Chief Strategy and Operations Officer

The Council of Nova Scotia University Presidents (CONSUP) is a body consisting of the presidents of the 10 degree-granting institutions in Nova Scotia. The objectives of CONSUP are to work for the improvement of higher education in the province, to exercise leadership in matters concerning post-secondary education, to promote cooperation, collaboration and inter-university planning among those institutions listed in the membership, to be the channel of collective communication between the universities and governments, as well as between the universities and other bodies or individuals. The Association of Atlantic Universities (AAU) serves as the secretariat for CONSUP.

Now, CONSUP is actively seeking an experienced senior leader, who is passionate about making a positive and lasting impact in the post-secondary sector, to lead a significant new initiative on a three-year contract as the Chief Strategy and Operations Officer (CSOO). In this important leadership role, the CSOO will serve as lead for ‘A Shared Vision’, a collaborative initiative.

CONSUP’s ‘A Shared Vision’ initiative is a commitment to achieve improved student learning and campus experience, competitiveness, and to make sector-wide initiatives cost effective through enhanced interinstitutional collaboration. At its core, ‘A Shared Vision’ is about Nova Scotia’s universities identifying opportunities that will lead to both sector-wide and individual institutional outcomes that may not be otherwise achievable by a single institution acting on its own. 

In conjunction with University Presidents, many Vice Presidents & Directors, and other key partners, the CSOO will lead the first phases of the initiative and, on a 3-year term, complete the development of the conceptual model and manage its implementation.

Accountable to the Council, and reporting through the Chair, the CSOO will lead discussions to establish a hierarchy of priority initiatives, develop the work plan based on agreed upon priorities, and identify resources required to carry out planned steps to lay the groundwork for a collaborative operational framework. This framework will advance the goals to enhance, encourage and apply more innovative practices and increase national and international competitiveness through effective interinstitutional collaboration.

As the ideal candidate, you are an experienced and strategic senior leader with a track record of success building strong relationships and leading in a complex, multi-stakeholder environment. Whether you have held executive leadership roles in the post-secondary sector, government, or another partner organization to the post-secondary sector, you bring a deep understanding of post-secondary institution operations and governance and of Nova Scotia’s post-secondary funding model. You are a highly strategic, systems thinker with a strong results and action orientation. With a strong business and financial acumen, have demonstrated your ability to lead the development and execution of innovative practices throughout your career. You are an exceptional communicator with a proven ability to inspire, engage and motivate others, and to lead initiatives through influence. You know how to build effective working relationships with a Board/Council and a diverse range of organizational stakeholders.              

You are excited by the opportunity to bring your significant leadership, and your deep belief and passion for the importance of post-secondary education, to advance this initiative that will have a lasting impact on the future of Nova Scotia’s post-secondary sector and students.

If you’re interested in this opportunity, please apply online at www.kbrs.ca/Career/14581. For more information, contact Andrea Forbes-Hurley (aforbeshurley@kbrs.ca), Jennifer Massey (jmassey@kbrs.ca) or Lauren Wright (lwright@kbrs.ca).

The Association of Atlantic Universities (AAU) promotes the principles of diversity and inclusion and adheres to the tenets of the Canadian Human Rights Act and the respective human rights legislation of each Atlantic province. We encourage applications from women, Aboriginal peoples and persons of all races, ethnic origins, religions, abilities, sexual orientations, and gender identities and expressions. AAU provides accommodation during all parts of the hiring process, upon request, to applicants with disabilities. If contacted to proceed to the selection process, please advise us if you require any accommodation.