Chief of Staff & Senior Advisor to the President
McMaster University is seeking a highly experienced and strategic professional to serve as Chief of Staff & Senior Advisor to the President.
Ranked among the top 100 universities globally, through its cutting-edge research and world-class teaching and learning, McMaster University is a research-intensive, student-centred university dedicated to advancing human and societal health and well-being in its community and around the world.
McMaster is a university with impact. As the pioneers of problem-based learning, McMaster has a rich history of educational innovation. Through its six Faculties (Business, Engineering, Health Sciences, Humanities, Science, and Social Sciences), McMaster works across disciplines to find creative solutions to complex problems. McMaster’s signature pedagogies, such as inquiry and problem-based learning, have been incorporated into multiple programs at McMaster, and are adopted and recognized worldwide.
As one of Canada’s U15 research-intensive institutions, the University’s commitment to excellence in research is evidenced through its impressive research resources with a total research income of $466 million, averaging $489,000 per faculty member and $83,300 per graduate student.
Currently, McMaster is home to over 37,000 students, with an alumni network consisting of over 244,000 graduated representing 143 countries. As an employer, McMaster has been selected as a Hamilton-Niagara Top Employer for the past nine years in a row and has also been recognized as one of Canada’s Best Diversity Employers for the past six years.
The Chief of Staff and Senior Advisor to the President is a pivotal member of the President’s executive leadership team, serving as a trusted strategic advisor and senior institutional leader. This role is responsible for providing executive-level support and counsel to the President in all areas of their work and for overseeing the effective functioning of the Office of the President. The Chief of Staff works closely with the President on key initiatives, supporting the President in advancing McMaster University’s mission, vision, and strategic priorities, as well as special projects of critical importance to the University. The Chief of Staff leads the coordination and resolution of complex, sensitive, and high-impact institutional issues, and plays a key role in enabling effective decision making, stakeholder engagement, and operational alignment across the University.
The Chief of Staff ensures the President is well-prepared and well-briefed on the complex issues that require attention. In addition to risk and issues management, they serve as a key strategic advisor on a wide range of institutional matters including academic affairs, government relations, external engagement, and organizational development. The Chief of Staff reports directly to the President but also works closely in consultation with the Vice-Presidents and other members of the senior administration to maximize the effectiveness, and advance the strategic priorities, of the President.
The Chief of Staff leads and oversees the work of a small, committed team of administrative staff within the Office of the President and is responsible for fostering a high-performing, service-oriented and collaborative team culture.
As the ideal candidate, you bring a post-graduate degree and appropriate professional qualifications in a relevant field, complemented by significant executive-level administrative experience, ideally within an academic setting. While legal training or experience is preferred, it is not required. You possess exceptional analytical and interpretive skills, with a demonstrated ability to synthesize complex information from diverse sources and develop sound strategies to address a wide range of issues. Known for your excellent judgment, you are confident in making independent decisions and recommendations, exercising a high degree of discretion, diplomacy, and political acuity when handling sensitive or confidential matters. Your communication skills, both written and oral, are of the highest standard, enabling you to convey ideas clearly, edit documents professionally, and foster constructive dialogue. You excel at problem-solving and risk management, with a track record of leading strategic responses to contentious challenges. Your outstanding interpersonal skills allow you to navigate effectively across all levels of the University community and beyond. Highly organized, you manage competing priorities with ease and efficiency.
To learn more about this opportunity or to request a copy of the Executive Brief, contact Katherine Frank (kfrank@kbrs.ca) or Beth McLennan (bmclennan@kbrs.ca). Completed applications can be submitted online using the "Apply Now" button below.
In keeping with its Statement on Building an Inclusive Community with a Shared Purpose, McMaster University strives to embody the values of respect, collaboration and diversity, and has a strong commitment to employment equity.
McMaster believes that the diversity of its workforce is at the core of its innovation and creativity and strengthens both research and teaching excellence. The University seeks qualified candidates who share this commitment to equity, diversity and inclusion. While all qualified candidates are invited to apply, McMaster particularly welcomes applications from women, persons with disabilities, First Nations, Métis and Inuit peoples, members of racialized communities, and 2SLGBTQIA+ persons.
As part of McMaster’s commitment, all applicants are invited to complete a confidential Applicant Diversity Survey as part of the application submission process. The Survey questionnaire requests voluntary self-identification in relation to equity-seeking groups that have historically faced and continue to face barriers in employment. The entire survey will take approximately two minutes to complete. All information collected is confidential and will be used to support efforts to broaden the diversity of the applicant pool and to promote a fair, equitable and inclusive talent acquisition process. The survey link will be provided at the time of application.
Canadians and permanent residents will be given priority.
McMaster University and KBRS will provide support in the recruitment process to applicants with disabilities, including accommodation that takes into account an applicant’s accessibility needs. If you require accommodation in order to participate as a candidate in the recruitment process, please contact accommodate@kbrs.ca or communicate your needs to the recruitment professional named in the job description.
Ranked among the top 100 universities globally, through its cutting-edge research and world-class teaching and learning, McMaster University is a research-intensive, student-centred university dedicated to advancing human and societal health and well-being in its community and around the world.
McMaster is a university with impact. As the pioneers of problem-based learning, McMaster has a rich history of educational innovation. Through its six Faculties (Business, Engineering, Health Sciences, Humanities, Science, and Social Sciences), McMaster works across disciplines to find creative solutions to complex problems. McMaster’s signature pedagogies, such as inquiry and problem-based learning, have been incorporated into multiple programs at McMaster, and are adopted and recognized worldwide.
As one of Canada’s U15 research-intensive institutions, the University’s commitment to excellence in research is evidenced through its impressive research resources with a total research income of $466 million, averaging $489,000 per faculty member and $83,300 per graduate student.
Currently, McMaster is home to over 37,000 students, with an alumni network consisting of over 244,000 graduated representing 143 countries. As an employer, McMaster has been selected as a Hamilton-Niagara Top Employer for the past nine years in a row and has also been recognized as one of Canada’s Best Diversity Employers for the past six years.
The Chief of Staff and Senior Advisor to the President is a pivotal member of the President’s executive leadership team, serving as a trusted strategic advisor and senior institutional leader. This role is responsible for providing executive-level support and counsel to the President in all areas of their work and for overseeing the effective functioning of the Office of the President. The Chief of Staff works closely with the President on key initiatives, supporting the President in advancing McMaster University’s mission, vision, and strategic priorities, as well as special projects of critical importance to the University. The Chief of Staff leads the coordination and resolution of complex, sensitive, and high-impact institutional issues, and plays a key role in enabling effective decision making, stakeholder engagement, and operational alignment across the University.
The Chief of Staff ensures the President is well-prepared and well-briefed on the complex issues that require attention. In addition to risk and issues management, they serve as a key strategic advisor on a wide range of institutional matters including academic affairs, government relations, external engagement, and organizational development. The Chief of Staff reports directly to the President but also works closely in consultation with the Vice-Presidents and other members of the senior administration to maximize the effectiveness, and advance the strategic priorities, of the President.
The Chief of Staff leads and oversees the work of a small, committed team of administrative staff within the Office of the President and is responsible for fostering a high-performing, service-oriented and collaborative team culture.
As the ideal candidate, you bring a post-graduate degree and appropriate professional qualifications in a relevant field, complemented by significant executive-level administrative experience, ideally within an academic setting. While legal training or experience is preferred, it is not required. You possess exceptional analytical and interpretive skills, with a demonstrated ability to synthesize complex information from diverse sources and develop sound strategies to address a wide range of issues. Known for your excellent judgment, you are confident in making independent decisions and recommendations, exercising a high degree of discretion, diplomacy, and political acuity when handling sensitive or confidential matters. Your communication skills, both written and oral, are of the highest standard, enabling you to convey ideas clearly, edit documents professionally, and foster constructive dialogue. You excel at problem-solving and risk management, with a track record of leading strategic responses to contentious challenges. Your outstanding interpersonal skills allow you to navigate effectively across all levels of the University community and beyond. Highly organized, you manage competing priorities with ease and efficiency.
To learn more about this opportunity or to request a copy of the Executive Brief, contact Katherine Frank (kfrank@kbrs.ca) or Beth McLennan (bmclennan@kbrs.ca). Completed applications can be submitted online using the "Apply Now" button below.
In keeping with its Statement on Building an Inclusive Community with a Shared Purpose, McMaster University strives to embody the values of respect, collaboration and diversity, and has a strong commitment to employment equity.
McMaster believes that the diversity of its workforce is at the core of its innovation and creativity and strengthens both research and teaching excellence. The University seeks qualified candidates who share this commitment to equity, diversity and inclusion. While all qualified candidates are invited to apply, McMaster particularly welcomes applications from women, persons with disabilities, First Nations, Métis and Inuit peoples, members of racialized communities, and 2SLGBTQIA+ persons.
As part of McMaster’s commitment, all applicants are invited to complete a confidential Applicant Diversity Survey as part of the application submission process. The Survey questionnaire requests voluntary self-identification in relation to equity-seeking groups that have historically faced and continue to face barriers in employment. The entire survey will take approximately two minutes to complete. All information collected is confidential and will be used to support efforts to broaden the diversity of the applicant pool and to promote a fair, equitable and inclusive talent acquisition process. The survey link will be provided at the time of application.
Canadians and permanent residents will be given priority.
McMaster University and KBRS will provide support in the recruitment process to applicants with disabilities, including accommodation that takes into account an applicant’s accessibility needs. If you require accommodation in order to participate as a candidate in the recruitment process, please contact accommodate@kbrs.ca or communicate your needs to the recruitment professional named in the job description.