Board Member

About Us
Student Housing Nova Scotia is a non-profit organization that develops, provides, and advocates for housing that meets the needs of post-secondary students across Nova Scotia. We also lead and support research, programs, and initiatives which address the housing needs of students.

The Halifax Student Housing Society was initially established in 1965 to provide housing that met the needs of under-represented university students in our community. In the years since, we have provided thousands of students with a place to call home, saving them millions of dollars in rent, while offering a supportive environment to live, learn, and grow.

What’s Next
In 2024, we announced our evolution from the Halifax Student Housing Society to Student Housing Nova Scotia with a renewed province-wide mandate and a vision for the future of student housing in our province. This broader provincial focus reflects our commitment to providing high quality, safe, and affordable housing to students across Nova Scotia.

Our 2024-2027 strategic plan focuses on building capacity and achieving sustainable growth. These priorities align with our core mission to create affordable and suitable housing for students that meets their needs, setting the stage for Student Housing Nova Scotia to become a leader in non-profit and student-focused housing. We are seeking  new Board members to be a part of this exciting next chapter as we continue to grow our portfolio, reach, and impact.

The Opportunity
This is an opportunity to contribute to an organization making a meaningful difference in the lives of students, during a pivotal period in its history. Board members gain valuable experience in governance, strategic planning, and non-profit leadership, while developing skills and expanding your network. Our Board supports and advances our strategic plan and priorities by doing the following:

• Provide guidance, direction, and oversight to the organization and Executive Director.
• Actively participate in regular board meetings and committee work.
• Help shape policies and initiatives that align with our mission and objectives.
• Offer your insight, ideas, expertise, and knowledge to help grow our organization.
• Be passionate about Student Housing Nova Scotia’s mission, and act as a champion for the organization within the community.

We are committed to fostering an inclusive culture that reflects the diversity of our community, and fostering  a strong board culture which includes:

• A healthy and respectful partnership between the Board and Executive Director.
• Trust, sincerity, and candour between Board members.
• A willingness to openly engage in discussion and respect differences of opinion.
• Respect and acknowledgement of diverse perspectives and lived experiences.
• Thoughtful and productive resolution of issues or disagreements.

Desired Skills and Perspectives
Our Board recognizes the importance of having a diversity of backgrounds. While we welcome expressions of interest from all members of the community, we are particularly interested in individuals with experience in the following areas:

• Planning and development.
• Real estate development, multi-unit residential construction, or property management.
• Higher education leadership and administration.
• Student and youth-serving organizations.
• Non-profit or community housing.

Additionally, any of the following would also be considered an asset:

• Experience in a senior leadership or management role.
• Legal or policy expertise.
• Board governance experience.
• Accounting and financial planning.
• Fundraising or fund development experience.
• Strategic human resource management expertise.

Term & Commitment
Members of our Board are expected to:

• Commit to an initial 2-year term, with opportunities to renew for an additional term. The term is expected to begin in Spring 2025.
• Regularly attend and participate in Board and committee meetings. Our Board meets 6-8 times per year for approximately 2 hours. Directors are also expected to attend a full-day strategic planning retreat once per year.
• Commit 4-5 hours per month on board/committee meetings and preparation. From time-to-time, Directors may also be invited to attend other meetings or events with community, industry and/or government partners and collaborators.

Application & Appointment Process
We are guided by the belief that systemic barriers to housing, education, and opportunity demand purposeful action and collective responsibility. We are committed to fostering and supporting equity, diversity and inclusion throughout the organization. This includes a commitment to board membership that reflects a broad range of qualifications, skills, experiences, perspectives, identities, and stories. We welcome applications from skilled candidates who reflect the diversity of our society and the communities we serve.

We invite all interested candidates to complete our Expression of Interest form. Expressions of interest are accepted from interested candidates on an ongoing basis. The deadline to be considered for appointment in the upcoming cycle is February 23, 2025. We expect that all candidates will be contacted in early March, and that appointments will take effect in Spring 2025. If you have any questions, please contact our Executive Director at [email protected].