Director - Faculty

The Ontario Agricultural College (OAC) of the University of Guelph seeks candidates and/or nominations for the position of Director, School of Environmental Design and Rural Development (SEDRD) (Open to Tenured University of Guelph Internal Applicants Only). The School is dedicated to education, scholarly activities and practice in the planning, design, conservation, preservation, management and development of cultural and natural environments in both Canadian and international settings. SEDRD offers programs in Landscape Architecture, and Rural Planning and Development including: Bachelor of Landscape Architecture; Masters of Landscape Architecture; Masters of Science in Planning; Masters of Planning; Masters of Science in Capacity Development and Extension; and Ph.D. in Rural Studies. SEDRD currently includes 19 faculty members, 4 staff, over 150 graduate students, as well as approximately 300 undergraduate students. Faculty profiles, their activities and further information about the School are available at: http://www.uoguelph.ca/sedrd

The Director is responsible for the orderly, effective, efficient and collegial operation of the School. They will provide both academic and administrative leadership for initiatives identified by faculty members. The Director, through mentoring and facilitation, will support each member of the School in the fulfillment of their assigned responsibilities. The Director, through consultation with members of the School, is responsible for enhancing academic programs, supporting the accreditation processes, increasing contributions to knowledge and practice, strengthening relationships with community partners, government agencies and professional associations, and promoting the School to the public. The appointment will be for a five-year term, with the possibility of renewal for another five years.

The preferred candidate will be a successful educator and leader holding a tenured faculty appointment at the University of Guelph, with an exemplary record of scholarly accomplishments. A commitment to teaching excellence, life-long learning and learner-centred education is essential. The Director will be required to offer vision and leadership, demonstrate innovative thinking and exhibit strong organizational, interpersonal and communication skills. The Director will recognize the unique characteristics of the various programs in SEDRD and support and encourage cross program collaboration for teaching and research. Experience in human and financial resource management and the ability to engage faculty, staff and students in developing and executing new initiatives is required. The Director will demonstrate the ability to interact with the appropriate professional associations, government agencies and communities. The successful candidate will also have the ability to network, communicate and facilitate the advancement of SEDRD, OAC and the University.

The University of Guelph resides on the traditional lands and territory of the Anishinaabeg, Haudenosaunee and Huron Wendat. These lands are now home to a rich diversity of First Nations, Inuit, and Métis people. We offer our respect and gratitude to our Indigenous neighbours and affirm our responsibility to realize our commitments to reconciliation through ongoing action. We are guided in this work by Bi-Naagward | It Comes into View, the Indigenous Initiatives Strategy.

The University of Guelph is the third largest employer in Guelph, a city of over 144,000 people, located about an hour's drive west of Toronto, Ontario. The University of Guelph is a top-ranked comprehensive university in Canada with an enrolment of more than 30,000 undergraduate and graduate students across more than 40 academic units. The University is known for its commitment to student learning, innovative research, and collaboration with world-class partners. It is a unique place, with transformative research and teaching and a distinctive campus culture. People who learn and work here are shaped and inspired by a shared purpose: To Improve Life. Reflecting that shared purpose in every experience connected to our university positions us to create positive change, here and around the world. Our university community shares a profound sense of social responsibility, a drive for international development, and an obligation to address global issues.

Application Process

All applicants must apply on the internal Career Page to be considered as an internal applicant. SuccessFactors: Career Opportunities (sapsf.com) Do not apply from the external Careers webpage.

Applications will be treated in confidence and should include:

1. a letter of application,
2. a five-year vision outlining key priorities and approaches for managing and enhancing SEDRD during a period of change,
3. a curriculum vitae and the names and
4. addresses of three persons who may be contacted as referees.

Assessment of applications will begin on July 17, 2025 and will continue until the position is filled.

Applications should be addressed to the attention of:

Dr. John Cranfield

Dean, Ontario Agricultural College

University of Guelph, Guelph, ON N1G 2W1

Date Posted: 07/02/2025
Deadline: 07/16/2025 or until a suitable candidate is found.

This position is represented by the University of Guelph Faculty Association (UGFA).

The University of Guelph commits to fostering inclusive excellence through promoting Indigenization, equity, diversity, inclusion, and accessibility. Inclusion is a core pillar of Our Time, our strategic plan, which pledges to “transform our human resources, governance and student services and practices across the University to enable us to recruit a diverse student, faculty and staff body and support them in achieving their personal, professional and scholarly goals.” The University commits to creating and maintaining “equitable work environments that empower us in our pursuit of student, faculty and staff success, research excellence, innovation and impact.”

The University of Guelph invites applications from all qualified individuals; however, Canadians and permanent residents will be given priority. We strongly welcome and encourage applications from members of designated groups in employment, including Indigenous persons, persons with disabilities, racialized persons, women, and 2SLGBTQIA+ persons.

The University of Guelph recognizes that career paths can be diverse and career interruptions may occur. We encourage applicants to note in their applications whether they would like considerations given to the impact of any circumstances, such as (but not limited to) those due to health and/or family reasons, that may have affected an applicant’s record of achievement. You are not required to disclose these circumstances in the hiring process. If you choose to do so, the University will ensure that these circumstances do not negatively impact the assessment of your qualifications for the position.

The University of Guelph is committed to ensuring all applicants have fair and equitable participation in the hiring process. If you anticipate needing medical accommodations during the recruitment or selection processes, confidential assistance is available on request by contacting Occupational Health and Wellness at 519-824-4120 x52674. If you have any questions regarding accommodations or accessibility during the hiring process or for more information and support, please visit the University’s Occupational Health and Wellness or contact OHW at ohw@uoguelph.ca.