Welcome to the CAUBO Leader Information Page
Applications are now being accepted for the pilot offering of CAUBO Leader.
The deadline for applications is September 15, 2025, at 5 pm (ET).
Apply now to take part in a transformative journey that will elevate
your individual leadership potential and contribute to the advancement of HE in Canada.
Space will be limited to 20 participants.
Below you’ll find everything you need to determine if CAUBO Leader is the right fit for you and to guide you through the application process. Toggle down to explore each section, or click on any of the headers in the list to jump directly to the section you’re interested in.
- What is CAUBO Leader
- Target Audience
- Duration, Format & Cost
- Course Delivery Language
- Detailed Course Outline
- Schedule and Calendar at a Glance
- Program Philosophy and Approach
- Application Criteria and Timelines
- Preview of the Application Form and Instructions
- Information Sessions
- Contact for support
- Application Form
Now more than ever, strong, collaborative leadership is needed to navigate the complexity and change facing the higher education sector. CAUBO Leader is designed to empower participants to lead with purpose, confidence, and impact – supporting them in driving positive change within their institutions.
Spanning eight months, the program brings together a dynamic, supportive cohort of peers. Through shared learning, reflection, and practice-based exploration, participants will deepen their leadership capabilities and grow as confident, adaptive leaders.
Program Highlights
This eight-month program features a range of components; each designed to enrich the participant experience and address key dimensions of leadership development:
Core In-person Modules
- Leadership in HE and Beyond: Examines global trends, their impact on higher education, and the sector’s unique leadership context
- The Authentic and Engaged Leader: Explores how leaders foster meaningful dialogue, build influence, and grow self-awareness
Online Learning & Peer Exchanges
- Participant Provocations: Individuals share leadership insights and experiences from their own context
- Strategic Impact Groups (SIGs): Small cohorts tackle complex, real-world challenges facing the sector
- Leadership Exchange: Participants observe and engage with peers locally or virtually to explore leadership in practice
- Reconnects: Scheduled between-module sessions that deepen cohort connections and support ongoing collaboration within SIGs
CAUBO Leader is designed for mid- to senior-level administrators in key operational and administrative areas of Canadian universities. The program is intended for professionals in roles such as Associate Vice-President (AVP), Senior Director, Controller, or other comparable positions with significant institutional responsibility. Ideal candidates are those seeking to deepen their leadership capacity and broaden their impact within the higher education sector.
- Duration: 8 months (mid-October 2025 to mid-June 2026)
- Cohort size: 10- 20 participants
- Features: Case-based learning from participants’ own experiences, expert guest speakers, and academic insights
- Format: Sequenced modules with built-in reflection and application
Costs
$4,000 per participant
Included in the registration fee:
- All programming as outlined below under “Detailed Course Outline” and access to all related course materials
- Meals provided during the in-person modules (November & April):
- Day 1: breakfast, lunch, breaks, Welcome Reception
- Day 2: breakfast, lunch, breaks
- Day 3: breakfast, lunch, breaks, group dinner
- Day 4: breakfast, lunch, breaks
Additional cost considerations that are the responsibility of each participant:
- Travel costs associated with the two in-person modules
- Hotel (4-5 nights per in-person module). Please note that participants can benefit from discounted rates as part of the CAUBO Hotel Program
- Ground transportation (associated with the two in-person modules)
- Costs associated with any in-person Leadership Exchanges
- CAUBO 2026 conference registration fees and travel costs (optional)
The CAUBO Leader program will be offered in English, and all course materials will be available exclusively in English.
CAUBO Leader is comprised of a blend of theoretical knowledge and practical application through a series of components, each designed to enhance participant experience and learning while addressing different aspects of leadership development. Below is a summary of each component of the program.
Launch
- Serves as an orientation to CAUBO Leader, introducing participants to the overall structure and principles of the initiative
- Starts the self-reflection journey by engaging participants with reflective questions about their leadership experience
- Allows participants to meet and begin forming connections among the cohort
Modules
- During in-person modules, frameworks, theory and content areas will be presented and provided for participants to test against their own experience.
- Includes activities that focus on making connections and finding ways of working together effectively to support the development of strong, lasting relationships amongst cohort participants
- Space is created for individual reflection, pair, small group and plenary discussion throughout. This allows participants to engage and learn in a variety of ways and build strong relationships across the cohort.
- Held retreat-style to include and encourage “downtime” for cohorts to connect over meals together, evenings, etc.
Module 1: “Leadership in Higher Education and Beyond”
This module explores perspectives on global issues and their impact on higher education, as well as the leadership characteristics and considerations unique to the higher education sector.
Module 2: “The Authentic and Engaged Leader”
This module focuses on ways that leaders can show up and create spaces for meaningful conversations, the impact and influence they have as leaders within their institutions, as well as individual self-awareness and emotional intelligence.
Leadership Exchange
- CAUBO Leader participants are given the opportunity to visit and be visited by one or more colleagues of their cohort or at their home institution as part of a” Leadership Exchange”. This can be accomplished online or in-person.
- In this exchange, participants observe, share and experience various day-to-day leadership challenges and responses – ones they might not otherwise experience.
- Participants gain insights about themselves, their colleagues, and their environment with takeaways related to their own leadership styles, strengths, and opportunities for growth.
- Could happen at the “home” institution – we prepare participants for engaging in this activity on their own and then share learnings.
Strategic Impact Groups (SIGs)
- Cohorts are given the opportunity to focus on a ‘wicked’ or complex issue facing the sector through Strategic Impact Groups (SIGs).
- The SIGs are an opportunity to explore lessons around leadership whilst also providing a tangible contribution to an aspect of the institution or sector’s challenges through ideas, recommendations and/or specific actions.
- The SIGs are self-organizing and intended to mimic the informal/less structured ways that leaders come together to identify and solve complex problems.
Participant Provocations
- An opportunity for individual participants to share insights and perspectives on leadership from their own context and experience.
- Can be conducted online as a connection opportunity between in-person modules.
Reconnects
- Occur between the modules to maintain connection and allow cohort members to sustain momentum in their relationship building and progress the work of the strategic impact groups.
- Participants work in small groups to tackle real-world challenges. This hands-on approach enhances problem-solving skills and fosters continuous learning. By engaging in Action Learning, participants develop critical thinking, teamwork, and the ability to implement innovative solutions.
Guest Speakers
- An opportunity for participants to engage with outstanding leaders from within the sector as well as public life, who can share their experience of leadership with participants and provide insights of leadership in a range of other organizations.
- Included as a component of both in-person modules.
Individual Touchpoints
- Facilitators engage in one-on-one conversations with participants before the offering begins to better understand individual needs and leadership goals, current challenges, aspirations for their participation, and to gain insight into the cohort as a whole.
- These conversations take place a second time, once the modules are complete, to check in on participants’ learning and progress towards their goals.
- Participants are encouraged to contact the facilitators throughout the program on an as-needed basis to discuss goals, challenges, or specific needs.
Landing Event
- The program concludes with a landing event where participants showcase and share the work conducted by the Strategic Impact Groups.
- This event will take place at the annual CAUBO conference, where participants share their work and experience with not only their fellow participants, but with the larger CAUBO community.
- The landing event is a celebratory opportunity to connect and build community with leaders across the sector.
Schedule and Calendar at a Glance
| Timing | Activity |
| October 15, 2025 | Program Launch Event (Online) |
| Weeks of October 20 & 27, 2025 | Individual Pre-Program Call (Online) |
| November 24-27, 2025 | Module 1 at the ALT Hotel Ottawa (in-person) |
| January 21 & February 11, 2026 | Group Reconnect (Online) |
| Between module 1 & 2 | Leadership Exchange Activity (Online or In-person) |
| March 4, 2026 | Strategic Impact Group (SIG) Work (Online) |
| April 20-23, 2026 | Module 2 at the ALT Hotel Ottawa (in person) |
| May 6, 2026 | Strategic Impact Group (SIG) Work (Online) |
| May 27, 2026 | Group Reconnect (Online) |
| June 16-17, 2026 | Landing event at the CAUBO 2026 Conference in St. John’s Newfoundland (In-person) |
| June 24, 2026 | Final Group Reconnect (Online) |
| Weeks of July 13 & 20, 2026 | Post-Experience Evaluation Interview (Online) |
Program Philosophy and Approach
CAUBO Leader focuses on collaborative leadership philosophies, emphasizing leadership practice that is informed by individual growth (me), team dynamics (we) and aims to enhance leadership skills, foster collaboration, and drive organizational excellence. It uses a collaborative, reflective, and interactive approach to foster a community of confident, capable leaders who advance innovation and help realize their institutions’ missions.
Program Benefits
- Individual Level
- Discover and develop your personal leadership potential and influence
- Gain insight into diverse leadership styles, approaches and strengths
- University Level
- Build meaningful, cross-institutional relationships with peers across Canada
- Engage in collaborative, creative problem-solving on real sector challenges
- Strengthen your ability to lead effectively across teams and functional areas.
- Bring back tools, insights, and practices that deepen leadership capacity within your institution
- Community Level
- Recognize and expand your individual impact beyond your institution
- Understand and respond to the evolving higher ed landscape
- Leverage your leadership to strengthen connections across institutions and sectors
Learning Approach
Participants progress from “Me” to “We” to “Us,” reflecting on personal leadership while contributing to a collective leadership practice. The program emphasizes adaptive, community-based leadership to address complex sector challenges.
Core Leadership Questions Explored
- What kind of leadership is needed to navigate today’s complex challenges in higher education?
- How can leaders foster meaningful, productive conversations that drive collaboration and change?
- Why should others choose to follow you? What defines your authentic leadership approach?
Application Criteria/Timelines
Applications are now being accepted for the pilot offering of CAUBO Leader.
The deadline for applications is September 15, 2025, at 5 pm (ET).
Applicants will be subject to a selection process.
Space will be limited to 20 participants.
The selection process will be completed by September 22, 2025.
To ensure a strong, balanced cohort and a meaningful developmental experience, applications to CAUBO Leader will be assessed based on the following criteria:
Professional Experience and Role:
CAUBO Leader is designed for mid- to senior-level administrators in key operational and administrative areas of Canadian universities. The program is intended for professionals in roles such as Associate Vice-President (AVP), Senior Director, Controller, or other comparable positions with significant institutional responsibility. Ideal candidates are those seeking to deepen their leadership capacity and broaden their impact within the post-secondary sector.
Motivation, Learning Readiness and Commitment
Applicants must demonstrate:
- A clear statement of intent that reflects their motivation and leadership aspirations
- Evidence of learning readiness, including openness to self-reflection and personal growth
- Full availability and commitment to participate in all program components, including in-person and virtual sessions.
CAUBO Leader is not a passive training program—it is an immersive developmental experience. Candidates should be prepared to engage actively and bring real leadership challenges into the learning environment.
Contribution to Peer Learning
Because the program is cohort-based, the quality of the learning experience depends on the active participation of all members. Applicants should demonstrate:
- A willingness to learn from others and contribute their own insights
- A mindset of reciprocity and curiosity, consistent with the program’s “give and get” ethos
Diversity and Inclusion
CAUBO is committed to fostering a diverse and inclusive cohort, with representation across:
- Institutional size, type, and region
- Professional domains (e.g., finance, human resources, facilities, risk management, procurement)
- Demographic backgrounds and lived experiences
Preview of the Application Form and Instructions
We are pleased to share with you a preview of the CAUBO Leader application form, along with detailed instructions to guide you through each section of the process.
The purpose of this preview is to help you prepare your responses in advance and ensure you have the information and context needed to complete your application successfully.
The application is designed to identify individuals who are not only ready to deepen their leadership capabilities but also eager to contribute meaningfully to a collaborative, cohort-based learning experience.
In this document, you will find:
- An overview of each section of the application
- Clear instructions for responding to both required and optional questions
- Guidance on how to reflect your experience, motivation, and readiness for the program
We encourage you to review the document carefully and begin gathering any relevant information prior to completing the online form when it becomes available.
Click here to preview the contents and instructions for the CAUBO Leader application form.
We welcome potential candidates to join us for an information session to learn more about the program, schedule, time commitment and more.
Sessions are currently scheduled as follows:
- Friday, August 29, 11 am – 12:00 pm EST
- Tuesday, September 9, 11 am – 12:00 pm EST
If you are interested in attending an upcoming information session, please email us at events@caubo.ca to express your interest and to specify which date best suits you.
If you have any questions or need additional clarification, please don’t hesitate to reach out to us at events@caubo.ca.
Once you start the online application, you can save your form and return to complete it later – prior to the deadline of September 15 at 5 pm (ET). By clicking the Save and Continue Later button, you will receive an email containing the custom link to your application form.