Job Description

The Toronto Metropolitan Students' Union (TMSU) is seeking a

CHIEF RETURNING OFFICER (CRO)

to assist with the organization's policy reforms and elections between now and May 31, 2026.

Although this is being posted as a part-time position, TMSU is also open to retaining other organizations that have employees with the required skills and would be able to provide the necessary services on an ongoing basis. Organizations that work in the field of law or electoral processes are welcome to get in touch with TMSU to propose alternative working arrangements that would fulfill the organization's needs.

Positions Available: One (1)
Start Date: As soon as possible, no later than September 30, 2025
End Date: May 31, 2026
Compensation: $50.00/hour, negotiable commensurate with experience.
Hours per Week: Variable, although 20-30 hours per week will be required during election periods
Contract: Term contract

TMSU is seeking a CRO to bring stability, expertise and consistency to the adjudication of its elections.

The CRO is the first level of responsibility in organizing and overseeing the Union's elections process. In addition, the CRO ensures adequate promotion to the TMSU's 38,000 members. The CRO develops candidate's guidelines and enforces the bylaws and policies of the Toronto Metropolitan Students' Union as they apply to elections. The CRO works directly with a Deputy Returning Officer (DRO) and the TMSU's Executive Directors who provide staff support.

Hours for this position vary depending on the time of year. Outside of an election period, the commitment can be as low as five hours per week. During the election period (approximately six weeks, typically once a year), the required time is roughly 20-25 hours per week.

This year it is possible that the position will require facilitation of two elections: one in November/December 2025, and another in February/March 2026.

In addition to planning and administering the election, the CRO will also assist the TMSU's Elections and Referenda Committee to undertake election-related policy and by-law reforms as necessary.

Requirements:

? Applicants must not be undergraduate students at Toronto Metropolitan University.

? Hours per week are flexible and based on the election period demands. Typically, during an election period there are six weeks of more intense work:

? Week 1-2: Logistics planning, DRO training, Poll Clerk training

? Week 3-4: Election Dates and Ballot Counting

? Week 5-6: Debrief and Report

? Applicants must be able to work flexible hours and evenings/weekends during election periods if needed, including being available for a set schedule of office hours between 10 AM and 7 PM during the election period.

Responsibilities:

? Assist the ERC with developing and implementing policy or by-law reforms related to elections;

? Enforce deadlines and policies as stipulated by the TMSU Bylaws and Election Policies;

? Review Guidelines for Candidates;

? Enforce the election rules, make rulings where necessary;

? Assist with marketing and executing "Run" and "Vote" campaigns;

? Rule on all Election complaints or concerns from Candidates or other campus community members (with staff assistance);

? Manage administration of polling stations (if applicable);

? Hire, train, and supervise election staff;

? Prepare materials for and facilitate all-candidates meetings and/or debates;

? Coordinate the production of paper Election ballots and accuracy of ballots produced by online provider (if applicable);

? Deliver Election and Referenda results;

? Hold office hours (days/times TBC), both during and outside of the Election Period.

? Attend meetings with the Elections Staff as necessary (DRO, ERC, Management)

? Ensure the election process is organized in a manner which is fair, efficient and democratic;

? Other Election-related duties as assigned; and

? Complete a report about the elections process for presentation to ERC and TMSU's Board of Directors meeting at the close of the elections.

Required Skills:

? Demonstrated ability to maintain confidentiality and respectfully store and delete information as necessary;

? Excellent organization and time management skills;

? Ability to follow directions carefully;

? Clear written and oral communication skills;

? Ability to provide clear interpretations of rules and regulations;

? Ability to work well under pressure and with a diverse audience;

? Conflict resolution training/skills;

? Ability to be impartial to the election results;

? Established skills in learning and communicating large amounts of complex information;

? Possess strong presentation skills and be able to confidently address students' questions and concerns;

? Can assess the severity of problems and work with staff to manage situations in a timely manner;

? Possess common sense, tact, discretion, good judgment, and maintain composure and make critical decisions under pressure;

? Computer skills with ability to use full suite of MS Office software, including Excel, Word, and PowerPoint. Candidate must have access to a web camera and be comfortable participating in virtual meetings and facilitating online workshops;

? Demonstrated organizational and time-management skills to meet daily work deadlines, ongoing commitments, and emerging priorities;

? Superior interpersonal skills to interact positively, courteously and professionally with members and staff;

? Illustrate personal motivation and the ability to take initiative. The CRO role requires a high level of independence, however they must actively and regularly communicate and coordinate with the other members of the Election team;

? Ability to manage and motivate a team with varying types of roles.

Required experience:

? 3-5 years experience in student unions or related organizations;

? Multiple years' experience administering both in-person and online elections;

? Prior experience in a role of authority, preferably where the candidate has been responsible for enforcing standardized rules and/or conveying decisions;

? Direct practical experience conducting administrative tasks (EG: member relations, creating and processing of documents, writing professional emails, etc.);

? Experience leading a team of people;

? Prior experience adjudicating disputes based on evidence and policy and writing decisions;

? Previous experience working in an environment with multiple, conflicting priorities is an asset; and

? Professional accreditation as a lawyer or other similar designation is a significant asset.

APPLICATION PROCESS

RESUME, THREE REFERENCES & COVER LETTER DUE - September 23, 2025 at 4 PM ET (applications will continue to be accepted until position is filled)

Please note:

finalists will be required to undergo a background check before a job offer is finalized.

Elections and Referenda Committee

Toronto Metropolitan Students' Union
55 Gould Street, SCC31. Toronto, Ontario M5B 1E9
email: jobs@yourtmsu.ca
phone: 416-979-5255 x 552323

Who are we?

The Toronto Metropolitan Students' Union represents over 36,000 full-time undergraduate students at Toronto Metropolitan University, in downtown Toronto. As the central students' union on campus, the TMSU works to build campus life, advocate on behalf of its members, organize campaigns and initiatives, provide cost-saving services, and work with students across the province and country for a more affordable and accessible post-secondary education system.

For more information on the Toronto Metropolitan Students' Union, please check out our website at www.yourtmsu.ca

Note: The Toronto Metropolitan Students' Union is an independently incorporated organization and autonomous from Toronto Metropolitan University.

The Students' Union is committed to employment equity and encourages applications from diverse communities, including: First Nation, Inuit and Metis people, persons of colour, persons with disabilities, members of the queer community, trans people and women.

Job Types: Part-time, Fixed term contract
Contract length: 9 months

Pay: From $50.00 per hour

Expected hours: 20 - 30 per week

Application question(s):

Are you legally eligible to work in Canada? Please confirm you are NOT an undergraduate student at Toronto Metropolitan University.
Experience:

student union or related organization: 3 years (preferred)
Work Location: Hybrid remote in Toronto, ON M5B 1E9