Director, Governance

Acas; Canada; On-site; CAD 125,000 - 135,000; Full time

Job summary

MS Canada seeks a strategic and collaborative governance leader to serve as Director, Governance. Reporting to the President and CEO, the role partners with the CEO, leadership, and the Board to develop governance frameworks, policies, and practices that strengthen Board effectiveness and accountability across Canada.

The ideal candidate has governance expertise, exceptional judgment and discretion, and outstanding communication skills to align strategies with MS Canada’s mission and priorities.

Qualifications

• Experience supporting Boards, Committees, and senior executives within complex, multi-stakeholder environments.
• Strong understanding of governance best practices, Board operations, and organizational accountability.
• Exceptional communicator and collaborator who can build credibility across diverse groups.

Responsibilities

• Develop and continuously improve governance frameworks, policies, and practices to strengthen Board effectiveness and organizational accountability.
• Partner with the CEO, executive leadership, and Board to support effective decision-making and transparency.
• Lead cross-functional governance initiatives and coordinate with internal stakeholders and external partners.

Skills

Governance leadership

Board operations

Strategic thinking

Stakeholder management

Communication

Job description

Since 1948, MS Canada has been dedicated to improving the lives of Canadians affected by multiple sclerosis (MS). Anyone can be diagnosed, and Canada has one of the highest rates of MS in the world – more than 90,000 Canadians are living with the disease, and an average of 12 people are diagnosed every day. Driven by the vision of a world free of MS, MS Canada works with researchers, donors, partners, volunteers, and people living with MS to bring about positive change. The organization is committed to improving lives of Canadians and supports high‑quality research that aims to end MS tomorrow.

MS Canada is seeking a strategic and collaborative governance leader to join the organization as Director, Governance. Reporting to the President and CEO, this highly visible role works closely with the CEO, executive and senior leadership, the Board of Directors, and Board Committees, to support the effective functioning of an engaged and high‑performing Board. Partnering with key internal stakeholders, the Director brings governance expertise to the development and continuous improvement of governance frameworks, policies, and practices that strengthen Board effectiveness and organizational accountability. Working alongside an experienced Governance Specialist who supports Board and Committee operations, the Director helps advance initiatives that enhance transparency, inclusion, and good governance while ensuring alignment with MS Canada’s mission, values, and strategic priorities. This is a unique opportunity to contribute to governance leadership at a national level in support of MS Canada’s long‑term impact for people affected by multiple sclerosis across Canada.

The ideal candidate is a strategic, relationship‑oriented governance professional with experience supporting Boards, Committees, and senior executives within complex, multi‑stakeholder environments. They bring a strong understanding of governance best practices, Board operations, and organizational accountability, coupled with exceptional judgment, discretion, and political acuity. They are an exceptional communicator and collaborator who thrives in dynamic settings, adept at synthesizing complex information, facilitating alignment, and supporting effective decision‑making. They excel at building credibility and fostering collaborative relationships with Board Directors, executive leaders, volunteers, and external partners, bringing governance expertise and sound judgment to support effective decision‑making and Board effectiveness.

Highly organized, proactive and detail‑oriented, they manage multiple priorities with professionalism and responsiveness. The successful candidate will bring the leadership presence and governance expertise required to support MS Canada’s mission and evolving strategic priorities.

This is a publicly advertised job posting for a newly created role. Expected base salary is between $125,000 – $135,000 CAD. There is no bonus associated with total compensation.

Odgers does not use artificial intelligence (AI) to screen, assess, or select applicants for a position.

To Apply

To fill this position, MS Canada has partnered with leadership advisory firm Odgers. Applications are encouraged immediately and should be submitted online ideally by August 10th. We thank all those who express an interest, however only those chosen for further development will be contacted.

Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion

MS Canada is an equal opportunity employer. In accordance with the Accessible Canada Act, 2019 and all applicable provincial accessibility standards, upon request, accommodation will be provided by both Odgers and MS Canada throughout the recruitment, selection and/or assessment process to applicants with disabilities.

Odgers is deeply committed to diversity, equity, and inclusion in all the work that we do. As part of our efforts to better understand our ability to reach as broad a pool of candidates as possible for our searches, our DEI team would like to encourage you to take a moment and access our Self‑Declaration Form.