Chair School of Interior Design, The Creative School [Internal Search]
TheCreativeSchool-Int. Design
| Posted: | September 4, 2026 |
| Deadline to Apply: | Friday, October 2, 2026 |
Located in downtown Toronto, the largest and most culturally diverse city in Canada and on the territory of the Anishinaabeg, Haudenosaunee and the Wendat Peoples, the School of Interior Design in The Creative School at at Toronto Metropolitan University [www.torontomu.ca] invites applications for the position of Chair of the School. The appointment as Chair shall be for a term of three years with the possibility of a two year extension (subject to a majority vote of the tenure stream faculty in the School) ), commencing January 1, 2027, with the possibility of renewal for an additional three or five-year term.
In recognition of the under-representation of members of equity-deserving groups in academic leadership, applications from those who self-identify as one or more of the following groups are particularly encouraged: First Nations, Métis and Inuit peoples, Indigenous peoples of North America, Black-identified persons, other racialized persons, persons with disabilities, and those who identify as women and/or 2SLGBTQ+. We welcome those who have demonstrated a commitment to upholding the values of equity, diversity and inclusion and will assist us to expand our capacity for diversity in the broadest sense.
The duties and responsibilities of Chairs and Directors are laid out in detail in article 26.1.E. of the Toronto Metropolitan University Faculty Association Collective Agreement. Reporting to the Dean and guided by the mission to advance the profile of the School of Interior Design, the Chair will be a visionary and inclusive leader committed to providing exemplary academic and administrative leadership in the areas of academic programs, students, supporting faculty colleagues, stewardship of human and financial resources and participating actively in the intellectual life of the School, the Faculty, and the University, through collaboration internally and externally within the community and with other academic institutions and the industry.
As a tenured faculty member, the successful candidate will be responsible for engaging in a combination of teaching, scholarly research or creative activity and service duties while maintaining an inclusive, equitable, and collegial work environment across all activities.
Recognizing the interdisciplinary breadth of The Creative School, candidates need not currently be members of the School of Interior Design. Candidates from outside the School should demonstrate the capacity and commitment to develop a substantive understanding of Interior Design as a discipline, profession, and field of academic inquiry, including its distinctive studio culture, pedagogies, modes of research and creative practice, professional relationships, and accreditation requirements.
The successful candidate will be a tenured faculty member with a PhD or a Master’s degree in Interior Design or a closely related discipline. The successful candidate will demonstrate excellence in teaching, SRC activity, and service appropriate to their discipline and career stage. The successful candidate will further present evidence of the following:
- Effective and collegial academic leadership, including demonstrated capacity to work within collegial governance structures; foster consultation and meaningful participation; build consensus where possible; navigate competing priorities and conflict constructively; and make transparent, equitable, and timely decisions when required;
- Strong administrative leadership and responsible stewardship of resources, including demonstrated capacity in budgeting, workload and resource allocation, staffing, institutional processes, strategic planning, and project management, together with the ability to advocate effectively for the School and its students, staff, faculty, programs, and disciplinary interests within The Creative School and the University;
- A proven track record of SRC achievement, with the capacity to mentor, advocate for, and guide faculty and instructors across diverse modes of interior design research and creative practice;
- A proven track record of teaching excellence across studio- and lecture-based formats, with the ability to foster inclusive learning environments and mentor instructors in teaching innovation;
- A strong understanding of, or demonstrated capacity and commitment to learn, the distinctive academic and professional context of Interior Design, including studio-based education, diverse modes of research and creative practice, curricular development, and relationships between academic and professional practice;
- Demonstrated expertise in navigating CIDA accreditation and the capacity for leading the School in its 2030 reaccreditation process as well as guiding the new Professional Master of Interior Design (MID) program through its initial accreditation (as early as 2027);
- Proven ability to serve as an ambassador to ARIDO and IDC, supporting the two new MID programs - including the alternative licensure pathway - and maintaining the CIDA-accredited degree pathway for student licensure;
- A demonstrated commitment to equitable and inclusive academic leadership and to cultivating a collegial and collaborative School community, reflected in approaches to governance, curriculum, teaching and learning, mentorship, student experience, faculty and staff development, and meaningful relationships among students, faculty, staff, and alumni;
- The capacity to advance the School’s external profile and relationships, including meaningful engagement with alumni, professional organizations, industry, community partners, and other academic institutions, creating opportunities for students, faculty, and staff while strengthening the School’s contribution to and reputation within the broader design community;
- Excellent communication and interpersonal skills, together with demonstrated intellectual curiosity, diplomacy, and judgment necessary to understand the culture, strengths, aspirations, and needs of the School, developing productive relationships across its constituencies and earning the trust of its community;
- Capacity for strategic and forward-looking leadership, including the ability to work collaboratively with the School community to identify priorities and opportunities arising from changes in design education and practice, emerging technologies, sustainability, interdisciplinary collaboration, and evolving professional and societal needs.
- A demonstrated commitment to the University’s strategic priorities, including those in the current academic plan, and to TMU’s leadership competencies.
How to Apply
Applicants must submit their application online via the Faculty Recruitment Portal [https://hr.cf.torontomu.ca/ams/faculty/] by clicking on “Start Application Process” to begin. Applications, consisting of the following, must be received by Friday, October 2, 2026:
- a letter of application that includes:
- a vision statement for the School for the next 5 years (3 to 5 pages total), which includes a statement on equity, diversity, and inclusion, as well as short- and long-term approaches to addressing key operational priorities (e.g., infrastructure and studio space, faculty growth, and curriculum alignment with accreditation goals);
- a curriculum vitae, and;
- a statement of interest addressing the candidate’s role as an administrator, educator and researcher.
Contacts
Any confidential inquiries about the opportunity can be directed to Adriana Manni, Manager of Operations, The Creative School.
Candidates who belong to one or more of the equity-deserving groups recognized at TMU are welcome to contact Debbie Thompson [debbie.thompson@torontomu.ca], Executive Director, Office of the Vice-President, Equity and Community Inclusion [www.torontomu.ca/equity].
Indigenous candidates who would like to learn more about working at Toronto Metropolitan University are welcome to contact James McKay, Indigenous Human Resources Lead at indigenous@torontomu.ca.
For any confidential accommodation needs in order to participate in the recruitment and selection process and/or inquiries regarding accessing the Recruitment Portal, please contact vpfa@torontomu.ca.
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