Chief of Staff to the President

The University of Guelph is one of Canada's leading research-intensive, comprehensive institutions, with a record of outstanding scholarship in the arts, humanities, social sciences, life sciences, physical and engineering sciences, and agricultural, and veterinary sciences. Its students, faculty and staff pursue active inquiry and exercise creativity across a range of disciplines. With campuses in Guelph, Ridgetown and Toronto (University of Guelph-Humber in partnership with Humber College), U of G is home to nearly 27,000 undergraduate and more than 3,000 graduate students, including more than 1,400 international students from more than 130 countries. The University employs 3,900 faculty and staff and generates more than $800 million in revenue annually, with a $500-million annual operating budget. The University of Guelph is focused on striving for global excellence, strengthening the University's commitment to Indigenization, equity, diversity and inclusion, and reimagining the student experience.

The Chief of Staff to the President is responsible for providing executive-level support and strategic counsel to the President in all areas of their work. The Chief of Staff works closely with the President on key initiatives, priorities, and special projects of critical importance to the University, and ensures that the President is well-prepared and well-briefed on the many complex issues that arise and require attention. They are charged with ensuring that the University's strategic priorities are front and centre and being driven forward in a coordinated and collaborative way.

While reporting directly to the President, the Chief of Staff also works closely with the Vice-Presidents, other members of senior administration, and the staff of the President's Office in order to advance the priorities of the President.

The ideal candidate will be an experienced strategic thinker and leader and will bring significant high-level professional/administrative experience, ideally within an academic setting. They will have excellent analytical skills, superior judgement, exceptional communications skills, and a track record of success in advancing priority projects and in complex risk and issues management. Critically, they will demonstrate a high degree of discretion and the ability to work collegially and constructively with a wide variety of stakeholders both within the University and in the broader community.

At the University of Guelph, fostering a culture of inclusion is an institutional imperative. The University invites and encourages applications from all qualified individuals, including from groups that are traditionally underrepresented in employment, who may contribute to the further diversification of our Institution.

Applications are encouraged immediately at https://www.odgersberndtson.com/en/careers/18525. Consideration of candidates will begin in mid-November, with the new Chief of Staff ideally taking office in January 2023. Nominations and inquiries should be directed to Julia Robarts and Andrea Patrick at guelphcos@odgersberndtson.com.