Director, Strategic Planning, Operations and Administration

About Toronto Metropolitan

For more than 75 years, Toronto Metropolitan University (formerly known as Ryerson University) has been shaping the next generation of leaders through its uniquely innovative, entrepreneurial and career-focused approach to higher education. Driven by bold leadership, cutting-edge research and a deep commitment to academic excellence, TMU collaborates with students, faculties, staff and partners to push boundaries, reimagine solutions and create meaningful change in an increasingly interconnected world.

For a more in-depth understanding of our vision, core values and ongoing work, please see our academic plan

TMU welcomes those who have demonstrated a commitment to upholding the values of equity, diversity, and inclusion and will assist us in realizing the benefits of embedding these values into the work at every level and in every unit of the university. In addition, to correct the conditions of disadvantage in employment in Canada and to bring lived experiences to the work, we encourage applications from members of equity deserving groups that have been historically disadvantaged and marginalized, including First Nations, Métis and Inuit Peoples in Canada, First Nations Peoples in the United States, racialized people, Black people, persons with disabilities, women, and 2SLGBTQ+ people. Preference will be given to candidates with lived experiences as people from equity deserving groups, as well as experience working with these communities with which the University works every day. Please note that all qualified candidates are encouraged to apply and we welcome newcomers and immigrants to Canada.

In April 2022, the university announced its new name of Toronto Metropolitan University. Learn more about our next chapter.

About the Faculty of Community Services

The nine Schools within the Faculty of Community Services (FCS) offer professional programs that prepare individuals for addressing the health and social care needs of multiple population groups. Our programs are designed to encourage students to be creative and critical thinkers and effective problem solvers, who can transcend disciplinary boundaries to find lasting solutions to social issues. We prepare our students to navigate an increasingly globalized workplace, characterized by the integration of diverse peoples, cultures, technologies, economies and political processes. We work with multiple accreditation bodies to deliver the highest quality of learning and we promote innovation in practice and research. To learn more about the Faculty of Community Services, visit https://www.torontomu.ca/fcs/ or through our social channels: @FCSTorontoMet on Twitter and FCSTorontoMet on Instagram.

We especially welcome applications from individuals who self-identify as women, Black, Indigenous, racialized persons, persons with disabilities, or members of 2SLGBTQ+ communities, who will be integral towards serving our highly diverse student, faculty, and staff complement. If you identify with any of these equity-deserving groups, we encourage you to self-identify in your cover letter. We are committed to building a culture that recognizes, celebrates, and reflects diversity, and we welcome you to join us.

The Opportunity

We are currently seeking a Director, Strategic Planning, Operations and Administration to join our team. This role will provide effective strategic leadership of financial planning and management, administration and operations management for the FCS Dean’s Office and Schools within the Faculty. They will collaborate with the Dean and academic leadership of the Faculty during the strategic planning process, supporting and contributing to the development of short- and long-term strategies to execute the vision of the Dean, and to support the University’s strategic goals and priorities, by providing financial, operational and administrative perspectives for academic and non-academic matters.

The successful candidate will lead the effective management and administration of the Faculty’s financial and human resources affairs in an efficient, innovative and professional manner, in accordance with university policies, procedures, applicable collective agreements and Faculty goals and objectives as determined by the Dean. Additionally, they will represent the Dean and the Faculty in long-term financial/human resources/operational planning activities at the University level.

Key Responsibilities:

• Operational and Academic Strategic Planning: Actively collaborates with the academic leadership and supports the strategic planning process. Participates with the Dean and academic leadership in planning activities, by providing financial and administrative perspectives in operationalizing the Dean’s Academic Plan for the academic and non-academic matters.
• Financial Management and Reporting: Provides strategic leadership, direction and oversight to the faculty financial operations team, ensuring robust financial management, governance and consistency across the FCS Dean’s Office and the Faculty as a whole.
• Administrative Operations: In consultation with the Dean, Associate Deans and Directors, oversees the operation of non-academic services in the Faculty to ensure resources are available and fairly distributed to appropriately support academic objectives.
• Collective Agreement Management: Provides expert advice, assistance and guidance to Dean, Associate Deans, Directors, faculty and managers within the Faculty, relative to the proper interpretation and administration of the various subsisting collective agreements.
• Physical Resources and Infrastructure Management: In consultation with the Dean and Directors, reviews objectives and makes recommendations for efficient utilization of space within the control of the Faculty. Provides financial counsel and risk management advice for infrastructure planning and decision making purposes.
• HR Management: Serves as a primary administrative point of contact for the Dean and Faculty leadership on HR-related processes, providing guidance on applicable procedures, facilitating the resolution of routine HR matters, and engaging central HR for advice and support on more complex issues.
  

Leadership Competencies

Leaders at TMU are required to demonstrate the following Leadership Competencies:

• Acts with Integrity: Demonstrates behaviors aligned with high ethical standards and personal integrity and acts in accordance with TMU values.
• Builds Relationships of Trust & Collaboration: Actively builds a culture of trust and fosters meaningful relationships.
• Leads Inclusively: Creates an inclusive environment where everyone is respected, recognized, empowered to achieve their potential, and valued for their differences.
• Demonstrates Organizational Acumen: Understands and respectfully navigates complex internal and external environments using sound judgment, diplomacy, and tact.
• Drives Vision & Results: Creates and implements a vision grounded in sound decision-making to achieve desired outcomes.

Qualifications
To help us learn more about you, please provide a cover letter and resume describing how you meet the following required qualifications:

• Completion of a university degree program in business or public administration, strategic and financial planning and administration, or in a relevant field.
• Minimum of seven (7) years of progressively increasing directly related management experience, in financial and resources management, including strategic and financial planning, administration and coordination, and operational oversight preferably in an academic environment.
• Demonstrated experience implementing approaches that advance equity, diversity and inclusion; and experience working within the context of diversity.
• Five (5) years of demonstrated experience supervising staff in a unionized environment required.
• Strong project management and time management skills to manage competing high-level priorities and maintain operational continuity under tight deadlines.
• Excellent oral and written communication skills to pitch strategic plans, financial forecasts, and proposals to university leadership, and to produce or review high-level reporting.
• Advanced interpersonal communication skills and high emotional intelligence to foster inclusive workplace relationships
• Strong financial skills, including knowledge of multi-year budgeting.
• Knowledge of accounting methods, university fund accounting, governance, and audit compliance best practices.
• Financial risk assessment and data-informed risk modeling skills.
• Advanced analytical reasoning skills to evaluate funding models, enrolment impacts, and resource allocation requirements.
• The ability to effectively handle complex, concurrent academic and administrative initiatives.
  

Additional Information (MAC)

• An equivalent combination of education and experience may be considered.
• Applicants who do not meet all of the posted qualifications may, upon the University’s sole discretion, be considered to fill a vacancy on an underfill basis.
• Candidates must have a demonstrated record of dependability/reliability and a commitment to maintain confidentiality.
• We encourage all First Nations, Metis and Inuit peoples or Indigenous peoples of North America, to self-identify in their applications.
• As part of the selection process, candidates may be required to complete an occupational assessment.
• Applications will only be accepted online through Toronto Metropolitan University's career site.
• Toronto Metropolitan University is committed to the principles of the Accessibility for Ontarians with Disabilities Act (AODA), and aims to ensure that independence, dignity, integration and equality of opportunity are embedded in all aspects of the university culture.
• Applications will only be accepted online through Toronto Metropolitan University's career site.
• We will provide an accessible experience for applicants, students, employees, and members of the Toronto Metropolitan University community. We are committed to providing an inclusive and barrier-free work environment, starting with the recruitment process. If you have restrictions that need to be accommodated to fully participate in any phase of the recruitment process, please submit your request through the AskHR webform. All information received in relation to accommodation will be kept confidential.