Board Relations Manager

he Azrieli Foundation is one of Canadas largest philanthropic foundations supporting initiatives in education science and healthcare research and the arts. Through strategic grants and partnerships we strive to foster innovation and empowerment and drive positive change within these critical sectors in Canada and Israel.

The Board Relations Manager is a strategic and operational leader responsible for strengthening and enabling the foundations governance processes coordination and communication. This role will serve as the primary liaison between the Board of Directors and the foundations executive leadership ensuring Board members are well supported and effectively engaged in the organizations mission and strategic direction. The Manager plays a critical part in embedding best-in-class governance within a growing evolving philanthropic organization undergoing strategic transformation.

Reporting directly to the CEO the Manager will oversee Board and Committee meeting planning communications compliance tracking and cross-functional coordination. The Manager will also manage the governance calendar and digital tools develop refine manage and coordinate Board materials and workflows and support strategic initiatives that enhance Board effectiveness and organizational alignment.

This position is currently structured as a hybrid role with an expectation of three days per week in the Toronto office and two days remote. Please note that this arrangement is subject to change in the future as organizational needs evolve. Additionally limited travel may be required in connection with Board meetings and other Director-focused events such as stewardship tours. Board meeting-related travel is generally expected 12 times per year with potential for 12 additional trips annually depending on emerging needs.

Key Responsibilities:

• Serve as the primary liaison between the Board of Directors and the Foundations executive leadership ensuring seamless communication coordination and alignment with corporate priorities.
• Partner with the CEO to manage the flow of information correspondence and materials between the Board Committees and management ensuring clarity timeliness and accuracy.
• Lead the planning and execution of all Board and Committee meetings including scheduling logistics agenda development briefing materials minutes and post-meeting follow-up.
• Oversee the annual governance calendar ensuring timely preparation review and distribution of materials in accordance with organizational plans and goals.
• Maintain and continuously refine systems tools and workflows that support Board operations and documentation including secure digital platforms and shared drives.
• Ensure Board-related documentation decisions and action items are properly tracked recorded and communicated to relevant internal stakeholders.
• Support the CEO in coordinating strategic and governance-related projects including the development of Board and Committee work plans dashboards and progress tracking against corporate goals.
• Collaborate cross-functionally with other departments to ensure materials presented to the Board reflect the Foundations overall strategy operational context and impact.
• Manage preparation of key documents such as reports presentations and executive communications to and from the Board exercising strong editorial judgment and discretion.
• Identify opportunities to strengthen the effectiveness and efficiency of Board-related processes materials and engagement in collaboration with leadership and peers.
• Support governance-related initiatives and special projects that enhance organizational alignment communication and strategic execution.
• Uphold the highest standards of professionalism discretion and integrity in all interactions with Board members executives and external partners.

Qualifications

• Bachelors degree or an equivalent combination of education and experience. A relevant professional designation (e.g. GPC.D) is considered an asset.
• Minimum of five years of professional experience in one or more of the following areas:
  • C-suite or Board of Directors support
  • Program administration or project management
  • Nonprofit operations or governance
  • Major event planning and coordination
• Experience working in a charitable philanthropic or mission-driven organization of comparable size and complexity.
• Exceptional emotional intelligence and interpersonal skills with proven ability to build trust-based relationships and manage complex stakeholder dynamics (CEO Board members executives and peers).
• Deep understanding of Board governance meeting coordination compliance practices and strategic communication.
• Strong organizational and project management skills with the ability to balance multiple priorities and manage relationships across functions and levels.
• Superior written communication skills and editorial judgment including experience drafting reports memos agendas and high-level correspondence.
• Advanced proficiency in Microsoft 365 (including SharePoint Planner Teams and related tools) with demonstrated success supporting senior leaders in board and meeting preparation and execution.
• Experience with contact management systems (e.g. Salesforce) and Board management platforms considered an asset.
• Demonstrated diplomacy professionalism discretion and sound independent judgment.
• Proven track record of fostering collaboration trust and alignment across executive and functional teams.
• Results-oriented work style with strong strategic analytical planning and problem-solving abilities; comfortable navigating ambiguity in a fast-paced environment.
• Creative and intuitive thinker with the ability to identify broader connections opportunities and implications beyond assigned tasks.
• French fluency and/or bilingualism (French and English) considered assets.
• Commitment to the Azrieli Foundations mission and values.

Living Our Values

Our values are the bedrock of our culture. They shape how we work how we collaborate and how we make decisionsevery single day. Those who succeed at the Azrieli Foundation exemplify the core principles of:

• Integrity & respect
• Taking on big challenges
• Excellence
• Passion for making a difference
• Results-oriented mindset
• Sustainable impact

Inclusivity and Accessibility

Living our values means creating a workplace where everyone feels respected supported and empowered to contribute. Our commitment to equity diversity and inclusion is one way we put those values into practice.

We are committed to creating a diverse and inclusive workplace and value diverse backgrounds abilities and ways of thinking. Diversity and inclusion make our organization strong productive and innovative. Applicants with lived experience who identify as neurodivergent are strongly encouraged to apply.

We are committed to creating inclusive and barrier-free recruitment and selection processes. If you require an accommodation during the application or recruitment process please contact.

About the Foundation

Driven by a strong belief in philanthropys powerful role and responsibility the Azrieli Foundation empowers people by supporting a broad range of organizations facilitating innovative outcomes and increasing knowledge and understanding in the search for practical and novel solutions.

With a firm conviction that everyone has potential we work to open doors break ground and nurture networks empowering the most vulnerable to the most exceptional to achieve their best and contribute to society.

In addition to strategic philanthropic investments the Azrieli Foundation operates several initiatives including the Azrieli Fellows Program the Canadian Centre for Caregiving Excellence the Holocaust Survivor Memoirs Program the Azrieli Music Arts and Culture Centre and others.

Required Experience:

Senior Manager