Assistant Director, Operations and Finance

University of Toronto•Toronto, ON

1d•Onsite

About The Position

The University of Toronto Scarborough is a dynamic campus with a strong commitment to co-operative education and work-integrated learning (WIL) spanning over 50 years. The Department of Arts and Science Co-op prepares over 4,500 undergraduate students annually for paid co-op work term opportunities and engages industry partners to provide these terms. The department emphasizes equity, diversity, and inclusion, working collaboratively with academic departments, support services, and external partners to support student aspirations. This role reports to the Director, Arts & Science Co-op and is responsible for leading the department’s operational, financial, and administrative functions. The Assistant Director plays a key role in advancing strategic priorities, overseeing day-to-day operations, financial stewardship (budgeting, forecasting, revenue administration, co-op fee oversight), human resources management, and space and facilities planning. The position ensures compliance with university policies, collective agreements, and legislative requirements, leading four key functional areas: operations, financial management, business intelligence, and student records/co-op recruitment cycle operations. The role involves close collaboration with the Director on financial administration, fee proposals, revenue monitoring, and reconciliation. It also provides strategic oversight of business intelligence for data-driven decision-making and performance measurement, and comprehensive oversight of student records and the co-op job recruitment cycle. In operations, the Assistant Director ensures effective coordination of daily activities, operational continuity, service quality, and responsiveness, including oversight of space and facilities planning, resource allocation, and risk management. The position holds managerial authority for administrative staff, focusing on recruitment, performance management, and professional development, while fostering a positive departmental culture. The Assistant Director provides expert advice on complex financial and operational matters, prepares reports, supports new initiatives, and proactively resolves challenges, aligning departmental operations with the Arts & Science Co-op mission and strategic goals.

Requirements

Graduate degree in a relevant area or an acceptable equivalent combination of education and experience.
Minimum of 6-7 years of related and progressive management experience.
Demonstrated experience in operational management, data management, and financial management within a post-secondary environment.
Demonstrated understanding and knowledge of co-op education in a post-secondary environment.
Experience building and/or scaling up complex programs that required working with multiple constituent groups.
Experience leading strategic planning initiatives and developing and implementing business plans and/or processes to increase efficiency and optimization of resources.
Proven experience leading and managing unionized staff with complex Human Resource issues including performance management within a unionized setting.
Demonstrated knowledge of human resources policies and procedures and collective agreement interpretation.
Experience in data management to support decision analysis, program assessment, evaluation of service delivery and reporting of results.
Demonstrated expertise in financial management, including budget modelling and forecasting.
Experience working with and interpreting policies and procedures pertaining to budget, finance, and academic administration.
Demonstrated experience in liaising with senior administrators, responding to and handling matters of a complex and sensitive nature.
Knowledge of labour, employment standards, health and safety, and sound management practice.
Strong business and finance acumen with the ability to research and analyze data to effectively identify trends and opportunities and mitigate risks.
Strong computer skills with high level proficiency in Microsoft Office.
Proven leadership and change management skills.
Excellent interpersonal, communication, and organizational skills.
Strong team-building skills.
Excellent analytical skills and an ability to solve problems creatively.
Applicants are expected to show evidence of a commitment to equity, diversity, inclusion, and the promotion of a respectful and collegial learning and working environment.
Strong relationship building skills with the ability to effectively represent and advance the interests of the department.
Service oriented with demonstrated listening and critical thinking skills and strong decision-making skills.
A high level of professionalism, independence, judgement, and the ability to maintain the highest level of confidentiality.
Ability to make sound decisions under pressure and in response to changing priorities.
Collaborative and consultative management style with the ability to work effectively with internal and external stakeholders.
Proven ability to set priorities and work schedules to meet departmental needs and deadlines.
Ability to create, and to collaborate and participate effectively within a team environment.
Ability to work effectively in an interdisciplinary environment and to keep up-to-date on the rapid changes in the University environment.
Must be a fluent writer, able to concisely summarize information and provide a rationale for action.

Nice To Haves

A professional accounting designation (CPA, CA/CGA/CMA) is considered a strong asset.
Experience with the University’s budget model, academic and financial policies, procedures, guidelines, systems, and structure is highly desirable.
Expertise in Power BI preferred.

Responsibilities

Provides leadership for the department’s operational, financial, and administrative functions.
Plays a key role in advancing strategic priorities and objectives.
Oversees day-to-day departmental operations.
Manages financial stewardship, including budgeting, forecasting, revenue administration, and co-op fee oversight.
Oversees human resources management.
Manages space and facilities planning.
Ensures compliance with university policies, collective agreements, and legislative requirements.
Leads four key functional areas: operations, financial management, business intelligence, and student records and co-op job recruitment cycle operations.
Provides comprehensive oversight of the department’s financial administration, including budgeting, forecasting, revenue management, internal controls, and co-op fees.
Ensures compliance with institutional policy.
Leads the development and recommendation of fee proposals.
Monitors, reconciles, and analyzes revenues to ensure accuracy, accountability, and alignment with approved budgets and forecasts.
Provides strategic oversight of business intelligence functions, ensuring effective collection, analysis, and reporting of data.
Provides comprehensive oversight of student records administration and the end-to-end co-op job recruitment cycle.
Ensures accuracy, integrity, timeliness, and policy compliance in student records and recruitment cycles.
Supports seamless academic and employment experience for students and employer partners.
Responsible for the effective coordination and delivery of day-to-day departmental activities.
Ensures operational continuity, service quality, and responsiveness to changing demands.
Oversees space and facilities planning, resource allocation, and operational risk management.
Maintains efficient, compliant, and well-integrated operations.
Holds full managerial authority for administrative staff, including recruitment, performance management, and professional development.
Fosters a positive departmental culture grounded in collaboration, accountability, and inclusive service excellence.
Provides expert advice on complex financial and operational matters.
Prepares briefing materials and reports.
Supports the development of new initiatives and budgets.
Proactively identifies and resolves emerging challenges.
Plays a critical leadership role in aligning departmental operations with the Arts & Science Co-op mission, vision, and long-term strategic goals.