Job Description
Job description
NSCAD University – President
NSCAD University—formerly the Nova Scotia College of Art and Design—is situated in Halifax, Nova Scotia or Kjipuktuk, the district of Spekne’katik, on the ancestral and unceded territory of the Mi’kmaq Nation. The first degree-granting art school in the country, NSCAD has stood as a beacon of creativity in Atlantic Canada and beyond for nearly 140 years. From the 1960s onwards, NSCAD has formed an institutional DNA that is characterized by experimentation and encouragement for individual direction and innovation. Its non-conformist spirit has become the motto of contemporary art worldwide, as John Baldessari instructed NSCAD students to write repeatedly: “I will not make any more boring art.”
Today, NSCAD is more than a school: it is a sanctuary for artists, thinkers, makers, and changemakers. Our school offers graduate and undergraduate degrees in fine and media arts, craft, design, art history, art education, as well as an ambitious array of Extended Studies courses. Our alumni are highly regarded professionals living in Canada and around the world, ranging from artists and craftspersons, to entrepreneurs and small business owners, to designers of modern health and environmental products. With the successful hires of BIPOC faculty cohorts in 2026–2026, NSCAD is brimming with energy and excitement for the next phase of its transformation.
Located in the heart of Halifax, Nova Scotia—Atlantic Canada’s largest and most vibrant city—NSCAD is an immersive environment where adventurous thinkers and makers discover their passion and identities. Here, creation and research converge in an organic way in classrooms, laboratories, and studios. From the past to the present, NSCAD continues to define what an experimental art and design institution can be.
The Role
Appointed by and reporting to the Board of Governors, the President of NSCAD University serves as the institution’s chief executive officer, providing strategic leadership to a respected and innovative art and design university.
Our President will be a perceptive and imaginative leader—someone who takes the time to understand the University’s past, present, and future, and who can inspire a shared vision across its diverse communities. Our President will champion the value of art and art education, and will advocate for NSCAD in public, private, and community sectors, both nationally and internationally.
As NSCAD’s senior leader, the President will guide day-to-day operations with clarity and care, working with us—faculty, staff, students, and partners—to support the University’s mission and long-term sustainability. The President will foster a culture of collaboration, creativity, and thoughtful risk-taking.
Our President will understand the unusual administrative structure of a small university, which depends heavily on teamwork and shared responsibilities and less on a top-down management style.
An engaged artist, designer, or scholar, our President will be an active presence in the creative and academic life of the school—someone students and faculty look to for both leadership and companionship in their work.
As the University’s primary ambassador, our President will speak compellingly to many audiences—government, donors, Indigenous communities, alumni, prospective students, and the public—about what makes NSCAD exceptional.
To learn more about this opportunity, contact Katherine Frank ([email protected]) or Beth McLennan ([email protected]). Completed applications can be submitted online at https://www.kbrs.ca/Career/uoy.
All qualified candidates are encouraged to apply; however Canadian citizens and permanent residents of Canada will be given priority in this search. NSCAD university encourages applications from Indigenous persons, racially visible persons, persons with a disability, women and all candidates who would contribute to the diversity of our community. Equity, diversity, inclusion, and accessibility (EDIA) are core values at NSCAD University, fundamental to fostering a research, learning, and working environment where everyone feels valued and respected. We believe that an inclusive campus thrives on diverse perspectives, allowing creativity and innovation to flourish. Acknowledging the systemic barriers that many members of our community face, we are committed to continually designing, reviewing, and rebuilding policies, programs, and practices that are inclusive, equitable, and accessible to all. Guided by NSCAD’s EDIA Targeted Action Plan (TAP), we prioritize EDIA across all aspects of the institution to create a culture where every member is recognized as a valued contributor.
KBRS and NSCAD 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 [email protected]
NSCAD University – President
NSCAD University—formerly the Nova Scotia College of Art and Design—is situated in Halifax, Nova Scotia or Kjipuktuk, the district of Spekne’katik, on the ancestral and unceded territory of the Mi’kmaq Nation. The first degree-granting art school in the country, NSCAD has stood as a beacon of creativity in Atlantic Canada and beyond for nearly 140 years. From the 1960s onwards, NSCAD has formed an institutional DNA that is characterized by experimentation and encouragement for individual direction and innovation. Its non-conformist spirit has become the motto of contemporary art worldwide, as John Baldessari instructed NSCAD students to write repeatedly: “I will not make any more boring art.”
Today, NSCAD is more than a school: it is a sanctuary for artists, thinkers, makers, and changemakers. Our school offers graduate and undergraduate degrees in fine and media arts, craft, design, art history, art education, as well as an ambitious array of Extended Studies courses. Our alumni are highly regarded professionals living in Canada and around the world, ranging from artists and craftspersons, to entrepreneurs and small business owners, to designers of modern health and environmental products. With the successful hires of BIPOC faculty cohorts in 2026–2026, NSCAD is brimming with energy and excitement for the next phase of its transformation.
Located in the heart of Halifax, Nova Scotia—Atlantic Canada’s largest and most vibrant city—NSCAD is an immersive environment where adventurous thinkers and makers discover their passion and identities. Here, creation and research converge in an organic way in classrooms, laboratories, and studios. From the past to the present, NSCAD continues to define what an experimental art and design institution can be.
The Role
Appointed by and reporting to the Board of Governors, the President of NSCAD University serves as the institution’s chief executive officer, providing strategic leadership to a respected and innovative art and design university.
Our President will be a perceptive and imaginative leader—someone who takes the time to understand the University’s past, present, and future, and who can inspire a shared vision across its diverse communities. Our President will champion the value of art and art education, and will advocate for NSCAD in public, private, and community sectors, both nationally and internationally.
As NSCAD’s senior leader, the President will guide day-to-day operations with clarity and care, working with us—faculty, staff, students, and partners—to support the University’s mission and long-term sustainability. The President will foster a culture of collaboration, creativity, and thoughtful risk-taking.
Our President will understand the unusual administrative structure of a small university, which depends heavily on teamwork and shared responsibilities and less on a top-down management style.
An engaged artist, designer, or scholar, our President will be an active presence in the creative and academic life of the school—someone students and faculty look to for both leadership and companionship in their work.
As the University’s primary ambassador, our President will speak compellingly to many audiences—government, donors, Indigenous communities, alumni, prospective students, and the public—about what makes NSCAD exceptional.
To learn more about this opportunity, contact Katherine Frank ([email protected]) or Beth McLennan ([email protected]). Completed applications can be submitted online at https://www.kbrs.ca/Career/uoy.
All qualified candidates are encouraged to apply; however Canadian citizens and permanent residents of Canada will be given priority in this search. NSCAD university encourages applications from Indigenous persons, racially visible persons, persons with a disability, women and all candidates who would contribute to the diversity of our community. Equity, diversity, inclusion, and accessibility (EDIA) are core values at NSCAD University, fundamental to fostering a research, learning, and working environment where everyone feels valued and respected. We believe that an inclusive campus thrives on diverse perspectives, allowing creativity and innovation to flourish. Acknowledging the systemic barriers that many members of our community face, we are committed to continually designing, reviewing, and rebuilding policies, programs, and practices that are inclusive, equitable, and accessible to all. Guided by NSCAD’s EDIA Targeted Action Plan (TAP), we prioritize EDIA across all aspects of the institution to create a culture where every member is recognized as a valued contributor.
KBRS and NSCAD 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 [email protected]
💡 Quick Summary
Seeking a career-building opportunity? The President position is now open for candidates interested in the Education Jobs sector. This role in Halifax offers a professional environment and growth potential.
Requirement Snapshot: Candidates should possess basic communication skills, a proactive attitude, and the ability to work in a team. Experience in Education Jobs is a plus.
