Dean, Faculty of Law (Civil Law Section) chez University of Ottawa

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Posting Reason:

Permanent - Replacement

Job Type:

Employee

Job Family:

Academic Leadership and Faculty

Faculty/Service - Department:

Office of the Provost and Vice-President, Academic Affairs

Campus:

Main Campus

Date Posted (YYYY/MM/DD):

2025/11/20

Applications must be received BEFORE (YYYY/MM/DD):

2025/11/20

Opportunities and challenges

The Civil Law Section (the “section”) of the Faculty of Law at the University of Ottawa is at a pivotal point in its history. Building on a tradition of excellence in teaching, research and community involvement, the section is in an exceptional position to consolidate its influence and strengthen its role in the Canadian and international Francophone legal community.

Key opportunities

• Unique strategic positioning: Located in the heart of Canada’s capital, at the crossroads of Quebec, Canadian and Indigenous legal traditions, the section offers a prime environment for strengthening linkages between civil law and the country’s federal, political and legal institutions.
• Expanding research: The section is supported by a growing faculty, vibrant and recognized research structures and a 2025–2030 strategic vision focused on interdisciplinarity, knowledge mobilization and research with high social impact.
• Cultivating student and community vitality: Strengthening linkages between staff, professors and students continues to be at the heart of our mission, along with the pursuit of an inclusive, caring and supportive Faculty culture.
• Consolidating the French legal community: By building on its partnerships, its presence in parliamentary and legal circles and its research initiatives, the section has the opportunity to further assert its role as an intellectual hub for the Francophone legal community in North America.

These opportunities are accompanied by stimulating challenges:

• Ensuring the stability and responsible management of resources in a changing budgetary and institutional environment.
• Maintaining the quality and visibility of research and teaching, while continuing to develop the next generation of professors.
• Aligning research and higher education even more to attract and retain the best talent.
• Continuing to modernize governance and collaborative practices to support a community in the midst of transformation.
• Ensuring alignment with the University of Ottawa’s strategic plan, Transformation 2030.

Responsibilities

Reporting to the provost and vice-president, academic affairs, the dean of the Civil Law Section provides academic, strategic and administrative leadership for the Faculty of Law at the University of Ottawa. The incumbent is responsible for promoting excellence in teaching, research and community involvement, in a collegial, inclusive and bilingual environment. Key responsibilities include the following:

Academic and strategic management

• Defines and implements a unifying vision for the section, in line with the strategic orientations of the University and the Faculty of Law.
• Fosters commitment and cohesion among the various components of the Faculty community—professors, staff and students—and nourishes a spirit of collaboration with the Common Law Section.
• Consolidates linkages with legal, political and institutional circles in Canada’s capital to strengthen the section’s presence and its influence over major social and legal issues.

Teaching and training

• Ensures the quality, relevance and vitality of the section’s undergraduate and graduate programs.
• Promotes innovative, bilingual teaching approaches that prepare students to practise their profession in multi-jurisdictional, multilingual settings.
• Supports student recruitment, retention and success, particularly in graduate programs.

Research and outreach

• Supports the implementation of the Strategic Research Plan 2025–2030, in particular, research structure consolidation, partnership development and knowledge mobilization.
• Fosters an environment conducive to interdisciplinary, inclusive and socially committed research, in line with the section’s values.
• Encourages the inclusion of students in research projects and acknowledgement of their scholarly contributions.

Management and governance

• Manages the section’s human, financial and material resources rigorously, transparently and equitably.
• Ensures the section’s administrative stability and continuity, particularly in a context of transition and growth in faculty numbers.
• Maintains a constructive dialogue with University, union and community bodies, promoting consultation and collegiality in decision making.

Leadership and community involvement

• Promotes diversity, equity, well-being and inclusion in the Faculty community.
• Represents the section in academic, governmental, professional and international fora.
• Maintains and strengthens relationships with graduates, community partners and donors by fostering their commitment to the section’s mission, priorities and development.
• Contributes actively to promoting the Francophone legal community and the profile of civil law in academic, legal and public circles.

Profile

The person appointed to head the Civil Law Section will be a recognized academic leader, with a clear strategic vision, strong listening skills and the ability to mobilize the community around joint projects.

The incumbent will combine intellectual excellence, people-oriented leadership and administrative rigour, in a spirit of collegiality and service to the University mission. The main skills and qualities sought are as follows:

• Doctorate (PhD) or equivalent law degree recognized by the University of Ottawa, and a solid background in civil law
• Outstanding track record in teaching, research and academic outreach
• Recognition in the academic and legal community for the quality, relevance and impact of own research work
• Clear vision of the development of civil law and the Francophone legal community in Canada and internationally
• Proven ability to inspire change in a complex academic environment, balancing innovation and continuity
• Successful management experience in a comparable academic or organizational environment, particularly in a multidisciplinary or multijurisdictional setting
• Demonstrated talent for team mobilization, consensus building and participative governance
• Extensive experience in strategic planning, budget management and human resources management
• Commitment to transparent, equitable and consultative governance
• Ability to represent the Civil Law Section assertively and diplomatically with academic, government and professional bodies
• Keen intelligence, sustained energy and strong sense of ethics
• Ability to listen, engage in dialogue and recognize each person’s contributions
• Sensitivity to cultural, institutional and linguistic differences specific to Francophone, Quebec and English-Canadian environments
• Inclusive leadership with attention to the well-being and development of members of the Faculty community
• Understanding of contemporary legal research issues, particularly in terms of interdisciplinarity, diversity of knowledge and knowledge mobilization
• Interest in the integration of research and graduate studies, and ability to support the development of the Strategic Research Plan 2025–2030
• Ability and commitment to raise the profile of the Civil Law Section among its graduates and the philanthropic community, through, for example, projects and initiatives that benefit all stakeholders
• Desire to promote the values of boldness, openness and collegiality, which characterize the section
• Fluency in English and French (spoken and written)

University of Ottawa

Located on the unceded ancestral territory of the Algonquin Nation, the University of Ottawa is a major research university offering a full range of academic programs. Founded in 1848, it is now the world’s largest English-French bilingual university, with nine faculties and 49,000 students enrolled in its undergraduate, graduate and postdoctoral programs. It ranks among Canada’s top 10 research universities, and 187th in the Times Higher Education World University Rankings 2026.

Find out more about the University of Ottawa

Faculty of Law, Civil Law Section

Founded over 70 years ago, the University of Ottawa’s Civil Law Section is still the only school outside Quebec that offers comprehensive training in civil law, in the Quebec legal tradition and in French. It prepares its graduates for admission to both the Quebec Bar and the Chambre des notaires du Québec, thereby contributing to the vitality and sustainability of the Francophone legal community in North America. In conjunction with the Common Law Section, the Civil Law Section offers graduate programs (master’s and PhD) in law. 

In addition to its professional training mission, the Civil Law Section is known for the quality and innovation of its research. Its internationally recognized faculty includes several research chairs in cutting-edge fields such as artificial intelligence law, sustainable trade, health law and access to justice. Various legal clinics and centres provide a direct link between academia, students and civil society.

Open to the world, the section is involved in numerous national and international academic and research partnerships, and promotes student mobility through exchanges and dual degrees. It boasts a modern learning environment, state-of-the-art technology facilities and a rich student life characterized by engagement.

Graduate studies at the Faculty of Law, Civil Law Section, are offered jointly with the Faculty of Law, Common Law Section, providing fertile opportunities for comparative legal research in Canada’s two official languages.

Application process

If you think you match the profile we’re looking for, fill in the Application Form and attach your CV and covering letter. All information received will be treated in the strictest confidence. We would like to thank all applicants in advance. The review of recommended candidates, applications and expressions of interest will begin immediately and continue until the position is filled.

The University of Ottawa is an equal opportunity employer. We strongly encourage applications from women, Indigenous persons, persons with disabilities and members of visible minorities. In keeping with Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada requirements, all qualified persons are invited to apply; however, preference will be given to Canadian citizens and permanent residents.

The University of Ottawa is proud of its over 175-year tradition of bilingualism. At the time of their appointment, senior executives must be able to function in a bilingual environment (English-French).

Kenniff Leadership

The University of Ottawa is committed to ensuring equity, diversity, and inclusion in the scholarly and leadership environments of our students, staff, and faculty. Accordingly, we strongly encourage applications from Indigenous Peoples in Canada, visible minorities members (racialized persons), persons with disabilities, women, as well as from all qualified candidates with the skills and knowledge to productively engage with equitable, diverse, and inclusive communities. Candidates who wish to be considered as a member of one or more designated groups are asked to complete the confidential Self-Identification Questionnaire, to be completed at the time of application.

All qualified candidates are invited to apply; however, preference will be given to Canadians and permanent residents. When submitting your application, please indicate if you are legally entitled to work in Canada

The University of Ottawa provides accommodations for applicants with disabilities throughout the recruitment process. If you are invited to proceed in the selection process, please notify us of any accommodations that you require by contacting the Office of the Vice-Provost, Faculty Relations by email at [email protected]. Any information you send us will be handled respectfully and in complete confidence.

The University of Ottawa is proud of its 160-year tradition of bilingualism. Through its Official Languages and Bilingualism Institute, the University provides training to staff members and to their spouses in their second official language.

Prior to May 1, 2022, the University required all students, faculty, staff, and visitors (including contractors) to be fully vaccinated against Covid-19 as defined in Policy 129 – Covid-19 Vaccination. This policy was suspended effective May 1, 2022 but may be reinstated at any point in the future depending on public health guidelines and the recommendations of experts.

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