Chief of Staff - WES Canada (Hybrid)

Job Details
Description
Title: Chief of Staff
Department: WES Canada Managing Directors Office
Reporting to: Managing Director, WES Canada
Compensation: CAD127K - CAD163K
Employment Type: Full Time
Location: Greater Toronto Area - Hybrid role (regular in-office attendance required in Toronto, typically 1-2 days per week on-site, with flexibility based on business needs).

Who We Are:

World Education Services (WES) is a non-profit social enterprise that supports the educational, economic, and social inclusion of immigrants, refugees, and international students. For 50 years, WES has set the standard for international academic credential evaluation, supporting millions of people as they seek to achieve their academic and professional goals. Through decades of experience as a leader in global education, WES has developed a wide range of tools to pursue social impact at scale. From evaluating academic credentials to shaping policy, designing programs, and providing philanthropic funding, we partner with a diverse set of organizations, leaders, and networks to uplift individuals and drive systems change. Together with its partners, WES enables people to learn, work, and thrive in new places. For more information about WES, please visit our website at www.WES.org.

About the Opportunity:

The Chief of Staff serves as the Managing Director's trusted advisor and strategic partner, ensuring the effective operation of WES Canada and enabling the Managing Director and WES Canada leadership team to focus on strategic leadership. The role coordinates executive priorities, supports decision-making, facilitates cross-functional alignment, and monitors execution of key organizational commitments, enabling leaders across WES Canada to deliver against our strategic and organizational priorities and commitments.

This role operates across a highly matrixed organization and requires strong organizational awareness, political acuity, sound judgment, and the ability to influence without direct authority. Accountability for functional strategies, operational delivery, and organizational outcomes remains with the appropriate executive and departmental leaders with the Chief of Staff leveraging trusted relationships, the ability to connect information, perspectives and priorities across teams, and a focused on a commitment to outcomes to support WES Canada in realizing its’ strategic and organizational priorities.

What You'll Do:

Serve as a trusted advisor and strategic thought partner to the MD and leadership team by assessing competing priorities, monitoring emerging issues and organizational initiatives, identifying risks, dependencies, and strategic trade-offs, and providing objective analysis recommendations, and escalation support.
Serve as an organizational integrator who works across the MD, Canada Leadership Team, Executive Team, WES Canada Board, and organizational departments to ensure the flow of strategic information, issues, decisions, and materials are effectively managed.
Project manage WES Canada's inputs into Enterprise-level or global board/leadership reporting, in addition to WES Canada Board governance logistics and operations.
Manage the MD's internal and external commitments, including coordinating Board and committee materials, reports, briefing materials, updates, meeting preparation or logistics, and follow-up in partnership with relevant leads, ensuring that materials requiring the MD’s review, input, or approval are planned and prepared in a timely manner.
Oversee and support the development and execution of the MD's annual work plan and WES Canada’s strategic priorities, by coordinating cross functional planning, monitoring progress, reporting results, addressing barriers, and supporting leadership decision-making.
Project manage and provide oversight to selected high-priority strategic initiatives, special projects, task forces, working groups, on behalf of the MD
Oversee the operational work associated with executive reporting and dashboards by working with Finance, Strategy, and departmental leaders to consolidate performance information for executive decision-making and continuous improvement across accountable stakeholders.
Manage the translation and support the integration of Enterprise-wide strategic priorities into Canada-specific execution plans (and vice versa — surface Canada-specific issues upward).
Oversee departmental annual budget coordination within WES Canada and where shared services, shared costs, or cross-entity resource allocation exist (e.g., shared Communications, IT, or Finance functions spanning US/Canada).
Ensure effective and timely communications from the MD, such as correspondence, announcements, presentations, talking points, speeches, and other communications, working in close coordination with Communications Department and relevant subject matter experts.
Build and maintain trusted relationships with department and enterprise leaders to ensure the MD is informed of significant organizational, stakeholder, operational, and reputational matters.
Attend, on behalf of the MD when delegated, selected internal and external meetings, briefings, and events; capturing key insights, coordinating next steps and ensuring briefing is given to all relevant individuals, including the MD, to advance agreed priorities.
Provide people management, oversight, and mentorship for administrative staff that support WES Canada.
Oversee and manage consultants, honorarium, and any other expenses related to activities covered through the WES Canada budget

Your Experience:

Required

A degree in business administration, public administration, nonprofit management, public policy, organizational leadership, or a related field, or an acceptable equivalent combination of education and experience.
8-10 years of relevant work experience with strong preference in strategy execution, executive advisory support, organizational leadership, project or program management, policy, or business operations.
Exceptional project manager who thrives in a fast-paced environment, delivers high-quality work, is comfortable managing up, and enjoys juggling dynamic priorities involving complex cross-functional initiatives or executive priorities involving multiple senior stakeholders.
Track record as an excellent problem-solver who enjoys taking on new challenges and demonstrates strong decision-making skills and judgement.
Excellent verbal and written communication skills that convey complex information to a range of stakeholders in compelling formats, including via PowerPoint slides; with demonstrated experience preparing executive correspondence, Board materials, presentations, speeches, briefing notes, and decision papers.
Experience developing and monitoring executive work plans, organizational priorities, dashboards, or key performance indicators.
Demonstrated qualitative and quantitative analytical skills to assess situations, break down complex problems, identify strategic tradeoffs, and apply learnings in a larger context.
Experience utilizing inclusive and participatory models for strategy development, planning, decision-making, and/or budgeting within organizations and/or with external partners.
Good interpersonal skills, including tact, diplomacy, and flexibility, and demonstrated experience building trust and credibility with diverse stakeholder groups to achieve results.
Ability to exercise independent judgment, manage multiple competing priorities, and work effectively under pressure with resilience, initiative, and a high level of ownership.
Strong people management and supervision experience.
Proficiency in oral and written French.

Desired

Multisector experience is preferred.
Experience utilizing frameworks and models for strategy development, scenario planning, organizational decision-making, performance measurement, and budgeting.
Experience working in the public, nonprofit, social impact, regulatory, professional association, or private sectors, with familiarity across more than one sector considered an asset.

What We Offer:

Joining our team at WES means embarking on a purpose-driven career with a global impact, where you contribute daily to making a tangible difference in the lives of people worldwide. You'll thrive in an employee-centric environment, with access to learning opportunities, pathways for personal and professional development, and recognition of your achievements. Our inclusive, mission-driven culture values employees and focuses on investing in our people through our culture, people framework, and programming while offering the flexibility of remote work options.

Work-Life Harmony: We believe that success is all about maintaining balance. Enjoy the freedom of remote work and flexible scheduling, paired with generous time-off policies designed to assist you in maintaining a healthy equilibrium between your personal and professional commitments. Our comprehensive wellness programs and work environment are focused on fostering your well-being.
Rewards and Recognition: Your dedication and achievements are the cornerstone of our success. We recognize the importance of valuing your hard work which is why we offer competitive compensation, comprehensive benefits, and tangible rewards to celebrate your contributions.
Professional Growth and Development: We are committed to nurturing growth within our team, recognizing that growth is essential to providing opportunities for career advancement and ongoing professional development. To prioritize your learning and success, we invest in comprehensive training programs and offer tuition reimbursement opportunities. We promote a culture of continuous learning that empowers you to thrive and evolve in your career.
Innovation and Impact: Engage in work that directly transforms lives and empowers individuals and communities by expanding access to global educational and professional pathways. Join us in fostering a culture that values innovation, embraces new approaches, and leverages transformation to implement and drive impactful change.
Community and Connection: Our team is made up of individuals from different cultures and backgrounds who have varying perspectives and ideas. Our diverse workforce reflects the global community we serve, and we take pride in it. We are committed to fostering a workplace where everyone feels valued, respected, and included. Experience the power of connection by participating in a range of activities, including employee-led resource groups, town halls, collaborative team events, meaningful volunteer opportunities, and initiatives that promote equity, celebrate diversity, and cultivate a strong sense of belonging within our organization.

Values:

Opportunity - We open doors so people can build better futures.
Inclusion - We become stronger, more creative, and more resilient when we embrace diversity.
Equity - We uphold fairness and justice in our work and actions.
Enterprising - We are resourceful, inventive, and driven.

Inclusive Recruitment Process:

We welcome all applicants, irrespective of their experience perfectly fitting the job description, as we value diverse and innovative viewpoints. At our organization, individuals who thrive in a culture of continuous learning and inclusive teamwork excel. We are committed to fostering an inclusive and accessible work environment where everyone feels valued, respected, and supported and welcome members of all backgrounds and perspectives to apply.

Our Commitment:

World Education Services is committed to fostering an inclusive workplace that reflects the rich tapestry of our communities, both in the US and Canada. This commitment is underscored by our unwavering dedication to providing equal opportunities to all qualified individuals, regardless of race, color, religion, sex, national origin, age, disability, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, veteran status, or genetics. This commitment extends to every aspect of employment, from recruitment and hiring to promotions, training, and benefits. We comply with all applicable federal, state, and local anti-discrimination laws. For us, diversity goes beyond compliance – it's about embracing unique perspectives and cultivating an environment where everyone feels valued and empowered to reach their full potential.

If you require assistance and/or accommodation at any point during the recruitment process, please contact us at [email protected], we're here to support you. Our Talent Acquisition team is happy to work with you to find solutions that meet your needs.

For more information about WES, please visit our website at www.WES.org

This position is an existing vacancy and is currently open for hire.