Job Description

Position Information

Position Title

Chief of Staff, People and Culture

Department/Unit

People and Culture

Location

Halifax, Nova Scotia, Canada

Posting Number

S149-25

Employee Group

DPMG

Position Type

Term

Duration of Contract (if applicable)

2 years

Employment Type

Full Time

Full-time Equivalency (FTE)

1

Salary

$101,863 - $137,432 per annum

Classification

ADM-09

Provisional Statement

This is a provisional classification. Formal regular review classification procedures may be initiated at any time by the incumbent or supervisor after the incumbent has worked a minimum of six months in the role.

About Dalhousie University

Dalhousie University is Atlantic Canada's leading research-intensive university and a driver of the region's intellectual, social and economic development. Located in the heart of Halifax, Nova Scotia, with an Agricultural Campus in Truro/Bible Hill, Dalhousie is a truly national and international university, with more than half of our almost 21,000 students coming from outside of the province. Our 6,000 faculty and staff foster a vibrant, purpose-driven community, that celebrated 200 years of academic excellence in 2018.

Job Summary

Dalhousie University's People and Culture team strives to ensure Dalhousie's people and culture goals and core values are aligned and fully embedded across the institution so that all members of the university community feel included, motivated, and supported to excel in their careers and in advancing the mission of the university. Reporting to the Vice-President, People and Culture, the Chief of Staff plays a vital role in driving the Dalhousie's People and Culture's strategic priorities and fostering collaboration across units. This position oversees progress on key initiatives and ensures alignment with broader institutional objectives. Working closely with the Vice-President, the Chief of Staff manages operational priorities, special projects, and initiatives of critical importance. They also provide confidential, strategic advice and counsel, acting as a trusted partner in advancing the unit's mission. The Chief of Staff is essential to supporting the university's commitment to a positive and productive workplace culture.

Key Responsibilities

Serve as a trusted strategic advisor to the Vice-President, providing high-level research, analysis, and briefings on institutional priorities and emerging issues, and ensuring alignment across executive decision-making and university-wide initiatives. Lead and manage complex, high-impact projects from inception to execution, collaborating with cross-functional teams, mitigating risks, and ensuring timely delivery of outcomes aligned with institutional goals. Coordinate issues management and resolution, responding to sensitive and time-critical matters, facilitating stakeholder communication, and ensuring the Vice-President is informed and positioned to act effectively. Drive operational excellence within the Office of the Vice-President by overseeing administrative operations, resource planning, budgeting, and staffing to ensure optimal support for strategic initiatives. Foster internal alignment and external engagement, acting as the Vice President's representative on committees, facilitating campus-wide communication, and ensuring timely, strategic responses to key developments.

Note

Due to operational requirements, the successful applicant is required to work in-person on campus.

Required Qualifications

Undergraduate degree in a public administration, education, business, or related field, combined with over ten years' of progressive leadership or administrative experience, ideally in a complex, multi-stakeholder organization such as a university or public sector institution (or an equivalent combination of training and experience). Strong understanding of the post-secondary education environment or comparable sectors (e.g., government, healthcare, or research), with a strong grasp of governance structures, decision-making processes, and institutional dynamics. Demonstrated ability to lead and coordinate cross-functional projects and initiatives, with a proven track record of managing competing priorities in a fast-paced environment. Exceptional communication and interpersonal skills, with the ability to engage and influence diverse stakeholders, prepare high-quality written materials, and represent senior leadership effectively. Excellent organizational skills and attention to detail, with the ability to work independently, manage deadlines, and contribute collaboratively as part of a high-performing team.

Assets

Master's degree in a related field. Project Management Professional (PMP) certification or equivalent training in project management methodologies. Experience in organizational change or transformation initiatives, particularly within a higher education or similarly complex institutional environment. Direct experience supporting or working with senior executive leadership, including university presidents, vice-presidents, or board members.

Job Competencies

The successful candidate is expected to demonstrate proficiency in Dalhousie's core and leadership competencies (https://www.dal.ca/dept/leaders.html), in particular:

Respect & Inclusion Adaptability Communication Thinking and Acting Strategically Relationship Building

Additional Information

Dalhousie University supports a healthy and balanced lifestyle. Our total compensation package includes a defined benefit pension plan, health and dental plans, a health spending account, an employee and family assistance program and a tuition assistance program.

Application Consideration

Applications from current university employees and external candidates are assessed concurrently. Current university employees will be given special consideration.



We sincerely appreciate all applications and note that only candidates selected for an interview will be contacted directly by the hiring department or People and Culture.

Diversity Statement

Dalhousie University commits to achieving inclusive excellence through continually championing equity, diversity, inclusion, and accessibility. The university encourages applications from Indigenous Peoples of Turtle Island (especially Mi'kmaq), persons of Black/African descent (especially African Nova Scotians), and members of other racialized groups, persons with disabilities, women, persons identifying as members of 2SLGBTQIA+ communities, and all candidates who would contribute to the diversity of our community. In accordance with our Employment Equity Policy, preference will be given in hiring processes to candidates who self-identify as members of one or more of the equity-deserving groups listed above. For more information, including details related to our Employment Equity Policy and Plan and definitions of equity-deserving groups please visit

www.dal.ca/hiringfordiversity


Posting Detail Information

Number of Vacancies

1

Open Date

07/25/2025

Close Date

08/18/2025

Open Until Filled

No

Special Instructions to Applicant

Quick Link for Direct Access to Posting

https://dal.peopleadmin.ca/postings/19372