Dean, Faculty of Education

Job Description

York University

Dean, Faculty of Education

First Nations peoples have lived on this part of Turtle Island for millennia, stewarding the land, the water and all that contributes to life in this region. Today, the culture and presence of First Nations, Inuit and Métis peoples enrich the lands and people of this territory. More than two centuries ago, the Mississauga people welcomed settlers to this territory, providing sustenance and engaging in trade and commerce. Today, 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 Huron-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.

As York University embarks on its next chapter of growth and impact, the University invites applications and nominations for the position of Dean, Faculty of Education. This pivotal moment calls for bold, globally-minded leadership at an institution recognized for advancing positive change.

Canada’s 3rd largest university, York provides scholars and students with access to outstanding research and an exceptional teaching and learning environment. With three campuses in the Greater Toronto Area—one of the most vibrant and multicultural regions in the world—York hosts a diverse and dynamic community of over 53,000 students and nearly 7,000 faculty and staff. Reflecting both its scale and ambition, in recent years the University opened its Markham Campus, unveiled The Joan and Martin Goldfarb Gallery at Keele, and is advancing its School of Medicine; the first in Canada with a core mission to train community-focused primary care physicians, the medical school is set to welcome its first cohort in September 2028. York has also been building on its strong research foundation across all disciplines, with large-scale funded projects, award-winning scholars and groundbreaking research with transformative, real-world impact. The University takes special pride in its distinctive progressive, forward-looking ethos summed up in its motto, Tentanda Via: the way must be tried.

One of the top Faculties of Education in Canada—consistently ranked among the top 10 nationally and top 250 globally—the Faculty of Education at York is a leading contributor to teacher education in the country. It is recognized for preparing future educators while advancing a bold vision of education grounded in social justice, decolonization, diversity, equity and inclusion—principles embedded across its teaching, research, and community engagement. Its academic offerings are comprehensive and distinctive, and include the Bachelor of Education program, the Bachelor of Arts in Educational Studies program, and a range of graduate programs at the master’s, doctoral, and diploma levels. The Faculty also offers programs unique to the Faculty, such as the Waaban Indigenous Teacher Education program, the Deaf and Hard of Hearing (DHH) Teacher Education program, and other innovative programs and community-engaged professional learning initiatives. Instruction and learning opportunities are offered across multiple York University campuses in both English and French, and newly renovated spaces in Winters College further support learning opportunities and collaboration among students, faculty, and community partners.

A hub of impactful and highly productive research, the Faculty is home to a dynamic scholarly community whose work shapes educational policy and practice locally and globally. Faculty members have achieved notable success in securing major competitive research funding, including Tri-Council grants, and are leading large-scale, collaborative initiatives that address complex educational and social challenges and drive systems-level change. The Faculty includes two Canada Research Chairs (a Tier 1 CRC in Young Lives, Education and Global Good and a Tier 2 CRC in Disability Studies in Education) and distinguished endowed positions such as the Jean Augustine Chair in Education, Community & Diaspora and the Koschitzky Family Chair in Jewish Teacher Education. These strengths underscore the Faculty’s leadership in producing rigorous, impactful research that will continue to shape the future of education.

Preferred and Required Qualifications

Reporting to the Provost & Vice-President Academic, the Dean of Education serves as the Faculty’s principal academic and administrative officer and is a member of the University’s senior leadership team. The Dean will champion the Faculty’s vision and values, advancing excellence in research, teaching and community engagement while supporting an outstanding student experience at the undergraduate, graduate and professional levels. The Dean will foster interdisciplinary and community-engaged scholarship, support faculty in securing external funding and elevate the Faculty’s national and international profile.

While no one candidate is expected to possess the following credentials and/or experiences in equal measure, they will guide the committee’s review of candidates who express interest in the role:

• The ability to work collaboratively and collegially with faculty, staff, and students to advance the principles, priorities, and academic mission of York University’s Faculty of Education.
• An earned doctorate in education or a closely related field, and a scholarly record that merits appointment at a senior academic rank in the Faculty of Education.
• A strong record of academic leadership in a complex, collegial environment—such as service as a Dean, Associate Dean, Chair, Director, or similar role—with responsibility for personnel, budgets, academic planning, and program development.
• Demonstrated ability to serve as an effective institutional leader, with a track record of building strong relationships and working collaboratively across Faculties and administrative units, contributing to university-wide priorities, and advancing shared goals in a dynamic academic environment.
• A demonstrated commitment to and track record in decolonization, equity, diversity, inclusion and accessibility, including experience addressing inequities and advancing inclusive policies, practices and cultures for faculty, staff and students.
• Evidence of supporting and advancing excellence in research, scholarship and graduate education, including experience fostering interdisciplinary and community-engaged research and knowledge mobilization.
• Demonstrated understanding of the unique needs of teacher education programs (experience of the Ontario K-12 context may be an asset) alongside a vision for supporting a full spectrum of other education career pathways such as adult education, leadership development, and community-based education.
• The ability to inspire and work collaboratively with a wide range of internal and external partners, including faculty and staff, students, alumni, school boards, community organizations, governments and peer institutions.
• Outstanding communication and listening skills with the capacity to engage constructively with diverse perspectives, build consensus where possible, and make thoughtful decisions where needed.
• Experience and comfort with advancement, fundraising and external relations, including cultivating partnerships and stewarding donors and supporters.
• Financial and strategic acumen, including the ability to navigate changing funding environments and to align resources with strategic priorities.
• A collaborative and engaged leadership style marked by integrity, openness, humility, emotional intelligence and a genuine interest in the success and wellbeing of faculty, staff, and students.

Application Details (to apply use the Apply Now button below.)

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. York University is committed to a positive, supportive and inclusive environment. As this is a global search, all interested applicants are invited to apply; however, Canadians and permanent residents of Canada will be given priority.

The successful candidate will begin in the role on July 1, 2026, or as soon as possible thereafter. Salary will be commensurate with qualifications and experience and, as with all York University positions, the appointment is subject to budgetary approval.

York University is partnering with BES Executive Search, a firm committed to ensuring that every search mandate engages a pluralistic and intersectional range of candidates. Applicants are guided through what BES calls ‘The BES Experience’—a thoughtful, candidate-centred process that meets candidates with support and care throughout the search process. All interested applicants are encouraged to apply by clicking HERE.

BES Executive Search does not use AI to screen, assess, or select applicants. This posting reflects an existing vacancy within the organization. We thank everyone for their expression of interest—and are truly appreciative of the time individuals put into applying—but with the limitations of time only those selected for an interview will be contacted. Candidates who advance to the interview stage will be informed of the outcome of the recruitment process.

In accordance with the AODA Act, for applicants living with a disability, accommodation will be provided throughout the search process. Should accommodations be required, or if candidates have any other questions, please make Jason Murray aware by emailing jmurray@bessearch.com.