Senior Manager, Operations and Planning

University of Ottawa • Ottawa, ON

1d • CA$118,675 - CA$148,344 • Onsite

About The Position

Ensures that the operations and activities of the Office of the Provost run optimally to fully implement the Provost’s mandates, objectives and priority projects. Collaborates with key stakeholders and leads the planning, implementation and continuous follow-up of activities related to the Office’s various priorities to ensure they align with strategic objectives. Designs, proposes and conducts analyses, develops strategies and leads major projects, both internally and externally, in response to the various mandates the incumbent has been assigned. Assists in decision-making and reflection on major objectives and strategies to implement, notably through consultation, in order to increase the likelihood of achieving the desired results. Lead a team of professionals involved in multiple large-scale projects that support the various mandates of the Executive Office and contribute to the development and implementation of a wide range of strategic initiatives and university-wide projects. Develop and implement planning processes to define institutional objectives and ensure their successful achievement. Provides operational guidance so that Office activities run smoothly and effectively, and liaises with various stakeholders, both internal and external.

Requirements

• Graduate degree in a relevant field
• At least ten years’ management experience or an equivalent combination of education and experience
• Bilingualism
• Knowledge of, and experience in, human and financial resource management.
• Expert knowledge of planning concepts and experience in designing business plans.
• Experience in creating frameworks to evaluate organizational performance (goal setting, targets, strategies, initiatives and performance indicators).
• Knowledge of project management concepts and experience in project management and organizational change
• Strong analytical, critical thinking, communication, interpersonal and leadership skills based on consultation, analysis and feedback
• Ability to develop and create consensus between teams
• Experience in managing teams of professionals, in organizational change management, and in solving problems and conflict
• Ability to come up with creative ideas and to analyze, evaluate and negotiate the details needed to successfully run a project
• In-depth knowledge of a university’s operations, governance, structure and administrative apparatus, including its academic, financial, human and physical characteristics, with a global view of institutional issues and challenges
• Excellent skills in organizing workload, including in managing priorities, tight deadlines and follow-up
• Integrity, reliability, good judgment, initiative and the ability to work well in a team environment
• Excellent communication skills, spoken and written

Nice To Haves

• Planning: Organize in time a series of actions or events in order to realize an objective or a project. Plan and organize own work and priorities in regular daily activities.
• Initiative: Demonstrate creativity and initiative to suggest improvements and encourage positive results. Is proactive and self-starting. Show availability and willingness to go above and beyond whenever it is possible.
• Client Service Orientation: Help or serve others to meet their needs. This implies anticipating and identifying the needs of internal and external clients and finding solutions on how to meet them.
• Teamwork and Cooperation: Cooperate and work well with other members of the team to reach common goal(s). Accept and give constructive feedback. Able to adjust own behaviour to reach the goals of the team.

Responsibilities

• Supports the chief of staff in planning and managing current activities and the Office’s strategic projects to continually optimize effectiveness.
• Designs organizational plans, implements effective and agile business processes, writes and updates work methods and procedures, and identifies and implements best practices that aim to maintain the efficiency and effectiveness of Office activities.
• Develop and implement planning processes to define long-term objectives and ensure their successful achievement.
• Plans, leads and manages the recruiting and hiring processes required to hire some of the University’s senior managers (mainly vice-provosts and deans).
• Acts as project manager for the Provost’s or Office’s emerging priority initiatives.
• Regularly liaises with the chief of staff to plan the budget, and manages human and financial resources related to own projects.
• Conducts analyses, prepares recommendations and manages the implementation, evaluation and continuous improvement of projects and initiatives; implements follow-up mechanisms and evaluates results.
• Works closely with various stakeholders on a wide range of strategically important files, priority projects and prestigious private events, and cultivates relationships with various individuals (businesspeople, dignitaries, philanthropists, alumni, University senior managers, professors and others.)
• Drafts reflection and advisory documents, performance reports and university regulations, funding requests and reports, in consultation with all the parties involved.
• Prepares, designs and implements communication plans to clearly communicate the major objectives and strategies to all concerned, specifically by emails to the University community, newspaper articles, web and other publication content, and other communication tools the Provost may use.
• Acquires in-depth knowledge of priority issues that involve the sector in order to advise the chief of staff and to be able to provide expert advice at all times to members of the Administrative Committee, faculties, services and external partners, to ensure sustainable services and accurate information.
• Provide leadership, guidance, and mentorship to the team of professionals under their responsibility.
• Hires, supervises and evaluates direct reports, and ensures that they have the training and tools they need to efficiently and effectively perform their duties.
• Applies human resource management procedures and regulations.
• In collaboration with the chief of staff, manages the Office’s financial resources by drafting budget forecasts in keeping with set priorities in order to properly meet the needs of the sector and ensure the continuity of activities.
• In close cooperation with the Ceremonies and Events Office, serves as a project manager by providing strategic guidance for all of the Provost’s events, including their supervision and evaluation.
• Issues recommendations on the Provost’s participation in events with a view to maintaining and enhancing the University’s reputation and to cultivating ties with various audiences and partners.

Benefits

• The University is committed to creating and maintaining an accessible, barrier-free work environment.
• The University is also committed to working with applicants with disabilities requesting accommodation during the recruitment, assessment and selection processes.

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Senior