Manager, Administration

Regular/Temporary

Regular

Job Title

Manager, Administration & Operations

Job ID

72421

Location

Central Campus

Open Date

10/17/2025

Job Type

Continuing

Close Date

10/30/2025

Employee Group

TMG

Favorite Job

Department

Housing Residences Central Adm

Salary Grade/Band

Band K

Salary Range

$ $ annual)

Hours per Week

35

Posting Details

Housing and Conference Services (HCS) plays a vital role in supporting McMaster University's mission to advance human and societal well-being and its overarching vision of educating for capability. We are committed to delivering a distinctive living and learning environment that prioritizes community building, personal development, academic success, wellness, and inclusion. HCS provides a transformative residential experience for approximately 3,900 students, with a focus on key educational priorities.

HCS concurrently drives a positive McMaster experience for guests, alumni, staff, faculty, and students by providing accommodation and event coordination, which meet the highest standards of service excellence. HCS is a proud and significant ancillary contributor to the financial health of the University and the core academic and research mission of McMaster.

HCS is currently undergoing a period of significant expansion, increasing capacity by 66% over the next several years. Moving from 3,900 to 6,000 bed spaces across 15 buildings. This growth will diversify the housing portfolio beyond its traditional focus on first-year undergraduate students to include upper-year, graduate, and family housing, as well as a constantly evolving internal and external client base.

The department operates with an annual pre-expansion budget of approximately $31 million and employs over 100 full-time and 250 part-time staff. HCS reports directly to both the Divisions of Student Affairs and Operations & Finance.

Schedule

Monday - Friday from 8:30am - 4:30pm

(35 Hours per week)

Education Level

University Degree or equivalent combined with formal training and demonstrated supervisory experience in an academic environment

Career Level

5 years or more in an Administration/Management & Operational role with a proven record of high accomplishment in problem-solving, and demonstrated abilities in people management and

leadership, preferably in an academic and unionized environment

Targeted Salary Range

$78,910 - $92,000

Job Description

About the Role: Housing and Conference Services (HCS) at McMaster University is seeking an innovative leader for the role of Manager, Administration & Operations, reporting to the Associate Director, Administration. The Manager is responsible for leading, designing & implementing innovative client-centered initiatives & centralized administrative processes. This role involves collaboration with multiple units to ensure efficient management of financial, human, and physical resources in support of students, conference attendees, and event guests at McMaster University. The Manager leads operations of HCS service centers, ensuring exceptional service delivery and creating positive experiences for students and guests.

Our service centers operate 24/7, 365 days a year, requiring consistent leadership and coordination. The Manager plays a critical role in shaping the direction of service center offerings, providing administrative and operational leadership, and planning.

Why join us?

• Impactful Work: Contribute to the University's goal of advancing human and societal wellbeing.

• Growth Opportunities: Be part of a significant expansion, increasing capacity by 66% over the next 5 years.

• Dynamic Environment: Work with a diverse client base, including students, staff, and external guests.

• Supportive & Solutions Oriented Team: Join a team dedicated to operational excellence and continuous improvement.

Key accountabilities:

• Leadership and Operational Management: Lead administrative and operational functions, ensuring exemplary customer service and technological advancements. Manage internal contacts, external suppliers, and stakeholders for smooth operations and relationship building. Oversee vendor contracts, record-keeping systems, and contract lifecycle management.

• Independent Decision Making: Exercises independent decision-making within a delegated authority, including exploring new and innovative opportunities to streamline procedures to improve the efficiency and effectiveness of both administrative and operational functions of the department.

• Team Leadership: Provide direction, vision, and leadership to coordinators and the Housing Service Desk Team. Develop high-performance teams and foster a service culture. Implement training plans for continuous staff development. Communicate operational disruptions to staff and users. Oversee hiring, training, and supervisory responsibilities. Manage service operations, resolve concerns, and engage with residents. Participate in crisis-response planning. Recommend solutions for personnel and service issues. Keep the Associate Director informed of actions taken. Ensure staff are trained on policies and risk management strategies.

• Detail-Oriented and Organizational Skills: Establish and maintain structures for policies, contracts, and other administrative processes, ensuring accuracy and compliance.

• Financial Management: Manage financial resources, advise on budget needs, and ensure compliance with university policies. Compile reporting and year-end documentation, monitor accounts, and make financial recommendations. Lead business planning for the Service Center Administration & Operations unit.

• Continuous Improvement: Implement processes to enhance service delivery and operational efficiency. Lead projects and manage change initiatives, guiding and inspiring other leaders within the organization.

• Office Space Planning & Allocation: Ensure common spaces are maintained through staff resource allocation. Oversee storage space inventory for supplies and furniture. Lead risk/safety audits and inspections with EOHS and industry partners. Oversees all storage space inventory for record-keeping supplies and furniture.

Qualifications & Experience:

• University Degree or equivalent combined with formal training and demonstrated supervisory experience in an academic environment is preferred.

• Proven experience in administrative and operational management, preferably in a customer or client service-focused industry such as hospitality, hotel management or preferably in an academic and unionized environment.

• Strong leadership and team management abilities, with a track record of driving strategic initiatives and managing high-performance teams. Success in managing human resources within a unionized setting.

• Experience in budget management and financial planning.

• Excellent communication skills, both written and verbal. Ability to work and thrive in a collaborative, team-based environment, fostering strategic partnerships and developing strong working relationships with stakeholders at all levels.

• Ability to develop creative solutions, improve processes, and apply critical thinking. Strong analytical and quantitative skills.

• Demonstrated ability to influence strategic direction, manage effectively without direct authority, use discretion, maintain confidentiality, and exercise sound and independent judgment in strategic decision-making.

• Ability to multitask, prioritize effectively in a fast-paced and dynamic workplace, and work well under pressure with short deadlines and competing priorities.

• Commitment to providing exceptional service to students, staff, and guests.

• Willingness to carry a cellphone to respond to requests from staff and management during work hours and off hours, including weekends.

How To Apply

To apply for this job, please submit your application online.

Employment Equity Statement

McMaster University is located on the traditional territories of the Haudenosaunee and Mississauga Nations and within the lands protected by the "Dish With One Spoon" wampum agreement.

The diversity of our workforce is at the core of our innovation and creativity and strengthens our research and teaching excellence. In keeping with its Statement on Building an Inclusive Community with a Shared Purpose, McMaster University strives to embody the values of respect, collaboration and diversity, and has a strong commitment to employment equity.

The University seeks qualified candidates who share our commitment to equity and inclusion, who will contribute to the diversification of ideas and perspectives, and especially welcomes applications from indigenous (First Nations, Métis or Inuit) peoples, members of racialized communities, persons with disabilities, women, and persons who identify as 2SLGBTQ+.

As part of McMaster's commitment, all applicants are invited to complete a confidential Applicant Diversity Survey through the online application submission process. The Survey questionnaire requests voluntary self-identification in relation to equity-seeking groups that have historically faced and continue to face barriers in employment. Please refer to the Applicant Diversity Survey - Statement of Collection for additional information.

Job applicants requiring accommodation to participate in the hiring process should contact:

• Human Resources Service Centre at ext. 222-HR , or
• Faculty of Health Sciences HR Office at ext. 22207, or
• School of Graduate Studies at ext. 23679

to communicate accommodation needs.

Hybrid Work Language

To ensure an ongoing and vibrant University community that meets the needs of our students, staff and faculty and supports the University mission, ability to work on-site continues to be a requirement for most University positions. The University is supportive of exploring flexible work arrangements that effectively balance operational needs and employee interests.

Interview Experience

At McMaster University, we believe in a comprehensive and inclusive interview process. Our interview methods encompass a variety of approaches that allow our hiring teams to provide a flexible and accessible experience for engaging with our candidates. Throughout your recruitment process at McMaster, you may be requested to participate in a variety of formats, that may include in-person, virtual or recorded interviews. If you have any questions as you move through the hiring process, please reach out to or the HR contact associated with your position of interest.