Manager, Strategic Initiatives

About

The Finance Division is responsible for the University’s overall financial policies, systems, and controls, within a decentralized financial management structure. The Division provides financial leadership and services to the University, establishing and monitoring financial policies and procedures, ensuring accurate financial controls are in place, setting direction for financial information systems, and producing financial reports and analysis.

Your opportunity

Under the direction of the Director, Strategy & Service Transformation, the Manager, Strategic Initiatives will advance the mission and vision of the Finance Division by providing advice and guidance in the complex area of institutional financial process improvement initiatives from inception to implementation; in leading strategic planning operationalizing mechanisms for the identification of divisional and university- wide initiatives; and developing measurable short-term and long-range goals for operational excellence and service improvements. The incumbent will identify areas of improvement across the campus that can be addressed through in-depth process improvement and IT initiatives and will work with departments and senior leadership to gain support for and implement those solutions.

Your responsibilities will include:

• Working with the CFO and senior leaders, identifies and supports the development of projects to initiate institution-wide financial process improvement initiatives
• Identifies issues, advises on strategy options, recommends solutions, and implements project plans.
• Ensures that strategic initiatives are appropriately monitored, with expert process improvement guidance provided.
• Prepares and delivers reports, strategic plans, and other strategic communications, as assigned or needed.
• Leads and oversees project management cycle for assigned projects, including project planning, establishment of key deliverables, identification of resource requirements, implementation and evaluation.
• Building and strengthening relationships with stakeholders and partners of strategic importance
• Advising on the creation of efficiencies for business processes and productivity
• Developing, revising and operationalizing business processes that support portfolio activities and objectives
• Advising on best practices and strategies for effective change management
• Delivering presentations to promote programs, opportunities and/or initiatives
• Implementing project plans
• Develops initial project budgets and monitors expenses and progress to ensure projects are completed within budget and on time.
• Leading project and communication specialists to deliver projects efficiently and effectively
• Providing support for broader institutional initiatives as required.

Essential Qualifications:

• Six to 10 years direct related work experience in leading process improvements and project management, ideally in the same or related industry.
• Successful experience providing assistance to clients with a customer service focus. Experience as a Business Analyst or User Business Process Designer/Consultant an asset.
• Demonstrated experience in leading diverse project teams, influencing key players, providing guidance and recommendations to senior managers. Facilitating cross-departmental and multidisciplinary proceedings where it was necessary to gain consensus.
• Demonstrated experience with stakeholder management and effectively leading people through change.

Assets (Nonessential):

• PROSCI or equivalent change management certification.
• Project Management Professional designation and/or Lean Six Sigma certified strongly preferred, ideally at a black belt level.
• Understanding of evolving nature of higher education.

To be successful in this role you will be:

• Communicator
• Problem solver
• Logical
• Organized
• Multi-tasker
• Proactive
• Diplomatic
• Analytical
• Team player

Diversity Statement

The University of Toronto embraces Diversity and is building a culture of belonging that increases our capacity to effectively address and serve the interests of our global community. We strongly encourage applications from Indigenous Peoples, Black and racialized persons, women, persons with disabilities, and people of diverse sexual and gender identities. We value applicants who have demonstrated a commitment to equity, diversity and inclusion and recognize that diverse perspectives, experiences, and expertise are essential to strengthening our academic mission.

As part of your application, you will be asked to complete a brief Diversity Survey. This survey is voluntary. Any information directly related to you is confidential and cannot be accessed by search committees or human resources staff. Results will be aggregated for institutional planning purposes. For more information, please see http://uoft.me/UP.

Accessibility Statement

The University strives to be an equitable and inclusive community, and proactively seeks to increase diversity among its community members. Our values regarding equity and diversity are linked with our unwavering commitment to excellence in the pursuit of our academic mission.

The University is committed to the principles of the Accessibility for Ontarians with Disabilities Act (AODA). As such, we strive to make our recruitment, assessment and selection processes as accessible as possible and provide accommodations as required for applicants with disabilities.

If you require any accommodations at any point during the application and hiring process, please contact uoft.careers@utoronto.ca.