"Director, Institute for Humanistic Buddhist Thought & Practice"

Appointment Type: Full-time; 4 Year, Contractually Limited Term Appointment, start date approximately July 1, 2026

Compensation: Hiring Range: $104,721 - $115,000; Salary will be commensurate with experience. Competitive benefits package, including group benefits, defined benefit pension plan, tuition waiver, and generous vacation time allotment

Role Status: This position is open due to a newly created position.

Reports to: Dean of Divinity

Trinity College is a vibrant and diverse academic community with a rich history and an excellent local and international reputation. Since its founding in 1851, the College has valued and fostered a high level of academic achievement with some 2,400 currently registered students, 450 of whom live at the College. The Faculty of Divinity includes an average of 100 Masters and Doctoral level students, and collaborates with the other member colleges of the Toronto School of Theology (TST). The Trinity College campus grounds comprise spectacular historic buildings. The College is on the St. George Campus of the University of Toronto, located in the central Toronto downtown core, steps from the Bloor – St. George subway station and Queen’s Park.

Position Summary: Reporting to the Dean of Divinity, the Director, Institute for Humanistic Buddhist Thought & Practice is responsible for implementing a comprehensive action plan and budget for the operation of this department. This position will also be responsible for developing a work plan to attain graduate level degree accreditation, hiring staff, developing and hosting the inaugural academic conference for the Institute, fundraising, and course instruction in the Faculty of Divinity.

Key Responsibilities:

• In consultation with the Dean of Divinity and the Faculty of Divinity, plan and budget courses for the 2027-28 academic terms.
• Plan and organize public lecture series for the 2027-28 academic terms.
• Prepare work plan to host the Inaugural Academic Conference for the Institute and secure approval by Trinity College in the University of Toronto and IBPS Toronto
• Prepare and develop a work plan for the larger project of attaining graduate level TST degree accreditation for ministry studies in Humanistic Buddhism for approval by Trinity College in the University of Toronto and IBPS Toronto. The planning process will involve consultation with stakeholders, including:
  • Toronto partners Toronto School of Theology (TST), Emmanuel College, and Victoria College in the University of Toronto, and other units of the University of Toronto which offer studies in Buddhism
  • Fo Guang Shan (FGS) University of the West on its MDiv in Buddhist ministry
• Teach one course in Faculty of Divinity each semester (including the summer session)
• In conjunction with Development Office, draft Comprehensive Fundraising Plan for an endowment fund for the Institute for approval by Trinity College in the University of Toronto and IBPS Toronto.

Educational and Experience requirements:

• PhD with focus on cross-cultural contact including in particular Buddhist thought and practice in relation to the Western/Christian/Anglican tradition
• Ranked as a Trinity non-tenured program director with teaching responsibility (CLTA. This position will require a PhD or DMin and experience in theological education for ministry.)

Skills and Attributes:

• Direct experience or familiarity with university/higher education policies, structure and systems is an asset
• Familiarity with Humanistic Buddhism and FGS
• Familiarity with the practice of fundraising is an asset
• Excellent oral and written communication skills
• Excellent interpersonal skills with demonstrated ability to build and maintain effective working relationships with internal and external stakeholders; strong outreach skills to build and nurture partnerships
• Well-developed project management with the ability to build consensus to sustain momentum and achieve defined objectives and goals
• Ability to work with intelligence, tact, flexibility, and a highly collegial approach
• Strong time management skills, including the ability to manage multiple tasks and priorities with competing deadlines
• Attuned to academic culture and sensitive to issues that may be controversial or politically charged.
• Ability to speak and write Mandarin fluently an asset

Applicants should send their covering letter, curriculum vitae, letters or reference or the names of three references to: trinity.recruitment@utoronto.ca. Please reference Job #2026-03 in the email subject line.

Job posting closing date: April 7, 2026.