Department Chair - University of Alberta, Edmonton

Role overview

The Faculty of Medicine and Dentistry at the University of Alberta invites applications for Chair of the Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology. This is an opportunity to lead a large, diverse academic department at an important point in its evolution: bringing people together around a shared vision, strengthening educational and working environments, and building on significant clinical and research strengths to advance women's and reproductive health in Alberta and beyond. Within the College of Health Sciences, the Faculty of Medicine and Dentistry is one of Canada's leading academic health sciences faculties, with the University of Alberta ranked fifth in Canada and among the top 100 globally for Medical and Health in the 2026 Times Higher Education rankings.

The Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology brings together more than 20 full-time academic and 100 clinical faculty, with expertise spanning general obstetrics and gynecology, maternal-fetal medicine, reproductive endocrinology and infertility, gynecologic oncology, reproductive sciences and urogynecology. Clinical programs are anchored at the Lois Hole Hospital for Women at the Royal Alexandra Hospital, a tertiary referral centre serving northern Alberta and parts of northern British Columbia and the Northwest Territories, with teaching across multiple Edmonton-area hospitals. The Department provides undergraduate medical education, Royal College-accredited residency training, and fellowship, subspecialty and graduate training opportunities.

Requirements

The successful candidate will be a credible, engaged academic leader with the judgment and relational skills to bring people together and lead effectively through complexity and change. Candidates must demonstrate:

• Strategic leadership: the ability to articulate a compelling vision, establish priorities and translate strategy into action, make timely decisions and lead effectively through change
• People and culture leadership: a demonstrated ability to build trust, foster collaboration, listen well, create respectful and psychologically safe environments, and address conflict constructively while maintaining clear expectations and accountability
• Educational leadership: a strong commitment to high-quality learning environments and to supporting learners, educators and educational programs
• Academic leadership: a strong record of academic accomplishment and commitment to excellence and innovation in research and clinical care
• Collaboration and system navigation: the ability to build trusted, productive relationships across disciplines, sites, institutions and health-system partners, and to navigate effectively within a large, complex academic health sciences environment
• Stewardship, judgment and communication: sound decision-making, responsible, fair and transparent management of people and resources, and clear, timely communication with diverse stakeholders, including in difficult situations
• An MD or equivalent degree
• Royal College certification in Obstetrics and Gynecology, or equivalent qualifications from another recognized certifying body
• Eligibility for licensure as a specialist in Obstetrics and Gynecology in Alberta

Your impact

The Chair is the academic and administrative leader of the Department and will provide visible, collaborative leadership across its clinical and academic sites. Working with faculty, staff, learners, Faculty and University leadership, Alberta Health Services, Covenant Health, WCHRI and other partners, the Chair will work in close partnership with the Clinical Corridor Department Lead for Obstetrics and Gynecology to align academic and clinical priorities across an evolving health system.

The Chair will perform the following responsibilities:

• Bring people together around a clear, shared vision for the Department and translate priorities into action and measurable progress
• Strengthen a respectful, inclusive and accountable culture by building trust, supporting effective teamwork, listening to diverse perspectives and addressing difficult issues constructively
• Champion high-quality educational environments across undergraduate, residency, fellowship and graduate programs, supporting learners, educators and program leaders to succeed
• Advance excellence and innovation in research and academic clinical care, leveraging the Department's strengths and partnerships, including WCHRI
• Recruit, develop and retain excellent faculty and staff, support career development and mentorship, and foster emerging leaders
• Build strong, productive relationships across the Department, Faculty, University and health system, and with research institutes and external partners, and navigate effectively within a large, complex academic health sciences environment
• Exercise sound judgment, make timely decisions, and steward financial, space, infrastructure and human resources responsibly, transparently and fairly

Why you'll love it here

Research is a major strength and opportunity. Department faculty conduct fundamental, translational and clinical research and work closely with collaborators and research institutes across the University. A particular strength is the Department's close connection with the Women and Children's Health Research Institute (WCHRI), Canada's only research institute dedicated to women's, children's and perinatal health. In 2026, WCHRI received a $93.5-million, 10-year commitment from the Stollery Children's Hospital Foundation and Alberta Women's Health Foundation, the largest gift in University of Alberta history.

The successful candidate will be offered a tenured or tenure-track appointment at the rank of Associate or Full Professor, including a comprehensive benefits package. The academic appointment is subject to all applicable terms and conditions of the collective agreement between the Governors of the University of Alberta and the Association of Academic Staff of the University of Alberta (AASUA).