Operations Manager

Department: Environmental Design and Rural Development
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 Operations Manager for the School of Environmental Design and Rural Development (SEDRD) plays a crucial role in the delivery of Academic services to the School’s students and provides broad administrative support to the Director, while ensuring efficient operations that supports all faculty, staff and students in the School.  The position primarily report to the Director of SEDRD and will get function guidance from the Manager, Finance/Operations of the OAC Shared Service Team.

SEDRD consists of 18 faculty, 4 staff (3 USW,1 PSA), ~25 sessional instructors, a number of casual employees, ~160 graduate students, 260 undergraduate students, and a variety of undergraduate and distance education service courses. SEDRD has an MTCU budget of about $3.7M, as well as ~100 specific purpose and research trust accounts and projects with about $1M total annual funds. SEDRD consists of six academic programs: the Landscape Architecture programs (BLA and MLA), Rural Planning and Development programs (M.Sc. (Planning) and MPlan), Capacity Development and extension program (M.Sc.), and a Ph.D. in Rural Studies program. Three of the six programs are professionally accredited (BLA, MLA and RPD).

Duties and Responsibilities

This role provides leadership and carries special accountability for Academic Services at the School. This encompasses activities that are academic in nature (both undergraduate and graduate) and is well knowledgeable in the accreditation processes.

This role also has a wide range of responsibilities, with a focus on providing professional/academic guidance to course-based Masters students and support for the administration of the programs. This can include program application queries, admission requirements, academic policy, processes, and student support throughout their degree. The role will provide leadership in the department with respect to the CBM programs and enhance student support and be the primary resource; they will promote student development, success, and retention, and encourage academic achievement by coordinating supporting resources and options. The School Operations Manager will participate in academic program-related committees, associated with the programs. The incumbent must be self-directed, but also able to work closely with graduate students.

In addition, this role is expected to act as liaison between the Director of SEDRD and the Shared Service Team to ensure the processes is in line with OAC standard practices. The role provides support to the Director on a day-to-day basis. The incumbent co-ordinates the School’s P&T process from start to finish and plays a very active role in the administration of faculty, sessional and GRA hires.  The position also facilitates operational tasks relating to the Landscape Architecture building. These activities require frequent collaboration and liaising between other admin. team members, School faculty (& their delegated hiring staff), School Director and other functional staff (Finance, Academic, HR).

Requirements

• Completion of a college degree. A university degree in Landscape Architecture, Planning, or related field is considered an asset.
• 3 years relevant work experience in business, program management, or recruitment & marketing.
• Experience with operations, academic coordinating, advisory, experiential learning, knowledge of the SEDRD programs are essential for this position.
• Excellent writing and oral communication skills, including the ability to compose clear and concise correspondence. 
• The ability to demonstrate genuine interest in the well-being of students, a high level of diplomacy and judgment.
• The ability to work in a fast-paced environment with constant interruptions and to work effectively both independently and with a team.
• Strong attention to detail.
• Knowledge of University policies and procedures related to Graduate Studies. 
• A strong working knowledge of University of Guelph policies and procedures, as they relate to a diverse teaching/research Department, would be considered an asset.
• Excellent skills in the areas of organization, communication, strategic planning, operations, finance, coaching and team-building and highly-developed interpersonal skills.
• Candidates should demonstrate professional judgement, tact, diplomacy and the ability to work both pro-actively and re-actively under tight time-frames and competing priorities.

Employee Type: Regular 
Position Number: 10922584 
Classification: P&M FT- Band 02    
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:  06/27/2025  
Closing Date:  07/04/2025