Organization Description:

The OCAD Student Union is an independent, democratically run student organization with approximately 5000 members, incorporated as a not-for-profit corporation. The OCAD Student Union operates a variety of programs and services on campus at OCAD University including: legal advice, student advocate, coffee shop, campus food bank, produce delivery program, community drop-in lunch, monthly newsletter, podcast network, community development grants, social events and workshops.

The OCAD Student Union is advocates for the best interests of OCAD University Students, representing the student body in dialogue with OCAD U administration and governance bodies, as well as all levels of government. The OCAD Student Union represents the OCAD University student population within the Canadian Federation of Students as Local 25. Within the Toronto art and design community, the OCAD Student Union is represented by its subsidiary, Xpace Cultural Centre. Xpace Cultural Centre is a membership driven cultural centre supported by the OCAD Student Union and dedicated to providing emerging and student artists, designers and curators with the opportunity to showcase their work in a professional setting.

The OCAD Student Union is committed to ensuring OCAD University campus and broader OCAD U community are inclusive spaces where all members are treated with respect and dignity. The OCAD Student Union operates with an anti-oppressive framework and encourages applications from everyone, including but not limited to: women, Aboriginal peoples, racialized groups, people with differing abilities, and persons of all sexual orientations or gender identity. Please note that the OCAD Student Union will endeavour to accommodate job applicants with a disability during the hiring process in accordance with the Ontario Human Rights Code and other applicable legislation.

Reports to: OCAD Student Union Board of Directors

Board Liaison: Director of Operations

Supervises: OCAD Student Union Student Advocate, Financial Comptroller, Kiosk Coordinator, Administrative Assistant, as well as 5 – 8 part-time student employees

Working Relationships: OCAD Student Union Executives and Commissioners, Student Union Lawyer, Xpace Director, Bookkeeping Firm, and other staff and volunteers of the OCAD Student Union

Salary, Hours of Work & Benefits: $32,500 per year for 25 hours per week, minus applicable deductions for income tax, CPP and EI, in addition to a comprehensive health and dental benefits package. Hours of work are scheduled between 9:00am – 4:30pm, Monday to Friday, depending on the availability of shared office space.

Responsibilities:

The General Manager is responsible for the following areas and where appropriate, may delegate work to carry out these responsibilities.

1. Human Resources & Staff Management:

Oversee Hiring Committees for all Student Union employees in conjunction with the Director of Operations;
Oversee work of staff working for the OCAD Student Union, including: Student Advocate, Financial Comptroller, Kiosk Coordinator, Administrative Assistant, Web Developer, Communications Coordinator, Foodbank Coordinator, General Labour Monitor, and Hot Lunch Coordinators;
Coordinate and carry out training for OCAD Student Union staff in conjunction with the Student Advocate;
Provide hands on training, support and advice to OCAD Student Union staff;
Conduct performance evaluations of all employees alongside with the Director of Operations or appropriate supervisor;
Develop work plans and strategies to address personnel issues as they arise, such as disciplinary action, workplace accommodations etc, consulting the Director of Operations or appropriate supervisor where necessary;
Provide assistance to the Student Advocate, Financial Comptroller, Lawyer, and Bookkeepers in carrying out their roles and responsibilities within the SU office;
Identify new opportunities for professional growth for Student Union employees;

2. Corporate Affairs, Governance & Board Support:

Identify gaps in by-laws and policy, and assist the OCAD Student Union Board of Directors in drafting and developing By-laws and policies of the corporation;
Ensure the OCAD Student Union is in compliance with legislative requirements and where deficiencies are noted, develop strategies to address compliance issues and advise OCAD Student Union Board of Directors in remedying deficiencies;
Ensure all corporate records are filed with appropriate government bodies in a timely manner, such as Annual Summary with Corporations Canada, updated by-laws are filed with Corporations Canada etc;
Ensure meeting minutes are recorded at Board Meetings, Council Meetings and General Meetings, and that minutes are subsequently approved at following meetings;
Advise the OCAD Student Union Board of Directors and Executive Committee on matters pertaining to corporate affairs and governance practices;
Coordinate administrative support for meetings of the OCAD Student Union Board of Directors, Student Union Council and for General Meetings of the Membership;
Coordinate and carry out annual training for Board of Directors, Student Union Council and Executive Committee and Commissioners in conjunction with the Student Advocate;
Produce Board member manuals for new directors, and identify strategic guidance to the Executives and the Board;
Act as a resource, advising and providing support to Board members, Executives, Commissioners and Committee members in running effective meetings;

3. Operations and Administration:

Develop implementation strategies and procedures in consultation with the Director of Operations, Student Services Commissioner and Executive Committee for approved and amended by-laws and policies;
Develop and maintain annual operations calendar mapping out critical cycles and projects throughout the fiscal year;
Ensure the smooth operation of OCAD Student Union events, programs and services on campus, such as the OCAD SU coffee shop, free legal advice, student advocacy services, community drop-in lunch, foodbank, publications of the student union handbook, elections and by-elections, annual campus orientation, podcast network, community development grants etc. and provide support to representatives and staff as required;
Oversee work of OCAD Student Union Administrative Assistant in coordinating the day-to-day functions of the OCAD Student Union office on campus;
Liaise with OCAD University staff in operational affairs such as room bookings, equipment bookings, lease arrangements, etc.
Act as a contact for the Student Union office, answer incoming inquiries, forward and return messages as appropriate;
Maintain a safe, inclusive work environment that upholds the Student Union “Safer Space,” mandate, and coordinate conflict resolution where needed;
Assist in general office maintenance to ensure a professional environment, which includes keeping the space accessible and open to the general student population;
Other related duties as assigned by the Board of Directors.

Qualifications:

Candidates must possess the following skills, qualifications and experience:

Minimum 3 years experience in business administration and/or not-for-profit management and/or related experience;
Working knowledge of legislation affecting federally and provincially incorporated Not-for-Profit Corporations;
Thorough working knowledge of various components in Not-for-Profit corporate governance, such as strategic planning, by-law and policy development and assessment, facilitating work of the board of directors, board relations, committee structures etc;
Intermediate level of financial literacy and planning. Must have minimum 3 years experience with financial administration and experience developing operating budgets;
Intermediate level of experience with administrative practices and procedures, with an eye for introducing improvements and best practices;
Experience in resource allocation, leadership modelling, and the coordination of people and resources;
An ability to motivate, develop, and direct people as they work, identifying the best people and skillset for a project;
Knowledge and experience of personnel recruitment, selection, training, compensation and benefits, labor relations and negotiations within an anti-oppressive framework;
The ability to monitor and assess one’s own performance, as well as the performance of other individuals, and/or organizations in order to make improvements or take corrective action as required;
Critical thinking skills and the ability to make decisions in a fast paced environment, the ability to anticipate potential costs and benefits of potential actions and being able to choose the most appropriate direction;
Excellent oral and written communication skills and comprehension skills, and the ability to discern which information is most vital to communicate at an appropriate time;
Strong interpersonal skills, and basic skills in conflict resolution and relationship management;
Excellent time management skills with the ability to multi-task, the ability to manage one’s own time and the time of others.

How To Apply:

Send your resume and cover letter in pdf or Microsoft Word format to:
ocadsu@ocadsu.org
– addressed to the Hiring Committee with subject line “OCAD SU General Manager.” Applicants may be asked to produce a writing sample. Questions and inquiries can be emailed to this same email address. The OCAD Student Union regrets it is unable to respond to inquiries by phone.

Please note, only applicants selected for an interview will be contacted.