Governance and Policy Advisor

Department: Secretariat's Office

Job Type: Limited Term

Full-time/Part-time: Full Time (>=1249 hrs/year)

Campus: Waterloo

Reports to: Manager, Governance & Policy

Employee Group: CPAG

Application Deadline: August 7, 2026

Requisition ID: 11704

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 and , 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 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.

This job posting is for a current vacancy.

Accountabilities

Provides Logistics and Governance Support/Coordination

• Develops and maintains a thorough understanding of the governance structure of the University, including the mandates of all committees and governing bodies, as described in The Wilfrid Laurier Act, related Board and Senate By-laws, governing documents, and terms of reference for committees.
• Is thoroughly familiar with University policies, procedures and guidelines related to the business of the governing bodies.
• Coordinates and manages all logistics, operations, and governance functions of the University Secretariat, including Board, Senate, committee meetings and/or working groups, as assigned: Initiating, planning and coordinating the provision of logistical and technical support related to each meeting (e.g. coordinating parking, catering and room bookings for meetings; travel arrangements; preparation of rooms for meetings; distributing agendas and minutes) Organizing pre-event planning meetings
• With minimal supervision, assists the Manager, Governance and Policy and the Secretariat’s Office, as needed, with the preparation of agendas, minutes and assembling needed background material, including: Drafting preliminary agendas and supporting documentation; proofreading content; formatting documents; assembling relevant meeting material/creating agenda packages; posting agendas and agenda packages online, as appropriate.
• Provides support and coordinates all aspects of standing governance functions, events, and special projects, including the Board retreat, governance dinner, education sessions and orientation. Among other things, this could include planning, executing, monitoring, and closing out projects and events as well as logistical arrangements.
• Assists the University Secretariat’s Office in managing workload and deliverables, as needed, including but not limited to: Populating committees/governing bodies and with membership transition and orientation; Arranging times and dates for committee/governing body meetings in consultation with others as required;
• Providing support for elections run by the University Secretariat’s Office, including all communications and logistics.

Governance Leadership and Support

• Provides support and leadership to and/or acts as committee secretary to Board committees and/or working groups, as assigned. Among other things, this responsibility includes drafting workplans and agendas, proofreading content, formatting documents, posting agendas and agenda packages online, minute-taking, record keeping, conducting research, report writing, meeting scheduling and logistics, communications, and relationship management.
• Prepares summary reports of meetings, action items and decisions, respecting both the need for confidentiality and transparency as appropriate.
• Leads and coordinates follow-up on emergent business from committee meetings in consultation with board members and committee chairs, as required.
• Liaises with and provides support to the Manager, Governance and Policy and broader university community on governing bodies, other committees and appropriate approval pathways, in consultation with other members of the team, as appropriate. This includes advising and providing training to chairs of assigned committees and administrative staff, as required, with support, as needed.
• Handles highly confidential materials with discretion, including details of discussions and correspondence.
• Interacts regularly with various stakeholder within and outside the university.
• With support from the Manager, Governance and Policy researches and evaluates best practices and practices at other universities to ensure appropriate systems and procedures are in place for the effective operation of the governing bodies and their committees, policy development and other issues as required. This includes education and communication of evidence and best practices.
• Assists with other tasks/support to the University Secretariat’s Office, as needed.

Provides Support Related to University Policies

• With input from the Manager, Governance and Policy, develops and maintains an understanding of the University’s policies, procedures and guidelines, and the framework within which they are managed.
• Supports the Manager, Governance and Policy with the development of university policies and procedures, as needed. Among other things, this could include policy development and implementation, research, coordinating consultations, assisting with drafting and housekeeping updates (e.g. formatting, position titles, names of units), reviews, revisions, record keeping, and audits.
• Provides back-up for the Manager, Governance and Policy, as necessary.

Information Technology and Records Management

• Responsible for record management, retention and archiving of records and decisions for committees and governing bodies to meet governance requirements and compliance with University policies (e.g. record retention policy) and the Freedom of Information and Protection of Privacy Act.
• Resolves issues about archiving, retrieval and retention of records and decisions, with support from the Secretariat Office, as required.
• Provides information and guidance to the University Secretariat’s Office related to records management and processes.
• Updates and maintains the Secretariat’s Office website and the confidential database of governing body members, ensuring accuracy, completeness, and currency. Regularly assesses best practices and proposes changes where necessary or desirable.
• Manages the implementation of the online Board and Senate portal. Acts as a liaison with the portal provider, Board and Senate members and senior leaders. Maintains/updates access to and arranges appropriate permissions to electronic materials (e.g. shared drive, portals, emails, internet, access).

Operational Support and Administration

• With support from the Manager, Governance and Policy ensures that the office is running efficiently, and that proper business processes and systems are implemented and consistently followed.
• Works proactively to identify and facilitate the actions necessary to implement the University Secretariat’s Office priorities.
• Ensures that the logistical and administrative needs of the University Secretariat’s Office are achieved. Among other things this includes monitoring of fund availability, processing financial transactions, obtaining office supplies etc.

Qualifications

• Post-secondary education, coupled with 2 years related work experience;
• Experience working in a professional office environment and/or client service oriented role is essential;
• Ability to work in a fast paced environment while demonstrating a high degree of accuracy and attention to detail;
• Ability to work collaboratively within a team environment;
• Experience scheduling large meetings/events, involving diverse groups and using different methods of communication (e.g. telephone, email, Outlook, Doodle poll);
• Experience developing agendas, assembling and writing supporting documentation, and coordinating distribution of agenda packages for meetings of governing bodies or similar responsibilities;
• Experience researching, writing and coordinating consultations;
• Excellent interpersonal skills and highly professional demeanor;
• Excellent written and oral communication skills;
• Exceptional organizational and time management skills with the proven ability to handle multiple tasks and priorities;
• Adaptability/flexibility;
• Ability to deal with confidential matters in a discrete and sensitive manner;
• Self starter and motivator with the ability to work independently;
• Ability to interact with a wide variety of people, from students to senior executives;
• Ability to create and maintain information management and organizational systems for an office;
• High level of proficiency working with Microsoft Office software, database programs, budgeting software and web content management systems.
• Experience working in a university environment and governance related position is strongly preferred;
• Experience managing budgets, accounts payable and other office administration responsibilities for multiple offices is preferred;
• Familiarity with University governance and elections is preferred; and,
• Familiarity with University policies and procedures is preferred.

This position is deemed eligible for educational equivalencies.

Compensation:

Level: EX-E

Rate of Pay: $63, 429 to $79, 284.

When new employees are hired the appropriate base salary is determined using these sub-ranges as a guide while adhering to rules on hiring as defined in our compensation policy. Considerations for new hire salaries include, qualifications and length/depth of required experience, relevant market rates for similar jobs, internal equity, and estimated learning curve in starting the job.

Hours of Work: This position is full-time, limited term with an anticipated end date in June 2027. The hours of work are 8:30am until 4:30pm from Monday to Friday. Flexibility of hours may be required to accommodate evening and weekend events. Where possible, the manager will adjust the work schedule to ensure no more than 35 hours per week is worked.

This position is eligible for a flexible work arrangement, as per Policy 8.14 (Flexible Work Policy). All arrangement must be approved by the direct manager. In-person attendance for events, as required to meet operational needs, is expected. On occasion, this schedule may need to be adjusted to meet operational requirements.

Wilfrid Laurier University endeavors to fill positions with qualified candidates who have a combination of education, experience, skills and abilities to successfully perform the duties of the position while demonstrating Laurier's Employee Success Factors.

Equity, diversity and creating a culture of inclusion are part of Laurier’s core values and central to the Laurier Strategy. Laurier is committed to increasing the diversity of faculty and staff and welcomes applications from candidates who identify as Indigenous, racialized, having disabilities, and from persons of any minority sexual and gender identities. Indigenous candidates who would like to learn more about equity and inclusive programing at Laurier are welcomed to contact the Office of Indigenous Initiatives. Candidates from other equity deserving groups who would like to learn more about equity and inclusive programing at Laurier are welcomed to contact Equity & Accessibility. We have strived to make our application process accessible, however if you require any assistance applying for a position or would like this job posting in an alternative format, please contact Human Resources. Contact information can be found at

Should you be interested in learning more about this opportunity, please visit for additional information and the online application system. All applications must be submitted online. Please note, a resume and cover letter will be required in electronic form.

Please note, when pre-screening questions are used as part of the application process, AI is utilized to score responses. All other aspects of the hiring process are reviewed by our Talent Acquisition team.