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Operations Manager - Job Opportunity at University of Guelph

Guelph, Canada
Full-time
Mid-level
Posted: June 29, 2025
On-site
CAD 55,000 - 70,000 annually based on Professional/Managerial Band 02 classification at University of Guelph, with target hiring salary at minimum to 96% of midpoint. This aligns with comparable academic operations management roles in Canadian universities and reflects the specialized nature of agricultural economics department operations.

Benefits

Professional Staff Association representation providing enhanced job security and advocacy
University employment benefits package typically including comprehensive health coverage, dental, and vision insurance
Educational institution pension plan with employer matching contributions
Professional development opportunities within academic environment
Stable employment with tenure-track adjacent security in higher education

Key Responsibilities

Lead strategic undergraduate academic services delivery across six academic programs serving 180+ students, directly impacting educational outcomes and student success metrics
Provide executive-level administrative support to Department Chair while serving as operational bridge between FARE and OAC Shared Service Team, ensuring seamless integration of $3.5M+ budget operations
Orchestrate comprehensive faculty lifecycle management including tenure and promotion processes, teaching schedules, and hiring decisions that shape departmental academic direction
Exercise supervisory leadership over 2 direct reports while fostering collaborative work environment that supports 12+ faculty members and 30+ graduate students
Manage complex academic operations including course scheduling, enrollment management, and curriculum committee support that directly affects program accreditation and student progression
Coordinate facility operations and resource allocation for department infrastructure supporting diverse undergraduate and graduate programs

Requirements

Education

College degree completion required

Experience

Minimum of three years of related experience required

Required Skills

Proven experience in academic operations Administrative support Communications Stakeholder engagement Event planning Knowledge of undergraduate student matters University policies and procedures Collective agreements related to undergraduate students Departmental operations management Academic scheduling Office logistics Meeting coordination Policy implementation Communication abilities Organizational skills Coaching abilities Team-building abilities Interpersonal skills Sound judgment Tact Diplomacy Ability to manage competing priorities under tight deadlines Systems thinking Analytical skills Operational management skills

Certifications

Familiarity with collective agreements including UGFA and CUPE 3913 preferred
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Industry Trends

Higher education institutions are increasingly centralizing administrative operations through shared service models to improve efficiency and reduce costs, making cross-departmental collaboration skills highly valuable. Universities are also focusing on student retention and success metrics, elevating the importance of academic operations roles that directly impact student experience and outcomes. Canadian post-secondary education is experiencing significant enrollment pressures and funding constraints, requiring operations managers to demonstrate strong financial acumen and resource optimization skills. There's growing emphasis on data-driven decision making in academic administration, with institutions seeking professionals who can bridge traditional academic culture with modern operational efficiency. The academic job market is seeing increased demand for hybrid roles that combine traditional administrative functions with strategic planning and stakeholder management, particularly in specialized departments like agricultural economics where industry partnerships and practical applications are crucial for program relevance.

Role Significance

Direct supervision of 2 staff members with functional coordination of 12+ faculty, multiple sessional instructors, and indirect influence over 30+ graduate students and 180+ undergraduates. The role operates within a complex matrix structure requiring stakeholder management across multiple organizational levels.
This is a significant mid-to-senior level administrative role with substantial operational authority and strategic influence within the department. The position carries executive-level responsibilities including budget oversight, staff supervision, and direct advisory capacity to department leadership, positioning it as a key operational decision-maker rather than purely administrative support.

Key Projects

Comprehensive tenure and promotion process management requiring multi-month coordination and stakeholder alignment across university hierarchy Annual academic scheduling and resource allocation projects affecting program delivery and student progression Faculty recruitment and hiring initiatives that shape departmental strategic direction and academic capabilities Budget management and financial oversight projects involving multiple funding sources and compliance requirements Curriculum development support and accreditation preparation initiatives ensuring program quality and regulatory compliance

Success Factors

Deep understanding of academic culture and university governance structures, combined with business-oriented operational efficiency mindset to bridge traditional academic approaches with modern administrative practices Exceptional stakeholder management abilities to navigate complex relationships between faculty, students, administrators, and external partners while maintaining diplomatic neutrality in potentially contentious academic decisions Strong financial acumen and project management skills to oversee multi-million dollar budgets and coordinate complex, multi-stakeholder initiatives with regulatory and accreditation implications Strategic communication abilities to translate between different organizational languages and priorities, from academic research focus to administrative efficiency requirements Adaptability and crisis management capabilities to handle unexpected challenges in dynamic academic environment where student needs, faculty priorities, and administrative requirements often conflict

Market Demand

Moderate to high demand driven by university sector modernization needs and retirement of experienced academic administrators. The specialized combination of academic operations knowledge and agricultural/economics sector understanding creates a niche market with limited qualified candidates.

Important Skills

Critical Skills

Academic operations expertise is absolutely essential as this role requires deep understanding of university policies, procedures, and cultural norms that cannot be easily transferred from other sectors. The unique complexity of academic scheduling, tenure processes, and student services demands specialized knowledge that forms the foundation of operational effectiveness. Stakeholder management and diplomatic communication skills are crucial given the complex political dynamics within university environments where multiple constituencies have competing interests and priorities. Success requires ability to navigate faculty sensitivities, student advocacy, administrative requirements, and external pressures while maintaining productive working relationships. Financial management and budget oversight capabilities are increasingly critical as universities face funding pressures and demand greater accountability. The ability to manage multiple funding streams, ensure compliance, and optimize resource allocation directly impacts departmental sustainability and program quality.

Beneficial Skills

Knowledge of agricultural economics and food systems would enhance credibility and effectiveness when working with specialized faculty and industry partners, though not strictly required for operational success Project management certification or formal training would strengthen ability to coordinate complex, multi-stakeholder initiatives typical in academic environment Bilingual capabilities (English/French) could provide advantages in Canadian university context and enhance career mobility within national higher education sector Data analysis and reporting skills are increasingly valuable as universities adopt evidence-based decision making and require sophisticated performance metrics and accountability reporting

Unique Aspects

Integration of traditional academic administration with agricultural economics specialization creates unique professional development opportunities at intersection of education and industry sectors
Exposure to international agricultural development projects and research initiatives through department's connections to global food security and sustainability programs
Opportunity to influence curriculum development in rapidly evolving field of agricultural economics, including emerging areas like precision agriculture, sustainable food systems, and agricultural technology
Access to extensive professional networks spanning academia, government agricultural agencies, and private sector agribusiness organizations
Role provides platform for contributing to food security and agricultural sustainability initiatives with genuine societal impact beyond typical administrative positions

Career Growth

Typical progression to next level roles occurs within 3-5 years with demonstrated success in current position, though advancement may be influenced by institutional restructuring and retirement patterns in university sector

Potential Next Roles

Associate Director or Assistant Dean positions within larger academic units Director of Academic Operations at faculty or college level Registrar or Associate Registrar positions focusing on academic services Strategic planning and institutional effectiveness roles within university administration Executive administrative positions supporting Vice-Presidents or other senior university leadership

Company Overview

University of Guelph

University of Guelph is a comprehensive research university established in 1964, recognized as one of Canada's top comprehensive universities with particular strength in agricultural, veterinary, and life sciences programs. The institution serves approximately 29,000 students and maintains a strong reputation for applied research and industry partnerships, particularly in food, agriculture, and environmental sciences sectors.

Consistently ranked among Canada's top 5 comprehensive universities, University of Guelph maintains strong national and international recognition in agricultural and veterinary sciences. The institution has established itself as a leader in sustainable agriculture research and food security initiatives, positioning it as a key player in addressing global agricultural challenges.
Guelph serves as a significant economic and educational anchor in southwestern Ontario's agricultural corridor, with strong connections to government agricultural research facilities and agribusiness sector. The university's location provides strategic access to both Toronto's financial and business centers and rural agricultural communities, creating unique partnership and research opportunities.
University environment typically emphasizes collaborative decision-making, academic freedom, and work-life balance, though with increasing pressure for operational efficiency and accountability. The institution values diversity, sustainability, and community engagement, creating a mission-driven workplace culture that attracts professionals interested in contributing to societal benefit rather than purely commercial objectives.
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