Operations Manager

**S**chedule**

Monday to Friday, 35 hours per week - hybrid

**E**ducation Level**

Bachelor's Degree in relevant field or equivalent professional experience

**C**areer Level**

Minimum of 7 years of experience in an academic or research-intensive environment

**T**arget Hiring Range**

$76,654.00 - $92,000 annually

**About the University**:
Ranked among the top engineering schools in Canada and worldwide, the Faculty of Engineering has a reputation for innovative programs, cutting-edge research, leading faculty, and aspiring students. Engineering faculty, staff and students at McMaster pursue research and learning in more than 22 research centres, institutes, and networks whose interdisciplinary pursuits cross-departmental and faculty boundaries. Outside the University, we regularly collaborate on research projects with partners in universities, the government and more than 100 companies in Canada and abroad.

**About the Position**:
The Operations Manager will oversee the daily operations of the new research unit, collaborating closely with the CERC and the academic, and research teams across partner institutions and organizations. Responsibilities will encompass recruitment, budget oversight, project reporting, and communication with project sponsors, collaborators, and partners. Additionally, the role will entail close collaboration with the Office of the Associate Dean, Research, Innovation, and Partnerships, to coordinate and support the unit’s research, innovation, and outreach endeavors. Apart from day-to-day management, key objectives include promoting the group’s work and project outcomes through various channels, such as social media; collaborating with the unit’s interdisciplinary research team to identify and cultivate new opportunities and offering assistance with research funding proposals; and establishing project frameworks, reporting mechanisms, and communication strategies.

This position requires a unique combination of multi-disciplinary talent and expertise with high level of creativity and calls for independent decision making within a delegated area of authority and for the exercise of leadership in the management of the related support services. The Manager will play a pivotal role in fostering a culture of innovation, facilitating research excellence, and enhancing the overall impact of the research team.

The position is responsible for the operational, financial, and human resource management of the unit. This position plays a critical role in fostering an environment of equity, diversity, and inclusion (EDI) within the research unit. Foundational knowledge and understanding of EDI within the Canadian research landscape and the ability to drive EDI initiatives within the research team context will be an asset. This role requires the knowledge of all facets of university administration and a comprehensive understanding of the research funding landscape.

**Key Accountabilities**:

- **Strategic Planning**:

- Provide administrative leadership and direction for the future development of the research unit, participating in the development of short
- and long-term plans to ensure the research unit is flexible, cost-effective, and responsive to customer needs.
- Contribute to the development of the research unit’s Key Performance Indicators and reports progress to the Faculty, University and external partnering institutes and organizations.
- In collaboration with the CERC, develop and fund a comprehensive strategic communication and recruitment plan that will focus on talent recruitment, ensuring that the chair and team members are able to secure high quality students and PDFs.
- Implement and enhance operational policies and procedures.
- Provide administrative leadership in planning projects, and proposals to ensure the resources available are used to their greatest advantage.
- Work with the leadership team in defining projects, planning, assigning priorities, allocating staff, monitoring progress of new and existing projects.
- Work with various university offices to increase the profile of the research unit and to seek partnership opportunities.
- Facilitate partnerships with outside organizations and governments on special projects organizing the financial aspects of these collaborations.
- Collaborate with multiple stakeholders to develop, implement, and monitor a strategic plan for promoting equity, diversity, and inclusion within the research unit.
- **Financial Management**:

- Meet with the unit leader, core members and/or faculty lead, to determine priorities, develop, recommend, and implement the unit’s annual operating budget.
- Meet with faculty members to review research project budgets and monitor these budgets throughout the project.
- Authorize expenditures and audit all accounts and revenue generating functions and ensure compliance with departmental, university, Ministry, and funding agency policies.
- Prepare all appropriate reporting and year end d