Position Description

Type: Full-Time
Term:  5 years (renewable)
Application Deadline:  August 31, 2026
Category:  Executive; Religious Studies and Theology

Appointment:

By the General Assembly of the Presbyterian Church in Canada, on a recommendation of the Board of Governors of The Presbyterian College.

The Presbyterian College is a vibrant community of worship, learning, and friendship. We have our life with the risen Jesus, we experience joy in his presence, and we discover our calling through the Spirit he breathes on us. Our roots are deep within the Presbyterian and Reformed tradition, which we inhabit and share with gratitude. We welcome students from diverse theological traditions and the global church. We are discovering what it means to live in Christ’s love for the church, our world and communities.

The mission of The Presbyterian College, Montreal, founded in 1865, is to enrich the theological, biblical, and cultural understanding of Christians, to strengthen them in the faith-filled pursuit of their vocations, and to deepen their relationship with Jesus. We fulfill this mission through degree programs, through creative workshops, seminars, and training, and through intentional formation in spiritual practices.

We fulfill our mission and purpose within a dynamic and diverse faith‐based community in the Montreal School of Theology and in relation to McGill University. McGill is one of Canada’s foremost universities, located in one of North America’s most vibrant and cosmopolitan cities.

Current priorities include:

• Theological Education in French through expansion of our Master of Theological Studies program (Practical Theology) which supports French-speaking communities and congregations in Quebec and elsewhere by equipping transformational leaders for church and community.
• Forming congregational leaders through theological reflection, the building of leadership competencies, and imaginative engagement with culture who will support communities of worship and witness and guide the church creatively and faithfully in the secular age.
• Establishment of a Christian Study Centre that welcomes McGill University students into reflection on theology, vocation, and culture and equips them to integrate faith with their academic and vocational formation as they discern what Christian faith and ethics mean for the companies, organizations, and communities. 
• Deepening Spiritual Life through engagement with scripture and pursuing practices of hospitality, prayer, fasting, sabbath, peacemaking, and charity for the formation of our hearts and the enrichment of our life with Christ.

Overall Responsibilities of the Principal:  

The primary role of the Principal is to uphold, nurture, and advance the mission of The Presbyterian College under the oversight of the Board of Governors within the service of the Presbyterian Church in Canada. In fulfilling this mandate, the major responsibilities of the Principal include administrative and executive oversight of academic programs, participation in governance of the College, implementation of the current Strategic Plan, student recruitment, fund raising and development, and public relations.  The Principal also teaches in academic and non-academic programs of the College and the Montreal School of Theology and represents the College within the Montreal School of Theology and bodies of the Presbyterian Church in Canada and related organizations.   For more detailed information see The Presbyterian College. 

Qualifications 

The Board is seeking a Principal who holds a doctoral degree in theology (PhD, ThD, DMin) or related discipline, who is a proven, credible church leader within the wider Reformed and Presbyterian tradition, and who is actively engaged in personal spiritual disciplines and discipleship.  The successful candidate: 

• will work effectively within the team context at the College,
• has oral French sufficient for professional/spiritual communication or willingness to achieve this
• will be able to maintain focus on high‐level organizational issues while ensuring effective management of day‐to‐day operations,
• will collaborate effectively with partner organizations, and
• will be prepared and capable of assuming a leadership role with respect to personnel management, and financial management and resource development needs of the College.

Renumeration: 

Remuneration shall be in keeping with guidelines established by the General Assembly of The Presbyterian Church in Canada, at the rank of Professor, as implemented by the Board of Governors of The Presbyterian College.

Application Process: 

Candidates are asked to submit a curriculum vitae, a covering letter, and the names and contact information for three references to mscott@pcmtl.ca.  Review of applications will begin on August 31, 2026.  

The successful candidate, if not already a minister of The Presbyterian Church in Canada, will be eligible for ordination as a minister of the denomination and will apply to the Committee on Education and Reception either prior to the appointment or within the first year following the start date. 

The College is dedicated to creating an equitable, fair and accessible process for everyone and all qualified applicants will be considered.