Operations Manager

Overview:
**TERM: 4 months**

The Operations Manager is responsible for administering day-to-day operations of the Waterloo Institute for Sustainable Aeronautics (WISA). As a member of the WISA leadership team, the Operations Manager will support WISA’s Directors and Associate Directors in achieving the mission of the institute. This will include the development of internal/external partnerships, the implementation of strategic and integrated communications plans, ensuring the financial sustainability of the institute, and promoting research and knowledge mobilization to advance the mission of WISA.

This position is central to advancing the University of Waterloo (UW) as a hub for sustainable aeronautical research and education.

**Responsibilities**:
Strategy and Leadership

Administers the vision and mission of WISA and play a leadership role in achieving these objectives, including, but not limited to:

- Administers the development of, implementation, and reporting on a multi-year strategic plan with guidance and direction from the Directors and Associate Directors of WISA;
- Monitors and advises on the progress of WISA relative to its objectives, goals, and targets;
- Supports and nurtures relationships with an external advisory committee, comprised of leaders in aviation and aerospace research and practice from government, business, and civil society;
- Manages the formation and executes communication with the WISA Board, committees, and Members with guidance and direction from the Director and Associate Directors
- Supervision and performance management of the Financial Administrative Assistant and co-op students
- Works closely with the Communications Manager to hire, on-board, train, and mentor co-op students to ensure valuable and relevant learning opportunities to advance the student’s career path in their chosen field

Partnership Development

Supports the management of relationships with internal and external stakeholders, including, but not limited to:

- Identifies and liaises with members and external partners to support potential research opportunities through calls for proposals and expressions of interest from external relationships;
- Assists in the development, implementation, communication and reporting of research and program funding opportunities;
- Administers contact management and expert database in collaboration with the Office of Research, Faculties and Media Relations

Financial Planning and Management
- Executes operations budget preparation and monitoring to ensure resources are allocated and tracked appropriately according to University policies.
- Works in collaboration with the Research Project Accountant to reconcile WISA’s research budget with its operations budget to ensure resources are allocated and tracked appropriately according to University and funders’ and granting agency policies.
- Liaises with the Office of Advancement to develop philanthropic support aligned with the mission of WISA.

Workshops, Visits, and Events
- Manage national and international workshops, visits, and events including logístical planning, budget forecasting and management, as well as implementation
- Oversees the creation of agendas, biographies and identify and contact potential collaborators - internal and external
- Work with WISA Directors to organize and deliver regular WISA events: Annual General Meeting, Sustainable Aeronautics Summit, WISA Talks webinar series
- Strategic and logistic management, leadership, and implementation of WISA competitions

Communications, Marketing and Knowledge Mobilization
- Works closely with the Directors and Communications Manager to administer an integrated approach to content delivery in alignment with WISA’s and Waterloo’s brand strategy
- In collaboration with the Communications Manager, develop, draft and deliver content copy for digital and print dissemination
- Management and oversight of WISA’s website to maintain and evolve WISA’s web presence through content planning, development, delivery and audits in support of WISA’s strategic goals
- Collaborate with stakeholders to determine when emerging projects and initiatives within the WISA portfolio require a digital presence. Develop information architecture and content copy to promote and support the goals of the project(s)
- Monitor and report success of brand and reputation building efforts using Google Analytics and Emplify to guide the enhancement of content creation
- Evaluates new and emerging digital communication tools and develops expert knowledge of collaborative online systems and makes recommendations to WISA Directors

Advance Education and Training

Administers market research, internal coordination, and external communication related to education and training programs developed through WISA. Including, but not limited to:

- Advocating for WISA training programs, involving a combination of online courses, faculty-student interactions (research, workshops, sem