Director, Strategic Projects- Haskayne School of Business

Description

The Haskayne School of Business is currently seeking a Full-time Limited Term Director, Strategic Projects for approximately 24 months.

Working closely with the Dean, the Director, Strategic Projects is responsible for leading strategic projects and initiatives assigned by the Dean, including the annual reporting process for the Haskayne School of Business 2024-2027 Strategic Plan. Strategic projects are determined by the Dean and include initiatives such as an impact study, a ranking strategy and an international strategy. The annual strategic reporting includes leadership for the collection and analysis of the required data, as well as preparation of dashboards and reports for the Dean.

Given the nature, complexity and strategic importance of the projects and work associated with this position, together with the desired outcomes and timelines, this position requires an individual who can work independently within the complexities of the University environment, while also forging relationships with internal and external stakeholders to achieve the desired outcomes.

The Director plays a crucial role in executing a wide variety of Dean's Office strategic projects which demand a high degree of confidentiality and sensitivity. Considerable discretion, judgment, and independent thought are required.

The Director will report formally to the Senior Director, Strategy & Administration, but will work closely with the Dean on project priorities and deliverables. The Director is expected to work predominantly in-office, Monday to Friday, 8:30 A.M. to 4:30 P.M., 7 hours per day (35 hours per week); however, due to constantly shifting priorities, flexibility is essential, including some evening and weekend hours.

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

• Planning, execution and completion of strategic projects as identified by the Dean that advance the business school's strategic plan in alignment with the broader institutional strategy.
• In collaboration with the Dean, defines project scopes, timelines, deliverables and resource requirements, and identifies and mitigates risks that could impact project outcomes.
• Builds and maintains relationships with a broad range of internal and external stakeholders, including Haskayne's SLT, other business units / groups across the University (e.g., Office of Institutional Analysis), and external stakeholders (e.g., research analytic firms, consultants and the broader business community) to ensure successful project outcomes.
• Facilitates workshops or strategy sessions with leadership team to refine project goals and alignment.
• Provides leadership for the development and delivery of the annual strategic reporting metrics, dashboards and communications.
• Collects, analyzes and interprets data to inform project decisions and evaluate success.
• Full managerial oversight of reports.
• Oversees budget and resource allocation for strategic projects, ensuring optimal allocation of funds and resources.
• Provides financial and operational research support, compiling background information, gathering materials, writing reports and preparing briefing notes and presentations.
• Ensures all project activities comply with internal policies, accreditation standards, and any other applicable regulations.
• Prepares detailed reports and presentations as required, outlining project progress, challenges and outcomes.
• Provides day-to-day leadership for the management of the Data Analytics / Research Specialist position, as well as other positions that may be required to deliver assigned project outcomes.
• Facilitates professional development opportunities to build team capacity.

Qualifications / Requirements:

• Master's degree in business (or related degree) such as public policy or communications.
• 5+ years of progressive experience in project leadership, strategic planning, analysis, and reporting.
• Highly developed interpersonal skills for effective collaboration and building relationships at various levels of the organization.
• Experience working with business community and in professional settings.
• Strong business acumen, problem-solving and analytical mindset.
• Strong ability to deal with ambiguity, multiple data sources, and translating data/analysis into key messages and insights.
• Strong written and verbal communication skills.
• Experience in strategic planning and reporting.
• Demonstrated ability to produce accurate and reliable data.
• Project management skills, including the ability to develop and implement a project plan and timeline.
• Proven track record of excellent organizational, analytical, and problem-solving skills.
• Ability to work under tight timelines.
• Critical to success is the ability to work both independently and collaboratively within a team, and lead with minimal supervision.
• Advanced proficiency in MS Office including Excel and PowerPoint; software to create dashboards, and platforms such as Teams and Zoom.
• Results driven and demonstrated ability to meet targets and deadlines.
• Thorough knowledge of the university environment and academic structure is preferred.

Application Deadline: November 26, 2024

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.

This position is classified in the Management Career Band, Level 3 of the Management and Professional Staff Career Framework.

For a listing of all management and staff opportunities at the University of Calgary, view our Management and Staff Careers website.

About the University of Calgary

UCalgary is Canada's entrepreneurial university, located in Canada's most enterprising city. It is a top research university and one of the highest-ranked universities of its age. Founded in 1966, its 36,000 students experience an innovative learning environment, made rich by research, hands-on experiences and entrepreneurial thinking. It is Canada's leader in the creation of start-ups. Start something today at the University of Calgary. For more information, visit ucalgary.ca.

The University of Calgary has launched an institution-wide Indigenous Strategy 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.

As an equitable and inclusive employer, 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 academic and professional success while they are here. In particular, we encourage members of the designated groups (women, Indigenous peoples, persons with disabilities, members of visible/racialized minorities, and diverse sexual orientation and gender identities) to apply. To ensure a fair and equitable assessment, we offer accommodation at any stage during the recruitment process to applicants with disabilities. Questions regarding [diversity] EDI at UCalgary can be sent to the Office of Equity, Diversity and Inclusion (equity@ucalgary.ca) and requests for accommodations can be sent to Human Resources (hrhire@ucalgary.ca).

Do you have most but not all the qualifications? Research show that women, racialized and visible minorities, and persons with disabilities are less likely to apply for jobs unless they meet every single qualification. At UCalgary we are committed to achieving equitable, diverse, inclusive and accessible employment practices and workplaces and encourage you to apply if you believe you are right for this role.

We encourage all qualified applicants to apply, however preference will be given to Canadian citizens and permanent residents of Canada.