Dean, Don Wright Faculty of Music

Dean, Don Wright Faculty of Music

Western University

Western University invites nominations and applications for the position of Dean, Don Wright Faculty of Music.

Western University is located on the traditional lands of the Anishinaabek, Haudenosaunee, Lūnaapéewak and Attawandaron peoples, on lands connected with the London Township and Sombra Treaties of 1796 and the Dish with One Spoon Covenant Wampum. This land continues to be home to diverse Indigenous Peoples (First Nations, Métis and Inuit) whom we recognize as contemporary stewards of the land and vital contributors of our society.

The Don Wright Faculty of Music is a unique community of nationally and internationally renowned scholars and musicians who inspire excellence, nurture curiosity and educate adaptable musicians who are poised to realize their full potential and contribute to the betterment of society. The Faculty, with a full-time student body of 457 undergraduate and 150 graduate students, offers a broad range of programs (undergraduate, graduate, doctoral, diploma and certificate), challenging learning experiences, a collegial atmosphere, and facilities that include one of North America's top music library collections. The Faculty has exceptional space, including a recent $25 million dollar expansion and renovation of the Music building. The Faculty supports a wide range of studies in music education, music performance, and music research and composition and is very active in research and graduate teaching.

Reporting to the Provost & Vice-President (Academic), and working in collaboration with the Associate Deans, Assistant Dean, and the Chairs of Departments, the Dean provides leadership to the Faculty, including long-term strategic planning, commitment to student success, research, academic development, advancement, and the management of financial, administrative and human resources. The Dean plays a major role in celebrating the achievements of students, faculty, staff and alumni while collaborating with the national and international music community and external stakeholders.  

The next Dean will be an inspiring leader who listens and provides mentorship to members of the Faculty and builds strong collaboration across the university community. As the ideal candidate, you are an established and successful scholar, educator, and a visionary leader ready to lead the faculty in positive change.  Your career has exemplified interdisciplinary collaboration, scholarly and/or performance excellence, and a deep respect for and broad understanding of all forms of music performance and scholarship. You are an experienced or emerging academic administrator who displays confidence, objectivity, and enthusiasm in leading faculty, staff and students and you appreciate the challenges of an environment that encompasses education, research, and performance training.  

Since 1878, Western University has been committed to serving our communities through the pursuit of academic excellence and by providing students, faculty, and community members with life-long opportunities for intellectual, social, and cultural growth.  

Western is a founding member of Canada’s U15, serves as a hub for more than 500 international research collaborations, and is recognized as one of Canada’s Top 100 Employers. There are approximately 40,000 students, including more than 451 Indigenous undergraduate and 138 graduate students, 5,800 international undergraduate and graduate students from 128 countries, within Western’s 12 Faculties and Schools and three affiliated University Colleges. Approximately 4,000 faculty and staff work in partnership to deliver 400+ specializations, majors and minors, as well as innovative modular degree programs.

Western is committed to employment equity and diversity in the workplace and welcomes applications from women, members of racialized groups / visible minorities, Indigenous people, persons with disabilities, persons with any sexual orientation, and persons of any gender identity or gender expression. Accommodations are available for applicants with disabilities throughout the recruitment process by contacting Jessa Chupik at jchupik@boyden.com.

Consideration of candidates, by the search committee, will begin in late October 2020.  To ensure candidates have enough time to carefully consider the role, please contact a member of Boyden’s team as noted below, as soon as possible. Given the COVID-19 crisis, every effort to accommodate candidates will be made in a way that is equitable and respectful of their additional professional, community and personal responsibilities during this difficult time. 

For further information and the full executive briefing document, please contact Nick Chambers and Jessa Chupik at jchupik@boyden.com.

In accordance with Canadian immigration requirements, all qualified candidates are encouraged to apply; however, Canadians and Permanent Residents will be given priority.