Job Description
Wilfrid Laurier University is a leading Canadian university renowned for its extraordinary learning environment and student-focused educational experience. As a comprehensive university with more than 19,000 students, Laurier has grown rapidly in research intensity while at the same time preserving its well-earned reputation for undergraduate and graduate teaching and learning excellence. With a multi-campus and multi-community culture, Laurier offers students an exceptional range and depth of more than 100 academic programs taught by award-winning lecturers across nine faculties at campuses in Waterloo and Brantford, a faculty of Social Work in Kitchener, a research office in Yellowknife, part-time MBA and MFin programs and a “store front” office in Toronto, and planned program offerings in the Town of Milton on the west side of the Greater Toronto Area. As a leader in higher education for more than a century, the Laurier experience is truly transformative as embodied in its institutional proposition: Inspiring lives of leadership and purpose.
Reporting to the President & Vice Chancellor, and as a key member of the senior leadership team and important advisor to the Chair of the Board of Governors, the University Secretary provides leadership and expertise to ensure the effective operation and administration of the university’s bicameral (University Senate and Board of Governors) governance system. Along with the other members of the senior leadership team, the University Secretary supports the achievement of Laurier’s strategic priorities and the integration of Laurier’s vision, mission and values into the workings of the institution. In accordance with Laurier’s University Act, institutional policies and practices, and other legislation, the University Secretary supports and guides the governance and deliberative processes of the university and provides senior level leadership to the Office of Dispute Resolution & Support responsible for the administration of the University’s policies on harassment & discrimination and gendered & sexual violence. The University Secretary routinely and accurately provides impartial advice on, and interpretation of, policies, by-laws, precedents, procedures, protocols and best practices to the Board of Governors and University Senate as well as their committees and other related bodies and resource staff. The University Secretary provides senior level leadership and management for the overall operation of the University Secretariat office including the Office of Dispute Resolution & Support, thereby ensuring the needs of the institution are met with the highest levels of efficiency and professionalism.
Laurier is seeking an experienced and seasoned governance executive who will provide leadership and expertise to ensure the effective operation and administration of the University’s governance system. The ideal candidate has strong managerial experience in a large and complex organization, with highly developed interpersonal skills and exceptional judgement. Candidates must have demonstrated leadership competency and success in building and developing effective teams and stakeholder relationships in support of organizational needs. They must also have in-depth experience providing advice and support to governing bodies in large, complex, broader public sector organizations, and leading projects and change initiatives in support of longer-term strategy. Candidates must have a record of building and implementing a collegial, inclusive and highly collaborative workplace culture and engaging effectively with a wide variety of stakeholders. A strong service orientation, excellent communication skills, and an approach that earns trust and respect are essential. A university degree is required, preferably at the graduate level.
Wilfrid Laurier University endeavors to fill positions with the best available candidates who have the appropriate combination of education, experience, skills and abilities to successfully perform the duties of the position while demonstrating Laurier's Employee Success Factors.
Wilfrid Laurier University is committed to equity and values diversity. We welcome applications from qualified individuals of all genders and sexual orientations, persons with disabilities, Indigenous persons and racialized persons. To obtain a copy of this job description in an accessible format, please contact Human Resources at 519-884-1970 ext.2007.
Members of the designated groups must self-identify to be considered for employment equity. Candidates may self-identify, in confidence, at [email protected]. Further information on the equity policy can be found at: https://www.wlu.ca/about/governance/assets/resources/8.4-employment-equity.html