Director - Business Operations, Schulich School of Engineering

Position Overview

The Schulich School of Engineering is currently seeking a Full-time Regular Director, Business Operations.

The Director, Business Operations reports directly to the Vice-Dean, Schulich School of Engineering. The Director supports the Dean and Vice-Dean and works closely with the 5 Associate Deans and 6 Department Heads in order to coordinate the financial, administrative, and technical operations of the Faculty.

The Director is expected to provide leadership, direction and connectivity to all areas of the strategic operation of the non-academic areas within the Schulich School of Engineering. The Director is also accountable for the performance and results of business operations, personnel management and support of the Academic priorities of the Faculty.

As a key decision maker in the Engineering Leadership Team and the Dean's Executive Council, the Director builds consistency, continuity and accountability across portfolios with the Schulich School of Engineering.
 
This is a high activity, high accountability, intensely relational and strategic decision-making position with anticipated strategic results. This role is pivotal for the successful management and operation of a large faculty at the University of Calgary.

Executive accountabilities to the Dean and the Deans Executive Council and the Department Heads include: managerial authority, strategic counsel, critical analysis, and the recommendation of alternative approaches on a wide range of issues, both staff and academic related to the Schulich School of Engineering's strategic plan. The position plays a significant role in ensuring fiscal responsibility of the faculty's multi-million dollar budget.

Position Description

Summary of Key Responsibilities (job functions include but are not limited to):

Leadership & Management

• Executes faculty-wide strategic operations management, including oversight of those accomplishing day-to-day operations and administration.
• Accountable for the performance management, career coaching and mentoring of direct reports and providing assistance to Managers performance-managing operations staff across campus.
• Represent the faculty on multiple partnership (internal and external to the faculty) committees and is expected to represent the faculty on all capital/financial initiatives.
• Play a major role in the preparation, coordination, validation and management of government correspondence (including budget preparation) and negotiation on behalf of the Dean relating to major financial tasks, working in conjunction with the Finance Partner.
• Establish and maintain effective relationships with legal services, human resources, support services, and campus infrastructure, and work with these areas to share information and improve processes. This includes assisting with overall workforce management for staff within SSE.
• Support senior leadership and management on issues relating to resource allocation and utilization in order to realize prioritized strategic objectives and will provide financial mentorship to all senior leaders.

Financial Management

• Financial accountability for a complex Faculty including responsibility to review the operating and controls Dean's Office Budget, administers and controls approved budgets for the Dean's Office, participates as a strategic partner on financial matters. The Director holds the budget for all non-academic staff in the Faculty and makes decisions that impact the efficiencies of staffing as they relate to budget.
• Working with the Dean and the Deans Executive Council, the Director develops strategic plans for the Faculty and is responsible for forward thinking, decision making, the development of goals and the assessment of opportunities and threats in the external and internal environment.
• Develops policy and ensures procedures are in place to govern the operations of the Schulich School of Engineering and other business activities.

Strategic Operations

• Contributes toward development of administrative policies for the Faculty and is key person responsible for implementation of administrative and technical policies and procedures, identifying and implementing best practice across the School.
• Fosters positive relationships within the Schulich School of Engineering and with other units on campus and outside organizations.
• Leads various project initiatives that foster the engagement and retention of staff, enhances the overall student experience and promotes the Schulich School of Engineering's International strategy.

Health & Safety

• Instruct and motivate managers to participate in safety promotion and practice with a clear understanding of the impact upon liability and potential aftermath of a workplace accident.
• Integrate the education and practice of safety into all levels of the Schulich School of Engineering, making accountability points within annual performance reviews of Faculty and Staff.

Outreach & Community Involvement

• Leverage community industry contacts for their participation in the SSE Internship program and approve the internship experience, providing direction to the Manager, Internship Centre.
• Make operational links, where possible, between industry and the Academy to promote cooperation and best practice in support of academic excellence and success.
   

Qualifications / Requirements:

• A recognized post-secondary degree in business management, a MBA, or 10 or more years senior management/leadership experience demonstrating achievement in a senior administrative position within a public sector (academic experience preferred) environment. Strong leadership, communication, and people management skills are essential.
• Extensive knowledge of the University of Calgary policies, procedures and operating requirements, in addition to an understanding of the University organizational structure and governance.
• Sound understanding of the University of Calgary mission, strategic direction, and academic plan and how to support this.
• Ability to operate within a complex, multi-faceted and highly demanding work environment, skilled in forging harmonious and supportive working relationships internally and externally.
• Project management and task coordination skills, ability to manage complex staff relations in a unionized environment.
• Excellent communication and coaching skills, the ability to write clearly and concisely; excellent editing skills; the capacity to respond to correspondence (confidential and routine), telephone calls, e-mail, and visitors; and the ability to make effective judgments with respect to delegating or rerouting as appropriate.
• Excellent computer skills including strong working knowledge of university systems (including People Soft) would be an asset.
• Must have a high achievement orientation, have an ability to deal with a heavy workload while still ensuring day to day activities are attended to, and be able to deal with challenges of multiple competing demands.
• Must have negotiation skills that are diplomatic and effective and a proven track record of growth and responsibility that has culminated in a senior leadership position.
• Must have a proven track record in matters relating to finance, accounting, people management, ethical standards, and behavior.
• Must be able to produce accurate, timely and concise financial and business reports and present them as required.
• Must be able to think logically, solve problems and be critically objective with an ability to develop creative solutions to complex problems.
• Must be able to work independently as well as in a team environment.

Application Deadline:  December 14, 2021

We would like to thank all applicants in advance for submitting their resumes. Please note, only those candidates chosen to continue on through the selection process will be contacted.

Additional Information

This position is classified in the Management and Professional Career Band, Level 4 of the Management and Professional Staff Career Framework. 

To find out more about management and staff opportunities at the University of Calgary and all we have to offer, view our Management and Staff Careers website. For more information about the Schulich School of Engineering visit Careers in the Schulich School of Engineering.

COVIDSafe Campus Strategy

The University has implemented a new Vaccination Directive that requires all faculty and staff to be fully vaccinated against COVID-19 by January 1, 2022. You will be required to upload proof of vaccination prior to commencing your duties. Please review the COVIDSafe Campus website for further information and access to additional resources.

About the University of Calgary

The University of Calgary is Canada’s leading next-generation university – a living, growing and youthful institution that embraces change and opportunity with a can-do attitude. Located in the nation’s most enterprising city, the university is making tremendous progress on its Eyes High journey to be recognized as one of Canada’s top five research universities, grounded in innovative learning and teaching and fully integrated with the community it both serves and leads. The University of Calgary inspires and supports discovery, creativity and innovation across all disciplines. For more information, visit ucalgary.ca.

The University of Calgary has launched an institution-wide Indigenous Strategy in line with the foundational goals of Eyes High, committing to creating a rich, vibrant, and culturally competent campus that welcomes and supports Indigenous Peoples, encourages Indigenous community partnerships, is inclusive of Indigenous perspectives in all that we do.

The University of Calgary recognizes that a diverse staff/faculty benefits and enriches the work, learning and research experiences of the entire campus and greater community. We are committed to removing barriers that have been historically encountered by some people in our society. We strive to recruit individuals who will further enhance our diversity and will support their professional success while they are here. We encourage all qualified applicants to apply, however preference will be given to Canadian citizens and permanent residents of Canada.