Reporting directly to the President, the Chief of Staff serves as a trusted strategic advisor and operational leader responsible for advancing the President's priorities and ensuring effective execution across the University. The role provides senior counsel on strategic initiatives, institutional issues, stakeholder relations, and organizational effectiveness.

The Chief of Staff coordinates the flow of information and decision-making within the President's Office, supports institutional planning and change initiatives, and fosters collaboration among academic and administrative leaders. The position also leads strategic engagement with government, industry, community, and external stakeholders to advance the University's reputation, influence, partnerships, and strategic objectives.

As a member of the President's leadership team, the Chief of Staff exercises sound judgment, political acuity, and discretion while supporting institutional governance, risk management, and organizational excellence. In all aspects of the role, the Chief of Staff advances the University's commitments to equity, diversity, inclusion, Indigenous engagement, health and safety, and environmental responsibility.

What we offer: 

• Flexible work arrangements
• Comprehensive Health and Dental Care Benefits
• Post Retirement Benefits
• Tuition Waivers
• Health and Wellness on Campus available to staff and their families
• Professional Development Opportunities

RESPONSIBILITIES:

Strategic Leadership and Executive Counsel

• Serves as a key advisor to the President and vice presidents on strategic priorities, emerging opportunities, institutional risks, and complex or sensitive issues.
• Provides analysis, recommendations, implementation support, and evaluation for key initiatives and enterprise-wide projects.
• Anticipates emerging internal and external issues and develops strategies to address them proactively.
• Supports the development, execution, and monitoring of institutional priorities, strategic plans, and executive objectives.
• Provides confidential advice and serves as a trusted sounding board to support effective decision-making.
• Ensures matters requiring executive attention are identified, prioritized, and addressed in a timely manner.

Executive Operations and Organizational Effectiveness

• Leads the administrative operations of the President's Office, ensuring effective coordination, communication, and workflow management and budget control.
• Oversees the Marketing and Communications Department and administrative staff within the President’s Office
• Establishes processes that support effective information flow, decision-making, and execution of priorities.
• Monitors progress on executive initiatives and ensures accountability for deliverables across the University.
• Works collaboratively with Finance, Human Resources, Communications, Student Services, and other leaders to provide the President with advice and information related to organizational performance, resources, workforce planning, and institutional effectiveness.
• Supports continuous improvement, organizational change, and human and financial resource alignment to achieve strategic objectives.

Government, Industry, and External Relations

• Supports the President in building and maintaining productive relationships with municipal, provincial, federal, community, and industry stakeholders.
• Monitors public policy, legislative, regulatory, and funding developments and advises institutional leaders on implications and opportunities.
• Coordinates engagement strategies with government officials, agencies, elected representatives, industry associations, and strategic partners.
• Identifies and advances opportunities for partnerships that support academic excellence, research, innovation, student success, workforce development, and economic growth.
• Leads or coordinates institutional responses to government consultations, policy initiatives, and external opportunities relevant to the University.
• Represents the President and the University at meetings, events, and forums as appropriate.
• Supports advocacy efforts that advance institutional priorities and strengthen the University's profile and influence.
• Works closely with the Director of Alumni and Development on donor relationships and alumni engagement of the President and President’s Office.

Governance, Issues Management, and Special Projects

• Coordinates matters requiring review by senior leadership, governance bodies, and university committees.
• Ensures initiatives move through appropriate governance and decision-making processes.
• Leads and manages strategic projects on behalf of the President, bringing together stakeholders from across the institution and external partners as required.
• Identifies, assesses, and coordinates responses to significant institutional issues in consultation with appropriate subject matter experts.
• Drafts and reviews briefing materials, reports, presentations, speeches, correspondence, and strategic communications.
• Attends executive meetings to coordinate follow-up actions, ensure accountability, and support timely execution.

Relationship Management and Institutional Leadership

• Builds collaborative relationships with Deans, Directors, faculty, staff, and governance leaders.
• Fosters strong partnerships across the University to support institutional priorities and effective organizational performance.
• Serves as a liaison among internal and external stakeholders to promote alignment, communication, and collaboration.
• Supports a positive organizational culture through professionalism, integrity, responsiveness, and service.
• Maintains a broad understanding of institutional priorities and ensures coordinated action across multiple initiatives and stakeholder groups.

QUALIFICATIONS: 

Education

• Undergraduate degree in business, public administration, political science, communications, higher education, or a related field.
• Graduate degree is preferred.

Experience

• Significant senior-level leadership experience in a complex organization, preferably within higher education, government, or a similarly regulated environment.
• Experience supporting executive leaders and managing strategic initiatives involving multiple stakeholders.
• Demonstrated success in government relations, stakeholder engagement, public affairs, strategic partnerships, or related fields.
• Experience leading organizational change, project management, policy development, and issue resolution.

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities

• Strong understanding of university governance, higher education environments, and institutional decision-making processes.
• Knowledge of public policy development, government structures, and external stakeholder engagement.
• Exceptional strategic thinking, judgment, political acumen, and problem-solving ability.
• Outstanding interpersonal, communication, facilitation, and relationship management skills.
• Ability to manage confidential information with discretion and professionalism.
• Demonstrated leadership in collaborative, multi-stakeholder environments.
• Strong project management, organizational, and execution capabilities.
• Commitment to equity, diversity, inclusion, Indigenous engagement, and organizational excellence.