Director, Operations and Strategy

University of Toronto•Toronto, ON

1d•CA$145,219 - CA$242,032•Onsite

About The Position

Reporting to the Vice-President, Legal, Risk & Safety and Chief Legal Officer (VP, LRS and CLO), the Director, Operations and Strategy serves as a key member of the VP LRS Executive Team, providing leadership, strategic direction and sound management of administrative operations and business administration within the VP LRS portfolio. The Director, Operations and Strategy provides executive support and strategic advice to the VP, LRS and CLO and is responsible for facilitating, coordinating, and implementing divisional priorities and directions established by the Vice-President. The Director, Operations and Strategy provides administrative leadership and oversees the efficient functioning of the Division’s Finance, Operations, Information Technology, and Space Management operations. The incumbent ensures that effective plans, performance benchmarks, and policies are established and maintained to support the mission and strategic objectives of the Division. The incumbent fosters collaboration across portfolios within the Division and ensures that all operations within the Vice-President, Legal, Risk & Safety (VP, LRS) portfolio are managed in a proactive, professional, collegial, and informed manner. The incumbent plays a central role in supporting the development, implementation, and advancement of institutional initiatives and strategic projects. This includes leading the development of short- and long-term strategic plans, multi-year financial plans, and operational priorities that support the Division's objectives. The Director also leads the Division's annual budgeting process, provides strategic financial and operational advice across the portfolio, and ensures that administrative policies, practices, and procedures comply with applicable University and government requirements. In addition, the incumbent provides oversight of the Division's information systems, acts as a key liaison with internal and external stakeholders on matters of significance, and provides advice, information, and leadership to support the effective and efficient operation of the VP, LRS portfolio. Space management for the portfolio is also a key accountability of the role. The Director, Operations and Strategy is responsible for the effective leadership and management of the Operations team and the overall administration of the Office of the Vice-President, Legal, Risk & Safety. The incumbent has full managerial authority over the staff in the work units that report directly into the position. The incumbent is a valuable member of the VP, LRS Executive Team, contributing strategic advice, operational leadership, and informed decision-making in support of the Division's priorities and objectives.

Requirements

University degree required
A minimum of seven to ten years in a senior administrative, senior financial accounting or operations role managing a complex organization, preferably in a University environment
Demonstrated effectiveness of people leadership
Advanced level of understanding of the senior administration, and the development and application of University policies and procedures
Demonstrated experience in financial management, human resource management, facilities management, and process and systems improvement
Demonstrated effectiveness in managing and mentoring a variety of staff and teams
Experience with effective management in a unionized environment
Experience in strategic planning, change management and policy development and implementation
Demonstrated knowledge of and experience in business process
Experience in preparing financial statements for capital and other projects of fund accounting
Experience in examining and examining and analyzing financial records to ensure accuracy and compliance with established accounting standards and procedures
Experience working with internal and external auditors
Demonstrated technical abilities in select areas (audit, accounting, regulatory, compliance, etc.)
Extensive experience with the University and knowledge of university policies and procedures and an understanding of the university’s organizational structure, including its governance
Knowledge about media, protocol, diplomacy and an excellent understanding of the University’s mission and intersection with the broader community
Successful record of advancing equity, diversity, and inclusion mandate within a complex organization
Superior analytical, interpersonal, time management, research, and communications skills
Outstanding oral and written communication, interpersonal, analytical and presentation skills
High level of initiative, tact and diplomacy, intelligence, politically astute and capable
Demonstrated ability to foster collaboration and collegial relationships, with an appreciation for the challenges and opportunities of working within a large, decentralized institution
Reputation for integrity, openness, decisiveness, and sound judgment
Ability to work in a fast-paced environment driven by competing tasks and deadlines
Ability to be productive working both independently and as a part of a team
Must be able to effectively work with new and changing situations in a highly dynamic environment where there may not always be a readily apparent solution

Nice To Haves

CPA preferred, or equivalent senior experience in operations, administration, strategy, finance and/or institutional leadership or acceptable equivalent combination of education and experience
Previous experience in an issues management role a definite asset
Ability to work at the highest strategic levels, to gain and maintain the respect of senior administration and also to take strategy and move it through to tactics and action

Responsibilities

Overseeing the day-to-day operations of the Office of the Vice-President, Legal, Risk & Safety
Leading a team of administrative professionals
Coordinating the preparation of governance materials for submission on behalf of the Vice-President
Overseeing the development of briefing materials, speaking notes, reports, presentations, and correspondence
Providing strategic advice and issue briefing support to the Vice-President, Legal, Risk & Safety and Chief Legal Officer
Supporting the development, implementation, and advancement of institutional initiatives and strategic projects
Leading the development of short- and long-term strategic plans, multi-year financial plans, and operational priorities
Leading the Division's annual budgeting process
Providing strategic financial and operational advice across the portfolio
Ensuring that administrative policies, practices, and procedures comply with applicable University and government requirements
Providing oversight of the Division's information systems
Acting as a key liaison with internal and external stakeholders on matters of significance
Providing advice, information, and leadership to support the effective and efficient operation of the VP, LRS portfolio
Managing space for the portfolio
Effective leadership and management of the Operations team
Overall administration of the Office of the Vice-President, Legal, Risk & Safety
Contributing strategic advice, operational leadership, and informed decision-making to the VP, LRS Executive Team