Registrar and Secretary of Senate 

Sudbury, Ontario 

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Laurentian University invites applications for the position of Registrar and Secretary of Senate. This current vacancy is a pivotal leadership opportunity to advance student success and academic governance at a tricultural, bilingual institution committed to transformation and renewal.  

The Organization 

Laurentian University is located within the territory of the Robinson-Huron Treaty of 1850 and recognizes its placement on the traditional lands of the Atikameksheng Anishnawbek. The City of Greater Sudbury also includes the traditional lands of the Wahnapitae First Nation. We extend our deepest respect to Indigenous peoples - as a sign of our continued relationship we will support Laurentian University’s Truth and Reconciliation Task Force Recommendations.  

Laurentian University currently serves just over 8,000 students and is one of two bilingual universities in the province of Ontario. Committed to its bilingual, tricultural mandate, Laurentian University offers an outstanding university experience in English and French with a comprehensive approach to Indigenous education. Approximately 27% of students are enrolled in French-language programs, 11% self-identify as Indigenous, and 14% are international students representing over 71 countries. Laurentian also offers online degree programs, which account for 30% of enrollment. The University’s beautiful, forested campus is surrounded by fresh-water lakes, conservation lands and hundreds of kilometres of cross-country and hiking trails while situated in the geographic centre of Greater Sudbury, Northern Ontario’s major urban centre (population 175,000). Laurentian University has close and productive ties to Science North, Sudbury Neutrino Observatory Lab (SNOLAB), Health Sciences North, and multiple post-secondary institutions. 

Offered on the university’s beautiful campus as well as remotely, Laurentian’s broad range of programs has garnered top distinction by leading in graduate employment outcomes for more than a decade. Having recently celebrated its 65th anniversary, Laurentian University’s vision for the future is as a university focused on the needs of the north and the communities it serves. The University prepares its graduates to be the next generation of leaders who bring innovative solutions to local and global issues.  

The Role 

Reporting to the Provost, the Registrar and Secretary of Senate provides visionary and operational leadership across a broad portfolio that includes the Office of the Registrar, Domestic and International Recruitment and Student Services, Admissions, Student Records, Student Awards and Financial Aid, and related enrolment services. In addition to these registrarial responsibilities, the role serves as Secretary of Senate, stewarding Laurentian’s bicameral governance system and ensuring academic policy development and Senate processes are transparent, effective, and aligned with institutional priorities. 

As a key contributor to Laurentian’s Transformation Plan, the Registrar leads modernization initiatives within the portfolio and plays a central role in strategic enrolment management (SEM), ensuring systems and processes support student success and institutional sustainability. The Registrar and Secretary of Senate oversees critical functions including recruitment, registration, scheduling, academic records, credential management, awards and financial aid, and governance processes. Acting as a trusted advisor to the Provost, senior leadership, and Senate, the Registrar provides strategic insight, operational discipline, and serves as a steward of academic governance aligned with Laurentian’s academic mission. 

They work collaboratively with leaders across academic, research, and administrative units to modernize policies, processes, and systems, strengthening academic policy development and enhancing the student experience while fostering agility and sustainability across the institution. 

Key responsibilities include: 

Portfolio Leadership and Transformation – Provide strategic leadership across the Registrar’s Office, Admissions, Domestic Recruitment, International Recruitment and Services, Student Records, and Student Awards and Financial Aid. Drive review and modernization of policies, processes, and systems in alignment with Laurentian’s Transformation Plan. Represent Laurentian on select provincial committees and sector bodies. 

Academic Governance – Serve as Secretary of Senate, ensuring effective governance processes, committee coordination, and academic policy development within Laurentian’s bicameral system. Coordinate Senate student appeal processes and prepare the University’s yearly schedule of dates. 

Strategic Enrolment Management – Support SEM planning and implementation, collaborating with academic and administrative partners to support recruitment, retention, and student success. Act as Enrolment Reporting Officer to the Ministry of Training, Colleges and Universities. 

Operational Excellence and Compliance – Oversee registration, scheduling, credential management, ministry reporting, and records, ensuring accuracy, confidentiality, and compliance with regulatory and institutional standards. Serve as signing officer for academic documents such as transcripts and diplomas. 

Team Management, Collaboration and Culture – Lead a high-performing team rooted in service, accountability, and excellence. Work closely with academic leaders, administrative teams, and external partners to strengthen governance, enhance student experience, and advance institutional priorities.  

The Ideal Candidate 

As the successful candidate, you are a strategic and collaborative leader with deep expertise in registrarial operations and academic governance. You bring a proven ability to lead complex portfolios that include recruitment, admissions, records, and financial aid, while serving as a trusted advisor in bicameral governance. Calm under pressure and highly organized, you excel at managing transformation initiatives and fostering a culture of service and accountability. You combine operational discipline with strategic vision, ensuring policies, processes, and systems are modernized to support student success and institutional sustainability. You are energized by Laurentian’s tricultural mandate and future potential and are committed to strengthening its impact in Northern Ontario and beyond. You have a demonstrated commitment to equity, diversity, and inclusion, ensuring policies, governance processes and systems meet the needs of all members of the University community. You are adept at balancing multiple priorities and have a keen understanding of the challenges and opportunities within a higher education sector.  

Qualifications and Experience 

While no single candidate is likely to meet all the criteria in equal measure, the successful candidate will ideally possess: 

• A graduate degree, with a PhD considered an asset. The committee will consider equivalent education and professional experience that meets this standard.  

• Significant leadership experience in registrarial, recruitment, and/or enrolment operations within a post-secondary institution. 

• Demonstrated knowledge of academic governance in Canada and experience supporting governing bodies. 

• Expertise in strategic enrolment management, student information systems such as Colleague, and digital modernization. 

• Experience overseeing and modernizing technology, policies, processes, and data reporting capabilities. 

• Strong project management skills and ability to lead change initiatives in alignment with institutional priorities. 

• Collaborative leadership style demonstrated by previous experience working with diverse partners on complex projects (e.g. IT services, Deans, financial leadership, etc.) 

• Bilingualism (English and French) required; knowledge of Indigenous communities and commitment to decolonization strongly preferred. 

• Exceptional communication, relationship-building, and decision-making skills, with a consultative and transparent approach. 

• Ability to work effectively in a unionized environment and manage diverse teams. 

• Familiarity with government, public sector funding models, and/or higher education-specific regulatory frameworks is a strong asset. 

Attributes and Skills 

• A solutions-oriented, strategic thinker with patience and adaptability. 

• Collaborative leadership style rooted in listening, compassion, accountability, and service. 

• Kindness and a sense of humour, with the ability to project calm and support positive culture. 

• Exceptional analytical, process-building, and planning skills. 

• A persuasive communicator with the ability to translate complex concepts to anyone. 

• Deep integrity, with a commitment to transparency, accountability, and continuous improvement. 

• Ability to establish a workplace culture and where indigeneity, equity, diversity, inclusion and accessibility are prioritized and apply these lenses to operational decisions.  

• Decisive with strong judgment and the ability to manage competing priorities. 

• Deep appreciation for the values of public education and the unique place that Laurentian holds within Northern Ontario communities.  

Why Choose Laurentian? 

Along with a competitive salary, eligible employees receive a comprehensive compensation package which includes: 

• employer-paid health and dental benefits 

• defined benefit pension plan 

• competitive annual paid vacation leave 

• flexible or alternative work schedule, including summer hours and an annual employer-paid winter break 

• professional development opportunities 

• tuition exemption program 

• employee and family assistance program 

• supportive family-related flexibility and leave programs 

• access to a wide array of fitness and recreational amenities 

Salary Range: $160,000 - $180,000. 

The search committee will begin reviewing applications on April 8, 2026. 

If you are interested in this opportunity, contact Kyle Steele at ksteele@kbrs.ca or Abbey MacLeod at amacleod@kbrs.ca or submit your full application package online here. 

Employment Equity at Laurentian 

Laurentian University is an inclusive and welcoming community committed to employment equity. Applications are encouraged from members of equity-seeking communities including women, racialized and Indigenous persons, persons with disabilities, and persons of all sexual orientations and gender identities/expressions. 

Laurentian University is committed to providing an inclusive and barrier-free experience to applicants with accessibility needs. Requests for accommodation can be made at any stage during the recruitment process. Please contact accommodations@kbrs.ca to request accommodation.  

KBRS does not use Artificial Intelligence (AI) to screen or evaluate candidate applications. 

This role is currently vacant at the University. 

All qualified persons are encouraged to apply; however, in accordance with Canadian immigration requirements, Canadian citizens and permanent residents of Canada will be given priority. 

To comply with federal laws, the University is obliged to gather statistical information as to how many applicants for each job vacancy are Canadian citizens / permanent residents of Canada. Applicants need not identify their country of origin or citizenship; however, all applicants must include one of the following statements: “I am a Canadian citizen / permanent resident of Canada”; OR “I am not a Canadian citizen / permanent resident of Canada” in their cover letter. Applications that do not include this information will be deemed incomplete.