"Director, Simpson Centre"

The Simpson Centre

The Simpson Centre (SC) advances high-impact, evidence-based policy and practice in Canada's agriculture and agri-food sectors. As a trusted and neutral hub, the Centre convenes producers, industry, Indigenous partners, government, academia, and civil society to translate rigorous research into actionable decisions that enhance resilience, productivity, sustainability, and competitiveness across the agrifood system.

Through applied research, knowledge mobilization, and outreach, the Simpson Centre strengthens the University of Calgary's leadership role in agrifood and animal health policy at the provincial, national, and international levels.

The Role

The successful candidate will be appointed as Director, Simpson Centre, for a fixed term, with the possibility of renewal, and will hold a continuing academic appointment "with Tenure" at the rank of Full Professor (Teaching and Research) within the Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, subject to normal academic approval processes.

Reporting to the Dean of the Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, the Director, Simpson Centre will provide strategic, collaborative, and engaged leadership for the Centre's research, programming, operations, and external relations. The Director will be an accomplished academic and policy leader with a deep understanding of policy research and the mobilization of research into public policy and practice within the agriculture and agri-food domain.

The Director serves as the Centre's chief integrator, connector, and strategic catalyst, responsible for setting direction, defining standards of excellence, identifying opportunities for growth, and securing the resources required to advance the Centre's mandate. Working closely with an engaged Advisory Board, University leadership, and partners across campus and beyond, the Director will strengthen the Simpson Centre's profile and impact locally, provincially, nationally, and internationally.

As a visible and trusted leader, the Director will foster strong relationships across sectors, attract investment, build strategic collaborations, and champion the Centre's mission. The Director will lead and cultivate a unified, inclusive, and high-performing team grounded in collaboration, mutual respect, and shared purpose, while enhancing the reputation of the Simpson Centre, UCVM, and the University of Calgary.

Key Responsibilities

Research and Innovation

• Promote interdisciplinary and transdisciplinary scholarship through research, innovation, and knowledge mobilization
• Advance scholarly productivity and targeted research initiatives aligned with institutional goals
• Engage with public and private funding bodies to secure support for outstanding research programming
• Engage with internal and external stakeholders to ensure the highest possible research quality, output and impact

Collaboration and Academic Programs

• Support the development and delivery of innovative educational and experiential learning opportunities
• Enhance graduate student and postdoctoral training and promote career pathways in agrifood and animal health policy
• Work collaboratively across disciplines, schools, and faculties to achieve shared objectives in research and teaching.

Strategic Leadership

• Provide strategic leadership for the Centre's applied research, education, and outreach activities in alignment with Faculty and University priorities
• Foster an inclusive, collaborative, and engaged culture that supports excellence and impact
• Guide strategic planning, growth, and evaluation of the Centre's programs and initiatives

Administrative Leadership

• Oversee governance, organizational structure, budgeting, and operations of the Centre
• Identify and secure diversified revenue streams to support long-term sustainability
• Recruit, mentor, develop, and retain a diverse and high-performing team

Outreach and Engagement

• Build and sustain relationships with industry, Indigenous partners, communities, and governments
• Serve as an advocate and representative for the Centre, UCVM, and the University
• Lead donor engagement and fund development activities in collaboration with Faculty and University partners

Qualifications

Appointment at the rank of Full Professor is reserved for those whose academic achievements would normally be recognized by their peers and beyond to be of a caliber equivalent to international standing and as outstanding in their community, discipline, or field. Evidence of the highest quality of contributions to research and scholarship, teaching, and service.

The successful candidate will be a recognized academic leader in agriculture, agrifood, or animal health policy and will demonstrate:

• An undergraduate degree in a discipline relevant to the agrifood sector such as agriculture, veterinary medicine, food, biosciences or similar
• A PhD, professional graduate degree or comparable terminal degree related to agriculture or agri-food
• More than 10 years of senior leadership experience in academia, a think tank, policy institute, or related organization
• A strong provincial, national, and ideally international network within the agrifood and/or animal health sectors
• A proven record of research excellence, knowledge mobilization, and policy engagement
• Demonstrated success in securing external funding and building sustainable partnerships
• Strong organizational, financial, and people leadership skills
• A demonstrated commitment to equity, diversity, inclusion, and respectful engagement across perspectives
• A deep passion for agriculture, food systems, or animal health

The Centre is part of the UCVM which is home of Alberta's only Doctor of Veterinary Medicine degree and one of five veterinary faculties in Canada. The UCVM is a research-intensive faculty with expanding research, graduate education and other educational programs. Descriptions of the Faculty, its programs, and its research groups can be found at https://vet.ucalgary.ca/.

Application Process

Interested applicants should submit:

• A cover letter outlining leadership philosophy and vision for the Simpson Centre.
• Curriculum vitae and please include names and contact information of three referees
• A statement of research, policy impact, and knowledge mobilization experience
• Statement of teaching philosophy/teaching dossier.
• Statement on Equity, Diversity and Inclusion
• Please be aware that the application process allows only four attachments, which may require you to merge documents.

Questions may be addressed to:

Dr. Renate Weller, Dean of the UCVM:
renate.weller@ucalgary.ca

Applications will be reviewed beginning March 13, 2026 and will continue until the position is filled.