Director Business Operations, College of Engineering

Department: CoE-Office of the Dean
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. 
Career Opportunities (sapsf.com) 

General Purpose
The College of Engineering is on a mission to be one of Canada’s top engineering schools by offering a hands-on, design-focused education that prepares students to tackle real-world challenges. The College of Engineering is newly established at the University of Guelph. In 2025, the College of Engineering and Physical Sciences (CEPS) was split into two distinct academic units: the College of Engineering (COE) and the College of Computational, Mathematical and Physical Sciences. This role falls within the College of Engineering.

This Director, Business Operations is a newly established position reporting directly to the Dean. This role works closely with the Dean, Associate Deans, and all Department Chairs. The Director oversees Operations, Administration, Human Resources, Finance and Accounting, IT Procurement, Facilities Management, and Project Management. This is a high activity, high accountability, and strategic decision-making role. 

The Director briefs the Dean frequently to ensure alignment between the business operations side and the College’s vision. A key challenge of the role is to understand, communicate, and influence others internally and externally regarding the priorities of the College. The Director is the subject matter expert of The College of Engineering’s strategic plan and culture, all within the context of the University of Guelph as a whole.

Duties and Responsibilities

Leadership and Management (40%)

• Responsible for strategic operations management, including oversight of those accomplishing day-to-day operations.
• Represent the College on multiple partnerships, by sitting on internal and external committees from a financial best practices perspective.
• Provide leadership and mentorship to managers and professional staff by supporting the development of their leadership and management. This includes being responsible for the performance and results of multiple groups and teams.

Financial Management (30%)

• Play a key role in financial accountability for a complex portfolio. This includes ownership of the operating budget, resource allocation, revenue forecasts, and expenditures.
• Operate as a strategic partner on financial matters for the College, ensuring operations support the overall goal.
• Provide support to senior leadership and management on issues that need a strategic perspective. This includes providing financial mentorship to all senior leaders within the College.
• Oversee the strategic development of tools, systems, databases.

Facilities Management (15%)

• Lead space planning meetings to assist with securing adequate learning space from a growth and learning perspective for students.
• Serve as key business partner to external stakeholders working with the College of Engineering. This role oversees/monitors progress of any expansion or renovation project.
• Support projects involving space planning initiatives with central planning teams.

Project Management (15%)

• Lead the change management for major initiatives as required. This includes planning and oversight of information technology changes and various changes that need a strategic perspective.
• Serve as key resource within the College on special activities including search committees, development of funding initiatives, major research applications, department reviews and new program development.

Requirements
The university recognizes that no one individual will have the following skills/experience in equal measure, but the qualifications below will be used to assess the suitability of candidates throughout the process:

• A Master's degree in Business administration or related field, with a minimum of 10 years of relevant experience in an operational leadership role.
• Advanced knowledge of Policies, Procedures, Operating Requirements, and Governance Structure in a Post Secondary Environment, including a sound understanding of collective agreements and their implementation.
• A combination of Financial Management experience including budget management, financial planning, implementation of policies around financial controls, and expert knowledge on Financial Legislation.
• A background in Strategic Management Principles, including situation analysis, strategic planning, human resource management and principles of organizational development.
• Sound communication and relationship building skills. This must include mediation, conflict resolution and consensus building.
• Ability to operate within a complex, multi-faceted and highly demanding work environment. Skilled in forging harmonious and supportive working relationships internally and externally.
• Ability to deal with a heavy workload while still ensuring day to day activities are attended. Ability to prioritize the challenges of competing demands.
• Solid negotiation skills with a proven track record of growth and responsibility.

Why choose the University of Guelph

• Comprehensive Extended Health Care Benefits: Immediate enrollment in extended health to cover yourself and your family.
• Time off: Strong vacation allocation, floater days, and paid time off during the December closure to ensure that you are at your best.
• Wellness: In addition to extensive wellness programming, the University offers a yearly flexible spending credit that can be allocated to any of the following: Health Spending, Wellness or Professional Development.
• Learning & Development: Learning and development curriculum and other professional growth opportunities.
• On-campus Activities: Discounts on food and apparel, fitness programming, access to networking events and team building opportunities.
• Improve Life: Work that directly impacts a brighter future by turning knowledge into action.

Employee Type: Regular 
Position Number: 10925302 
Classification: P&M FT- Band 12    
Professional/Managerial Salary Bands 
The target hiring salary for this position is minimum and 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:  04/02/2026  
Closing Date:  04/16/2026