Associate Vice-President Student Experience

Located in Mi’kma’ki, the unceded and ancestral territory of the Mi’kmaq People, Mount Saint Vincent University (MSVU) is strongly committed to fostering equity, diversity, inclusion, and accessibility (EDIA). MSVU is an institution that was established by women for the advancement of women with social responsibility and social justice at its core. MSVU embraces the diversity of its community and is committed to efforts that enhance diversity, equity, inclusion, and accessibility across all facets of the university, within its local community, and in society at large.

MSVU is made up of nearly 4,300 students (representing 64 countries), 550 faculty and staff, and more than 34,000 alumni. Its research centres provide unique learning opportunities for students while facilitating critical advancements in food security, healthy aging, Alzheimer’s disease, literacy, childhood development, and more. Faculty members and departments offer early access to hands-on research opportunities enabling both graduate and undergraduate students to enhance their education by working alongside forward-thinking researchers. As a university committed to scholarship that nurtures global citizenship, leadership, and promotes the advancement of women, MSVU seeks to enhance and enrich its models of teaching and research. MSVU’s strategic plan “Strength Through Community” speaks to its research and scholarly work, its respect for cultural diversity, and its deep commitment to community engagement.

It is within this context that MSVU invites applications and nominations for the appointment of its next Associate Vice-President Student Experience.

Reporting to the Vice-President Academic and Provost, the Associate Vice-President Student Experience (“AVPSE”) is a key member of MSVU’s leadership team and plays an instrumental role in achieving the goals of the University’s strategic and academic plans. The AVPSE strategically oversees important University services, including accessibility services and academic advising. Sexual violence prevention and providing a trauma-informed, survivor-centered response is a fundamental part of the AVPSE’s portfolio. The APVSE also oversees University departments and individuals concerned with the life of students outside the classroom, including athletics and recreation, counselling services, health and wellness, student housing, international education, and support for underrepresented student populations including Aboriginal students and students of African descent. The AVPSE works closely with students, faculty, and staff and with other members of the senior administration team. As the University spokesperson on issues related to the portfolio of student life/experience, the AVPSE represents a number of internal and external bodies and committees. Working collaboratively with other members of the Senior Executive Team, the AVPSE provides leadership and ensures success for enrolment and retention management activities of the University. Within areas of responsibility, the AVPSE monitors budgets and provides leadership for budget planning, ensuring units are adequately resourced and operating within budget. The AVPSE inspires a group of dedicated student service professionals at MSVU and continually seeks ways to improve the student experience at MSVU. They identify new opportunities and initiatives and implement programs focused on student development and wellbeing. A champion of EDIA, the AVPSE will work to ensure an inclusive environment where all students have a strong sense of belonging and support.

MSVU seeks a leader who is passionate about student success and services and who is well informed on the portfolio’s current trends and best practices. Excellent interpersonal, intercultural, and communication skills are required. The ideal candidate brings progressive leadership experience in student services gained from within a similarly complex academic institution. The successful candidate must hold a graduate-level degree. Your leadership experience includes managing and inspiring a team, budget planning and management, and the development and delivery of programs focused on student experience. The incumbent must have a successful track record of positive and inclusive student-centred initiatives, along with the ability to interact and work closely with, and relate to, students and student groups. You have a demonstrated commitment to advancing diversity, equity, inclusion, and accessibility. Your enthusiastic and consultative leadership style reflects the values of collegial governance, collaboration, transparency, and accountability, along with a clear commitment to the values of MSVU.

To apply or explore this Associate Vice-President, Student Experience opportunity with Mount Saint Vincent University, please submit a curriculum vitae along with a cover letter in confidence to Jane Griffith (jane@griffithgroup.ca) and Sam Walton (sam@griffithgroup.ca).

Mount Saint Vincent University is strongly committed to fostering diversity and inclusion within its community and encourages applications from all qualified candidates including women, persons of any sexual orientations and gender identities and/or expressions, Indigenous persons, African Canadians, other racialized groups, persons with disabilities, and other groups that would contribute to the diversification of its campus. Candidates who identify as being from any of these groups are encouraged to voluntarily self-identify in their application materials. All qualified candidates are welcome to apply; however, priority will be given to Canadian citizens and permanent residents.

In accordance with the provincial legislation, accommodation will be provided by Griffith Group and Mount Saint Vincent University throughout the recruitment, selection and/or assessment process, upon request, to applicants with disabilities. If you require accommodations during the recruitment process, please contact jane@griffithgroup.ca and/or sam@griffithgroup.ca.

Vice-President, Belonging, Human Resources and Organizational Development

St. Lawrence College (“SLC”) is an integral part of the economic life and social fabric of Eastern Ontario, with campuses in Kingston, Brockville, and Cornwall. SLC consistently ranks as one of Ontario’s leading community colleges, preparing students for the global economy with relevant, practical, and experiential learning opportunities. Offering over 100 full-time programs, SLC is a close-knit community of 10,000 full-time students, and more than 96,000 alumni. The College’s Strategic Plan, “SLC in Five”, ensures SLC collectively understands what its key priorities are for the next five years. The plan conveys how important it will be for the College to continue working together, how its objectives will support the College values, and the College’s growth aspirations. A specific way growth is reflected in this plan is with the addition of a new value: Belonging.

It is within this context that St. Lawrence College invites applications and nominations for the Interim Vice-President, Belonging, Human Resources and Organizational Development (“Vice-President”). This is a 6-month term position. At the end of the term, the incumbent will be eligible to apply for the permanent position upon it been posted.

Reporting to the President & CEO, the Vice-President provides vision, leadership, and overall strategic direction for human resources, people planning, and culture to support the strategic direction of the College and to facilitate operational success. This position will also lead initiatives as they relate to the advancement of the college’s value of Belonging.

This position is accountable for the design, implementation and integration of human resources services, organizational practices and business processes ensuring high quality and cost-effective services are in place and optimized to support the strategic plan. The Vice-President acts a champion for positive, respectful relationships and is the organizational leader in change management and labour relations matters.

As the ideal candidate, you bring a tenure in progressive leadership and management roles in human resources, ideally from a complex public sector organization. Your experience includes strategic-level HR planning, driving organizational change and process improvement, while also maintaining a hands-on approach to ensure effective day-to-day HR operations that creates a culture that supports the strategic directions and values of SLC. You have had involvement with complex labour relations issues and have in depth knowledge of relevant human resources legislation. Peers describe you as highly collaborative, a problem solver, a superb negotiator, and as a senior leader with sound judgement and empathy. You enjoy coaching and mentoring your team, embrace all aspects of diversity, and will foster a culture of belonging across all three SLC campuses. A post-secondary degree, ideally at the graduate level, and a relevant professional designation (CHRL or CHRE) are required. A combination of education, along with a professional designation and extensive experience in Human Resources may be considered.

To apply or explore this impactful leadership opportunity with St. Lawrence College, please submit a comprehensive resume along with a cover letter in confidence to Jane Griffith (jane@griffithgroup.ca) and Sam Walton (sam@griffithgroup.ca).

St. Lawrence College is committed to employment equity and diversity in the workplace. It encourages and welcome applications from members of the designated groups, including women, racialized minorities, Indigenous peoples, persons with disabilities and persons of any sexual orientation and identity. SLC is committed to an inclusive, barrier-free selection process.

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

In accordance with provincial legislation, accommodation will be provided by Griffith Group and St. Lawrence College throughout the recruitment, selection and/or assessment process, upon request, to applicants with disabilities. If you require accommodations during the recruitment process, please contact jane@griffithgroup.ca and/or sam@griffithgroup.ca.

We thank all those who express interest in this opportunity, however, only those chosen for an interview will be contacted.

Chief Operating Officer

211 is a free and confidential service that easily connects people to the critical social and community supports they need. Whether it’s access to mental health support, financial assistance for those facing job loss, or programs for seniors, 211 is here to help all Ontarians. Available 24 hours a day, in more than 150 languages by phone, chat, text and web, 211 makes it easy for Ontarians to quickly access the complex network of government services and community programs they need for their unique situation.

Ontario 211 Services (O211S) is the steward for 211 in Ontario and is responsible and accountable to provincial funders for the delivery of 211 through a network of service providers. O211S works collaboratively with the service providers, local and provincial partners, government Ministries, and local United Ways to deliver 211’s System Navigation, System Mapping and System Design functions. O211S also works closely with United Way Centraide Canada and 211’s across the country to advance its system nationally.

It is within this context that Ontario 211 Services invites applications and nominations for its inaugural Chief Operating Officer.

Reporting to the Executive Director, O211S is seeking a Chief Operating Officer to join its team at this pivotal time in its history. The awareness and perceived value of 211 as a critical resource for Ontarians has never been higher and the opportunities for growth and impact are increasing at a rapid pace. The successful candidate will have an opportunity to help shape the future of the 211 system in Ontario, in partnership with key stakeholders across the province. The COO will play a critical role in the refinement, design, and implementation of an optimized 211 Ontario operating model and will drive the operationalization of the strategic plan with a human-centered focus. The COO has oversight of Human Resources, IT, and related vendor relationships.

This appointment calls for a confident, compassionate leader and change agent. You are a highly skilled operations professional with proven experience implementing strategic priorities, enterprise-wide transformations, and have successfully worked with and led a team to achieve ambitious goals. As the ideal candidate, you bring demonstrated senior management experience and proven ability to provide strategic leadership for the implementation of a new business and operating model. You have demonstrated experience managing financial and human resources, project management, and working collaboratively with partners and community stakeholders. Experience working in a non-profit is preferred. Candidates must have exceptional integrity and should be able to demonstrate the capacity to work collaboratively and virtually. As a truly transformative leader, the successful candidate must strive to deliver services that are person-centred, inclusive, integrated, intuitive, and impactful.

To apply or explore this impactful leadership opportunity with Ontario 211 Services, please submit a comprehensive resume along with a cover letter in confidence to Jane Griffith (jane@griffithgroup.ca) and Sam Walton (sam@griffithgroup.ca).

Ontario 211 Services hires based on merit and is strongly committed to diversity and equity within its community and to providing a welcoming and inclusive workplace. It especially welcomes applications from Black, Indigenous and People of Colour, women, persons with disabilities, people of all sexual orientations and genders, and others with the skills and knowledge to productively engage with diverse communities.

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

In accordance with the provincial legislation, accommodation will be provided by Griffith Group and Ontario 211 Services throughout the recruitment, selection and/or assessment process, upon request, to applicants with disabilities. If you require accommodations during the recruitment process, please contact jane@griffithgroup.ca and/or sam@griffithgroup.ca.

We thank all those who express interest in this opportunity, however only those chosen for an interview will be contacted.

Griffith Group Executive Search Observes Orange Shirt Day and 3rd Annual National Day of Truth and Reconciliation

Griffith Group Executive Search offices are closed on September 30th, 2022 in honour of Orange Shirt Day and the National Day for Truth and Reconciliation. Orange Shirt Day is an Indigenous-led grassroots commemorative day intended to raise awareness of the individual, family, and community inter-generational impacts of residential schools, and to promote the concept of Every Child Matters. On the same day, the National Day for Truth and Reconciliation honours the children lost and Survivors of residential schools, as well as their families and communities.

We recognize that widespread public commemoration and acknowledgement of the tragic and painful history, continued impact, and intergenerational trauma of Canada’s residential school legacy is a vital component of both the reconciliation process, and our own (un)learning journey in support of decolonization.

Why We Change Our Logo for Pride Month

And how we know a logo isn’t enough.

With histories rooted in protest, led by trans people of colour activists, Pride Month is a time to not only celebrate the achievements of queer and trans people, but also recognize the current climate of violence that exists for the 2SLGBTQI+ community.

Every June, Griffith Group Executive Search changes its logo to represent to all people that Griffith Group is a safe place for 2SLGBTQI+ employees, candidates, clients, and beyond. And we also recognize that a logo change isn’t enough.

We have formalized policies against discrimination in the workplace. We are a Rainbow Registered business, a thorough accreditation process by Canada’s 2SLGBTQI+ Chamber of Commerce (CGLCC) that indicates that Griffith Group has met stringent standards to ensure that all of our practices are welcoming, accepting, and celebratory of the 2SLGBTQI+ community.

Further, our commitment to Indigenization, Equity, Diversity, Inclusion, and Accessibility is steadfast and cornerstone to our mission and vision – and that we recognize how intersectionality is critical to understanding the fight for 2SLGBTQI+ lives and freedom. At Griffith Group, we believe in acting against injustice and believe in working with organizations that share our mission. Finally, we also donate money to local, national, and global organizations who are actively working to protect queer and trans people and communities.

Griffith Group Executive Search Celebrates its 3rd Anniversary

Thank you so much to everyone who has and continues to support us. Since our founding, we’ve seen tremendous growth. Our team has grown to new heights – filled with professionals whose career paths span from executive search, to human resources, to academia and education technology, to not-for-profit and fundraising work, to private sector sales and operations. We feel privileged to have our collective experiences driving our client services and internal operations.
In the last two years, we have continued to increase our capacity for executive search engagements, while prioritizing partnerships with equity-centered organizations and institutions. We continue to question and break the boundaries of how executive search firms recognize talent and ensure that all processes are bias- and barrier-free. With intentional partnerships with organizations and institutions with similar commitments, Griffith Group’s impact is not only ensuring I-EDIA remains fundamental to our work, but it also means changing the very nature of senior leadership itself. While inclusion for us is indeed about representation, it is also very much about changing the way things “have been done” by prioritizing the way they could be, if given the chance, imagination, and opportunity. We are grateful to continue this work in disrupting the recruitment industry.

As we celebrate our second anniversary, we also want to offer so much gratitude and appreciation to our Griffith Group Advisory Council, Kim Carlin, Thompson Egbo-Egbo, Sunil Hirjee, Geoff Roberts, Allison Sandmeyer-Graves, Newsha Zargaran, and Jacqueline Foley for your continued guidance and support. Thank you, also, to our partner organizations and institutions for your unwavering trust in our processes and team. We could not do what we do without you, and we feel very fortunate to work with such passionate, kind, and driven people and organizations.

And finally, thank you to our amazing Griffith Group team. We asked our team to share what their favourite part of working at Griffith Group was, and the answers ranged from the work that we do (“Supporting Not-for-Profits secure effective, inspirational leadership”), to our values (“Ethical,” “Progressive,” “Conscientious,” “Compassionate”), to our senior leaders’ leadership style (“the mentorship and support to expand my career as my strengths and interests grow”), the most common response, hands-down, came down to one line: the best team ever.

In celebration, we are happy to introduce our new company tagline that we feel now perfectly captures the Griffith Group Executive Search experience: International Reach. Proven Expertise. Boutique Service.

Griffith Group Executive Search Celebrates its 2nd Anniversary

Thank you so much to everyone who has and continues to support us. Since our founding, we’ve seen tremendous growth. Our team has grown to new heights – filled with professionals whose career paths span from executive search, to human resources, to academia and education technology, to not-for-profit and fundraising work, to private sector sales and operations. We feel privileged to have our collective experiences driving our client services and internal operations.
In the last two years, we have continued to increase our capacity for executive search engagements, while prioritizing partnerships with equity-centered organizations and institutions. We continue to question and break the boundaries of how executive search firms recognize talent and ensure that all processes are bias- and barrier-free. With intentional partnerships with organizations and institutions with similar commitments, Griffith Group’s impact is not only ensuring I-EDIA remains fundamental to our work, but it also means changing the very nature of senior leadership itself. While inclusion for us is indeed about representation, it is also very much about changing the way things “have been done” by prioritizing the way they could be, if given the chance, imagination, and opportunity. We are grateful to continue this work in disrupting the recruitment industry.

As we celebrate our second anniversary, we also want to offer so much gratitude and appreciation to our Griffith Group Advisory Council, Kim Carlin, Thompson Egbo-Egbo, Sunil Hirjee, Geoff Roberts, Allison Sandmeyer-Graves, Newsha Zargaran, and Jacqueline Foley for your continued guidance and support. Thank you, also, to our partner organizations and institutions for your unwavering trust in our processes and team. We could not do what we do without you, and we feel very fortunate to work with such passionate, kind, and driven people and organizations.

And finally, thank you to our amazing Griffith Group team. We asked our team to share what their favourite part of working at Griffith Group was, and the answers ranged from the work that we do (“Supporting Not-for-Profits secure effective, inspirational leadership”), to our values (“Ethical,” “Progressive,” “Conscientious,” “Compassionate”), to our senior leaders’ leadership style (“the mentorship and support to expand my career as my strengths and interests grow”), the most common response, hands-down, came down to one line: the best team ever.

In celebration, we are happy to introduce our new company tagline that we feel now perfectly captures the Griffith Group Executive Search experience: International Reach. Proven Expertise. Boutique Service.

Jane Griffith, Griffith Group Managing Partner and Founder, Launches Canadian Chapter of LGBTQ+ Corporate Directors Association

Griffith Group Executive Search is proud to share that our Managing Partner and Founder, Jane Griffith is working alongside an Advisory Board of key leaders to launch LGBTQ Corporate Directors Canada, a new not-for-profit organization that is focused on bringing diversity to Canada’s Corporate Governance world through increased LGBTQ+ presence, which is at a staggering low level.  

As a chapter of the U.S.-based LGBTQ Corporate Directors, the Association is the first and only organization of its kind to provide services, support and networking on behalf of LGBTQ+ existing and aspiring Board Members. The Association’s Members include top-tier LGBTQ+ professionals with the skills and expertise to make a difference in the Boardroom. LGBTQ+ Corporate Directors Association of Canada is affiliated with the global Association of LGBTQ+ Corporate Directors. You can learn more about members of the Association’s Advisory Board on its website. 

We are so grateful that Griffith Group Executive Search’s leadership truly leads by example in championing action-oriented approaches to representation in the workplaces, and ensuring #diversity and #inclusion are always part of the conversation.

To stay up to date on the LGBTQ+ Corporate Directors Canada, click here to subscribe to its e-newsletter. 

Griffith Group Executive Search Recognized as an Accredited Rainbow Registered Business

The Canadian LGBT+ Chamber of Commerce (CGLCC) is committed to ensuring businesses demonstrate consistent efforts to provide a welcome and accepting LGBT+ client and internal staff experience.  In collaboration with Tourism HR Canada, the CGLCC offers Rainbow Registered — a national accreditation for LGBT+ friendly businesses and organizations. The Rainbow Registered symbol associated with a business indicates that the organization meets a stringent set of standards to ensure LGBT+ people feel safe, welcomed, and accepted. The accreditation program grants a time-limited recognition to businesses and organizations for demonstrating compliance with the quality standard. Accredited businesses are deemed market ready for the LGBT+ customer and given the right to be associated with the program’s prestigious Rainbow Registered designation mark.

Griffith Group is incredibly proud to share that it has been officially recognized by CGLCC as an accredited Rainbow Registered business. 

As part of our ongoing and steadfast commitment to Indigenization, Equity, Diversity, Inclusion, and Accessibility, Griffith Group considers 2SLGBTQ+ inclusion as foundational to our mission, vision, and values.  We work actively to foster a culture of respect and belonging, celebrating the uniqueness of our staff and embracing an ethos of acceptance and respect. It is truly an honour to receive the CGLCC’s recognition of our ongoing commitment to this work. 

To learn more about the Rainbow Registered program and find a directory of Rainbow Registered businesses, please visit: https://rainbowregistered.ca/

Vice President, Marketing and Communications

Second Harvest is Canada’s largest food rescue organization and expert in perishable food recovery. Second Harvest rescues surplus, unsold food from across the supply chain and redistribute it to not-for-profits across the country to feed communities. Supported by hundreds of corporations, foundations, and the community at large, Second Harvest rescues and redistributes enough food to provide over 62,000 meals a day in Canada. Since 1985 it has rescued and delivered more than 177 million pounds of food, preventing over 75 million pounds of greenhouse gas equivalents from entering the atmosphere.

It is within this context that Second Harvest invites applications and nominations for its inaugural Vice President of Marketing and Communications.

The Vice President, Marketing and Communications (“Vice President”) is responsible for elevating Second Harvest’s overall marketing and communications portfolio. Reporting to the Chief Executive Officer, the Vice President plays a strategic role in developing and leading a new vision and structure for the team to execute on key marketing communications, creative brand direction, advertising, print, online, and social media initiatives, digital presence, and organization-wide communications support. As a member of the Senior Leadership Team, the Vice President will be actively engaged in ongoing organizational management, strategic development of marketing and communications efforts, and is the subject matter expert. The position will also support overall development goals through cross-team collaboration on fundraising and food-raising initiatives. Success is measured by increased awareness resulting in more financial, food, and volunteer donations and ultimately the achievement of the organization’s overall goals. The Vice President will work closely with the CEO to lead and execute all thought leadership and Second Harvest’s policy positions for food rescue, and the organization’s editorial strategy and digital presence, including website, blog, social media, email communications, and newsletters. The Vice President will be responsible for Second Harvest’s overall brand strategy and execution, including portfolio management and overseeing development of communications materials, brand training and style guidelines, publications (annual reports, impact reports, etc.), online strategy, key messages, standard responses, etc. The Vice President also has a lead role in managing relationships with advertising agencies. As a key member of the Leadership Team, the Vice President will lead by example and contribute to interdepartmental strategic discussions and decisions for the organization, as well as annual planning and evaluation of departmental goals, targets, initiatives, KPIs, budgets, and monitoring expenditures against approved budget.

The successful candidate will have progressive leadership experience in integrated marketing, communications, and brand building, including in such areas as: external and internal communications, advertising, digital marketing communications, public relations/media, and community cultivation/engagement online. As the ideal candidate, you can motivate, lead, and inspire a team in a fast-paced environment, troubleshoot, think creatively, and solve problems. You have a demonstrated commitment to accountability, measuring outcomes, and a results-oriented culture. You have exceptional communication and interpersonal skills, coupled with a strong executive presence. You have extensive experience in cross-functional collaboration, partnering, and managing interpersonal relationships at all levels of an organization. You have excellent project and time management skills, including the ability to meet deadlines, handle a high volume of work, and keep others on track. Experience gained in the non-profit sector would be considered an asset, as would French-English bilingualism. This opportunity requires a decisive, driven, self-aware and collaborative leader with the ability to bring an organization’s key strategic priorities to market in a high quality, impactful manner that embraces Second Harvest’s work towards achieving its vision of – “No Waste. No Hunger.”

To apply or explore this leadership opportunity with Second Harvest, please submit a resume along with a cover letter in confidence to Jane Griffith (jane@griffithgroup.ca) and Sam Walton (sam@griffithgroup.ca).

Second Harvest encourages applications from individuals who self-identify as belonging to equity-deserving groups such as (but not limited to): racialized persons/persons of colour, women, Indigenous people, persons with disabilities, and LGBTQ2S+ persons.

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

In accordance with the provincial legislation, accommodation will be provided by Griffith Group and Second Harvest throughout the recruitment, selection and/or assessment process, upon request, to applicants with disabilities. If you require accommodations during the recruitment process, please contact jane@griffithgroup.ca and/or sam@griffithgroup.ca.