Director of the School of Kinesiology

University of British Columbia

Situated on the unceded, ancestral, and traditional territories of the xʷməθkʷəy̓əm (Musqueam) people in Vancouver, Canada, the Faculty of Education at the University of British Columbia invites applications for a full-time tenured Professor or Professor of Teaching position to serve as Director of the School of Kinesiology. The School of Kinesiology is a leading academic unit in Canada focused on interdisciplinary approaches to sport, physical activity, and health across the lifespan, and is committed to excellence in scholarship, teaching, community engagement, and professional leadership.

The UBC School of Kinesiology holds the top position in North America and is ranked third globally for sports-related research and teaching, according to the 2024 QS University Rankings. The School currently has 32 full-time tenure-stream faculty members, over 1400 full-time undergraduate students, and over 200 graduate students. The School offers a Bachelor of Kinesiology degree with specializations in Neuromechanical and Physiological Sciences, Social and Behavioural Sciences, and Multi-disciplinary Science. The graduate program includes MA, MSc, Master of Kinesiology (Clinical Kinesiology and Performance and Coaching Sciences), Master of High Performance Coaching & Technical Leadership, and PhD degrees. For further details about the School of Kinesiology and its research and teaching, please visit the School’s website.

The successful candidate must possess a doctoral degree in kinesiology or a related field. The successful candidate is expected to demonstrate the following:
• an international reputation and a distinguished record of academic accomplishments consistent with an appointment at the rank of Professor or Professor of Teaching at UBC, in one or more of the School’s programmatic areas and related fields;
• the ability to provide collaborative and innovative leadership to the School for an engaged culture of interdisciplinary research and teaching, with a commitment to the diversity of kinesiology and the various disciplines and traditions that make up the School;
• a strong track record of motivating and supporting research and educational leadership activities, including demonstrable evidence of leadership in their own research or educational leadership area of study with an international impact;
• the ability to engage with and advance the School’s strategic plans and institutional priorities, and work across the Faculty of Education and University;
• the ability to address administrative and academic challenges strategically, effectively, and in a manner that is attuned to diverse perspectives and experiences;
• a strong understanding of budgets in a post-secondary institution context and experience in making budget decisions responsibly;
• the ability to manage conflicts and personnel matters through an informed, inclusive, and thoughtful form of mediation that values diverse perspectives and promotes equitable decision-making;
• the ability to evaluate faculty performance and manage workload in an equitable, inclusive, and transparent manner;
• the ability to support faculty development with a good understanding of tenure and promotion processes, policies, and procedures (including Collective Agreements), and of the diverse profiles and scholarship of faculty in the School;
• a strong track record of working respectfully with, and being mindful of the diverse priorities and values of staff, faculty, and students;
• a commitment to fostering excellence in diverse student experiences and learning, including a passion to enhancing undergraduate and graduate student experiences, while ensuring inclusivity and support for all learners;
• an approach to working with staff in administration and student services that is collaborative and approachable;
• a strong understanding of enacting equity, diversity, inclusion, and decolonization (EDID), as well as a track record of enactment and future plans to advance EDID;
• support of, and a clear vision for Indigenous initiatives in kinesiology, including research methodologies, programs and curriculum, and engagement;
• an ability to leverage and understand external partnerships and engagement with industry and community organizations across the range of disciplines within kinesiology; and
• excellent interpersonal, organizational, and communication skills.

The successful candidate will be offered two concurrent positions – an ongoing academic appointment at the rank of Professor or Professor of Teaching with tenure in the School of Kinesiology, and a five-year term administrative appointment as Director. Both appointments are expected to start July 1, 2025, or as mutually agreed upon between the University and the successful candidate.

The academic appointment (rank and tenure) is subject to a positive review of the successful candidate’s record of achievements based on UBC’s appointment and tenure criteria as specified in the Collective Agreement, following the University’s established appointment processes. For more information on the review process and criteria for appointment, please visit this link. This position is subject to final budgetary approval. The expected pay range for the academic appointment is $220,000 - $250,000 per annum. The administrative appointment is for a five-year term, with the possibility of renewal for another five-year term. The administrative appointment comes with an administrative stipend. These positions are subject to final budgetary approval.

UBC is a global centre for research and teaching, consistently ranked among the top 20 public universities in the world. The UBC Faculty of Education is one of the leading Faculties of its kind in the world, tied first in Canadian rankings and ranked 10th globally. Our work advances educational research and understanding of teaching and learning in a way that affirms diversity, equity, and innovation, and takes part in international collaboration in an interdependent globe. We provide a comprehensive set of programmatic offerings at the baccalaureate, magisterial, and doctoral levels. For more information on the Faculty of Education, please visit this website.

The School of Kinesiology, the Faculty of Education and UBC are dedicated to the goal of building a diverse and inclusive academic community. Preference will be given to applicants who demonstrate a commitment to and expertise in decolonizing, reconciliation, anti-racist, and social justice approaches to research or educational leadership, teaching, and service, and have a strong commitment to fostering inclusivity and teaching effectively in a welcoming environment. For more information about the Faculty of Education’s commitments and work related to equity, diversity, inclusion, and decolonization, please visit this link.

Interested candidates are invited to submit an application package that includes:
(i) a cover letter (maximum two single-spaced pages, please indicate the academic rank you are applying for (Professor or Professor of Teaching), and if you are a Canadian citizen or permanent resident);
(ii) curriculum vitae;
(iii) evidence of teaching excellence (including course outlines and student evaluations);
(iv) a statement of administrative experience and leadership background (maximum one single-spaced page);
(v) an EDID statement (maximum one single-spaced page) that describes and documents your contributions to equity, diversity, inclusion, and decolonization (EDID) through your teaching, scholarship, leadership, service, and community engagement, addressing the following three areas: (1) understanding of and knowledge about EDID, (2) track record in advancing EDID, and (3) future plans for EDID; and
(vi) names and contact details of three references. Letters of reference will only be requested for candidates who are advancing to the next stage in the search process.

Complete applications must be provided in the format of one bookmarked PDF file addressed to Dr. Jan Hare, Dean, Faculty of Education, and sent to Michael Wilkinson, Manager, HR & Administration, via email at michael.wilkinson@ubc.ca. Following the submission of the application, the applicant will receive an Equity Survey link via email. Completion of the Equity Survey is required as part of the application process. Accommodations are available on request for all applicants with disabilities at all stages of the search process. To confidentially request accommodations, please contact educ.hr@ubc.ca.

While the search remains open until the position is filled, interested applicants are encouraged to submit their complete application package by January 15, 2025. Questions regarding this search and the application deadline should be directed to Michael Wilkinson, Manager, HR & Administration, Faculty of Education, at michael.wilkinson@ubc.ca.

Equity and diversity are essential to academic excellence. An open and diverse community fosters the inclusion of voices that have been underrepresented or discouraged. We encourage applications from members of groups that have been marginalized on any grounds enumerated under the B.C. Human Rights Code, including sex, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, racialization, disability, political belief, religion, marital or family status, age, and/or status as a First Nation, Metis, Inuit, or Indigenous person. All qualified candidates are encouraged to apply; however, Canadians and permanent residents will be given priority.