President & Chief Executive Officer

Position Summary Conestoga College is one of Ontario's largest colleges, recognized for its commitment to career-focused education, applied learning, workforce development, and strong partnerships with industry and community. Serving more than 20,000 students across multiple campuses, Conestoga delivers diploma, degree, apprenticeship, continuing education, micro-credential, and applied research programs that prepare graduates to thrive in Ontario's evolving economy while supporting the prosperity of the communities and employers it serves. As Conestoga enters an important period of institutional renewal, the Board of Governors is seeking an exceptional and principled leader to serve as its next President & Chief Executive Officer. Responsibilities Reporting directly to the Board of Governors, the President & CEO is responsible for the overall leadership, stewardship, performance, and strategic direction of the College. Working collaboratively with the Board, senior leadership team, employees, students, government, industry, municipalities, Indigenous communities, donors, alumni, and community partners, the President will guide Conestoga through a period of continued stabilization, renewal, and long-term success while strengthening confidence in the institution and advancing its contribution to Ontario's post-secondary system and workforce. Qualifications The successful candidate will provide strategic leadership across all aspects of the College, including institutional planning, governance, academic quality, student success, financial sustainability, workforce development, employer engagement, government relations, applied research, and organizational culture. The President will champion evidence-informed decision-making, operational excellence, public accountability, and responsible stewardship while ensuring Conestoga remains responsive to the evolving needs of students, employers, and communities across Ontario. An accomplished executive, the successful candidate will bring significant senior leadership experience within a complex public, post-secondary, government, healthcare, not-for-profit, or similarly accountable organization. They will possess demonstrated experience leading organizations through strategic change, financial complexity, operational transformation, and periods of heightened public visibility while fostering trust, transparency, and collaboration. Experience working with governing boards, government, regulated environments, and diverse stakeholder groups will be essential. The ideal candidate will be recognized as a thoughtful, values-driven leader with exceptional judgment, political acuity, financial literacy, and communication skills. They will demonstrate a deep commitment to student success, academic excellence, workforce development, and community impact, while possessing the ability to unite diverse constituencies around a shared vision for the future of the College. To learn more about this exceptional leadership opportunity, please contact Paul Marshall and Collin Ritch ([email protected]) of Boyden Executive Search. To apply, please submit your cover letter and resume directly at: https://boyden.thriveapp.ly/job/3331. Conestoga College is committed to fostering an inclusive, respectful, and welcoming environment where diverse perspectives strengthen the community. The College welcomes applications from individuals who will contribute to equity, diversity, and inclusion in leadership. Apply Now Apply to this requisition Print this requisition

The President & CEO provides overall leadership, stewardship, and strategic direction for Conestoga College. The role involves guiding the institution through stabilization and renewal while strengthening partnerships with government, industry, and community stakeholders.

The ideal candidate must be an accomplished executive with significant senior leadership experience in a complex public, post-secondary, or government organization. They should possess a proven track record of leading strategic change, financial complexity, and operational transformation.

Identified from the job description. Confirm important requirements above.

• Strategic Leadership
• Institutional Planning
• Governance
• Financial Sustainability
• Workforce Development
• Employer Engagement
• Government Relations
• Applied Research
• Organizational Culture
• Change Management
• Operational Transformation
• Public Accountability
• Stakeholder Management
• Political Acuity
• Communication Skills
• Evidence-Informed Decision-Making

• Management & Leadership
• Education
• Government & Public Sector

Minimum experience

10+ years

Apply by

Sep 3, 2026

Posting language

English

Working hours

40 hours per week

Seniority

Executive