Athabasca University respectfully acknowledges that we live and work on the Traditional Lands of the Indigenous Peoples (First Nations, Inuit, Métis) of Canada. We honour the ancestry, heritage, and gifts of the Indigenous Peoples and give thanks to them.

Located in the stunning Athabasca Region of Alberta, Athabasca University (AU), is Canada’s foremost innovator in flexible, online and accessible learning. AU’s academic mission is devoted to the removal of barriers to post-secondary education for learners, regardless of their age, location, career or education background. With a complement of over 1,200 faculty and staff serving over 35,000 students in every province and territory in Canada and 91 countries worldwide, AU offers more than 850 courses in 55 undergraduate and graduate degree programs in the sciences, business, humanities and social sciences, and health disciplines. AU is also home to 4 Canada Research Chairs, a UNESCO/ICDE Chair in Open Educational Resource and the Commonwealth of Learning Chair in Emerging Technologies in Open and Distance Learning.

Athabasca University is seeking an exceptional and visionary leader to serve as Associate Vice-President, University Relations (AVPUR), a pivotal role that will shape and advance the university’s academic, teaching, and research mission and strategic priorities by strengthening internal and external connections and telling AU’s many stories of success and impact. The AVPUR provides vision and oversight for an integrated approach to internal and external relations that goes beyond traditional communications and marketing to foster authentic and meaningful engagement with diverse partners. Recognizing the interconnected nature of these partners, the AVPUR ensures that strategies and initiatives clearly communicate how AU supports and enriches the lives, cultures, and communities it serves. As a highly visible leader, the AVPUR champions and safeguards AU’s brand, reputation, and values while setting a standard of excellence across marketing and communications, community engagement, digital and web operations, events including convocation, and alumni and donor relations. The role ensures cohesive and strategically aligned messaging and branding that strengthens AU’s profile and advances its “Like No Other” strategic plan. Through a collaborative and transparent leadership approach, the AVPUR fosters a culture of accountability, clarity, and partnership, ensuring alignment across the university and throughout the many local and international communities AU reaches.

We are seeking an accomplished and inspiring leader with an undergraduate degree in a relevant field or an equivalent combination of education and experience, and a proven track record of progressive leadership in complex, multi-partner environments. The ideal candidate brings several years of leadership, with a background in the post-secondary or public sector and familiarity with unionized environments considered an asset, though not required. This individual is a strategic and values-driven thinker who prioritizes the university’s academic mission and reputation, builds strong and trusting relationships, and fosters collaboration across diverse internal and external communities. Highly relational and emotionally intelligent, the successful candidate is an effective communicator and listener who demonstrates integrity, self-awareness, and sound judgment in decision-making, even in times of complexity and change. They are a visionary leader who can guide the future of communications, marketing, community engagement, digital operations, events, and advancement, while grounding decisions in data and organizational impact. With a strong commitment to service excellence, innovation, and continuous learning, they lead with professionalism and accountability, and create a positive, inclusive, and high-performing team. Athabasca University is deeply committed to reconciliation and to advancing equity, diversity, and inclusion, and we seek a leader who actively champions these principles in their work, builds meaningful relationships with Indigenous communities, and ensures that diverse perspectives are reflected, respected, and embedded across all aspects of university relations.

Athabasca University has partnered with Andrea Patrick and Cora Hui of Odgers to conduct this recruitment. Consideration of candidates will commence immediately. Applications are encouraged online. Nominations, applications and/or expressions of interest should be submitted, in confidence, to Andrea Patrick or Cora Hui of Odgers at AVPUR@odgers.com no later than May 29th, 2026. The incoming AVP, University Relations will ideally assume office in the summer of 2026.

All qualified candidates are encouraged to apply; however, Canadian Citizens and Permanent Residents will be given priority. Working outside of Canada is not supported by Athabasca University. You are legally not permitted to work for Athabasca University if you are living outside of Canada.

Athabasca University is committed to employment equity and encourages applications from women, Indigenous Peoples, persons with disabilities, persons of any sexual orientation, persons of any gender identity and expression, and members of visible minorities.

Athabasca First

Wherever possible, AU seeks to attract and hire qualified team members to reside in the Athabasca region. We will offer relocation assistance for the right candidate should you decide to relocate to the Town of Athabasca. As a resident of the town or county of Athabasca, you can choose to work on and from our beautiful campus in Athabasca.

To discover the Town and Region of Athabasca, go to: Visit Athabasca.ca

Where applicants have equal skills, abilities, and experience, candidates residing within or willing to relocate to the County of Athabasca will be given preference.

Athabasca University and Odgers respect people’s different needs and therefore will take all reasonable steps to ensure accommodation for applicants during the process. If you require accommodation to participate in the recruitment process, please inform Odgers at AVPUR@odgers.com.