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Vice Dean, Community, Culture, and Belonging

Department/Portfolio: School of Medicine
Position supervisor: Dean, School of Medicine and Vice-President, Medical Affairs 
Contract length: 5 years
Hours of work per week: 14.50 hours per week (0.40 FTE)
Position type: Clinical Faculty 
Rate of pay: $1,500 per 0.20 FTE or 7.25 hours 
Start date: September 1, 2026, or as negotiated with the selected candidate.

About the School of Medicine

It’s time to transform medical education. Toronto Metropolitan University’s School of Medicine is being designed to shift the paradigm of healthcare delivery and improve the well-being of individuals, families and communities. With a community-driven, intentionally inclusive approach, the new school will train doctors whose cultural awareness and humility are as crucial as their medical skills.

Led by Dr. Teresa M. Chan, a forward-thinking educational leader, TMU’s School of Medicine will draw on the university’s commitment to community, equity, and innovation to address rapidly changing healthcare needs. The school will train a new generation of physicians who are ready to learn, to adapt, and ultimately to be agents of change.

Work across the School of Medicine will be supported by its Section of Community, Culture and Belonging to ensure a focus on Black community health, Indigenous community health, anti-racism (including anti-Black racism, anti-Asian racism, anti-Indigenous racism, anti-Semitism and Islamophobia), anti-ableism, disability inclusion and universal design, anti-homophobia and transphobia, to create a positive health environment for LGBTQ2SI+, and to serve and work in partnership with historically under-represented and under-served communities as a positive space.

Brampton/Peel and its surrounding communities, are part of the Treaty Lands of the Mississaugas of the Credit.  We acknowledge that these lands are also the shared space of Anishinabek, Huron-Wendat, Haudenosaunee, Ojibway/Chippewa and Métis peoples.

We honour the Indigenous peoples who cared for this land for thousands of years before us, and commit to valuing the Two Row Wampum. This Living Treaty represents settlers and Indigenous peoples moving forward together, in parallel, respecting each other’s ways of being, knowing and doing. 

We honour the Dish with One Spoon Treaty, and in this spirit we strive to treat the land and people of our community with mutual respect, taking only what we need and sharing what is available to ensure sustainability for those that follow us.

The opportunity

The Vice Dean, Community, Culture & Belonging (CCB) at TMU’s School of Medicine (SoM) is responsible for overseeing and directing the CCB Section, ensuring the integration of equity, diversity, inclusion (EDI), anti-racism, social accountability, accessibility, and Indigenous self-determination across all aspects of medical education, research, and clinical practice. This role is central to advancing the strategic vision of the SoM in dismantling systemic barriers, fostering an inclusive institutional culture, and cultivating meaningful, reciprocal relationships with diverse local and regional communities.

Qualifications

Minimum level of education and specialty/discipline required

  • Completion of a Doctor of Medicine (MD) or equivalent Medical Degree.
  • Must have or be eligible for an appointment to the TMU Clinical Faculty at the rank of Associate Clinical Professor or higher;
  • Must have or be eligible to hold an appointment at a TMU School of Medicine affiliated clinical partner institution or academic health centre.

Minimum number of years and type/area of experience required given minimum education requirement

  • Minimum of 8 years of relevant experience as an education or clinical leader. With demonstrated administrative and leadership responsibilities within a Medical School (or comparable educational or research activity) or healthcare leadership context. 
  • Demonstrated experience in both program leadership and developing other clinical faculty members into program-level leaders.

Required certifications, designation or licenses to complete the key responsibilities of the position

  • Must be certified by the College of Family Physicians of Canada (CFPC) or by the Royal College of Physicians and Surgeons of Canada (RCPSC) or equivalent as specified by the College of Physicians and Surgeons of Ontario (CPSO).
  • Must hold a valid and current license to practice medicine in Ontario issued by the College of Physicians and Surgeons of Ontario (CPSO).

Required skills and demonstrated knowledge

  • Knowledge and understanding of clinical faculty requirements for promotion, remediation, support, and accommodation within Canadian medical schools and the Canadian medical profession;
  • Demonstrated expertise with regards to equity, diversity, inclusion, as well as accessibility principles, truth & reconciliation/indigenous resurgence, decolonization, and other key concepts related to fostering belonging within academic medicine.
  • Knowledge, understanding, and demonstrated expertise in at least three of:
    • medical education;
    • scholarship, research, and creative works;
    • academic leadership;
    • public sector (including both governmental, non-governmental) or external relations (including community engagement and/or outreach);
    • Innovation and/or entrepreneurship.
  • Knowledge of various medical disciplines, related university programs and professional associations, especially primary care and generalist specialties; 
  • Overall knowledge of the medical education system in Ontario, Canada and abroad;
  • Strong communication skills.
  • Knowledge of and preferably training in decolonization, Indigenous history and culture, and the principles and practices of delivering equity, diversity and inclusion in medicine and post secondary education.

In addition to the above, the following TMU Leadership Competencies are required:

  • Acts with Integrity: Demonstrates behaviours aligned with high ethical standards and personal integrity and acts in accordance with TMU values
  • Builds Relationships of Trust and Collaboration: Actively builds a culture of trust and fosters meaningful relationships.
  • Leads Inclusively: Creates an inclusive environment where everyone is respected, recognized, empowered to achieve their potential and valued for their differences.
  • Demonstrates Organisational Acumen: Understands and respectfully navigates complex internal and external environments by using sound judgement, diplomacy and tact.
  • Drives Vision & Results: Creates and implements a vision grounded in sound decision-making to achieve desired outcomes

Physical Effort

  • This position requires routine physical activity most of the time. The incumbent is frequently using a computer/technology while composing and preparing reports, documents and letters for extended periods of time. Physical movement may also be required for extended periods of time while participating in special events.

Working Conditions

  • The majority of the incumbent's time is spent in an office environment for this role. The incumbent is required to meet multiple and conflicting deadlines on a regular ongoing basis.

How to apply - Deadline to Apply: June 29, 2026

  • Please note that all qualified candidates are encouraged to apply; however, applications from Canadians and permanent residents will be given priority, in accordance with Canadian immigration regulations. Candidates must therefore indicate in their application if they are legally entitled to work in Canada.

 (google form) APPLY HERE (external link, opens in new window)  if you have any technical difficulties applying via this link. Please send all pertinent  information to deanofmedicine@torontomu.ca.

About Toronto Metropolitan University (formerly Ryerson University)

Serving a highly diverse student population of over 45,000, with 100+ undergraduate and graduate programs built on the integration of theoretical and practical learning and distinguished by a professionally focussed curriculum with a strong emphasis on excellence in teaching, research and creative activities, TMU is a vibrant, urban university known for its culture of innovation, entrepreneurship, community engagement and city-building through its award-winning architecture.

At the intersection of mind and action, Toronto Metropolitan University (TMU) is on a transformative path to become Canada’s leading comprehensive innovation university. Integral to this path is the placement of equity, diversity and inclusion as fundamental to our institutional culture. Our current Academic Plan outlines each as core values and we work to embed them in all that we do.

TMU welcomes those who have demonstrated a commitment to upholding the values of “Equity, Diversity, Inclusion, Accessibility, Anti-Racism & Reconciliation, Decolonization, and Indigenous Resurgence (EDIAA-RDIR) and will assist us in realizing the benefits of embedding these values into the work at every level and in every unit of the university. In addition, to correct the conditions of disadvantage in employment in Canada and to bring lived experiences to the work, we encourage applications from members of equity deserving groups that have been historically disadvantaged and marginalized, including First Nations, Métis and Inuit Peoples in Canada, First Nations Peoples in the United States, racialized people, Black people, persons with disabilities, women, and  2SLGBTQ+ people. 

In April 2022, the university announced our new name of Toronto Metropolitan University, which will be implemented in a phased approach. Learn more about our next chapter.

Toronto Metropolitan University’s commitment to equity, diversity and inclusion

  • We encourage all First Nations, Metis and Inuit peoples or Indigenous peoples of North America, to self-identify in their applications. If you are an Indigenous applicant and require support during the recruitment process, please reach out to James McKay, Indigenous HR Lead at james13@torontomu.ca. 
  • Toronto Metropolitan University is committed to the principles of the Accessibility for Ontarians with Disabilities Act (AODA), and aims to ensure that independence, dignity, integration and equality of opportunity are embedded in all aspects of the university culture. To find out more about legal and policy obligations please visit the Accessibility and Human Rights websites.
  • Candidates who belong to one or more of the equity-deserving groups recognized at TMU are welcome to connect with Debbie Thompson (debbie.thompson@torontomu.ca), Executive Director, Office of the Vice-President, Equity and Community Inclusion (www.torontomu.ca/equity)
  • For any confidential accommodation needs in order to participate in the recruitment and selection process and/or inquiries regarding accessing the application please contact medicine@torontomu.ca.