Planning and Projects Specialist, College of Medicine

Primary Purpose: The Planning and Projects Specialist will lead and support priority planning and implementation initiatives for the Master of Physician Assistant Studies (MPAS) program, with a primary focus on Year 2 planning and implementation. Reporting to the Program Manager, with an oversight from the Academic Director, this role is responsible for moving projects from concept to execution by designing processes, coordinating activities, documenting decisions, and ensuring timely delivery of agreed-upon initiatives. The Specialist will work closely with academic and administrative leaders to take forward work that has been scoped or identified and ensure it is implemented effectively, allowing leadership to focus on strategic decision-making rather than day-to-day execution.

Nature of Work: This position reports to the Program Manager and works in close collaboration with MPAS academic leadership, faculty, staff, and internal and external partners. The work is diverse and fast-paced, requiring knowledge of university operations, project management, process improvement, change management, information synthesis, and clear written communication. The Planning and Projects Specialist plays a key role in coordinating and implementing program initiatives, policies, and operational frameworks related to Year 2 delivery. The role requires sound judgment, a high degree of organization, and the ability to work independently while maintaining strong collaboration with multiple stakeholders. Success in this role requires comfort working in an evolving environment, managing projects that are progressively refined, and translating high-level direction into concrete plans, tools, and deliverables. Confidentiality, discretion, and alignment with institutional processes and priorities are critical. The successful candidate will be able to manage the complexity of academic and clinical education projects within a health system context and work effectively with faculty, staff, and partners to develop solutions that are practical, well-documented, and broadly understood.

Typical Duties or Accountabilities:

Planning, Projects, and Implementation 

• Lead and support planning and implementation activities related to MPAS program delivery, including clinical education, operations, and administrative readiness
• Conduct environmental scans, prepare current- and future-state maps, and document process or policy recommendations
• Translate direction and decisions into actionable project plans, timelines, and deliverables
• Initiate actions required to achieve project goals, monitor progress between meetings, and report on status, risks, and next steps

Process Design and Documentation 

• Develop standard operating procedures (SOPs), operational frameworks, documentation, and training materials
• Support early-stage operations to ensure stability and readiness prior to hand-off
• Lead process mapping, gap analysis, and workflow redesign to improve efficiency and effectiveness

Coordination and Facilitation

• Coordinate and facilitate meetings, working groups, and committees as required
• Set agendas, prepare materials, capture decisions, and document follow-up actions
• Communicate with stakeholders to understand current realities, design future-state processes, and ensure plans reflect key perspectives

Transition to Permanent Operations

• Transfer completed initiatives to Academic Affairs, Student Affairs, or other portfolios with clear documentation and guidance
• Provide training, operational support, and transition assistance to ensure continuity and sustainability

Reporting and Evaluation

• Prepare concise briefing notes, progress updates, dashboards, and post-implementation summaries for program leadership
• Track deliverables, timelines, risks, dependencies, and resource needs
• Recommend improvements and next steps based on lessons learned

Education: A Business Accountancy diploma from a recognized institution or Bachelor of Commerce degree with an accounting or finance major is required. A combination of education and experience may be considered.

Experience: At least three to five years of related experience is required; preferably in a complex and diverse fund source organization, such as a health care or post-secondary education environment. Knowledge of accounting procedures and protocols, budget administration and financial forecasting, analysis and reporting. Experience in complex data analysis and/or interpretation, evaluation methodologies, and developing formal reports and policy. Strong to excellent analytic ability including self-directed spreadsheet and data-based analysis, modeling, reporting and superior desktop software skills, particularly Microsoft Excel. Direct knowledge and experience with University of Saskatchewan systems and functions including payroll, budgeting, forecasting, accounting and payment services would be an asset. Experience working and collaborating in diverse and inclusive settings is required.

Education:

• Bachelor's degree required (business, public administration, education, health administration, or related)
• Master's degree or advanced project-management training (PMP, PROSCI, Lean) is an asset 

Experience:

• 5+ years related experience in progressively responsible roles within a public, post-secondary, or similarly complex organization
• Demonstrated success implementing new initiatives, programs, workflows, or systems

Skills:

• Possess a high standard of professional integrity with the ability to maintain confidentiality and handle sensitive matters diplomatically and discreetly
• Excellent interpersonal, communication (oral and written), organizational and analytical skills, as well as a strong ability to take initiative and be self-directed
• Demonstrated capacity to manage multiple tasks with tight timelines and competing demands
• Demonstrated ability to work independently as well as collaboratively
• Strong attention to detail, creativity, flexibility and problem-solving skills
• Ability to understand a wide range of campus needs and issues and to support the development of policies, procedures and solutions to address them
• Ability to research and effectively present information
• Ability to understand and achieve resolution on complex issues and provide timely and accurate information
• Ability to use a range of software packages, including the Microsoft Office suite – advanced word processing, spreadsheets, electronic calendars and e-mail

Department: College of Medicine
Status: Term 2 years

Employment Group: ASPA
Full Time Equivalent (FTE): 1.0

Salary: The salary range, based on 1.0 FTE, is $69, ,868.00 per annum. The starting salary will be commensurate with education and experience.

Salary Family (if applicable): Specialist Professional

Salary Phase/Band: Phase 2

Posted Date: 1/14/2026

Closing Date: 1/27/2026 at 6:00 pm CST
Number of Openings: 1
Work Location: May be eligible for hybrid work under the terms of USask's Alternative Workspace Guidelines

The University of Saskatchewan aspires to be what the world needs and embraces equity, diversity and inclusion as foundational to excellence and innovation. We actively seek to create a welcoming environment where all individuals feel empowered to thrive, contribute, and grow. Applications from equity-deserving groups are encouraged as part of our ongoing efforts to reflect the diversity of the communities we serve: EDI Framework for Action.
We continue to grow our partnerships with Indigenous communities across the province, nationally, and internationally and value the unique perspective that Indigenous employees provide to strengthen these relationships. Verification of Indigenous Membership/Citizenship at the University of Saskatchewan is led and determined by the deybwewin | taapwaywin | tapwewin: Indigenous Truth policy and the Standing Committee in accordance with the processes developed to enact the policy. Successful candidates that assert Indigenous membership/citizenship will be asked to complete the verification process of Indigenous membership/citizenship with documentation.
The University of Saskatchewan provides an accessible and inclusive workplace. Should you require support through any stage of the recruitment process, please contact Human Resources for assistance.