Job Requisition ID:Time Type:Full time
Employee Group:Staff
Job Category:Project and Program Management
Employment Type:Permanent
Department:Office of the Vice-President, Academic and Provost - Strategic Initiatives
Hiring Range:$95,538.29 - $119,422.87
Posting Information:This posting is for an existing vacancy.
The internal posting deadline for this position is Thursday, November 12, 2026, at 11:59PM.
There is a qualified internal candidate in the role.
Job Description:Primary PurposeThe Manager, Cross-Institutional Initiatives reports to the Executive Director and leads the planning, coordination, and delivery of cross-institutional strategic initiatives on behalf of the Office of the Vice-President, Academic & Provost (VPAP). The role translates executive direction into structured, actionable plans; ensures disciplined project execution; integrates multiple workstreams across academic and administrative units; and provides high-quality analysis, reporting, and advice to support informed decision-making. Operating in a complex and highly confidential environment, the incumbent serves as a trusted resource and advisor to the Executive Director and senior leadership, playing a central role in advancing institutional priorities through effective project management, stakeholder engagement, and change leadership.
Key Accountabilities
Strategic Project Management
- Leads the planning, execution, and monitoring of complex, high-profile, and confidential strategic and operational initiatives aligned with Provost and institutional priorities.
- Translates executive direction and emerging opportunities into structured initiatives with clearly defined scope, objectives, timelines, governance structures, deliverables, and success metrics.
- Develops and maintains comprehensive project frameworks, including workplans, milestones, risk registers, dependency mapping, and performance indicators to ensure disciplined execution.
- Monitors progress and proactively identifies risks, issues, interdependencies, and resource implications; recommends corrective actions and escalates as needed to senior leadership and/or project sponsors.
- Oversees project budgets and resource allocation, ensuring initiatives are delivered within approved parameters.
- Ensures compliance with university policies, procedures, systems, and governance structures throughout the project lifecycle.
- Facilitates alignment and coordination across multiple initiatives to reduce duplication, connect related work, and advance institutional priorities.
- Supports institutional transformation initiatives through structured change management and stakeholder engagement practices.
- Tracks initiative outcomes, monitors progress against objectives and contributes to continuous improvement across projects and programs.
Executive Communications & Coordination
- Drafts, refines, and synthesizes high-quality briefing notes, reports, recommendations, presentations, frameworks, and strategic documents for senior leadership and governance bodies.
- Translates complex, multi-source information into clear, concise, and persuasive materials that inform decision-making and formal approvals.
- Prepares executive-ready materials, including reports and recommendations requiring endorsement by Vice-Presidents, Deans, and other governance bodies.
- Develops presentations and speaking notes for senior leaders, ensuring alignment with institutional priorities and messaging standards.
- Serves as the central coordination point for committees, working groups, and cross-functional teams, clarifying roles, timelines, decision pathways, and accountability mechanisms.
- Works closely with committee chairs to structure agendas, facilitate decision-focused discussions, and support effective governance outcomes.
- Coordinates input from multiple stakeholders to build consensus and maintain momentum on complex, multi-party initiatives.
- Provides operational leadership to ensure initiatives progress efficiently while maintaining strategic focus and rigor.
- Promotes continuous improvement in communication processes, operational efficiency, and the use of emerging systems and technologies.
Data Analysis, Reporting & Insights
- Leads research, environmental scanning, and both qualitative and quantitative analysis to inform strategic initiatives and support executive decision-making.
- Analyzes complex datasets, including HR, institutional, and operational data, and translates findings into actionable insights for senior leadership.
- Develops dashboards, summaries, and briefing materials highlighting trends, risks, and implications relevant to strategic decisions.
- Acts as a steward of sensitive and confidential data, ensuring accuracy, integrity, security, and appropriate use in reporting and analysis.
Collaboration, Relationship Management & Advisory Support
- Works closely with senior leaders, including Vice-Presidents, Associate Vice-Presidents, and Deans, and stakeholders both internal and external to the University to advance strategic and operational priorities.
- Builds and maintains trust-based relationships across academic and administrative units, navigating complex stakeholder environments with tact, diplomacy, and discretion.
- Provides strategic advice to initiative sponsors, project leads, and the VPAP Executive Director to support planning, decision-making, and implementation.
- Facilitates constructive dialogue, manages feedback, and supports collaborative problem-solving in institutional change contexts.
- Serves as a primary liaison for external consultants and partners, including development of RFQs, scopes of work, project plans, and monitoring deliverables, timelines, and performance.
- Integrates external inputs with internal workstreams, connecting stakeholders and maintaining momentum across multi-party initiatives.
- Maintains a strong cross-campus network of senior administrators to ensure visibility and support for strategic initiatives.
Required Qualifications Education
- University degree preferred, or equivalent combination of education and experience, with increasing responsibilities and leadership.
- Project management training or education preferred; demonstrated awareness of best practices and emerging trends required.
Experience
- Extensive experience (7-10 years) supporting and advancing senior executive or C-suite priorities in a complex organization, including strategic coordination, project leadership, and executive advisory support.
- Proven experience leading complex, multi-stakeholder initiatives, including planning, execution, monitoring, and delivery.
- Skilled in translating strategic direction into structured workplans, governance processes and deliverables.
- Experience in process and project development, implementation and post-implementation review, with continuous improvement focus.
- Proficient in research, environmental scanning, and quantitative and qualitative analysis to inform decision-making.
- Ability to synthesize complex information and provide practical advice in ambiguous or evolving situations for senior audiences.
- Demonstrated ability to work independently with a high degree of discretion, judgement and accountability.
- Strong understanding of institutional policies, procedures and governance requirements.
- Advanced technical proficiency in Microsoft Office, including document preparation, data analysis, and presentation development.
Knowledge/Skills/Abilities
- Exceptional ability to manage multiple initiatives, balance competing priorities, and meet shifting deadlines.
- Highly developed analytical, organizational, and problem-solving skills with strong attention to detail.
- Outstanding written and verbal communication, with ability to produce clear and persuasive materials for executive audiences.
- Independent, proactive, and accountable, with sound judgment and discretion.
- Strong interpersonal skills with the ability to influence, advise, and collaborate with senior leaders, peers, and external partners.
- Ability to navigate complex stakeholder environments with tact, diplomacy, and professionalism.
- High ethical standards and commitment to confidentiality.
- Resilient and adaptable to changing priorities and institutional needs.
