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Executive Brief

IN THE RECRUITMENT OF THE

Chair, Mechanical Engineering

FOR

York University, Lassonde School of

Engineering

Executive Brief Chair, Mechanical Engineering – York University, Lassonde School of Engineering

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Organizational Profile

York University

Founded in 1959 and located in Toronto, Ontario, York University is a dynamic,

metropolitan and multi-cultural institution. A comprehensive research-

intensive, York is home to a proud tradition of scholarship and the pursuit of

discovery and innovation. Its commitment to excellence brings together a rich

diversity of perspectives with a strong sense of social responsibility that is

making a difference to the world around us. York University is known for

championing new ways of thinking that drive teaching and research

excellence.

York’s unique combination of learning opportunities across wide-ranging

disciplines provides students with diverse and relevant viewpoints to open

their minds and broaden their thinking, skills and interests, unlocking their

potential for broad career opportunities, expected and otherwise. A

community of faculty, students, staff, alumni and volunteers committed to

academic freedom, social justice, accessible education, and collegial self-

governance, York University makes innovation its tradition.

Located across several campuses, York is Canada’s third largest university with


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over 52,000 students, 7,000 faculty and staff, more than 300,000 alumni, and

a budget in excess of one billion dollars per annum. York’s primary campus,

the Keele Campus, is located in the heart of the Greater Toronto Area. It is the

largest post-secondary campus in Canada with most of the University’s

Faculties residing there. Glendon College, Southern Ontario’s only bilingual

university campus, is a liberal arts Faculty located in the midtown Toronto

neighbourhood of Lawrence Park. York also has two locations in downtown

Toronto: The Miles S. Nadal Centre and the Osgoode Professional

Development Centre, as well as international locations in India and Costa Rica.

York offers over 200 degree programs at the undergraduate and graduate

levels. Its partnerships with international universities provide opportunities

for study abroad, exchanges, research collaborations and community

engagement. Among the finest anywhere, York's Faculties include: Liberal

Arts and Professional Studies; Science; Health; the Lassonde School of

Engineering; Education; Arts, Media, Performance & Design;

Environmental Studies; the Schulich School of Business; Osgoode Hall Law

School; Glendon College; and Graduate Studies.

The University's objective is to introduce students to a broad perspective on

the world that results in original thought and theory. The flexible

interdisciplinary approach provides students with an outstanding variety of

academic opportunities where learning and debate are not only valued; they

are encouraged.

As a globally recognized research institution, York is fully engaged in the

critical discussions that lead to innovative solutions to the most pressing

local and global social challenges. Over the past ten years, research at York

has flourished, with a near doubling of research income accompanied by

one of the highest rates of growth in the intensity of research publications,

leading to the University being ranked 11th among all research

universities Canada-wide for publication impact.


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York at a Glance

• 4 campuses

Keele Campus, Greater Toronto Area

Glendon College, Lawrence Park, Toronto

Hyderabad Campus, India

Ecocampus, Costa Rica

• 49,700 undergraduate students

• 6,000 graduate students

• 8,500 international students representing 178 countries

• 300,000+ alumni

• 7,000 faculty and staff

• Eleven faculties

School of the Arts, Media, Performance & Design

Faculty of Education

Faculty of Environmental Studies

Glendon College offering Liberal Arts (fully bilingual)

Faculty of Graduate Studies

Faculty of Health

Lassonde School of Engineering

Faculty of Liberal Arts & Professional Studies

Osgoode Hall Law School

Schulich School of Business

Faculty of Science

• 200+ undergraduate and graduate degree programs

• $95M in research grants & awards

• 25 Research Centres including:

Centre for Feminist Research

Centre for Innovation in Computing @ Lassonde

Institute for Research on Digital Learning

• 41 Canada Research Chairs including:

20 Tier I Research Chairs

21 Tier II Research Chairs


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Mission

The mission of York University is the pursuit, preservation, and dissemination

of knowledge. We promise excellence in research and teaching in pure,

applied and professional fields. We test the boundaries and structures of

knowledge. We cultivate the critical intellect. York University is part of

Toronto: we are dynamic, metropolitan and multi-cultural. York University is

part of Canada: we encourage bilingual study, we value diversity. York

University is open to the world: we explore global concerns. A community of

faculty, students, staff, alumni and volunteers committed to academic

freedom, social justice, accessible education, and collegial self-governance,

York University makes innovation its tradition.

Vision

As one of Canada’s leading universities, York University fosters creativity,

innovation and global citizenship through its open-minded and engaged

approach to teaching, scholarship and research, and community outreach.

Strategic Plan Academic Plan: 2015 to 2020

The University Academic Plan 2015 - 2020 reflects the spirit of York’s motto

Tentanda Via – the way must be tried – expressing a readiness, capacity and

desire to address the challenges faced in a constantly changing and dynamic

21st century context, and to seek bold new ways of fulfilling promises, looking

inwardly and outwardly for inspiration. The Plan focusses on three

overarching themes:

Academic Quality

As an institution, York is committed to the importance of research and

teaching excellence and to the inseparability of the two aspects of its

mandate as part of its culture of excellence. Success depends on maximizing

the resources available in support of the core academic priorities of teaching

and learning, and scholarly, research and related creative activities. Central to

those efforts is increasing the full-time faculty complement (including

supporting efforts to improve the conversion of contractual appointments to

the tenure-stream), improving student/faculty ratios, and maintaining a

commitment to continual improvement, degree streamlining, meeting

enrolment targets, and enhancing the effectiveness of administrative

services.


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Student Success

Over the next five years, York is committed to raising the quality of graduate

and undergraduate students who choose to study at York without diminishing

access, their experience while here, as well as the outcomes of the experience

afterwards. As a large public institution, York intends to leverage its size to its

benefit and utilize student data to design academic supports for our diverse

student population and to better support student success through Strategic

Enrolment Management initiatives, and strengthen its efforts to attract and

retain a diverse student population.

Engagement and Outreach

Engaged faculty and staff are essential for creating a vibrant university

community and for strengthening the impact of what we do. Engaged

learning is increasingly being viewed as a hallmark of a quality university

experience. York continues to extend its reach and network of partnerships

with other educational institutions, governments, non-profit and private

sector actors to enrich our academic programs; the student learning

experience including access, credit transfer and experiential education

opportunities as well as scholarly, research and related creative activities; and

to help prepare educated, engaged citizens committed to democratic values;

and contributing to the public good and solving critical societal problems.

Strategic Research Plan: Towards New Heights - 2018 to

2023

York is committed to excellence in research and scholarship in all its forms.

Informed by a strong commitment to shared values, including the promotion

of social justice, diversity and the public good, York aspires through its

research to better understand the human condition and the world around us

and to employ the knowledge gained in the service of society. Intensive

engagement in research is a core institutional value that permeates the fabric

of the University, and it is this foundation on which York’s vibrant and exciting

academic environment is built. The Plan focusses on six intersecting themes:

• Advancing Fundamental Inquiry and Critical Knowledge;

• Analyzing Cultures and Mobilizing Creativity;

• Building Healthy Lives, Communities and Environments;

• Exploring and Interrogating the Frontiers of Science and Technology;

• Forging a Just and Equitable World;

• Integrating Entrepreneurial Innovation and the Public Good.


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The Lassonde School of Engineering

The Lassonde School of Engineering was launched on November 1, 2011,

backed by a $25-million donation from gold mining entrepreneur and

philanthropist Pierre Lassonde. Since its first group of 985 undergraduate

students in September 2013, Lassonde has grown to be the home of 3,837

undergraduates, 331 graduate students, 115 full-time faculty, 75 full-time

administrative staff, four academic departments and 11 programs, including:

• Civil Engineering

• Computer Engineering

• Computer Science

• Computer Security

• Digital Media

• Earth & Atmospheric

Science

• Electrical Engineering

• Geomatics Engineering

• Mechanical Engineering

• Software Engineering

• Space Engineering

The School offers an accredited Bachelor of Engineering degree

program, a MASc and PhD in Mechanical Engineering. It currently

comprises about 20 faculty members, working in a rich and exciting

discipline that allows the School to grapple with global challenges

around energy, water, quality of life and poverty, specifically: Materials

and Manufacturing; Solid Mechanics and Design; Energy and

Thermofluids; Mechatronics, Robotics, and Artificial Intelligence;

Bioengineering and Health; Sustainability and Green Engineering. A


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unique aspect of our department is involvement in the complementary

fields of: Engineering Education; Entrepreneurship &

Commercialization; and Design Engineering.

The Lassonde School of Engineering creates a different kind of learning

experience supported by a $115M new building and is gaining the

attention of the world. The School is recognized as one of the top 10

emerging leaders and noted as a 'place to watch' in a Massachusetts

Institute of Technology’s report on ‘The global state of the art in

engineering education’. Lassonde is a crucial part of the University and

is known for its commitment to the public good.

The Lassonde School is creating a different kind of learning experience built

on four founding principles:

1. RENAISSANCE ENGINEERS: Engineering + Educating students

to become graduates able to grapple with complex global

issues.

2. ACTIVE LEARNING: $115 million home with zero lecture halls

Lassonde is flipping the classroom so that students can learn in

creative spaces, watch lectures online anywhere, anytime and

come to class to solve problems together.

3. EQUITY, DIVERSITY + INCLUSIVITY: A commitment to fostering

a community that is diverse, equal and inclusive – just like the

city we call home. Our goal is to be a thought leader in this area

within STEM fields firmly rooting diversity, equity and inclusivity

in the academic sphere.

4. COLLABORATORIUM: The School is building a global network

of curriculum and diversity experts and industry partnerships,

enabling our community to impact globally through work-

integrated learning programs and transdisciplinary research.

Our goal is to make the connection between our research,

education and initiatives and how our efforts impact the

broader community.

The School takes pride in having created a culture where tomorrow’s

professionals are becoming Renaissance Engineers™ – multidisciplinary

problem solvers, critical thinkers, leaders and entrepreneurs who

understand creativity, communications, social responsibility, and

cultural diversity. At Lassonde, the concept of Renaissance Engineering

is incorporated into the learning experience for students through co-

operative education and industry partnerships, entrepreneurship and

Our Work… • $14M average

annual external

research funding

• 250 active research

grants

• 600 annual

publications with

42% in top 10% of

journals over five

years

Our People… • 13 research chairs

• 6 Royal Society of

Canada Fellows

• 6 Engineering

Institute of Canada

Fellows

• 3 Canadian

Academy of

Engineering Fellows

• 3 Early Researcher

Awards


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leadership opportunities and global learning.

The Lassonde School of Engineering’s five strategic research priorities

aim to revolutionize disciplines and transform society through new

ideas, creativity, innovations and technologies.

The five research priorities are:

• Environment and Climate Change

• Space Exploration

• Infrastructure Development, Resilience, and Sustainability

• Intelligent and Interactive Systems

• Bio-Engineering

Further information about the Lassonde School of Engineering, with

departmental links for the Department of Electrical Engineering and

Computer Science, the Department of Mechanical Engineering, the

Department of Civil Engineering, and the Department of Earth and

Space Science and Engineering can be found at:

• http://lassonde.yorku.ca/


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Position Profile

Chair, Mechanical Engineering, Lassonde School of Engineering

Reporting to the Dean, the Chair, Mechanical Engineering, Lassonde

School of Engineering, provides strategic and operational leadership,

balancing and aligning York’s vision and strategic objectives with those

of the Lassonde School of Engineering.

The Chair will be an enthusiastic advocate for the Department, showing

collegial leadership, furthering the quality of the academic programs, and

building national and international partnerships with institutions in academia

and industry.

The Chair will serve an initial term of three years, with the possibility of

renewal for an additional two years upon mutual agreement. The successful

candidate will be appointed to the Department of Mechanical Engineering at

the rank of Full or Associate Professor in the professorial stream.

Key Responsibilities and Priorities

The key priorities and responsibilities for the Chair, Mechanical Engineering

are as follows:

• Implementing the strategic vision for the Department, leading the

shared development and realization of the Department's strategic

plans;

• Continuing the acquisition of the state-of-the-art infrastructure;

• Continuing faculty recruitment and support the advancement of

fellow faculty members at all levels while creating a collegial

environment in which faculty feel they can reach their full

professional potential;

• Act as an enthusiastic advocate for the Department, building

national and international partnerships with institutions in academia

and industry;

• Contribute to the innovative approaches to incorporating research in

the curriculum, experiential education, technology-enhanced

learning and other pedagogical innovations;

• Maintain an active sponsored research program.


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Ideal Candidate Profile

The Lassonde School of Engineering is committed to addressing the

historical underrepresentation of women in Engineering by providing a

welcoming and supportive environment for all who wish to study,

practice and undertake research in engineering. The School’s

commitment to this goal is exemplified by the Lassonde 50:50 challenge,

which aims to promote gender equity at all levels of the academic and

professional pipeline.

To help meet this challenge, The Lassonde School of Engineering is

seeking a female colleague who will have an established national and

international research reputation, relevant administrative experience,

and a demonstrated commitment to excellence in teaching and

innovative curriculum development and/or implementation.

As the successful candidate, you will be an enthusiastic advocate for the

Department, showing collegial leadership, furthering the quality of the

academic programs, and building national and international

partnerships with institutions in academia and industry. You will also

implement the strategic vision for the Department, continue the

acquisition of the state-of-the-art infrastructure, and continue faculty

recruitment. The Chair will operate the Department to enhance and

grow its education and research missions. The Chair must strongly

advocate for the Department, lead the shared development and

realization of the Department's strategic plans, enhance junior faculty

mentoring, and foster a collegial environment in which faculty feel they

can reach their full professional potential.

Experience and Qualifications

The next Chair of Mechanical Engineering will self-identify as a woman and

will possess:

• a first degree (BASc, BEng or equivalent) and a PhD in Mechanical

Engineering or related field; the successful candidate should also be

a licensed Professional Engineer in Ontario, or be licensed soon after

appointment;

• a proven record of academic leadership

• a distinguished national and international reputation in research

• significant experience in student education and engagement


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(preferably in Mechanical Engineering)

• a commitment to support the advancement of fellow faculty

members at all levels.

Candidates from all areas of Mechanical Engineering or related areas are

encouraged to apply.

Competencies and Personal Attributes

Leadership

You are a transparent, ethical and principled administrative leader with strong

analytical capabilities, insightfulness and judgement. You lead by example, are

a good listener and foster and promote an environment of collaboration,

consultation and respect. You have a talent for diplomacy and tact and strong

relationship-building skills. You fulfill your commitments and demonstrate a

sincere interest in the development and success of others and are

comfortable putting the needs of others ahead of your own. You provide

helpful guidance and advice, objective and truthful feedback where needed,

and consistently grow and develop the people around you. You display a

personal passion and self-motivation to perform at a high level and place

significant value on creating and maintaining high levels of passion and

enthusiasm in others.

Commitment to Students

You appreciate the unique and intimate learning experience offered to

students within a small, interdisciplinary program setting. You will engage

enthusiastically with student learners and have a passion for enabling

students to learn, grow and develop. You will prioritize the building of strong

and meaningful relationships with individual students as a leader, teacher and

mentor. You are driven to continually push boundaries and employ current

best practices to foster an environment in which students thrive academically,

emotionally, socially, spiritually and physically.

Relationship Building, Collaboration and Communication

You have a highly collegial and collaborative style, excellent communication

skills, and the ability to inspire faculty, staff and students. You value

relationships within, across, and outside the organization and actively build

and maintain relationships that support the School’s goals. You allocate time

and effort to understanding and meeting the needs of internal and external

stakeholders. You listen to others, readily share useful information and

knowledge, and articulate thoughts and ideas clearly. You collaborate


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effectively, commit to supporting the larger group effort, and build and

maintain cooperative and collegial relationships across the School and the

University.

Vision and Innovation

You envision possibilities and mobilize people to realize them. You are

energized by diverse ideas, thoughts and perspectives. You have the courage

to support innovative thinking in your teams. You seek opportunities to

improve systems and where necessary actively promote change initiatives

and assume personal responsibility to see that necessary change is adopted

and effectively implemented. You articulate a clear vision, identify long-term,

future goals and challenge your team and colleagues to constantly improve

and grow.

Commitment to Education and Research Excellence

You support faculty in maintaining and advancing the culture of innovation

and excellence in teaching, research, and learning. You appreciate the

strengths that come from building and maintaining connections with the

internal and external community and promote an interdisciplinary approach

to advancing the learning outcomes of students.

Commitment to Equity and Diversity

You have a strong commitment to increasing accessibility, equity, and

diversity, and the ability to maintain an inclusive climate that reflects the

Lassonde School of Engineering’s goals related to equity, diversity and

inclusion. You bring a global perspective to your work and interact effectively

and respectfully with people of different backgrounds.


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Living in Toronto, Ontario

In the Global Liveability Report (2017), Toronto was recognized as being one

of the five most desirable cities in the world. It is this quality of life that attracts

a highly mobile, global workforce in search of economic opportunity and a

good standard of living. People choosing to make Toronto their home enjoy a

safe, clean, and green city that provides superior educational opportunities

and a first-class, publicly funded health care system.

Toronto is an example of a global city that embraces multiculturalism and

diversity. As one of the most multicultural cities in the world, the city is a

vibrant mosaic of cultures and ethnicities. Toronto's unmatched diversity

shines through in its countless arts and entertainment opportunities. As the

nation's cultural heartland, Toronto hosts a wide variety of arts and sporting

events in world class facilities to international audiences.

Toronto has one of the lowest crime severity indexes of all census

metropolitan areas in Canada (Statistics Canada, 2016), and is known as one

of the safest metropolitan centres in North America (Places Rated Almanac).

With a population of over 2.79 million (Statistics Canada Census, 2016),

Toronto is also a very clean city that values its many green spaces. Known as

the City Within a Park, Torontonians are never far from nature and easily enjoy

numerous leisure opportunities in an enviable cosmopolitan environment.


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For more information on this beautiful city, we recommend the following

websites:

• http://www.toronto.ca/

• http://www.investtoronto.ca/Quality-of-Life.aspx

• http://www.seetorontonow.com/

http://www.toronto.ca/

http://www.investtoronto.ca/Quality-of-Life.aspx

http://www.seetorontonow.com/


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Deciding to Become a Candidate

The following is a list of the steps that we anticipate in this recruiting

assignment. We would also like to bring to your attention several key issues

we would recommend you consider as you navigate the search process.

Submitting an Application

The following documents are required as part of the application package: (i)

a cover letter (ii) a detailed curriculum vitae (iii) a statement of contribution to

teaching (iv) three samples of the most significant and relevant scholarly work

conducted; (v) names and contact details (full mailing address, phone

number, e-mail address) of at least three referees. Applicants should

complete the online application process

at https://apply.lassonde.yorku.ca/prog/chair-mech/. The deadline for

receipt of completed applications is April 30, 2020, but the position will be

open until filled. The start date of the appointment will be July 1, 2020 (or by

mutual agreement). All York University positions are subject to budgetary

approval.

Interview with KBRS

As we receive the resumes of candidates who express interest in the position,

we compare them against the key selection criteria set by the Selection

Committee and also against the backgrounds of other candidates. We then

arrange to speak with, and/or meet with, candidates whose experience and

qualifications are closest to those articulated in the ideal candidate profile.

We will also invite you to complete a Statement of Candidacy template that

we will provide to you.

In our initial interview with you, we will seek to understand more about your

background, qualifications, experience and your interest in the position. As

you move forward in the search process, we will ask you to consider the

following information that will ultimately be important to your decision.

Matters of fact – These include compensation, benefits, or other similar

issues. If a physical move would be required to accept the position, please

learn about housing, schools, relocation assistance, and any other matters of

this kind that are important to you. If a physical move will ultimately prove

unacceptable to your family members, please determine that at this stage.

Matters of fit – Please list the remaining questions that you would need to

have answered about the position and the organization. If needed, we will

https://apply.lassonde.yorku.ca/prog/chair-mech/


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attempt to arrange a direct conversation between you and our client to get

your questions answered in detail.

Considerations for International Candidates – If you are an international

applicant or Temporary Foreign Worker, in addition to applying for this

position, you may want to explore the Government of Canada’s website to

learn more about Working in Canada.

The goal of considering all this information is to help you make an informed

decision as soon as possible as to whether you are seriously interested in this

position. In fairness to everyone concerned, please do not proceed further

with this process if you think you are unlikely to accept the position should it

be offered to you. We will ask our client to extend to you the same courtesy.

Interviews with our Client

The Search Committee will consider all candidates and ultimately will invite a

small group forward. Typically, this next step is an interview with the Search

Committee.

If there is a desire to move forward with your candidacy after the initial

interview with the Search Committee, you will be invited for further

conversations. The format and nature of these conversations will be

developed to allow you to learn more about York University and the Lassonde

School of Engineering, to allow the Committee to invite feedback on your

candidacy and to begin to set the conditions for successful integration into

the role of Chair, Mechanical Engineering. The Committee and the York

community commit to respecting the confidentiality of your interest

throughout this process.

Shortly after these conversations, if both you and the Search Committee feel

the fit is right, the usual procedure is yourself and the Dean will then work out

mutually acceptable terms of employment and reach an agreement, subject

to reference checks.

York University is an Affirmative Action (AA) employer and strongly values

diversity, including gender and sexual diversity, within its community. The AA

Program, which applies to women, members of visible minorities (racialized

groups), Aboriginal (Indigenous) people and persons with disabilities, can be

found at www.yorku.ca/acadjobs or by calling the AA line at 416-736-5713. All

qualified candidates are encouraged to apply; however, Canadian citizens,

permanent residents and Indigenous peoples in Canada will be given priority.

Applicants wishing to self-identify can do so by downloading, completing and

submitting the forms found at: http://acadjobs.info.yorku.ca/. Please select

http://www.yorku.ca/acadjobs

http://acadjobs.info.yorku.ca/


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the “Affirmative Action Program Self-Id Forms” tab under which forms

pertaining to Work Status Declaration (citizenship) and AA can be found.

York University has a policy on Accommodation in Employment for Persons

with Disabilities and is committed to working towards a barrier-free

workplace and to expanding the accessibility of the workplace to persons with

disabilities. Candidates who require accommodation during the selection

process are invited to contact Alex Czekanski, Search Committee Chair, at

[email protected].

Resume Accuracy/Background Checks

If you choose to be a candidate and progress to the interview stage, you will

be asked to provide information to allow the School to conduct a thorough

background check inclusive of reference checks, verification of your

education, designations obtained, and awards received.

KBRS respects the privacy and confidentiality of personal information provided

by candidates for our search assignments. The above information will be in

accordance with the Personal Information Protection and Electronic

Documents legislation. A copy of our Privacy Policy is available for your review

on our website at www.kbrs.ca.

Etiquette Regarding an Offer

There are two issues that can arise at the stage of the offer and its acceptance.

In both cases, we would like to know that you would honor two standards of

professionalism:

• First, if an offer is extended to you, that you will treat the offer in

confidence (except for discussing it with members of your

immediate family) and will not “shop” or discuss the offer with your

present employer.

• Second, if you say you will accept the offer, your word is your bond

and our Client can count on the fact that you will be joining them.

Otherwise, please turn down the offer and withdraw as a candidate.

We want our client to avoid the substantial loss of time and cost of

opportunity that would accompany a reversal of your decision, in

much the same way as you would want to avoid handing in your

resignation and then having our client cancel its offer. We realize

from experience that candidates can sometimes have self-doubts

and second thoughts after making the decision to change career

direction. These feelings are common, and you are wise to anticipate

http://secretariat-policies.info.yorku.ca/policies/accommodation-in-employment-for-persons-with-disabilities/

http://secretariat-policies.info.yorku.ca/policies/accommodation-in-employment-for-persons-with-disabilities/

mailto:[email protected]

http://www.kbrs.ca/


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they may arise.

If either or both of these conditions are unacceptable to you, please

let us know now, at the beginning.

Thank you for your interest in this position. We will do our best to keep you

informed throughout the search process.

Should you have any questions regarding this opportunity, please contact:

• Amorell Saunders N’Daw, Partner

[email protected]

• Beth McLennan, Executive Recruiter

[email protected]

• Tracy Campbell, Executive Search Coordinator

[email protected]


