Director, Communications and Operations

Department: Office of the President
This position is represented by the agreement between the Professional Staff Association and the University of Guelph

If you are a current employee of the University of Guelph you must apply on the internal Career Page in order to be considered as an internal applicant. 
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General Purpose

The Director of Communications and Operations is responsible for developing and maintaining the planning and tracking framework for the President’s priorities, including strategic institutional initiatives. This role involves overseeing the implementation of these initiatives and addressing challenges in collaboration with senior leaders designated by the Vice Presidents. Additionally, the Director is responsible for providing oversight of the portfolio’s budget, ensuring financial alignment with strategic priorities.

The role also involves coordinating and preparing Senior Executive updates for governance bodies such as the Board of Governors and internal groups, detailing the progress of strategic plan implementation. The Director provides ongoing analyses and updates on areas of strategic importance to the President and the University, drawing on a network of colleagues and subject matter experts to support the creation of reports and materials.

Duties and Responsibilities

• Execute planning documents, ensuring that University goals and institutional priorities are translated into actionable steps.
• Monitor the implementation of strategic initiatives, tracking progress to ensure alignment with both annual and long-term objectives.
• Collaborate with senior leaders to ensure the effective operationalization of strategic plans, driving execution and adjusting strategies as needed to achieve desired outcomes.
• Create and execute project plans, adjusting as necessary to align with institutional and presidential priorities.
• Facilitate cross-functional collaboration, ensuring all departments and units are coordinated and contribute to project success.
• Monitor project schedules and timelines, ensuring the timely completion of objectives and key results.
• Evaluate project outcomes and lessons learned, applying insights to improve future project planning and execution.
• Prepare briefing notes and background materials for the President and senior administration, ensuring clarity on key institutional priorities, emerging issues, and strategic decisions.
• Develop high-level presentations for governance bodies, including the Board of Governors and Senate, to effectively communicate progress on key institutional initiatives and priorities.
• Coordinate the alignment of executive leadership activities with Board of Governors priorities, ensuring that institutional strategies, projects, and initiatives are effectively communicated and positioned for Board consideration.
• Support internal communication of the President’s priorities, ensuring clarity on how initiatives contribute to overarching goals.
• Lead the preparation, management, and monitoring of the President's Office portfolio annual budget, ensuring alignment with strategic priorities and institutional goals.
• Ensure effective allocation and utilization of financial resources across the President's Office, aligning expenditures with strategic objectives.
• Prepare detailed financial reports, including budget performance, variances, and projections, for presentation to senior leadership and other key stakeholders.
• Identify opportunities for cost savings and efficiencies within the President's Office operations, recommending measures to optimize spending without compromising quality or strategic initiatives.

Requirements

• A Master’s degree a related field and at least 8 to 10 years of experience in providing executive/senior-level communications and project management.
• Proven ability to manage multiple projects and deadlines in high-pressure environments.
• Expertise in writing, editing, and corporate communications within high-profile organizations.
• Strong leadership, people management, and relationship-building skills, with advanced communication abilities.
• Experience in strategic decision-making, project management.
• High political acuity and judgment in managing relationships with senior administrators.
• Discretion and integrity in handling confidential materials and sensitive situations.
• Strong research, analytical, and presentation skills, with the ability to convey complex topics to diverse audiences.

Employee Type: Regular 
Position Number: 10921356 
Classification: P&M FT- Band 10    
Professional/Managerial Salary Bands 
The target hiring salary for this position is minimum up to 96% of midpoint for the salary grade.

*Tentative evaluation; subject to committee review.

At the University of Guelph, fostering a culture of inclusion is an institutional imperative. The University invites and encourages applications from all qualified individuals, including from groups that are traditionally underrepresented in employment, who may contribute to further diversification of our Institution.

Posting Date:  05/05/2025  
Closing Date:  05/12/2025