President and Vice-Chancellor
Concordia University of Edmonton (CUE) is seeking an inspiring, collaborative, and strategically minded leader to serve as its next President and Vice-Chancellor. This is an exciting opportunity to lead one of Alberta's distinctive universities at an important moment in its evolution; an institution grounded in a strong sense of community, a commitment to academic excellence, and a deeply held belief in the transformative power of education.
With a rich history spanning more than a century, Concordia University of Edmonton combines the personal connections and close-knit culture of a smaller university with an ambitious vision for its future. The next President will build on a foundation of institutional progress, working alongside a dedicated university community to advance academic excellence, strengthen financial sustainability, expand the University's reach and impact, and position CUE for its next chapter of growth and innovation.
Concordia University of Edmonton
Concordia University of Edmonton is a university that values its history and traditions, knowing that it provides a solid foundation to all of its students for the future.
For a century, Concordia University of Edmonton has been part of a growing Edmonton and an important educational institution in the province of Alberta. The university began as the realization of a dream of German Lutheran immigrants who highly valued the worth of an education. With the help of Lutherans from the American based Missouri Synod, the current university was first established as a junior college in downtown Edmonton in 1921. In 1926 Concordia was built on Treaty 6 land, after purchase of the property in 1925.
Since then, Concordia University of Edmonton has evolved to become one of the City of Edmonton’s best smaller universities and professional degree granting institutions. It is now recognized globally as a university committed to academic excellence in teaching and research, welcoming nearly 3,000 students annually from across Canada and from over 40 countries around the world.
Today, Concordia University of Edmonton offers over 45 majors and minors in the fields of Arts, Science and Management, along with after-degree programs (in Education and Environmental Health), Masters Degrees, a Doctorate, and a suite of Graduate Certificates and Graduate Diplomas in high demand areas.
The Role
The President and Vice-Chancellor is the chief executive officer and institutional leader of Concordia University of Edmonton (CUE). Appointed by and reporting directly to the Board of Governors, the President provides overall leadership and direction for the University, advancing its mission, strategic priorities, academic excellence, and long-term sustainability. Operating within a bicameral governance model, the President serves as a member of the Board of Governors and as Chair of the General Faculties Council (GFC), bridging institutional governance and academic leadership.
Concordia University of Edmonton is distinguished by its student-first culture and close-knit learning environment, where learners are known, supported, and connected. The University offers a distinctive educational experience characterized by small class sizes, accessible faculty, strong teaching, and meaningful opportunities for student engagement. The President will champion these defining qualities while ensuring student success remains at the centre of institutional decision-making.
The successful candidate will build on a solid foundation of institutional progress. CUE benefits from an agile and entrepreneurial culture, a dedicated faculty and staff complement, a strong senior leadership team, and an engaged Board committed to the University's future. Recent years have brought strengthened governance, constructive executive relationships, fiscal discipline, growth in research capacity, and significant investments in campus infrastructure, positioning the University for continued success.
As CUE's chief ambassador, the President will strengthen the University's profile and advocate for its interests with government, community leaders, industry partners, alumni, and donors. They will foster strategic partnerships, pursue opportunities for growth and innovation, and leverage the University's distinctive urban campus and growing community presence to enhance its impact within Edmonton, Alberta, and beyond.
An inspiring, collaborative, and politically astute leader, the President will cultivate a healthy, inclusive, and high-performing culture grounded in accountability, transparency, and shared purpose. By building on CUE's considerable strengths while embracing new opportunities, the President will help shape the University's next chapter and ensure it continues to thrive in an evolving post-secondary landscape.
The Ideal Candidate
The ideal candidate is an accomplished and visionary executive who combines strategic foresight, sound judgment, political acumen, and exceptional relationship-building skills. They will bring a proven track record of senior leadership in post-secondary education, complemented by expertise in institutional governance, financial stewardship, academic leadership, and organizational transformation. They are adept at navigating complex governance structures, balancing competing priorities, and advancing institutional strategy while ensuring accountability, fiscal sustainability, and alignment with provincial mandates and expectations.
A collaborative and politically astute leader, they have demonstrated success guiding complex organizations through growth, change, and financial constraint, translating strategic priorities into measurable outcomes. They champion academic excellence, research, innovative programming, and student success while building constructive relationships across the university community. An effective communicator and advocate, they can confidently represent Concordia University of Edmonton with government, industry, donors, alumni, Indigenous communities, and other stakeholders, cultivating strategic partnerships that strengthen the university’s reputation and advance its interests.
The successful candidate inspires trust through integrity, transparency, accountability, and courageous, evidence-informed decision-making. They are committed to fostering an inclusive, respectful, and equitable campus culture, empowering people and teams, and cultivating a strong sense of belonging across the university community. Guided by a deep alignment with Concordia University of Edmonton’s mission and vision, they will bring the resilience, adaptability, and collaborative leadership needed to position CUE for long-term sustainability, continued success, and meaningful impact.
Experience and Qualifications:
Why Join CUE?
This is an opportunity to lead a university with a proud history, a distinctive identity, and an ambitious vision for the future.
The next President will inherit an institution with considerable strengths: a dedicated and engaged university community, a strong senior leadership team, an active and supportive Board, a personalized student experience, growing research capacity, and a foundation of recent institutional progress. There is meaningful momentum to build upon and significant opportunity to shape what comes next.
Supported by an engaged Board of Governors, a strong senior leadership team, and dedicated faculty and staff, CUE is well positioned to build on this momentum.
As CUE looks to the future, it is committed to thoughtful growth, an outstanding student and employee experience, academic and research excellence, and effective governance and management. The University offers an opportunity to lead an institution that is nimble, entrepreneurial, and ambitious, while remaining deeply connected to the people and communities that define it.
How to Apply or Learn More
To learn more about this opportunity or to request a copy of the Executive Brief, contact Katherine Frank (kfrank@kbrs.ca) or Beth McLennan (bmclennan@kbrs.ca). Completed applications can be submitted online using the "Apply Now" button below.
Concordia University of Edmonton encourages applications from members of racialized groups, visible minorities, First Nations, Métis, Inuit, and Indigenous persons, persons with disabilities, women, persons of any sexual orientation or gender identity and expression, and others who may support a diversity of perspectives at CUE. All qualified candidates are encouraged to apply; however, Canadian citizens and permanent residents will be given priority.
KBRS and CUE University will provide support in the recruitment processes to applicants with disabilities, including accommodation that takes into account an applicant’s accessibility needs. If you require accommodation in order to participate as a candidate in the recruitment process, please contact accommodate@kbrs.ca.
With a rich history spanning more than a century, Concordia University of Edmonton combines the personal connections and close-knit culture of a smaller university with an ambitious vision for its future. The next President will build on a foundation of institutional progress, working alongside a dedicated university community to advance academic excellence, strengthen financial sustainability, expand the University's reach and impact, and position CUE for its next chapter of growth and innovation.
Concordia University of Edmonton
Concordia University of Edmonton is a university that values its history and traditions, knowing that it provides a solid foundation to all of its students for the future.
For a century, Concordia University of Edmonton has been part of a growing Edmonton and an important educational institution in the province of Alberta. The university began as the realization of a dream of German Lutheran immigrants who highly valued the worth of an education. With the help of Lutherans from the American based Missouri Synod, the current university was first established as a junior college in downtown Edmonton in 1921. In 1926 Concordia was built on Treaty 6 land, after purchase of the property in 1925.
Since then, Concordia University of Edmonton has evolved to become one of the City of Edmonton’s best smaller universities and professional degree granting institutions. It is now recognized globally as a university committed to academic excellence in teaching and research, welcoming nearly 3,000 students annually from across Canada and from over 40 countries around the world.
Today, Concordia University of Edmonton offers over 45 majors and minors in the fields of Arts, Science and Management, along with after-degree programs (in Education and Environmental Health), Masters Degrees, a Doctorate, and a suite of Graduate Certificates and Graduate Diplomas in high demand areas.
The Role
The President and Vice-Chancellor is the chief executive officer and institutional leader of Concordia University of Edmonton (CUE). Appointed by and reporting directly to the Board of Governors, the President provides overall leadership and direction for the University, advancing its mission, strategic priorities, academic excellence, and long-term sustainability. Operating within a bicameral governance model, the President serves as a member of the Board of Governors and as Chair of the General Faculties Council (GFC), bridging institutional governance and academic leadership.
Concordia University of Edmonton is distinguished by its student-first culture and close-knit learning environment, where learners are known, supported, and connected. The University offers a distinctive educational experience characterized by small class sizes, accessible faculty, strong teaching, and meaningful opportunities for student engagement. The President will champion these defining qualities while ensuring student success remains at the centre of institutional decision-making.
The successful candidate will build on a solid foundation of institutional progress. CUE benefits from an agile and entrepreneurial culture, a dedicated faculty and staff complement, a strong senior leadership team, and an engaged Board committed to the University's future. Recent years have brought strengthened governance, constructive executive relationships, fiscal discipline, growth in research capacity, and significant investments in campus infrastructure, positioning the University for continued success.
As CUE's chief ambassador, the President will strengthen the University's profile and advocate for its interests with government, community leaders, industry partners, alumni, and donors. They will foster strategic partnerships, pursue opportunities for growth and innovation, and leverage the University's distinctive urban campus and growing community presence to enhance its impact within Edmonton, Alberta, and beyond.
An inspiring, collaborative, and politically astute leader, the President will cultivate a healthy, inclusive, and high-performing culture grounded in accountability, transparency, and shared purpose. By building on CUE's considerable strengths while embracing new opportunities, the President will help shape the University's next chapter and ensure it continues to thrive in an evolving post-secondary landscape.
The Ideal Candidate
The ideal candidate is an accomplished and visionary executive who combines strategic foresight, sound judgment, political acumen, and exceptional relationship-building skills. They will bring a proven track record of senior leadership in post-secondary education, complemented by expertise in institutional governance, financial stewardship, academic leadership, and organizational transformation. They are adept at navigating complex governance structures, balancing competing priorities, and advancing institutional strategy while ensuring accountability, fiscal sustainability, and alignment with provincial mandates and expectations.
A collaborative and politically astute leader, they have demonstrated success guiding complex organizations through growth, change, and financial constraint, translating strategic priorities into measurable outcomes. They champion academic excellence, research, innovative programming, and student success while building constructive relationships across the university community. An effective communicator and advocate, they can confidently represent Concordia University of Edmonton with government, industry, donors, alumni, Indigenous communities, and other stakeholders, cultivating strategic partnerships that strengthen the university’s reputation and advance its interests.
The successful candidate inspires trust through integrity, transparency, accountability, and courageous, evidence-informed decision-making. They are committed to fostering an inclusive, respectful, and equitable campus culture, empowering people and teams, and cultivating a strong sense of belonging across the university community. Guided by a deep alignment with Concordia University of Edmonton’s mission and vision, they will bring the resilience, adaptability, and collaborative leadership needed to position CUE for long-term sustainability, continued success, and meaningful impact.
Experience and Qualifications:
- A terminal degree, typically a PhD or equivalent, is required.
- A proven track record of successful executive leadership in senior post-secondary positions, typically as a Provost, Vice-President, or equivalent senior academic administrator.
- Demonstrated experience in complex budget management, institutional growth, strategic organizational planning, and leading institutional transformation or change management.
Why Join CUE?
This is an opportunity to lead a university with a proud history, a distinctive identity, and an ambitious vision for the future.
The next President will inherit an institution with considerable strengths: a dedicated and engaged university community, a strong senior leadership team, an active and supportive Board, a personalized student experience, growing research capacity, and a foundation of recent institutional progress. There is meaningful momentum to build upon and significant opportunity to shape what comes next.
Supported by an engaged Board of Governors, a strong senior leadership team, and dedicated faculty and staff, CUE is well positioned to build on this momentum.
As CUE looks to the future, it is committed to thoughtful growth, an outstanding student and employee experience, academic and research excellence, and effective governance and management. The University offers an opportunity to lead an institution that is nimble, entrepreneurial, and ambitious, while remaining deeply connected to the people and communities that define it.
How to Apply or Learn More
To learn more about this opportunity or to request a copy of the Executive Brief, contact Katherine Frank (kfrank@kbrs.ca) or Beth McLennan (bmclennan@kbrs.ca). Completed applications can be submitted online using the "Apply Now" button below.
Concordia University of Edmonton encourages applications from members of racialized groups, visible minorities, First Nations, Métis, Inuit, and Indigenous persons, persons with disabilities, women, persons of any sexual orientation or gender identity and expression, and others who may support a diversity of perspectives at CUE. All qualified candidates are encouraged to apply; however, Canadian citizens and permanent residents will be given priority.
KBRS and CUE University will provide support in the recruitment processes to applicants with disabilities, including accommodation that takes into account an applicant’s accessibility needs. If you require accommodation in order to participate as a candidate in the recruitment process, please contact accommodate@kbrs.ca.