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The Opportunity
Mount Saint Vincent University is strongly committed to fostering diversity and inclusion within our community and encourages applications from all qualified candidates including women, persons of any sexual orientations and gender identities and/or expressions, Indigenous persons, African Canadians, other racialized groups, persons with disabilities, and other groups that would contribute to the diversification of our campus. Candidates who identify as being from any of these groups are encouraged to voluntarily self-identify in their application materials. All qualified candidates are welcome to apply; however, priority will be given to Canadian citizens and permanent residents.
The President's Office at Mount Saint Vincent University invites applications for the position of Governance Secretary and General Counsel.
Classification: Permanent Part-Time (8 to 12 days per month) Management Forum Position
Salary: $148,058 per annum (prorated to reflect the schedule)
Start Date: ASAP
Application Process
If you require an accommodation at any time during the application process, please let us know. Applications should include a cover letter and resume. This competition closes on August 7, 2024.
What you'll do
Responsibilities
The Governance Secretary and General Counsel reports to the President and Vice-Chancellor and works closely with the Chair of the Board, MSVU's Governance Secretary and General Counsel. A senior policy and legal advisor, the Governance Secretary and General Counsel is responsible for providing leadership, direction and oversight related to the following:
- Providing advice and assistance to the board chair, requiring an understanding of the University's bicameral governance model, and of policies and governance practices appropriate to post-secondary institutions;
- Providing advice and assistance to the President on matters of policy and law, as well as acting as a trusted advisor to the President and member of the senior leadership team.
- Acting as a liaison between the governing bodies and among the governing bodies and other constituents within the University.
The Governance Secretary and General Counsel will provide guidance around the creation of consistent university policies and procedures and remains well informed to provide interpretations and implementation of Board policies and procedures, providing strategic advice and guidance where necessary.
The Governance Secretary and General Counsel will provide legal advice on a wide range of legal issues and assists the President and Vice-Chancellor and the Chair of the Board, providing counsel on questions/issues which are raised by either internal or external constituents.
The Governance Secretary and General Counsel is invited to serve on special committees and projects that require a governance and/or legal lens, particularly in in the formulation of new or updated policies as assigned by the President and Vice-Chancellor.
The Governance Secretary and General Counsel will be a part time position (negotiable between 40-60%) and be the direct supervisor of the Administrative Assistant, Governance Secretary (full time position).
What you'll need
Qualifications
The ideal Governance Secretary and General Counsel will possess the following:
- Practicing member of the Nova Scotia Barristers Society in good standing (or eligible for practicing membership)
- Demonstrated progressive leadership experience in an academic environment and/or relevant experience in best practices in governance or broader public sector environment.
- Managing multiple stakeholder agendas, with a history of successfully working within complex structures in a diverse environment.
- Expertise in policy development, digital transformation and FOIPOP.
- Intellectual and conceptual flexibility and creativity, with the ability to analyze, interpret, present and articulate complex ideas and concepts in a clear, concise and collaborative fashion.
- Demonstrated diplomacy in handling difficult situations.
- Skill and experience as a lawyer, coupled with leadership abilities beyond legal expertise
- An understanding and appreciation of, and commitment to, the Mount's mission and it's academic excellence.
We're looking for
Core Skills
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A little bit about us
Mount Saint Vincent University
A leader in online and experiential learning, Mount Saint Vincent University takes a personalized approach to education to nurture socially responsible global citizens. With equity, diversity, inclusion and accessibility at the fore, MSVU has been challenging the status quo since its founding 150 years ago (1873) and today prioritizes access and impact for all underserved groups. MSVU has been nationally recognized for having one of the lowest student-to-professor ratios across its programs in Arts, Science, Education and Professional Studies; for providing students early access to valuable research opportunities; for its legacy in the advancement of women; and for facilitating critical advancements in food security, healthy aging, literacy, nutrition, childhood development and more. MSVU is located in Mi’kma’ki, the unceded and ancestral territory of the Mi’kmaq People. www.msvu.ca