Governance Specialist

About Us

Our vision at Diabetes Canada is a world free from the effects of diabetes. That’s why we work together to improve the lives of those living with diabetes – sharing knowledge and resources, supporting health-care professionals to improve patient care, advocating for change through policy, and funding research to advance treatments and discover a cure.

Living with diabetes is a complex and often relentless journey, testing the resilience of every individual affected. Diabetes Canada is here to help—providing tools, resources, and support to make that journey easier.

Join us in leading with strength and compassion - so no one faces diabetes alone.

About the Role
We are seeking a Governance Specialist to serve as a trusted advisor to senior leadership team (SLT) and the Board of Directors for both Diabetes Canada (DC) and its sister organization, National Diabetes Trust (NDT).

Diabetes Canada is a national health charity focused on creating a world free of the effects of diabetes, and NDT is its affiliated social enterprise. This role reports to the President & CEO of Diabetes Canada and will support the President & CEO of National Diabetes Trust.

The Governance Specialist will support both organizations; this role will assist with the following duties:

Ensures the seamless operation of the Boards and their Committees
Acts as the custodian of the corporate bylaws and maintains corporate records
Develops and manages a governance policy framework and inventory
Facilitates the development of Board and Committee materials
Oversees legal and regulatory compliance
Supports an effective enterprise risk management approach

Location: Our National Office is located at 1000–170 University Avenue, Toronto, Ontario. We offer a flexible work arrangements, allowing employees to work remotely with the expectation of being in office as required by their manager or the organization. We are open to applicants from across Canada.

Compensation: The hiring salary range for this role is $76,000–$90,000 annually, commensurate with experience and alignment with the requirements of the position.

What You’ll Do
Board & Committee Support

Organize, schedule, and prepare agendas and briefing materials for Board of Directors and committee meetings, liaising with the Committee senior staff partner and Committee Chair, and the CEO and the Board Chair as appropriate
Develop and maintain an effective and up-to-date Board portal, and ensure DC Directors’ information is up to date on DC’s public website
Support any time-limited Board committees that may be established by preparing resources, minutes, and draft reports
Draft and maintain accurate corporate records, resolutions, and meeting minutes
Coordinate Annual General Meetings (AGMs)
Assist in the recruitment, orientation, and ongoing training of Directors
Support the execution of the annual Board Education & Development Plan for Directors
Coordinate in-person Board and Committee meetings

5 Committees for DC
2 Committees for NDT

Stay current on governance best practices and incorporate them, as appropriate

Governance & Policy Framework

Review, update, and implement organizational bylaws and governance policies
Ensure policies (e.g., Conflict of Interest, Code of Conduct, Confidentiality) meet current legislative and other requirements
Administer Board self-evaluation tools and develop the annual board work plans
Coordinate regular reviews of policies and governance tools, and ensure they are accessible on the Board portal

Compliance & Risk Management

Monitor and ensure adherence to statutory requirements for DC, NDT, and Diabetes Ontario, such as those dictated by the Canada Not-for-Profit Corporations Act and Canada Revenue Agency (CRA) guidelines for registered charities
Track filing deadlines, regulatory reporting, and funding agreement obligations
Support the Board and Senior Leadership Team (SLT) in identifying and mitigating organizational risks (e.g., legal, reputational, governance)
Track whistleblower complaints for DC and NDT, and prepare a quarterly committee report
Retain and organize significant documents and records for both organizations
Manage document execution and seals

Stakeholder Engagement

Act as the primary point of contact for Directors, handling frequent communications and inquiries
Liaise with internal and external stakeholders to advance each organization's mission and ensure transparent accountability, as appropriate and required

Annual Budget

Work with the President & CEOs to develop and monitor annual budget related to Board & Committee activities

Note: This role is not limited to the responsibilities listed above and may include other duties as required to support effective governance at DC and NDT.

What You Bring:

3–5 years of progressive experience in corporate governance, board administration, or non-profit management
University or College degree in Business Administration, Public Administration, Law, or a related field.
A designation such as the Chartered Secretary (ICSA) or Governance Professionals of Canada (GPC.D) is highly desirable
Ability to solve problems, take initiative when appropriate, and respond effectively to requests
Ability to determine task priorities and organize workflow accordingly
Demonstrated project management skills
Excellent organizational skills and the ability to maintain confidentiality and meet deadlines
Excellent verbal and written skills, including accuracy and ability to prepare accurate reports and correspondence for signature by the Board, CEO and SLT
Team player but able to work independently
Exceptional computer skills including proficiency in Microsoft Word, Excel, and PowerPoint
Commitment to fostering a positive, inclusive, and collaborative work environment.
Demonstrates an understanding of and commitment to Diabetes Canada’s mission, vision, and core values.

Why Join Us?
At Diabetes Canada, you’ll play a meaningful role in making a difference every day for people living with or at risk of diabetes. We’re a national organization with an entrepreneurial spirit, where your contributions are valued, recognized, and rewarded.

What We Offer:

Impactful Work Environment: Be part of a high-performing, collaborative team committed to building a healthy, engaged, and mission-driven workplace culture.
Flexibility: Enjoy the benefits of a flexible work agreement that supports remote and hybrid schedules, helping you maintain work–life balance within a 35‑hour work week.
Comprehensive Benefits: Receive competitive compensation plus a group benefits package, including health and dental coverage, life insurance, disability coverage, Employee and Family Assistance Program (EFAP), and company-matched Pension/RRSP. Also access to a $350/year healthcare spending account.
Day-One Coverage: Most group benefits including health, dental, life insurance, and EFAP, start on your first day.
Wellness Support: Access to a mental wellness app with guided meditations and self-paced learning to support your overall well‑being.
Enhanced Time Off: Enjoy additional paid holidays beyond provincial statutory holidays, as well as a paid office closure at the end of each year.
Employee Engagement & Recognition: Be part of a culture that celebrates contributions at all levels through our rewards and recognition platform (WorkTango), enabling peer-to-peer, team, and manager-to-employee appreciation.
Inclusive Culture: Join an organization that celebrates diversity and fosters an inclusive environment where everyone has equal opportunities to thrive.

Our Core Values:
ACE-IT: Agility, Collaboration, Excellence, Integrity, Taking Initiative
These values guide how we work together, support our communities, and advance our mission every day.
About the Application Process
If you are viewing this posting on Diabetes Canada’s careers site, simply click the “Apply” button at the top-left of the page. You will be prompted to complete a short questionnaire and upload your résumé and cover letter. If you are not currently on our careers site, please visit: https://www.diabetes.ca/careersSelect “View Job Openings” to find this posting and submit your application.
If you experience any issues with the application process, please contact us at: dchr@diabetes.ca

Additional Information

You must be legally eligible to work in Canada. Where applicable, you must hold a valid work permit or study permit that allows you to fulfill the requirements of this role.
Diabetes Canada welcomes applications from all qualified individuals, including people of all genders, Indigenous Peoples, persons with disabilities, and members of visible minorities. We value a workforce that reflects the diversity of the communities we serve.
We are committed to providing accommodations during the recruitment process. If you require any support or adjustments, please let us know.
We thank all applicants for their interest; however, only those selected for an interview will be contacted.
Please note that this posting is to fill an existing vacancy at Diabetes Canada.