Managing Director, President's Office

Algoma University is committed to undoing systemic and institutional discrimination and being publicly transparent and accountable. Diversity, equity, and inclusion are fundamental to our Special Mission. In keeping with the Seven Grandfather teachings that are the core values that inform our decisions as an institution, we are committed to creating a welcoming, inclusive, respectful, and safe environment where everyone belongs. We live these values through the strength and richness that diversity brings to our workforce and welcome contributors from equity-deserving groups including: Indigenous Peoples, Black and racialized persons, women, Persons with Disabilities, 2 Spirit, Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender, and Queer persons.

Job Title: Managing Director, President’s Office (Administration)

Position Status: Permanent, Full-Time (Non-Union)

Department: Office of the President & Vice-Chancellor

Supervision Received: President & Vice-Chancellor

Supervision Exercised: Sr Executive Assistant & Administrative Assistant (s) to the Office of the President

Location: Brampton, ON

Salary Scale: $115,683 to $144,603

Reporting to the President and Vice-Chancellor, the Managing Director, President’s Office supports the President’s overarching leadership of the University and representation of, and service to, Algoma University’s community. The incumbent will support the University's President and Sr Executive team on a wide range of strategic issues, and will act in a leadership capacity to manage the Office of the President, and occasionally act on behalf of the President. The complexity and sensitivity of the responsibilities of the President require this position to operate with considerable autonomy and latitude, and to initiate action on behalf of the President.

Central to this role is a clear understanding that the Office of the President embodies a welcoming, inclusive, and safe space for all members of the University community. The office has a strong commitment to, and understanding of, Algoma University’s Special Mission, commitments to Truth and Reconciliation, the Seven Grandfather Teachings and Justice, Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion, all of which guide the work and interactions, activities and communications of the President’s Office across all campuses. This position engages in the learning and teachings and values them as part of its management practice.

Operations Management, Office of the President (30%)

• Plan, coordinate and execute effective and efficient communication within the bi-cameral governance system (Board of Governors and Senate), including the timely submission of required documents to the Office of the Secretariat.
• Liaise with government official offices as required, to support the President’s initiatives.
• Coordinate, manage, and oversee all aspects of the operations of the Office of the President, including staffing, and developing, implementing, and monitoring the performance of effective systems and procedures.
• Use critical thinking and sensitivity skills to prioritize the complex schedule, and multiple competing, urgent priorities, for the President and attend meetings as the President’s delegate, when necessary.
• Coordinate with the Sr EA on the prioritization of tasks associated with the Office of the President’s daily meetings and email correspondence.
• Manage the major operational activities and staff of the President’s Office in both Sault Ste Marie and Brampton.
• Negotiate, produce, and administer consultant contracts and deliverables when hired by the Office of the President.
• Analyze and entrust the management of issues to the appropriate level of the institution on behalf of the Office of the President. Evaluating when the President is required to be involved, and directing work as necessary to VPs in accordance with policies.
• Foster positive external relationships with key members of the Algoma University community, on behalf of the President.

Trusted Advisor and Senior Lead to the President (30%)

• Plan, deploy resources, and lead activities required to realize the goals and objectives of the President’s Office.
• Brief the President on sensitive matters that may arise, and provide advice on issues that may impact AU’s reputation and position as a post-secondary institution within the greater community. Ensure the President is appropriately informed of developments on all campuses, or elsewhere and assign priority to those that may require the President’s involvement.
• Support the President in the formulation of objectives by clarifying needs, gathering relevant information to analyze requests, redirecting requests when required, and preparing briefings on requests for the President.
• Support the President with meetings and events as required, including seeking and analyzing relevant facts/information through key members of the AU community, developing options and priorities, and providing verbal or written briefings to the President.
• Exercise judgment and discretion in the handling of information, ensuring a high level of confidentiality consistent with the standards of the Ontario Freedom of Information and Protection Privacy Act.

Coordination of Strategic Plan and Priorities / Transformation, Senior Executive Team (20%)

• Establish effective project communication plans and ensure their execution.
• Develop complex project plans supporting the President and the Sr Executive Team’s transformational agenda.
• Support the Sr Exec Team in its development of strategic priorities and transformation plans for the institution.
• Facilitate change requests to ensure that all parties are informed of their impact on schedules and budgets.
• Collaboratively develop mechanisms for the adequate monitoring of initiatives and programs.
• Track progress against objectives set by the institution and communicate to the Sr Exec Team anomalies and variances that may impact institutional performance.
• Manage cross-discipline teams to identify and resolve issues, and track the execution of project requirements.

Communications, Events, Constituent Relations, External Partnerships, Office of the President (20%)

• Coordinate the production of speaking remarks and draft programs, and prepare/organize briefing notes for the President, ensuring that the tone and voice are consistent with the values and directions of the University.
• Maintain fluid communication between the Office of the President and all University constituents, as well as external contacts.
• Coordinate and ensure the quality of events involving the President
• Provide direction to employees in the Office of the President on developing communication plans (such as web, media relations, digital media, integrated communications, internal communications, and executive communications), ensuring that event promotion and outcomes are communicated as required, and that proper protocol is followed.
• Collaborate with the Sr. EA to support the President prior to and during important meetings and events. Seek relevant facts and information by contacting internal and external constituents and analyzing the information to develop and identify options and priorities

Minimum Qualifications

• Demonstrated understanding of leadership and people management.
• Proven ability to organize, develop and execute work plans in a positive collegial manner.
• Demonstrated capacity to effectively delegate tasks and manage staff in a complex work environment.
• Proven track record handling sensitive issues with discretion, sensitivity, and confidentiality.
• Ability to work independently and make sound decisions.
• Knowledge and expertise from experience working in equity, diversity, and inclusion is considered an asset.
• Undergraduate degree or certificate from an accredited post-secondary institution in a business or public administration program, and a minimum of five (5) years of relevant work experience in a complex environment subject to changing priorities, or an equivalent combination of education and experience, is required.
• Excellent interpersonal skills to deal with a myriad of situations, individuals, and organizations.
• Strong critical thinking and conflict management skills.
• Experience in working within a complex unionized work environment is considered an asset.
• Experience working with Indigenous and other communities, with demonstrated knowledge of Indigenous and multicultural ways of knowing, understanding, and being is considered an asset.
• Solid written and verbal communication skills.
• Project Management Professional (PMP) Certification & proven experience in project management is an asset.
• Deep understanding of formal PM methodologies and technology supports.
• Experience with, and understanding of, budgets in excess of $50 million, including their development, oversight, and tracking at the departmental level.
• Ability to work with budgets up to $5 million.
• Demonstrated experience leading professional teams and interacting with senior constituents.
• Demonstrated excellence in time management, organizational planning, and problem-solving.
• Excellent use of technology for collaboration.

Please submit a resume and cover letter (combined PDF) to [email protected] no later than 4:00 p.m. on July 17, 2023.

Algoma University is strongly committed to fostering diversity and inclusivity within our community and is an equal-opportunity employer. The university invites and encourages applications from all qualified individuals who would contribute to the further diversification of our Institution, including equity-deserving groups that are traditionally underrepresented in employment (Indigenous peoples, racialized persons, women, persons with disabilities, and 2SLGBTQQIPA+ persons).

In accordance with the Accessibility for Ontarians with Disabilities Act, 2005, upon request, accommodation will be provided by Algoma University throughout the recruitment, selection, and/or assessment process to applicants with disabilities.