• Job Description

  Req#: req12987

  Governance Officer

  Primary Purpose: The Governance Officer provides support to the University Secretary and Chief Governance Officer in their exercise of powers and duties pertaining to university governance and protocol. Functionally, the Officer will support the primary mandate of the Governance Office, which is being the key link between the executive leadership and governance of the university, supporting both by instilling good governance, authentic engagement and accountable practices.

  As a member of the Governance Office, the Officer acts as a resource person for members of the university community (students, faculty, staff, senior administrators, alumni and members of governing bodies) in providing advice and direction about the governance and decision-making processes of the institution and on matters related to the Governance Office.

  Nature of Work: Reporting to the University Secretary and Chief Governance Officer, this position is part of a team responsible for:

  • Providing support, through the University Secretary, to the four governing bodies of the institution (Board, Council, Senate, and General Academic Assembly) including their relevant committees, working groups, and project teams.
  • Developing, coordinating, and implementing engagement strategies for stakeholders of university governance.
  • Providing support to the University Secretary, university leadership, and relevant committees in the oversight and interpretation of institutional policies and bylaws.
  • Providing support to ensure the proper application of governing bylaws, regulations, and university policies (e.g., student conduct and faculty tenure and promotion appeals).

  • Working with the University Secretary, university leadership, governance leadership and interested parties in reviewing and assessing institutional decision-making processes, strategies and policies to identify areas for improvement.

  Accountabilities:

  1. Manage a Portfolio of Statutory Governance Processes

  As a member of the Governance Office team, the Governance Officer will be assigned a governance “portfolio”, comprised of aspects within the Governance Office’s purview, and will be responsible for maintaining the statutory requirements for that portfolio to function. This portfolio may be focused deeply on one particular governance process, on one particular function across all governances processes, or a combination of both, as is assigned by the University Secretary.

  2. Stakeholder Stewardship

  Either as part of their assigned portfolio or simply as a member of the Governance Office, the Officer will be required to ensure that there are strong links between the administration and the governing bodies by supporting both to work together successfully.

  3. Operationalize Governance Office Strategy

  The Officer will work towards the goals and objectives laid out by the University Secretary and within the Governance Office’s strategic plan.

  4. Project Management and Research

  The Officer will be responsible for management of discrete projects, research that is of interest and use to the Office, and other duties as assigned.

  5. Equity, Diversity, Inclusion (EDI), and Indigenization

  In support of the university’s policies and strategies on equity, diversity, inclusion and Indigenization, ensure EDI and Indigenous strategies are integrated and/or factored into the assigned portfolio and projects, with the goal of removing any systemic barriers for individuals or groups and creating a more inclusive university environment for all students, faculty ,staff and community members.

  Portfolio – University Senate

  Acts on behalf of the University Secretary as the key manager for the University of Saskatchewan Senate meetings and business of the Senate which includes but is not limited to:

  • Coordinating orientations, committee meetings, meetings of the Senate and special events;
  • Appropriate and timely follow-up from the Senate and its committees is carried out to ensure decisions and actions are implemented;
  • Distribute calls for agenda items, create and compile agendas, record and transcribe minutes, and prepare reports for the Senate and its related committees. Coordinate the follow-up on all business matters arising from the meetings.
  • Interact with the Senate and its respective committees on a regular basis and act as a support on process and administrative matters and provide up to date communications to Senate
  • Ensures elections and membership roles are managed in a timely fashion;

  Portfolio – Nominations and Elections

  • Coordinates all nominations and elections of the Council, Senate, and Board;·
  • Supports the Nominations Committee of Council;
  • Supports the Nominations Committee of Senate

  Portfolio – Policy Oversight

  • Responsible for coordination of all institutional-level policies and procedures;
  • Acts as first-point of contact and facilitator for individuals wanting to create new/change existing institutional policies and procedures;
  • Ensures communication and information coordination of policies is up to date and accessible;

  Key Projects in 2024

  • Working with the University Secretary, enact and lead the USask Senate Engagement Strategy
  • Working with Governance Office team on review of institutional policies, including organization and communication of said policies;

  Education: An undergraduate degree in policy, higher education, governance or relevant equivalent. A master’s degree would be considered an asset.

  Experience: Five to ten years of relevant experience in a post-secondary institution or similar setting. Relevant prior experience would include supporting decision-making bodies within the institution, and extensive experience in researching, drafting, and editing documents.

  Skills:

  • Visionary leadership, outstanding interpersonal skills, and a demonstrated ability to build and nurture successful collaborations and partnerships internally and externally;
  • Ability to influence and work effectively and credibly with senior administrators, academics, and administrative staff;
  • The ability to establish and maintain effective relationships to ensure a culture of collaboration; A proven influential leader who appreciates and encourages innovation in all forms;
  • A deep commitment to equity, diversity, inclusion and reconciliation;
  • Effective and flexible communication, influencing, negotiation, and advocacy skills;
  • Ability to motivate, influence change and gain commitment with a diverse audience;
  • Experience with change management, along with effective negotiation and partnership-building skills;
  • Competency in determining information needs, identifying sources of information, analyzing data, extracting key data, and communicate findings to audiences of all levels and degrees of interest;
  • Proven experience in planning, management, and decision-making processes in a university environment;
  • Proven ability to make decisions where the risks have significant impact on the organization;
  • Ability to simultaneously manage a diverse range of complex projects and activities;
  • Exceptional interpersonal, mentoring, organizational, and financial skills and experience;
  • Ability to think strategically, facilitate dialogue, collaborate, build consensus and develop synergies with a broad range of constituencies in order to achieve common goals;
  • Proven ability to work both independently and as a team member;
  • Demonstration of the effective promotion of innovation and collaboration;
  • Political savvy, creativity and intuitiveness.

  Department: Governance Office
  Status: Permanent
  Employment Group: Exempt
  Full Time Equivalent (FTE): 1.0
  Salary: The salary range, based on 1.0 FTE, is $69,695.00 - 115,286.00 per annum. The starting salary will be commensurate with education and experience.
  Salary Phase/Band: Salary Band 3
  Posted Date: 9/13/2024
  Closing Date: 9/26/2024 at 6:00 pm CST
  Number of Openings: 1
  Work Location: May be eligible for hybrid work under the terms of USask's Alternative Workspace Guidelines
  

  The University is committed to employment equity, diversity, and inclusion, and are proud to support career opportunities for Indigenous peoples to reflect the community we serve. We are dedicated to recruiting individuals who will enrich our work and learning environments. All qualified candidates are encouraged to apply; however, in accordance with Canadian immigration requirements, Canadian citizens and permanent residents will be given priority. We are committed to providing accommodations to those with a disability or medical necessity. If you require an accommodation to participate in the recruitment process, please notify us and we will work together on the accommodation request. We continue to grow our partnerships with Indigenous communities across the province, nationally, and internationally and value the unique perspective that Indigenous employees provide to strengthen these relationships. Verification of Indigenous Membership/Citizenship at the University of Saskatchewan is led and determined by the deybwewin | taapwaywin | tapwewin: Indigenous Truth policy and Standing Committee in accordance with the processes developed to enact the policy. Successful candidates that assert Indigenous membership/citizenship will be asked to complete the verification process of Indigenous membership/citizenship with documentation. The University of Saskatchewan’s main campus is situated on Treaty 6 Territory and the Homeland of the Métis. We pay our respects to the First Nations and Métis ancestors of this place and reaffirm our relationship with one another. Together, we are uplifting Indigenization to a place of prominence at the University of Saskatchewan.
  

• About the company

  The University of Saskatchewan is a Canadian public research university, founded on March 19, 1907, and located on the east side of the South Saskatchewan River in Saskatoon, Saskatchewan, Canada.

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