Board Recruitment

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. 

We were initially established in 1965 as the Halifax Student Housing Society 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.

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. 

The Role

 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.

Please note that Board members serve on a volunteer basis. While we are not able to offer compensation, eligible travel expenses will be reimbursed in accordance with our policies.

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.
  • Knowledge of accounting and financial planning.
  • Fundraising or fund development experience.
  • Strategic human resource management expertise.

Term and Commitment

Members of our Board are expected to:

  • Commit to an initial 2-year or 3-year term, with opportunities to renew for an additional term. 
  • Regularly attend and participate in Board and committee meetings. Our Board typically meets 4-6 times per year for approximately 2 hours. Directors are also expected to attend a full-day strategic planning retreat once per year. 
  • Commit up to 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.

Term and 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 by clicking the button below. 

We accept expressions of interest at any time from individuals who are passionate about our mission to improving student housing in Nova Scotia. The deadline for public applications to be considered for our current cycle is March 2, 2025. Applications submitted after this date may still be considered for future opportunities.

As part of our recruitment process, we also connect with individuals on an ongoing basis whose skills and experience align with our strategic needs. If you have any questions, please use our contact form.

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.

While we are not currently recruiting new directors, we accept expressions of interest at any time from individuals who are passionate about our mission to improving student housing in Nova Scotia. As part of our recruitment process, we also connect with individuals on an ongoing basis whose skills and experience align with our strategic needs. 

If you have any questions, or are interested in future board opportunities, please use our contact form.

Click here to apply

LAND ACKNOWLEDGEMENT

We work and live in Mi’kma’ki, the ancestral and unceded territory of the Mi’kmaq People. This territory is covered by the “Treaties of Peace and Friendship” which Mi’kmaq Wəlastəkwiyik (Maliseet), and Passamaquoddy Peoples first signed with the British Crown in 1726.

The treaties did not deal with the surrender of lands and resources but in fact, recognized Mi’kmaq and Wəlastəkwiyik (Maliseet) title and established the rules for what was to be an ongoing relationship between nations.

Student Housing Nova Scotia acknowledges the Peace & Friendship Treaties signed in this Territory and recognizes that we are all Treaty People.

We also acknowledge that people of African descent have been in Nova Scotia for over 400 years, and we honour and offer gratitude to those ancestors of African descent who came before us to this land.