Student Unions, Student Associations

Shape the Future of Student Leadership at Toronto Metropolitan Students’ Union

Position: External Board Director
Type: non-profit board / unpaid
Students Union: Toronto Metropolitan Students' Union
Location: Toronto, Ontario

External Board Directors (5 Inaugural Positions)

The Toronto Metropolitan Students’ Union (TMSU) is launching its first-ever recruitment for five External Directors to join its Board at a pivotal moment in the organization’s evolution. These inaugural volunteer roles offer experienced professionals an opportunity to help shape the future of a large, dynamic, student-led organization and to strengthen its governance for years to come.

About the Role

External Directors bring an independent, professional voice to the Board, providing guidance, mentorship, and oversight to support a high-performing, student-driven union. They are non-voting members of the Board of Directors but play a central role in Board Committees, including the opportunity to vote on matters before those committees and, in some cases, to serve as Chair.

As the inaugural cohort, these five External Directors will help lay the foundation for how this model works in practice and will be elected to staggered one-, two-, and three‑year terms to establish long-term continuity. An honorarium is available under TMSU policy, currently up to $1,500 per academic term (three terms per year), as authorized by the Board.

Who TMSU Is Looking For

In recommending candidates, the Board’s Nominating Committee will consider, among other factors:

• Demonstrated commitment to the purposes and values of TMSU as a student union and not‑for‑profit corporation.
• Experience as a director with organizations of similar or greater size, complexity, or stakeholder reach.
• Expertise to mentor the student Executive Committee in areas such as corporate strategy, management, accounting, and legal matters.
• Professional qualifications relevant to governance and oversight, particularly in accounting and law.
• Alumni of Toronto Metropolitan University who graduated more than ten years ago are also eligible to apply for these External Director roles.

Candidates should be collaborative, comfortable working with student leaders, and able to bring an objective, equity‑informed lens to complex issues and decisions.

Priority Skills and Committee Needs

TMSU is seeking a mix of skills and experience across the five External Director roles. Candidates are welcome to identify all areas where they have strong expertise.

• Elections and Referenda: Legal or quasi‑judicial experience, including interpreting bylaws/policies, adjudicating complaints or appeals, and applying procedural fairness.
• Finance: Experience with budgeting and financial oversight for organizations of a similar size (e.g., not‑for‑profits, charities, unions, or member‑based organizations), ideally with CPA or equivalent financial credentials.
• Management Priorities/Strategy: Experience leading or advising on strategic planning, organizational priorities, or change initiatives for organizations of a similar size.
• Governance and Nominating: Board or senior governance experience, including board recruitment, committee work, and strengthening board practices.
• General: Backgrounds in risk management, human resources, post‑secondary/student issues, or administrative law will also be considered strong assets.

External Directors must be external to the Union and able to maintain independence from TMSU’s day‑to‑day operations while providing mentorship and oversight.

Time Commitment and Term

• Board and committee meetings are held during the academic year, with additional preparation and occasional special meetings as required.
• These are inaugural appointments, with one-, two-, and three-year terms to establish a staggered rotation going forward.

Specific meeting schedules for the upcoming term will be confirmed following Board approval of the Nominating Committee’s recommendations.

How to Apply

Please submit:

• A brief cover letter outlining your interest in serving as an External Director with TMSU, your connection to or interest in post‑secondary/student issues, and the priority skill areas and committees where you believe you would add the most value.
• A current resume highlighting relevant board, professional, and volunteer experience.

Applications should be submitted by December 31, 2025 to jobs@yourtmsu.ca with the subject line “TMSU External Director Application – [Your Name]”.

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The Toronto Metropolitan Students’ Union is independent and autonomous from Toronto Metropolitan University. TMSU is committed to employment equity and encourages the hiring of qualified individuals from diverse communities, including: First Nations, Inuit & Métis people, persons of colour, persons with disabilities, members of the queer community, trans people, and women.

Please let us know if you need any accommodations during the recruitment process. We appreciate the interest of all applicants and will contact those selected for interviews. We look forward to hearing from you!

 

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Student Unions, Student Associations in Canada

Canadian Federation of Students – cfs-fcee.ca | Member locals

Canadian Alliance of Student Associations –  casa-acae.com | Member locals

Ontario Undergraduate Student Alliance – ousa.ca

List of Canadian Students' Associations – Wikipedia | More

 

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List of Universities in Canada – Wikipedia | More | More 

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