Executive Director, The Dais

About Toronto Metropolitan

For more than 75 years, Toronto Metropolitan University (formerly known as Ryerson University) has been shaping the next generation of leaders through its uniquely innovative, entrepreneurial and career-focused approach to higher education. Driven by bold leadership, cutting-edge research and a deep commitment to academic excellence, TMU collaborates with students, faculties, staff and partners to push boundaries, reimagine solutions and create meaningful change in an increasingly interconnected world.

For a more in-depth understanding of our vision, core values and ongoing work, please see our academic plan

TMU welcomes those who have demonstrated a commitment to upholding the values of equity, diversity, and inclusion and will assist us in realizing the benefits of embedding these values into the work at every level and in every unit of the university. In addition, to correct the conditions of disadvantage in employment in Canada and to bring lived experiences to the work, we encourage applications from members of equity deserving groups that have been historically disadvantaged and marginalized, including First Nations, Métis and Inuit Peoples in Canada, First Nations Peoples in the United States, racialized people, Black people, persons with disabilities, women, and 2SLGBTQ+ people. Preference will be given to candidates with lived experiences as people from equity deserving groups, as well as experience working with these communities with which the University works every day. Please note that all qualified candidates are encouraged to apply and we welcome newcomers and immigrants to Canada.

In April 2022, the university announced its new name of Toronto Metropolitan University. Learn more about our next chapter.

About Us

At the Dais, we sit at the critical intersection of technology, education, and democracy. As a premier public policy and leadership think tank based at Toronto Metropolitan University (TMU), our mission is simple yet transformative: to build shared prosperity and informed citizenship across Canada.

Since 2015, our team has led high-impact initiatives across the country and around the globe. We turn ambitious ideas into actionable policy, delivering measurable change in economic, educational, and tech policy while training thousands of emerging leaders whose lives and careers have been redefined by our leadership programs.

The Opportunity

We are seeking a visionary, impact-driven Executive Director to lead our strategic outreach and build alliances that scale our work. In this senior leadership role, you will be the driving force behind the cross-sector collaborations that amplify our reach, fuel our growth, and advance national policy dialogue.

Reporting to the Assistant Vice-President, Zone Learning and Strategic Initiatives, the Executive Director will be responsible for providing overall leadership including accountability for all aspects of the Dais, driving its vision to advance its position as a premier leader in public policy innovation.

Key Leadership Responsibilities:

• Visioning and Strategic Planning

Creates the vision for the Dais and leads strategic planning by directing organizational governance, physical infrastructure, operations, communications, programming, and overall financial and human resource administration. Leverages deep expertise in public policy to translate strategic priorities into detailed, high-impact programming. Leads the senior leadership team in developing and executing strategic plans while establishing key relationships with senior and executive leaders across Toronto Metropolitan University, public and private sector organizations, and external partners.

• Organizational Model and Leadership Management

Establishes an agile operating model, by determining the organizational structure of the Dais, and works with the leadership team to create the framework that guides the Dais’ culture, and develops managers’ leadership capacity.

• Partnership and Stakeholder Management

Develops and expands the Dais’ network of diverse partners and stakeholders at the local, provincial, national, and international level and develops strong relationships with current and potential Dais partners. Works with stakeholders to develop learning programs that train Canadians on critical topics and skillsets needed to improve policy across the Dais’ pillars.

• Revenue Generation, Business Development and Sustainability

Leads and directs and creation of revenue-generating project proposals, and secures funding that benefit partners, stakeholders, and learners. Monitors funded projects, provides updates, and recommends solutions and strategies to support ongoing decision-making and fund-raising activities.

• Thought Leadership, Knowledge Dissemination and Mobilization

Drives the development of strategies that position the Dais as a premier public
policy and learning think tank and serves as a spokesperson for the Dais by leading the presentation of its research, learning programs, and civic convening programming

To learn more about this role and the impact you can make, please reach out to Shellee Huie, Talent Acquisition Specialist @[email protected].

The Ideal Candidate:

You are a transformative leader with a deep understanding of the public policy landscape. You are comfortable navigating complex institutional environments and possess the financial acumen to manage a large think tank. Most importantly, you believe that the future of Canada’s technology, education and democracy policies rely on independent, evidence-driven, perspectives from civil society.

Qualifications
To help us learn more about you, please provide a cover letter and resume describing how you meet the following required qualifications:

• Graduate degree in Public Policy, Public Administration, Business Administration, International Relations or a related field;
• Minimum of 10 years of increasingly senior policy, management and/or leadership experience, working in the public or broader public sector with demonstrated experience in policy, government relations, leadership development and business development.
• Experience managing diverse stakeholders and leading teams in a matrixed organization.
• Experience leading and managing complex relationships, preferably in a University environment or other large organizations.
• Experience as a publicly regarded expert and voice on policy or leadership issues.
• Experience engaging with C-Suite leaders in a variety of sectors.
• Demonstrated experience in financial, human resources and communication management.
• Demonstrated knowledge and achievement in business development.
• Expert project management skills, leading concurrent projects.
• Exceptional communication skills and interpersonal skills.
• Exceptional political acuity.
• Strong conceptual, strategic and critical thinking skills.
• Strong analytical, problem solving and judgement skills.
• French language proficiency is an asset.

Leadership Competencies

Leaders at TMU are required to demonstrate the following Leadership Competencies:

• Acts with Integrity: Demonstrates behaviors aligned with high ethical standards and personal integrity and acts in accordance with TMU values.
• Builds Relationships of Trust & Collaboration: Actively builds a culture of trust and fosters meaningful relationships.
• Leads Inclusively: Creates an inclusive environment where everyone is respected, recognized, empowered to achieve their potential, and valued for their differences.
• Demonstrates Organizational Acumen: Understands and respectfully navigates complex internal and external environments using sound judgment, diplomacy, and tact.
• Drives Vision & Results: Creates and implements a vision grounded in sound decision-making to achieve desired outcomes.

Additional Information (MAC)

• Equivalent experience or a combination of equivalent experience and education may be accepted in place of education.
• As part of the selection process, candidates may be required to complete an occupational assessment.
• Applications will only be accepted online through Toronto Metropolitan University's career site.
• We will provide an accessible experience for applicants, students, employees, and members of the Toronto Metropolitan University community. We are committed to providing an inclusive and barrier-free work environment, starting with the recruitment process. If you have restrictions that need to be accommodated to fully participate in any phase of the recruitment process, please submit your request through the AskHR webform. All information received in relation to accommodation will be kept confidential.