Community Members – Board of Governors

Columbia College has continuously operated since 1936, which means that, in 2026, the College will celebrate its 90th birthday! As a secular, non-profit, Liberal Arts & Sciences college, Columbia College is unique in Canada and boasts a global reputation for offering high-quality educational programs and services. Its programs include a University Transfer Program fully integrated into the BC Transfer System, Associate Degree Programs offered with consent from the Ministry of Post-Secondary Education and Future Skills, and a High School Program certified by the Ministry of Education and Child Care. Thousands of Canadian and international students have progressed through the College's programs to Canadian universities and successful careers.

At the moment, Columbia is undergoing an exciting transition. As announced on the website earlier this year, the College began the process of amalgamating with another BC-based post-secondary institution, and once the required government approvals are received, the two institutions will merge to form a newly named University, which, like Columbia College, will be a unique institution in Canada! At the same time, as an institution that has served a primarily international student population, the College is responding to the nation wide decline in international students.

The College is governed by a Board of Governors composed of elected employees and volunteer community members, as it will be the future university. The College is seeking applications from members of the greater Vancouver community to volunteer as Governors on its Board. The Board of Governors is responsible for strategic planning, financial sustainability, and oversight of the College's educational programming, operations and resources. The role of Governor offers significant opportunities to work alongside College managers and stakeholders to contribute to the future success of the College and the students and communities it serves. Persons selected as Columbia College governors will automatically be offered governor positions at the University once the amalgamation is finalized.

The ideal Governor candidate has experience in strategic planning, regulatory compliance, board governance, and/or educational or non-profit management. The Governor must reside in British Columbia, preferably but not necessarily in the Greater Vancouver area. Most Board meetings are held virtually. Travel to the College may be required and paid for once or twice per year.

Desired Experience

• Experience serving in a senior management or governor/trustee capacity at a socially-responsible business, charitable organization, or educational institution.
• Experience with financial, legal and regulatory compliance in the not-for-profit or charitable sector or a business incorporating social responsibility.
• Experience with organizational change and/or start-ups.
• Experience managing and evaluating organizational and/or professional performance.
• Experience in community, government, or corporate relations and/or marketing.
• Experience with partnerships, mergers, and/or acquisitions.
• Experience with budgeting, investment, and/or risk management and reviewing financial statements and forecasts.
• Experience developing and/or evaluating strategic plans.

Desired Skills & Abilities

• Graduate of a post-secondary education program, preferably at the Bachelor’s or graduate degree level;
• Demonstrated integrity, accountability and commitment to quality assurance and high performance standards;
• Ability to act with good faith and care, loyal to the institution, and compliant with its mission and the law;
• Ability to engage with a variety of stakeholders and see problems and situations from multiple perspectives;
• Connections to local or community networks (education, corporate, non-profits, charities, or otherwise);
• Ability to empathize with domestic and international students and their families;
• Negotiation/mediation skills and the ability to prevent and defuse conflict;
• Ability to express views in a collegial manner and provide constructive feedback;
• Willingness to explore and analyze alternatives, collaboratively solve problems, and make evidence-based decisions;
• Willingness and ability to express and demonstrate alignment with Board decisions even if you disagree with them and/or voted against them;
• Ability to commit the time required;
• No actual or perceived conflicts of interest.

Responsibilities

• Act in an advisory capacity and provide input into the strategic direction of the College and its educational and charitable programming;
• Provide support, guidance and leadership to the College Principal and executive team;
• Provide fiduciary oversight of the College's assets, affairs, programs, and institutional performance;
• Make carefully-considered, good-faith decisions in the best interest of the College that are consistent with its mission, vision and values, compliant with applicable laws and the College’s governing legislation and bylaws, and independent of undue influence from any party or interest.
• Prepare for and attend monthly Board meetings
• Governors may be asked to serve on Board committees where their skills and experience would allow them to make significant and positive contributions. Governors may also have an opportunity to serve on working groups established for specific projects.

Notes

• If you are a former Columbia College employee or student, you are welcome to apply to be an external Governor if you severed your relationship with the College at least 24 months ago (i.e., before July 2024).
• Columbia College gathers, works, and studies on the unceded territories of the Coast Salish Peoples, including the Musqueam, Squamish, Stó:lō, and Tsleil-Waututh Nations. We also acknowledge all non-status peoples and members of other tribes who live in Vancouver. The College is committed to the principles of equity, diversity and inclusion and encourages applications from Indigenous Peoples and members of underrepresented groups.
• These positions will start in August 2026 or as soon as possible thereafter.

APPLICATION:

If you would like the opportunity to contribute to the success of one of Canada’s most unique postsecondary institutions, please submit a cover letter and resume (consolidated into one PDF or Word document and saved under first and last name) to hr@columbiacollege.ca

Application Deadline: July 31, 2026

We thank all applicants for their interest in the positions. Please note that only those selected for interviews will be contacted.