Chief of Staff

York University invites nominations and applications for the position of Chief of Staff to the President & Vice-Chancellor.

York University is known internationally as a modern and progressive institution of higher education driving 21st-century learning and innovative research and creative activities for maximum impact. Its vision is to provide a broad sociodemographic of students with a high-quality education at a research-intensive University that is committed to enhancing the wellbeing of the communities it serves. Since its establishment in 1959, York has grown quickly into Canada’s third-largest University with three campuses in the Greater Toronto Area. These include the Keele and Glendon campuses as well as a new state-of-the-art campus in the City of Markham focused on how technology and entrepreneurship are reshaping all fields of knowledge and practice. Planning is also underway for a new School of Medicine, approved by the Province of Ontario in 2024, which will educate the next generation of talented primary care physicians to enhance access to integrated community-based care in York’s service area and beyond.

York continues to grow its reputation for excellence. With many disciplines ranked in the top 200 worldwide, York is also recognized among the global top 40 for impact on the UN Sustainable Development Goals (Times Higher Education 2025), the Top 100 Universities for Entrepreneurs (Pitchbook 2025), and the top 5 comprehensive Universities in Canada (Maclean’s 2025). To learn more about the University, an institution that reflects the vibrancy and pluralism of the city in which it is located, visit http://www.yorku.ca.

A key member of the President’s Leadership team, the Chief of Staff (COS) advises and supports the President on pan-university initiatives, advances key priorities, and leads the President’s Office team in managing and responding to a wide range of matters. The COS provides leadership in strategic planning and execution, and maintains productive relationships across the University, ensuring the most effective use of the President and senior management team’s time and attention in achieving York’s mission, vision, and priorities.

The Chief of Staff serves on key University committees, including the President-Vice-President (PVP) committee, PVP-Deans, University Budget Committee, University Executive Committee, and the Government Relations, Advancement, International, Communications and Events Committee. Playing an active role in issues management, the COS helps direct focus to priority matters with potential for impact on the University’s reputation. The COS leads a team of ten and is responsible for oversight, resource utilization, HR, and budget management throughout the Division of the President.

With a decade’s professional experience in governance, change leadership, prioritizing, decision making, and strategic planning, the next COS will be a creative problem-solver, able to anticipate emerging issues and respond to the unexpected. Adept at relationship building and team management, the COS will exemplify keen judgement, political and business acuity, and the ability to thrive in ambiguous situations. The COS will be an agile multitasker, at home in a fast-paced environment, with well-developed project management skills to drive multiple high-profile and complex initiatives.

An influencer, connector, and team player, the COS will engage colleagues and build trust at all levels. The COS will demonstrate maturity, empathy, and exceptional facilitation capabilities. Experienced interacting with diverse communities, the COS will promote a positive work culture to align with York’s values of equity, inclusion, and well-being. An inspiring presence, the Chief of Staff will champion and work assiduously to advance the University’s mission, and collaborate closely with colleagues to identify opportunities for real engagement that will strengthen York’s sense of community and build its reputation for innovation, cohesion, and success.

Information on the benefits of working at York University can be found https://www.yorku.ca/about/careers/.

To apply, please submit a CV together with a cover letter highlighting the aspects of your experience that are relevant to the required criteria, including your record of achievement with respect to advancing the principles of equity, diversity, inclusion, and decolonization. A graduate degree in a relevant field is considered an asset.

All qualified candidates are encouraged to apply; however, Canadian and permanent residents will be given priority.

In accordance with the Accessibility for Ontarians with Disabilities Act (AODA), accommodation will be provided throughout the recruitment process to applicants with disabilities.

Applications will be reviewed upon receipt. All responses to Caldwell are confidential; please indicate your interest in Project 251120 at https://apptrkr.com/6737785.

York University is an Affirmative Action (AA) employer and strongly values diversity, including gender and sexual diversity, within its community. The AA Program, which applies to women, members of racialized groups, Indigenous peoples, persons with disabilities, and those who self-identify as 2SLGBTQ+, can be found here or by contacting Aqsa Ahmed, EDI Program Manager ([email protected]).

York University values diversity as vital to a thriving intellectual community, and takes affirmative action to ensure that women, members of racialized groups, persons with disabilities, Indigenous peoples, and those who identify as 2SLGBTQ+ receive fair treatment during the application and hiring processes. You are invited to self-identify as a member of one or more of these groups. Self-identification is optional but is required to be considered in the Affirmative Action Program. You can check \“I do not wish to answer\” if you do not wish to self-identify. All responses will be kept confidential and used only to reduce the influence of implicit biases in the University’s hiring. Please download and submit your Self-Identification Form to [email protected]