Operations Manager

Department: Food Agricultural and Resource Economics
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 Department of Food, Agricultural and Resource Economics (FARE) plays a crucial role in the delivery of Academic services to the Department’s students and provides broad administrative support to the Chair, while ensuring efficient operations that support all faculty, staff and students in the Department.  The position reports to the Chair of FARE and receives functional guidance from the Finance/Operations Manager of the OAC Shared Service Team.

FARE consists of 12 faculty, 3 staff (2 USW, 1 PSA), ~4 sessional instructors, a number of casual employees, ~30 graduate students, 180 undergraduate students, and a variety of undergraduate and distance education service courses. FARE has an MTCU budget of about $3M, as well as ~50 specific purpose and research trust accounts and projects with about $500K total annual funds. FARE consists of six academic programs: the Bachelor of Commerce – Food and Agricultural Business, Bachelor of Arts – Food, Agricultural and Resource Economics, Bachelor of Science in Environmental Sciences - Environmental Economics and Policy, Master of Food, Agricultural and Resource Economics (MFARE) and MSc and PhD in Food, Agricultural and Resource Economics (research-based)

Duties and Responsibilities

This role provides leadership and carries special accountability for undergraduate academic services in the Department. This encompasses activities that are academic and operational in nature. Additionally, this role is expected to serve as a liaison between the Chair of FARE and the Shared Service Team to ensure that processes align with OAC standard practices. The role provides operational support to the Chair on a day-to-day basis. The incumbent will coordinate the Department’s Tenure and Promotion process from start to finish, work with the Chair to finalize the teaching schedule and faculty DOE, and manage the hiring process for faculty and sessional lecturers. The incumbent will also be responsible for the supervision of 2 staff, providing day-to-day leadership, assigning tasks, monitoring performance, and fostering a collaborative and efficient work environment that supports the Department’s academic and administrative goals.

The incumbent provides support for the Undergraduate Program functions in the FARE department, including course and exam scheduling, course enrollment, calendar changes, support for the Undergraduate Curriculum Committee, grade submission, course outlines, final and deferred examinations, and central classroom bookings.

The position also facilitates operational tasks related to the Department building, including work orders, printing, supplies, room bookings, room/office assignments and hospitality orders. These activities require frequent collaboration and liaising with other administrative team members, faculty, the Department Chair and the OAC Shared Service Team.

Requirements

• A completion of college degree, and a minimum of three years of related experience are required.
• Proven experience in academic operations is essential, along with a background in administrative support, communications, stakeholder engagement, and event planning. 
• It is expected that the incumbent be well-versed in all Undergraduate student matters, including relevant university policies and procedures, as well as any collective agreements related to undergraduate students.
• Exceptional skills in managing departmental operations, academic scheduling, office logistics, meeting coordination, event planning, and policy implementation, all in collaboration with the Chair.
• Strong communication, organizational, coaching, and team-building abilities are essential, along with highly developed interpersonal skills.
• Familiarity with collective agreements is an asset, including UGFA and CUPE 3913.
• Candidates must demonstrate sound judgment, tact, diplomacy, and the ability to manage competing priorities under tight deadlines.
• Strong systems thinking, analytical, and operational management skills are also critical to success in this role.

Employee Type: Regular 
Position Number: 10922582 
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