Governance Specialist

Heart and Stroke Foundation of Canada; Toronto; Hybrid; CAD 80,000 - 100,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading health organization in Toronto is seeking a passionate Governance Specialist to join its Governance and Executive Administration team. This role involves coordinating board cycles and supporting executive leadership to enable strong governance. Ideal candidates will have a post-secondary degree, experience supporting senior leaders, and excellent organizational skills. The organization offers a competitive salary, hybrid work opportunities, and a culture of care and support for employee wellness.

Benefits

Generous paid time-off package

Health, medical, dental, and vision benefits

Defined contribution pension plan with employer matching

Qualifications

• 5+ years of experience supporting a national board or executive level leaders.
• Law clerk experience is strongly preferred.
• Proficient with AV setup and troubleshooting.

Responsibilities

• Coordinate and manage four annual board cycles.
• Organize meetings and manage governance planning.
• Communicate with internal and external stakeholders.

Skills

Attention to detail

Planning and organizational skills

Excellent communication

Creative problem-solving

Education

Post-secondary degree or diploma

Tools

Microsoft 365 Office suite

Job description

Who we are

At Heart & Stroke our mission is to promote health, save lives and enhance recovery. We are committed to a culture that exemplifies our core values:champion health,practice humility,embrace change,driveimpact,learnandgrowandbe heartfeltas we work together to beat heart disease and stroke.

We believe in equity,diversityand inclusion―it’sembedded in our values and core mission work to support all people in Canada to lead healthier lives. We are committed to applying this principle to cultivate a welcoming environment that embraces diversity among our employees. Candidates from diverse backgrounds, including but not limited to, Indigenous peoples, racializedcommunities,2SLGBTQIA+communities, women, and people livingdisabilities are encouraged to apply.

To learn more about our mission, values,commitment to EDI,and the difference Heart & Strokemakes in the lives ofpeople in Canada at every age, pleasevisit our website.

The opportunity

Heart & Stroke isseekinga passionateand drivenGovernance Specialist to joinitsGovernance and Executive Administration team.This is your chance to contribute directly to our missionby being a driving force behind thescenes;whereprocessmeets purpose.

H&S provides a hybrid work option for this position.

While most work will be performedremotely, candidates must reside within the GTA to accommodate occasional travel to the Toronto office as business needs arise.

As a Governance Specialist,you’ll report to the Manager of Governance and Executive Administration and play a pivotal role in supporting the National board and committees that steer our organization’s vision and impact.

This position collaborates with executive support, legal counsel, senior risk management leaders, and colleagues to steward four annual board cycles.

Key duties include organizing meetings, communicating withinternal and externalstakeholdersand juggling multiple tasks. Stronginitiative, exceptional organizationskills, attention todetailand versatility arerequiredfor successin the role.

Ifyou’reenergized by the prospect of supporting leadersand ensuring smooth governance for a life-saving cause—apply now and become a catalyst for positivemission impact at Heart& Stroke!

How you will make an impact everyday

• Help shape the future:Coordinate and steward four annual board cycles, collaborating with executive support, legal counsel, senior risk management leaders, and cross-functional colleagues.
• Drive governance excellence for board and board-appointed committees:manage workback plans, agendas, action items, speaking notes, and pre-reads.
• Lead or champion meaningful projects:Organize meetings, manage governance planning, and support initiatives like board recruitment, compliance activities, performance evaluations, annual policyreviewsand volunteer recognition.
• Be the linchpin:Communicate clearly with internal and external stakeholders, juggle multiple priorities, and bringa strong senseof initiative, goodjudgementand versatility to everything you do.
• Ensure seamless meetinglogisticsand guest relations, including AV support and materials distribution.
• Monitor by-laws and compliance activities to help uphold our national and provincial standards.
• Support legal and governance in keeping minute booksaccurateandup-to-date.
• Maintain and manage crucial information for board members, committees, and historical records.
• Provide executive-level administrative support, from travel planning to credit card reconciliation and executive admin vacation coverage.

Who we need

• Education:Post-secondarydegree or diplomaand/or equivalent work experience
• Experience:5+yearsofpreviousrelatedworkexperiencesupportinga nationalboardand/orexecutivelevelleaders
• Law clerk experience is strongly preferred.
• Skills:Meticulous attention to detail, strong planning and organizational skills, creative problem-solving,criticalthinkingand excellent communication with diverse stakeholders.
• Collaborative and agile, you build trust through your tact, judgment, and discretion in handling confidential information.
• Prioritizesbuildingtrust-basedrelationshipsandmanagesconflictingpriorities efficiently
• Exceptional at managing priorities ina matrixorganization, proficient with Microsoft365Officesuiteandsetting up/troubleshootingAV setup
• Akeeninterest andunderstanding of legal and governance requirements.

What we offer

At Heart & Stroke, we make it a priority to foster a culture of caring by implementing practices and programs that foster respect, compassion,trustand attentiveness to our own and others’ health and well-being.

In addition to a competitive salary,webelieve that time off is integral to the personal health and wellness of our employees. We offer a generous paid time-off package including vacation days, personal days, wellness days,and paid company-wide closure between December 25 and January 1.Wealsoprovide competitive health, medical, dental and vision benefits, life insurance,disabilitybenefits,anemployeeassistanceprogram (EAP)and a defined contribution pension plan with employer matching.Our employees alsoenjoyaflexible hybrid workingmodeland reimbursement for mobile phones and home office setup, as well as opportunitiesfor professional development.

Apply now

If you want to join the fight to beat heart disease and stroke,pleaseapplybysendingyour resumebyJanuary 2, 2026.Applicants must be currentlyresidingin Canada, live in the GTAand legally entitled to work in Canada.

Only those candidatesthat qualify will be selected for an interview.At this time, all interviews are being conducted via phone and/or video call― we look forward to "virtually" meeting you!

Accommodation

We are committed to fostering an inclusive, barrier-freeand accessible environment. If you have been contacted for an interview and require accommodation toparticipatein the recruitment and selection process, pleaselet us knowand we willdo our best toaddressyour needs.