meaningfully to communities across Canada and around the world.
King’s is seeking its next exceptional leader. Reporting to the Board of Governors, the President and Vice-Chancellor will play a vital role in fostering graduates who think critically about the world. The President serves as the institution’s senior leader, working closely with faculty, staff, students, and community partners to shape and advance strategic priorities. Together, they foster a culture of academic excellence, uphold institutional integrity, steward resources responsibly, and cultivate inclusive engagement across campus and beyond. They are the university’s principal ambassador to alumni, donors, and partners and cultivate philanthropic support. They align strategic and operational priorities to reinforce academic excellence, student success, and institutional sustainability. The President is visible and present on campus, and engages with student life, faculty, and community, ideally leveraging the historic President’s Lodge as their official residence and a place of gathering and learning.
The ideal candidate has at least 7-10 years senior leadership experience, ideally in a post-secondary institution (e.g., Dean, VP, Provost) with a terminal degree (PhD or equivalent). They have an outstanding ability to articulate and implement a compelling vision and narrative; strong financial acumen, resource management, and strategic and operational planning experience; and thrive in cultivating strong relationships with alumni, benefactors, governments, and community partners.
To learn more about King’s please visit www.ukings.ca
Please submit a combined resume and cover letter online by clicking “Apply.” For further information about this opportunity, please contact Kim West, kwest@royerthompson.com or Erica Armstrong, earmstrong@royerthompson.com in confidence.
King’s will provide accommodations to applicants with disabilities. If you require an accommodation(s) to participate in the application, interviewing or selection process, please contact Edgarson Moxey at emoxey@royerthompson.com.
King’s is committed to diversity, equity, accessibility, and inclusion. We encourage and welcome applications from Indigenous persons (especially Mi’kmaq), persons with a disability, racialized persons, including persons of Black/African descent (especially African Nova Scotians), women, persons of a minority sexual orientation and/or gender identity, and all candidates who would contribute to the diversification of our community. If you are a member of one of these underrepresented groups, we invite you to self-identify on your cover letter or resume.
Royer Thompson is a Canadian executive advisory firm focused on capturing the full potential of people in pursuit of leadership and organizational excellence. Our core services include executive search, executive development, HR advisory and inclusion & belonging. Through Facet, we support mid-management recruitment and coaching for people to build their leadership abilities and profile within organizations.