"President and Vice-Chancellor"

As St. Mary’s University (StMU) embarks on an ambitious new chapter of growth and transformation, the next President and Vice-Chancellor will be a visionary leader who inspires confidence and trust, and who fosters collaboration across a diverse academic community. StMU is grounded in the Catholic faith and is open to all. The successful candidate will steward the opportunity to take Western Canada’s only independent Catholic University to the next level with the goal of becoming Canada’s preeminent Catholic university.

Located in Calgary, Alberta, StMU offers accredited degrees in Liberal Arts, Sciences, and Education, with a strong focus on personalized education and community engagement. With over 1,000 students and small class sizes, StMU provides a vibrant learning environment that prepares graduates to lead with integrity and compassion.

Scope and Responsibilities
The President and Vice-Chancellor is the Chief Executive Officer of St. Mary’s University, providing visionary, and strategic leadership to advance the mission, values, and long-term priorities of the institution. This leader is accountable for driving the successful implementation of Expanding Minds, Inspiring Hearts, the university’s Strategic Plan, and for fostering an environment where students, faculty, and staff can thrive.

As the university’s principal ambassador and public voice, the President represents StMU with integrity and inspiration while engaging stakeholders, strengthening community and government relationships, and championing the university’s distinctive role in Catholic higher education. With a strong foundation in place, St. Mary’s is poised for its next phase of advancement. The next President will embrace this momentum, bringing skill, courage, and a proven record of guiding organizational growth to accelerate the university’s progress and to confidently lead StMU into its aspirational future.

Key Responsibilities
In addition to delivering on the four strategic priorities of People First, Celebrating StMU’s Identity, Academic Excellence, and Building for Growth, the President and Vice-Chancellor is responsible for:

• Expanding on the People First culture and strengthening the leadership culture by fostering transparency, collaboration, and mutual respect among faculty, staff, and the Board of Governors;
• Promoting and modeling involvement in the Roman Catholic Faith Community; ensuring students, faculty and staff are provided opportunities for spiritual development within the University context;
• Ensuring the University is delivering excellence in teaching, research and return to the community;
• Leading strategic enrollment growth and program diversification by exploring new academic offerings tailored to emerging student needs;
• Advancing large scale fundraising campaigns and strengthening government relations to secure funding for infrastructure and program expansion;
• Ensuring the effective and responsible operation of the university and its resources with a focus on operational excellence, solid fiscal performance and effective internal controls; and,
• Developing and maintaining positive and productive relationships with all stakeholders (students, faculty, staff, alumni, government, and community).

Desired Candidate Abilities, Background and Experience
Given the role this individual will play in StMU’s continued growth and success, it is essential that the successful candidate possess the following education, experience, and personal characteristics:

Education

• Doctorate Degree or equivalent terminal degree.

Experience

• Prior success having created welcoming, engaging, and safe environments across organizations and communities;
• Proven senior academic and people leadership experience (Provost, Vice President Academic, or equivalent) with a deep understanding of bicameral governance and evidence-based decision-making;
• Proven leadership in a Catholic institution, with a strong understanding of and commitment to Catholic higher education;
• Demonstrated success in fundraising and strategic planning, including leading major capital campaigns and cultivating donor and government relationships;
• Experience managing institutional change, capital projects, and enrollment growth initiatives;
• Ability to balance tradition with innovation, fostering transparency and adaptability in decision-making;
• Unsurpassed communication skills: ability to create community and build authentic relationships; to engage and inspire others in a vision; to be a true champion for a cause, to be the public face of the institution;
• Demonstrated success managing a complex, multiple stakeholder institution, and the ability to grow and transform, improve efficiency, manage risks, and create synergies;
• Business acumen; strong fiscal and analytical abilities;
• Strategic vision: an ability to identify opportunities and leverage strengths and to avoid pitfalls;
• Ability to advance diversity across all sectors; experience working with indigenous people is an asset; and,
• Proven leadership experience in a complex academic or mission-driven organization.

Personal / Professional Attributes

• A skilled administrative leader who understands the full spectrum of organizational, financial, and academic issues inherent in running a university. They demonstrate courage and transparency in decision-making and excel as both an active listener and a compelling communicatory;
• A faith-based community builder who fosters a collegial, faith-inspired environment, encouraging open dialogue, collaboration, and consensus building. They cultivate a welcoming, inclusive, and safe enviromment for all embers of the StMU community;
• A champion of academic excellence who deeply understands the value of a liberal arts education that educates the whole person. They are advocates for academic excellence, support faculty as teachers and researchers, and actively engage in the intellectual life of the university;
• A relationship cultivator who is diplomatic and patient. They build strong, strategic partnerships across government and the community. Culturally aware, politically astute, and adept at advocating for StMU’s mission and priorities;
• A Strategic Visionary with the ability to craft and articulate a vibrant and compelling future for stMU and translate it into actionable strategies that enhance student experience, strengthen programs, and ensure long-term institutional viability.

To learn more about Calgary and St. Mary’s University, please visit: www.visitcalgary.ca and https://stmu.ca/.

For more information or to apply, please contact: StMUPresident@dhrglobal.com by January 31, 2026. Applications should include a letter addressing how the candidate’s experience matches the position requirements, and a current c.v.