Vancouver Island University (VIU) is a public special purpose teaching university serving Vancouver Island and coastal British Columbia, with a proud history dating back to 1936. From its origins as a community-focused institution, VIU has evolved into a dynamic, learner-centred university serving approximately 12,000 students annually through more than 100 academic, trades, continuing education and Indigenous education programs. 

Reporting to the President and Vice-Chancellor and serving as the University’s Chief Academic Officer, the Provost and Vice-President Academic provides leadership for the academic mission and direction of the institution. As a key member of the Executive Committee, the Provost and Vice-President Academic oversees academic planning, program quality, faculty affairs, academic policy and the advancement of teaching, learning, research and student success across multiple campuses and learning environments. At a pivotal moment of academic transformation, the Provost and Vice-President Academic will play a central role in shaping the University’s future academic landscape – guiding program renewal, fostering interdisciplinary collaboration, strengthening academic quality and ensuring that VIU’s educational offerings remain responsive to the evolving needs of learners, communities and the workforce. The role also carries significant responsibility for advancing Indigenous engagement and reconciliation, supporting collegial governance and aligning academic priorities with the institution’s long-term strategic and financial sustainability. 

The ideal candidate is an accomplished and respected academic leader who brings experience navigating complex post-secondary environments and a demonstrated commitment to academic excellence, teaching and learning and student success. Strategic, collaborative and student-centred, the successful candidate will possess the ability to lead meaningful academic transformation while building trust across diverse stakeholder groups. They will have a proven track record of advancing academic planning and quality, fostering innovation and supporting faculty and academic leadership. Equally important is a demonstrated commitment to reconciliation, coupled with a sophisticated understanding of collegial governance and the ability to work effectively with Senate, the Board, Deans and faculty. The Provost and Vice-President Academic will bring strong financial stewardship and lead with integrity, humility and sound judgment, balancing consultation and consensus-building with decisiveness and accountability.

This is an opportunity to help shape the future of one of Canada’s most distinctive teaching universities at a defining moment in its evolution. Situated in Nanaimo, one of British Columbia’s fastest-growing and most desirable coastal communities, VIU offers the rare combination of institutional complexity, community connection and exceptional quality of life. For a leader inspired by academic excellence, student achievement, Indigenous partnership and regional impact, the Provost and Vice-President Academic role presents a unique platform to influence the future of higher education while contributing meaningfully to the social, cultural, environmental and economic vitality of Vancouver Island and coastal British Columbia.

VIU offers a competitive compensation package which includes an attractive base salary and excellent benefits, including a defined benefits pension plan. The compensation range for this role is $223,000 - $254,000. Further details will be discussed with candidates during the interview process. To explore this opportunity further, please click Apply. 

The VIU community acknowledges and thanks the Snuneymuxw, Quw’utsun, Tla’amin, Snaw-naw-as and Qualicum First Nation on whose traditional lands we teach, learn, research, live and share knowledge. 

We thank all applicants for their interest in this position. Please note that we will only be in contact with those individuals moving forward with our client.