Administrative Officer, School of Computer Science

University of Guelph•Guelph, ON

1d•Onsite

About The Position

The School of Computer Science is seeking a collaborative, forward-thinking Administrative Officer to play a key leadership role in a dynamic and growing academic unit. Reporting to the Director, Business Operations, and working in close partnership with the Director of the School, the Administrative Officer provides leadership across human resources, finance and administrative operations. The role oversees the School’s administrative team, supports planning and decision-making, and helps ensure services are delivered effectively and in alignment with University policies, collective agreements, and established procedures. This role is ideal for a strong people leader and operations professional who enjoys building effective teams, improving processes, and contributing to a collaborative academic community.

Requirements

Undergraduate degree in Business Administration, Human Resources, or a closely related field combined with at least four years related work experience, or an equivalent combination of education and experience.
Proven track record of progressive people leadership and staff supervision in a complex organizational environment.
Strong background managing transactional HR workflows (contracts, compensation, leaves) and budget monitoring.
Exceptional problem-solving abilities, excellent communication and interpersonal skills, high emotional intelligence, and the diplomacy required to balance competing priorities under strict confidentiality.
Ability to build strong relationships and work as part of a team.

Nice To Haves

Professional HR designation (CHRP or CHRL).
Experience navigating a unionized environment or broader public sector/higher education setting.
Familiarity with institutional enterprise software and academic governance frameworks.
Experience leading change management or process improvement projects.

Responsibilities

Supervise, coach, and mentor the School’s administrative staff, managing workloads, performance, and professional development.
Oversee recruitment, onboarding, contract administration, and position updates as the School's primary administrator for Gryphons at Work (HRMS).
Act as the go-to operational resource for the School, providing clear, practical guidance on HR policies, contract management, and the day-to-day interpretation of collective agreements.
Coordinate critical processes supporting academic operations including, tenure and promotion, workload documentation, committees and governance activities.
Identify bottlenecks and modernize administrative procedures to enhance service delivery and efficiency.
Oversee School space, facilities, and safety operations in close coordination with the dean’s office and central service units.
Support operational planning and special initiatives while serving as the primary link between the School, College, and central administrative units.
Monitor and forecast the School’s operating budget, analyzing financial trends and risks to support strategic decision-making.
Approve routine expenditures and ensure strict compliance with institutional financial frameworks.
Coordinate administrative and compliance workflows for research and trust accounts, supporting faculty funding success.