Chief Operations Officer

Description:

Reporting to the Vice President, Division of People, Finance & Digital Services, the Chief Operations Officer (COO) serves as a key member of the PFDS Executive Team, providing leadership, strategic direction and sound management of administrative operations and business administration within the PFDS portfolio. The COO provides executive support and strategic advice to the VP, PFDS and has responsibility for facilitating and implementing the administration of divisional priorities and directions set by the Vice-President.

The COO provides leadership administrative, financial and strategic planning, facility operations and planning and information technology functions for the Division. The incumbent ensures plans, benchmarks and policies are in place to support the mission of the Division. The COO develops short and long-term strategic plans and multi-year financial plans to support strategic priorities of the Division. The COO is responsible for leading the VP Division’s annual budget process based on a thorough understanding of the University budget model, financial and human resource policies, procedures and systems.

The COO manages complex and high-profile issues on behalf of the Vice-President by assessing stakeholder concerns, coordinating responses across portfolios, and providing strategic advice on matters with institutional impact. The incumbent proactively identifies emerging risks and issues, recommends courses of action, and ensures effective resolution and communication of outcomes.

Additionally, the incumbent provides strategic advice to the Vice-President, the Executive Team and senior staff on a wide range of initiatives to optimize the Division’s capacity to perform its service mandate for the University. The incumbent develops and maintains internal and external relations within the University and the broader community, related to internal financial staff, vendors, IT providers, etc.

In providing executive support and strategic advice to the VP, PFDS, the COO has responsibility for facilitating and implementing the administration of divisional priorities, including key responsibilities, such assupporting the Vice-President on a range of institutional files; providing advice and making recommendations based on research and analysis; preparing governance documentation for submission on behalf of the Vice-President; overseeing the preparation of speaking notes, presentations and correspondence on behalf of the Vice-President; leading institutional projects and initiatives; and triaging a range of strategic and pressing initiatives on behalf of the Vice-President.

In addition, the incumbent represents the Office of the Vice-President, People, Finance & Digital Services in discussions related to issues on the Vice-President’s behalf with respect to employee health and safety.

The incumbent is responsible for the effective management of staff within the Office of the VP, PFDS. The COO acts as a liaison with other executive offices in Simcoe Hall and across the three campuses and works to develop and sustain an environment of clear and open communications and supportive, yet efficient decision-making and accountability at all levels within the portfolio. The COO ensures cross collaboration across portfolios within the Division of PFDS, other University portfolios, senior administrators, and staff in a range of Vice-Presidential offices across the three campuses.

Qualifications Required:

I. EDUCATION:

University degree in Business or Commerce or acceptable equivalent combination of education and experience in finance and business management is required. A professional accounting designation (CA, CMA or CGA) is strongly preferred.

II. EXPERIENCE:

A minimum of ten (10) years of senior financial accounting, senior administrative or operations role experience in an academic or non-profit environment or equivalent role within the private sector. Experience in preparing financial statements for capital and other projects of fund accounting. Experience in examining and analyzing financial records to ensure accuracy and compliance with established accounting standards and procedures. Experience working with internal and external auditors. Demonstrated technical abilities in select areas (audit, accounting, regulatory, compliance, etc.) Superior analytical, interpersonal, time management, research, and communications skills. Demonstrated experience overseeing a significant operating portfolio, including financial, space and information systems management.

Demonstrated experience and success motivating and mentoring staff and bringing out the best in teams and individuals. Experience in strategic planning, change management and policy development and implementation. Demonstrated knowledge of and experience in business process review and information technology project management. Experience with effective management in a unionized environment. 

Extensive experience with the University and knowledge of university policies and procedures and an understanding of the university’s organizational structure, including its governance, strongly preferred. Previous experience in an issues management role a definite asset. Knowledge about media, protocol, diplomacy and an excellent understanding of the University’s mission and intersection with the broader community. Successful record of advancing equity, diversity, and inclusion mandate within a complex organization.

III. SKILLS:

Outstanding oral and written communication, interpersonal, analytical and presentation skills. High level of initiative, tact and diplomacy, intelligence, and be articulate, politically astute and capable. Ability to work at the highest strategic levels, to gain and maintain the respect of senior administration and also to take strategy and move it through to tactics and action. Ability to work in a collaborative and collegial manner, with an appreciation for the challenges and opportunities of working within a large, decentralized institution. Reputation for integrity, openness, decisiveness, and sound judgment. Ability to work in a fast-paced environment driven by competing tasks and deadlines. Ability to be productive working both independently and as a part of a team.

IV. OTHER:

Must be able to effectively work with new and changing situations in a highly dynamic environment where there may not always be a readily apparent solution.

Closing Date: 09/04/2026,11:59PM ET
Employee Group: Salaried 
Personnel Subarea: PM
Appointment Type : Budget - Continuing 
Schedule: Full-Time
Pay Scale Group & Hiring Zone:  PM 8 -- Hiring Zone: $165,350 - $192,911 -- Broadband Salary Range: $165,350 - $275,585 (Open)
Job Category: People, Finance & Digital Services