Call for External Governor Nominations: 2025

The University of À¶Ý®ÊÓƵ Board of Governors invites nominations and recommendations of individuals who might be considered for community-at-large appointments for terms commencing in 2025. In light of upcoming vacancies, there is particular interest in recruiting individuals who possess the skills and experience outlined below.Ìý

About the University of À¶Ý®ÊÓƵÌý

The University of À¶Ý®ÊÓƵ (À¶Ý®ÊÓƵ) is the number one University in Canada for experiential learning and employer-student connections, with more than 42,000 students attending each year. With a global network spanning more than 220,000 alumni in 151 countries, À¶Ý®ÊÓƵ attracts world-class scholars including a Nobel Laureate. Ìý
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With campuses, education centres, and academic partnerships spanning the globe, À¶Ý®ÊÓƵ is shaping the future of the planet and has developed a reputation for the excellence and relevance of its undergraduate and graduate education, delivered through six faculties: arts, engineering, environment, health, mathematics, and science. À¶Ý®ÊÓƵ continues to spur innovation to solve problems on a global scale and has consistently ranked highest as Canada’s most innovative university by Maclean’s magazine. To learn more, please visit .Ìý

Commitment to Indigenization and Equity, Diversity, Inclusion and anti-RacismÌý

The University values the diverse and intersectional identities of its community. As such, we encourage applications from candidates who have been historically disadvantaged and marginalized, including applicants who identify as First Nations, Métis and/or Inuk (Inuit), Black, racialized, a person with a disability, women and/or 2SLGBTQ+. Ìý

Board Composition and Competencies SoughtÌý

The University of À¶Ý®ÊÓƵ Act outlines the composition of the Board of Governors. Ten of thirty-six members are appointed by the Board from the community-at-large. These appointments are volunteer positions. Members are appointed on recommendation of the Governance Committee.Ìý

When recommending members for appointment, the Governance Committee considers a range of factors, including institutional vision, values and priorities, and succession planning considerations based on the Board’s skills, experience and diversity matrix alongside the Board’s .  Ìý

Community-at-large members are selected from a wide range of professional fields and industries to provide a balanced and nuanced approach to governance decisions. Looking ahead to 2025-26, the following are particular skill and experience areas for which the Board seeks strong candidates:Ìý

InvestmentÌýÌý

  • Technical expertise in investment principles and strategies, and direct experience with managing multi-million dollar investment portfolios, including investment management policies and pension plan design and management.

Land, Real Estate Development, PlanningÌý

  • Experience in experience managing a large real estate portfolio, highly complex land development planning and/or approvals, major ($5M+) capital projects, and/or space and facilities planning and design. (Engineering or architecture designation an asset)Ìý

Accounting/AuditingÌýÌý

  • Technical expertise in financial reporting, auditing requirements, implementation of compliance-based audit recommendations, and internal controls for private, public, or not-for-profit organizations. (Accounting designation/CFO experience required to demonstrate the financial expertise)Ìý

Legal/Regulatory/ComplianceÌýÌý

  • Broad legal experience (private practice or in-house) with sound understanding of compliance and/or regulatory lawÌý

Risk ManagementÌý

  • Experience in a leadership role or providing professional advice with respect to enterprise risk management, including risk assessment and mitigation strategies.ÌýÌýÌý

Information Technology/Cyber SecurityÌý

  • Experience in a leadership role or providing professional advice across large private, public, or not-for-profit organizations with respect to emerging digital technologies, information technology systems, cybersecurity policies and processes, and IT operations.ÌýÌýÌý

All members of the Board must have financial literacy, regardless of professional field. Ìý

Additional ConsiderationsÌý

  • Desire to serve, willingness and ability to commit the time and effort required as a member of the Board of Governors (the Board meets 5 times annually and members are also assigned at least one standing committee based on skills and experience)Ìý

  • Additional assets include: graduate of the University of À¶Ý®ÊÓƵ, or other affiliation; past experience as a board committee chair and willingness to serve in this capacity; formal governance training or other sophisticated governance experience; access to a network that includes potential new major University donors, and willingness to assist the University’s fundraising efforts by engaging that network.Ìý

Submission of NominationsÌý

Nominations for appointment in response to this profile are requested by September 1, 2024 and can be submitted in confidence to the Secretariat at board@uwaterloo.ca. A brief candidate profile and/or CV is preferred in order to aid in assessing candidates.Ìý
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Nominations of those who may be suitable for future appointment to the Board are welcome at any time and are normally kept on file for at least three years from the date of submission.Ìý
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For more information please visit uwaterloo.ca/secretariat.ÌýÌý