Director Operations Jobs

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Position Summary

Reporting to the Vice-Principal (Research and Innovation) (VP-RI), the Director Operations, assists and advises the VP-RI on a wide variety of complex and highly sensitive executive and administrative duties. In collaboration with the VP-RI, Deputy VP-RI, Associate VPs, and Directors, the incumbent directs the strategic deployment of resources in Research and Innovation (R+I), ensuring alignment with unit and University objectives. The role involves complex tasks related to strategic planning, public relations, organizational structure, information management, procedure development, process improvements, and the execution of special projects. A key function is that the incumbent accurately represents the VP-RI’s position to help drive understanding and move decision-making forward in all areas of R+I’s mandate. The Director Operations, develops implementation plans, ensuring balance between the timely realization of projects and a realistic pace of change. He/she supports projects end-to-end and creates the conditions for success by building strong alignment and collaboration between concerned parties. As such, he/she serves as the primary point of contact between R+I and other key central units, such as the Principal’s Office, the Provost’s Office, the Secretariat, central Human Resources, University Advancement, and Communications and External Relations, among others. He/she makes decisions with considerable autonomy in areas of expertise as well as in managing resources and relationships.

Key Responsibilities

Strategic Advice

• Provides timely, confidential, well-reasoned, and informed counsel to the VP-RI and her leadership team (i.e. Deputy VP-RI, AVPs, Directors, and unit heads).
• Manages and resolves a large variety and volume of sensitive and time-critical issues that require senior-level attention and follow-up.
• With the R+I Directors, ensures the VP-RI, Deputy VP-RI, and AVPs remain appropriately aware of developments on the campuses and elsewhere that have the potential to affect the University and its research enterprise.
• Liaises with campus officials on matters of interest to the VP-RI, including policies, programs, budget, human resources, space planning, fundraising, government and external relations, and communications and marketing.
• Facilitates the ability of the VP-RI to manage executive functions through extensive research; analyzes and interprets issues and proposals; and prepares documents, correspondence, communications, presentations, and reports as needed.
• Supports the VP-RI’s overarching leadership and the implementation of her strategic priorities.
• Identifies and works with the leadership team to identify systemic issues that require intervention and proposes viable recommendations for improvements, so that the mission, vision, goals, and priorities of R+I can be more effectively realized.

Communications

• Sets approach and directs the delivery of internal communications to ensure a well-informed, engaged staff across R+I, who have the information they need to contribute to the unit and University’s strategic directions.
• Develops, implements, and monitors internal communication services provided to R+I’s units.
• Leads R+I’s response to internal and external crises or other unexpected events by developing strong contingency plans and lines of communication with staff and the research community.

Integration

• Works closely with the VP-RI, Deputy VP-RI, AVPs, Directors, and other key colleagues to assess priorities, assign staff, track progress, meet deadlines, and direct and advance work on all fronts. Fosters the effective operations and coordinated effort of R+I leadership and their teams.
• Works collaboratively with senior administrative offices at the University – in particular the Offices of the Principal, Vice-Principals, and Faculty and School Deans – in support of a variety of activities involving the VP-RI.
• Works with the VP-RI on the orientation and guiding of new senior colleagues.
• Ensures proactive support for all meetings chaired by the VP-RI, which includes providing input on agendas; reviewing materials, such as notes and minutes for quality and accuracy; and following up on actions items as needed.
• Triages inquiries and requests with the R+I leadership team – some of which may be highly complex, politically sensitive, and/or involve multiple issues – using independent judgment, creative solution-seeking, and proactive consultation, ensuring each inquiry is appropriately referred and resolved in a timely manner.
• Actively develops a culture of collaboration, learning, and continuous improvement around research administration.
• Directs efforts to review, maintain, and integrate workflow processes, information systems, and organizational structures across R+I with the goal of achieving maximum efficiency and transparency.
• Directs information flows and the implementation of decisions, strategies, and joint projects across the research sector.

Operations

• Responds to broad day-to-day administrative and operational matters.
• Directs the workflow of the OVPRI, providing operational management and oversight to staff as they carry out their responsibilities in support of the VP-RI, R+I, and McGill.
• Works closely with R+I and external colleagues to make appropriate decisions in regard to budget and human resources functions, keeping the achievement of the VP-RI’s objectives and priorities at the forefront at all times.
• Advises on and helps to establish ongoing performance and professional development expectations while ensuring all R+I units meet these standards.
• Holds overall responsibility for the effective operations of the Office of the Vice-Principal (Research and Innovation) (OVPRI), which includes supervision of the Operations teams as well as the VP-RI’s administrative support team.
• Assumes a leading role in providing guidance and oversight to the operations of R+I units, including through short- and long-term planning, human resources management, resource allocation, and budget administration.
• Represents R+I on various committees and working groups focused on University operational issues.

Other Qualifying Skills And/or Abilities

Commitment to establishing effective and positive working relationships with a broad group of peers, including academic, student, professional, and executive leaders. Proven record of accomplishment in developing effective partnerships across disparate groups to organize and facilitate decisions and ensure implementation. Impeccable judgment, emotional intelligence, unquestioned integrity, and independent thought in working with diverse groups to address complex issues. Exemplary organizational, problem-solving, and project-management skills. A self-starter who can handle multiple high-priority projects simultaneously. Experience balancing strategic leadership with detailed involvement in support of accountabilities. Demonstrated history of providing consistently excellent service while balancing priorities, meeting deadlines, and resolving unexpected issues. Strong leadership skills as well as the ability to manage, organize, and motivate others. Strong oral and written communication skills in English and French. Experience with government relations and external relations. Familiarity with the social, political, and cultural environments of Montreal and Quebec.

Connaissance du français et de l'anglais. L'Université McGill est une université de langue anglaise où les tâches quotidiennes peuvent nécessiter une communication verbale et écrite en anglais. »

“Knowledge of French and English. McGill University is an English-language university where day to day duties may require English communication both verbally and in writing.”

Minimum Education And Experience

Bachelor's Degree 8 Years Related Experience /

Annual Salary

(MPEX Grade 10) $122,350.00 - $152,940.00 - $191,180.00

Hours Per Week

33.75 (Full time)

Supervisor

Professor

Position End Date (If Applicable)

Deadline to Apply:

2023-07-23

McGill University hires on the basis of merit and is strongly committed to equity and diversity within its community. We welcome applications from racialized persons/visible minorities, women, Indigenous persons, persons with disabilities, ethnic minorities, and persons of minority sexual orientations and gender identities, as well as from all qualified candidates with the skills and knowledge to productively engage with diverse communities. McGill implements an employment equity program and encourages members of designated groups to self-identify. Persons with disabilities who anticipate needing accommodations for any part of the application process may contact, in confidence, [email protected].