Manager, Governance and Policy

**Date**:Apr 23, 2025 **Location**: Waterloo, CA **Company**:Wilfrid Laurier University **Department**: Secretariat's Office **Job Type**: Continuing **Full-time/Part-time**: Full Time (>=1249 hrs/year) **Campus**: Waterloo **Reports to**:Assistant Vice President, Governance and Policy **Employee Group**: Management **Application Deadline**:05/07/2025 **Requisition ID**:9229 Wilfrid Laurier University is a leading multi-campus university that excels at educating with purpose. Through its exceptional employees, students, researchers, leaders, and educators, Laurier has built a reputation as a world-class institution known for its rich student experience, academic excellence, and global impact. With a commitment to Indigenization and commitment to equity, diversity, inclusion, Laurier’s thriving community has a place for everyone. Laurier has more than 21,000 students and 2,100 faculty and staff across campuses in Waterloo and Brantford, as well locations in Kitchener and Milton. The university is committed to providing an inclusive workplace, a flexible work policy and employing a workforce that is reflective of local and national demographics. Laurier's Waterloo, Kitchener, and Brantford campuses are located on the shared traditional territory of the Neutral, Anishnaabe, and Haudenosaunee peoples. This land is part of the Dish with One Spoon Treaty between the Haudenosaunee and Anishnaabe peoples and symbolizes the agreement to share, protect our resources, and not to engage in conflict. Laurier's Milton campus is located on the traditional territory of the Mississaugas of the Credit, and part of the Nanfan Treaty of 1701 between the British Crown and the Haudenosaunee Confederacy. **Position Summary** Reporting to the AVP, Governance and Policy, the Manager, Governance and Policy is a senior leadership role within the University Secretariat, responsible for ensuring the effective, transparent, and strategic operation of the Board of Governors and its committees, in alignment with Wilfrid Laurier University’s bicameral governance structure. Dealing with confidential and sensitive issues, this position provides strategic leadership, operational oversight, timely information and advice on governance structures, best practices, policies, procedures, precedents, and regulatory compliance. It plays a central role in fostering transparent, responsive, and forward-looking governance that enables well-informed decision-making, grounded in sound governance principles, aligned with the University's long-term priorities. The role contributes to strategic governance initiatives, and supports continuous improvement through planning, education, evaluation and succession planning. This role also provides leadership within the University Secretariat, supervising and mentoring junior staff and ensuring operational continuity. The Manager, Governance and Policy has the delegated authority to act in the absence of the AVP, Governance and Policy, including the provision of advice and guidance to all constituencies of the university as a neutral, objective and trusted advisor. This position has a university-wide mandate and is based at the Waterloo Campus. The incumbent provides leadership in a multi-campus environment, requiring regular interaction, communication and collaboration with staff and stakeholders at the Waterloo Campus, Brantford Campus, locations in Kitchener and Milton, and external partners. The Manager will ensure the unit’s policies, programs and services are delivered equitably across all campuses and reflect the needs of local stakeholders. **Accountabilities** **Strategic Governance Leadership, Planning and Stakeholder Relations** - Provide expert advice and guidance to the University Secretariat, Board Chair, Committee Chairs, and senior leadership on governance best practices, and decision-making frameworks to enhance Board effectiveness and support effective decision making. - Provide strategic support to the University Secretariat in advancing governance best practices and strategies, ensuring the Board of Governors is equipped to make informed, high-impact decisions. - Support the ongoing evaluation and refinement of governance structures, policies, and procedures, ensuring continuous improvement and alignment with institutional priorities. - Monitor emerging governance trends, legislative changes, and best practices, advising on their potential impact and recommending enhancements to governance processes. - Liaise with internal and external stakeholders to facilitate governance operations, ensuring seamless communication and coordination between the Board, administration, internal/external stakeholders and other key university partners. - Act as a trusted governance advisor to internal/external stakeholders, including senior administration, and Board members, ensuring governance structures and practices align with institutional strategy, legal and governance obligations. - Collabora