Policy Associate

Job Description

Job Description

Job Description

Who we are

At Yorkville University and Toronto Film School, we believe education is more than the pursuit of knowledge – it is a catalyst for transformation. Our mission, grounded in democratizing education, is to create access for learners from every background and empower them to achieve their aspirations and advance their careers.

We are committed to delivering rigorous, flexible programs that are both personally fulfilling and professionally rewarding, while contributing to the betterment of society. Since 2004, Yorkville has been among Canada’s few private, for-profit, fully accredited degree-granting universities, with campuses in Ontario, British Columbia, and New Brunswick. Together with Toronto Film School, we offer creative and academic pathways at both the college and university levels, cultivating a multidisciplinary environment where innovation and the arts converge.

Our community is vibrant and diverse. Many of our learners are adults balancing education with careers and personal commitments. Every member of our team – whether in teaching, operations, or technology – is dedicated to removing barriers and expanding access. Together, we deliver flexible, industry-informed learning that leads to meaningful opportunities. 

At our core is human connection – guiding people to reimagine their futures in a community defined by opportunity, creativity, and growth.

Who we need

Reporting to the Director, Academic Governance, Policies, and Compliance, we are hiring a Policy Associate. As our new Policy Associate, you will play a central role in ensuring that policy development is collaborative, well-documented, and responsive to institutional and regulatory needs. You will lead the consultation lifecycle for institutional policies, support the drafting, editing, and finalization of policy documentation, act as a liaison between policy authors and governance bodies, and support the planning, execution, and follow-up of governance meetings.

You will also support academic calendar development and maintenance, working across academic and administrative teams to coordinate updates, approvals, and publication timelines. You will be responsible for managing stakeholder engagement, policy consultation, and coordinating governance processes across Yorkville University’s three campuses, while maintaining accurate governance records and policy documentation.

This is an existing vacancy and a hybrid role, working 3 days a week in our downtown Toronto office.

What’s in it for you

Ownership. You will work proactively and autonomously, ensuring transparent and timely communication with stakeholders, taking and incorporating feedback, and working collaboratively to advance policy initiatives. You will take ownership of the consultation process, policy documentation, academic calendar updates, and associated governance records, supporting materials from development through approval and publication.

Influence. You want to make an impact at a progressive, private university by supporting the research, development, implementation, and maintenance of academic, administrative, and corporate policies and calendars. This is a highly visible role, working at the heart of academic decision-making and collaborating with VPs, faculty, Legal, and HR to prepare policy, calendar, and motion packages for Academic Council and Provincial Senates. You will contribute to an environment that champions student success and fosters a culture where all team members can grow and thrive.

Career development. We are disrupting traditional post-secondary learning. Yorkville University and Toronto Film School are forward-thinking institutions. You want to take your skills to the next level and significantly expand your knowledge of academic policies. You will be supported in your growth and mentored by your manager. This high-visibility role works closely with leadership to implement academic, administrative, and corporate policies that shape how we act, make decisions, and grow. Whether your goal is to move up within this department or into another area of Administration, this is an exciting time to join us.

As our new Policy Associate, you will:

• Coordinate. You will oversee the full consultation process for academic and administrative policies, ensuring timely engagement with stakeholders across academic, administrative, HR, legal, and student-facing teams. 
• Support academic calendars. You will assist with the development, revision, approval, and publication of academic calendars and related addenda, coordinating inputs from academic leadership and administrative units and ensuring alignment with institutional policies, governance approvals, and regulatory requirements.
• Report. You will track, manage, and report on consultation progress using collaborative platforms (e.g., Smartsheet, Teams), identifying gaps, following up on outstanding items, and supporting alignment with governance and calendar timelines.  
• Partner. You will work with the Director to prepare policy motions, edit and finalize policy, procedure, and calendar documentation, and assemble complete, approval-ready packages aligned with institutional governance and compliance cycles. You will serve as a key point of contact for policy- and calendar-related questions, providing guidance on status, applicability, and governance process, and escalating complex inquiries as appropriate.
• Support governance meetings. You will support the planning and execution of governance meetings, including preparing agendas, motions, briefing materials, and supporting documentation for Academic Council, Provincial Academic Senates, and other governance bodies. You will attend governance meetings as required and support the documentation of decisions, votes, and follow-up actions.
• Manage communications and records. You will assist in the internal communication of policy and academic calendar updates, ensuring timely and accessible dissemination through appropriate university channels. You will maintain accurate records of policy and calendar revisions, approvals, version histories, voting outcomes, and governance decisions. You will manage and maintain an organized and up-to-date repository of academic policies, calendars, procedures, governance records, and related documentation.
• Collaborate. You will work closely with academic leaders, including the Provost and campus VPs, to support academic governance, including organizing agendas and materials for Provincial Academic Senates. You will collaborate with academic leadership to identify pain points and support the implementation of new tools and templates.

You have:

• The experience. You bring experience managing complex, multi-step processes involving cross-functional teams and cyclical deadlines. You are comfortable coordinating consultations, editing and organizing detailed documentation, supporting academic calendar updates, and tracking deliverables across overlapping timelines. You are curious about academic policy development, governance structures, and the regulatory environments that shape post-secondary education. You are confident using collaborative platforms such as Smartsheet, Microsoft Teams, and other project management tools to organize work, document decisions, and maintain transparency.
• The initiative. You thrive in environments that require accuracy, responsiveness, and adaptability. You take ownership of your responsibilities, manage multiple priorities simultaneously, and maintain momentum across periods of increased volume aligned with governance and academic calendar cycles. You bring strong organizational and time management skills and are comfortable working across several policy and governance files at once.
• The interpersonal skills. You are a strong communicator who can distill complex language into accessible updates for a wide range of audiences. You have a proven ability to collaborate effectively with a wide variety of internal groups. You are open to feedback and adept at navigating competing viewpoints in a respectful and collaborative way. You bring an equity-informed lens to engagement, and you contribute to a culture of professionalism, responsiveness, and continuous improvement.

Why work at Yorkville University?

At Yorkville University and Toronto Film School, we are united by a shared purpose: placing the student experience at the heart of everything we do. Whether you are teaching, designing curriculum, advising students, advancing technology, or supporting operations, your work directly fuels learning potential, strengthens inclusive communities, and fosters purposeful curiosity.

Here, professional growth is part of our culture. In your role, you will have opportunities to help the launch of career-relevant programs, expand your expertise, and access tuition-free courses across our institutions - from certificates to master’s degrees. Curiosity, initiative, and innovation are encouraged, and your ideas can move from vision to reality.

Our scale offers the best of both worlds: the reach and stability of a national institution combined with the agility of a mid-sized organization, where contributions are visible and valued. You will be part of a diverse and inclusive community where authenticity is celebrated, collaboration is expected, and impact is shared - on students, colleagues, and your own professional journey.

At Yorkville and Toronto Film School, your work does more than make a difference. It empowers others to achieve their potential, while giving you the opportunity to realize yours.

Compensation philosophy

At Yorkville University and Toronto Film School, we believe compensation should be fair, straightforward, and supportive of your growth. Our salary ranges reflect progression from learning in the role to excelling, with each offer based on skills, experience, and role complexity.

This position offers a minimum annual salary of $70,000, a midpoint of $75,000, and a maximum of $80,000. Established hires typically start near the midpoint, while the upper range is reserved for those with deep expertise and sustained contributions. Offers below the midpoint recognize strong potential with room to grow.

We strive for equitable, consistent pay, though rates may vary within the same role based on performance, specialized knowledge, and impact.

We welcome conversations about compensation throughout the hiring process.

Join us

We welcome and appreciate candidates with a range of backgrounds and experiences. If you have 70% of the qualifications we seek, express your interest. 

What you can expect from our hiring process:

• A virtual interview with a Talent Advisor discussing your interest in the role and the company. The conversation will be recorded using BrightHire, an AI-powered video interview tool. More details will be shared when you are invited to interview.
• An interview with the Director, Academic Governance, Policies, and Compliance to review your technical qualifications. 
• An interview with the Senior Compliance Specialist and the Director of National Regulatory Affairs to share your experience and approach to collaboration and gain an understanding of how the team works.
• A final interview with the Senior Vice President, Governance, Regulatory, and Government Affairs and the Hiring Manager.

Diversity, equity and inclusion are a critical component of life at Yorkville University and Toronto Film School, and we are committed to making these values an integral part of our culture. We encourage applications from all qualified applicants, including women, persons with disabilities, Black, Indigenous and People of Colour (BIPOC), people from the Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender, Transsexual, Queer, Questioning, Two-Spirit, Intersex, Asexual + (LGBTQ2SIA+) community and other equity-seeking groups.

Yorkville University is committed to providing accessible employment practices that are in compliance with the Accessibility for Ontarians with Disabilities Act ('AODA'). If you require accommodation for disability, please notify Human Resources at 1-877-429-4029.

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