We acknowledge that the lands on which Memorial University's campuses are situated are in the traditional territories of diverse Indigenous groups, and we acknowledge with respect the diverse histories and cultures of the Beothuk, Mi'kmaq, Innu, and Inuit of this province. Learn more about the territory acknowledgement here.

Memorial University seeks a visionary and dynamic leader to serve as Dean of the School of Social Work. As Newfoundland and Labrador's only university and provider of social work education, this is an exciting time and unique opportunity to play a vital leadership role in preparing social work professionals and scholars to work in a variety of practice areas throughout all regions of our province. In this post-pandemic era, there are many critical societal and community challenges that have placed a greater urgency and focus on ensuring our professional education programs prepare our social workers of tomorrow. The faculty is excited to present its recently completed strategic plan Passion and Purpose: The Strategic Framework of the School of Social Work 2022-2027. This new strategic roadmap acknowledges the challenges and opportunities of our environment, while focusing on our goals and aspirations going forward.

At Memorial, fostering a culture of inclusion is an institutional imperative. Memorial's School of Social Work is among the most racially and ethnically diverse social work schools in Canada. The school offers undergraduate and graduate programs through a combination of on-campus and distance delivery to approximately 400 students. Faculty and students are engaged in critical theories and socially engaged community-based practice, research and scholarship. Examples include community service learning, critical social policy, 2SLGBTQIA+ studies, critical gerontology, critical disability studies, mad studies, settlement and integration, anti-colonialism and decolonization and anti-Black racism. Please see our Anti-Black Racism statement and Anti-Indigenous Racism statement or to learn more about the school's faculty and research, visit Memorial's School of Social Work.

ABOUT MEMORIAL

Memorial University is home to more than 19,000 students and 3,850 faculty and staff from more than 115 countries learn, teach, research, create and engage. Memorial has teaching and learning facilities across Newfoundland and Labrador, and abroad, and offers more than 300 program options. From the Classics to advanced technology, Memorial offers certificate, diploma, undergraduate, graduate and postgraduate programs across six campuses and online. A global network of more than 100,000 accomplished alumni throughout the world strengthens Memorial's capacity and reputation for leadership in research, teaching and public engagement. For more information about this dynamic institution, visit https://www.mun.ca.

THE OPPORTUNITY

Reporting to the Provost and Vice-President (Academic), and as a senior member of Memorial's leadership team, the next Dean of the School of Social Work will provide visionary leadership to a team of faculty and staff who are passionate about the work they do to support, mentor and engage their students, alumni, and local, national and international communities.

As the social work program at Memorial is the only one of its kind in the province, the successful candidate will continue to position the school as a highly sought-after learning and teaching destination for individuals locally, nationally and globally. The Dean will actively seek out ways to understand the rich, complex and multidimensional cultures of the province; will provide a strong leadership voice for social justice, equity, inclusion and diversity; and will proactively connect social work scholars to the province's unique history.

Building upon its existing academic strengths, the Dean will lead the School's teaching and learning environment and will work collaboratively with faculty and staff to create new innovative, sustainable programs as well as maintain existing programming to provide students with a high quality educational experience. The Dean will foster the development of relationships in the school, as well as between the school and other faculties and campuses. The Dean must also be highly visible and actively engaged in fostering external relationships with the school particularly with communities, organizations, and governments within this province and work to enhance its visibility in Atlantic Canada and beyond. The successful candidate will also lead the implementation of the school's strategic plan centered on the school's priorities: "connecting people, improving lives and creating social change for a just and inclusive province and world, through integrated and transformative social work education, research and community engagement".

THE CANDIDATE

The ideal candidate is an open and collegial, academic leader with an established record as a scholar, teacher and member of the social work profession. You will hold a PhD and have a scholarly record consistent with a tenured appointment at the rank of professor or associate professor. You will bring experience creating and supporting a workplace committed to collaboration, teamwork, diversity, equity and inclusion.

You must also bring superior communication and interpersonal skills, and an ability to naturally build relationships based on listening, adding value and seeking solutions. You must also be a strong and visible advocate for the school both within and external to the university and have a strong and proven commitment to EDI-AR and Indigenization. You will demonstrate a collaborative and participatory leadership and management style, balanced by an ability to make decisions and explain them, while interacting with individuals in a manner that is respectful, trustworthy, inclusive and transparent. In addition, the new Dean must have developed administrative skills including related financial and budget management experience. We encourage experiential knowledge and seek candidates who would contribute to the further diversification of our faculty and staff and its scholarship, including women, racialized people, Indigenous peoples, disabled people, and persons of any sexual orientation or gender identity.

TO APPLY

Applications are reviewed upon receipt and will continue until the position is filled. To submit your application including your letter of interest and CV, please click here.

The appointment is for five years (renewable upon review) and is to take effect on a mutually agreed date. Please reach out to [email protected] if you have any questions.

Your Personal Information

Memorial University respects the privacy and confidentiality of the personal information provided to us in the application process. All personal information is collected under the authority of the Memorial University Act (RSNL 1990 c M-7) for the purpose of identifying and recruiting candidates; assessing applicant qualifications; and maintaining records pertaining to the administration of employment with Memorial University.

Equal Opportunity

All qualified candidates are encouraged to apply; however, Canadians and permanent residents of Canada will be given priority. Memorial University is committed to employment equity and diversity and encourages applications from all qualified candidates, including women, people of any sexual orientation, gender identity, or gender expression; Indigenous peoples; visible minorities and racialized people; and disabled people.

Memorial University values people's different needs and therefore will take all reasonable steps to ensure accommodation for applicants throughout the recruitment and hiring process. If you require accommodation to participate in these processes, please inform us.