Executive Director, Business Services

Under the general direction of the Chief Administrative Officer, Division of the Vice-President and Provost (DVPP), the Executive Director, Business Services (ED) provides strategic oversight of business services that support a diverse range of Vice-Provostial academic and student service portfolios across the division. The ED will ensure that business functions are delivered in efficient and effective ways, and responsive to the evolving needs of each portfolio that delivers high-impact services to the university community. The ED is responsible for business management of the DVPP and will oversee business processes across the division to ensure the DVPP upholds public standards of stewardship, remains compliant in all aspects of financial and operational policy, and leads and inspires a student- and faculty-focused approach.

Under the CAO’s oversight, the ED will oversee the areas of budget planning cycles, procurement management, capital projects, business operations, space planning, and financial reports. The incumbent will have oversight of budget cycles pertaining to different funding sources and separate governance requirements to ensure an in-depth understanding of the division’s financial standing and potential risks. The incumbent will also ensure resource allocations are optimized, and that financial and business processes are efficient and effective. The ED will be responsible for driving operational excellence in business services, ensuring that our functions are efficient, coordinated, and designed with user needs in mind. In partnership with DVPP portfolios, the ED will help evaluate and refine service models, working toward the best organizational design to meet service needs while maintaining a strong focus on value creation and continuous improvement.

The ED will not only be a divisional resource, but also a point of contact for academic divisions and other shared service divisions for reliable and confidential maintenance of funding agreements, while exercising discretion, and exhibiting expertise and exemplary service orientation as a representative of the Provost division.

The Division of the Vice-President and Provost (DVPP) is a shared service division under the leadership of the Vice-President and Provost (VP&P) and organized into business units led by the Vice-Provost Students; Vice-Provost Strategic Enrolment Management; Vice-Provost Graduate Research and Education and Dean of the School of Graduate Studies; Vice-Provost Academic Programs; Vice-Provost Innovations in Undergraduate Education; and Vice-Provost Faculty and Academic Life. In addition, there are joint Associate Vice-President and Vice-Provost operations that are also broadly supported by the DVPP and other shared services. The Office of the Vice-President and Provost makes up the remaining operations of DVPP and is comprised of administrative staff who provide direct support to the Provost, as well as strategic support to each Vice-Provostial portfolio and all divisions across the university.

Qualifications:

I. EDUCATION: University degree preferably in business administration or related field plus professional designation; or equivalent combination of education and relevant experience. Finance or accounting designation (e.g. CA, CMA, CGA, CFA) is an asset. Certification in Project Management Professional (PMP) and/or LEAN Six Sigma is considered an asset.

II. EXPERIENCE: Minimum ten (10) years of related business services, budgeting, and operational experience in a higher education environment, a large public sector setting or a large complex environment. Significant experience with administrative management systems (FIS, HRIS, and RIS) and with University budgeting / financial policies and procedures. Experience managing staff in a unionized environment.

III. SKILLS: Advanced personal computer skills, particularly Excel. Experience with data visualization tools e.g. Power BI. Advanced knowledge of the University’s Administrative Management Systems (FIS, HRIS and RIS) or similar. Proven ability to communicate effectively, both verbally and in writing, to a large and diverse community of stakeholders. Effective and creative problem solver, with good judgement. Demonstrated ability to plan and execute complex projects and manage conflicting priorities while working toward tight deadlines.

IV. OTHER: Highly detail oriented and accurate with exceptional analytical skills. Commitment to providing a high level of service to a large group of stakeholders. Ability to take the initiative and respond to change. Ability to influence others and lead change in business and administrative practices. Able to respect matters of a sensitive nature and maintain confidentiality. Able to assess information and make decisions and recommendations regarding matters confidential to labour relations. Ability to lead and assemble working groups and committees to discuss and assess projects that require input from many stakeholders and provide leadership to guide and oversee their efforts. Proven analytical and conceptual thinking skills. Must be able to translate statistical and analytical results into easily understood terms. Demonstrated commitment to equity and diversity. An excellent understanding of the objectives of the Division and an ability to effectively achieve the priorities of the Division.

Closing Date: 09/14/2025, 11:59PM ET

Employee Group: Salaried

Personnel Subarea: PM

Appointment Type: Budget - Continuing

Schedule: Full-Time

Pay Scale Group & Hiring Zone: PM 7 -- Hiring Zone: $142,651 - $166,427 -- Broadband Salary Range: $142,651 - $237,752

Job Category: Administrative / Managerial