Job Description

Job Title
Associate Director, Operations, Transportation and Logistics Industry Programs
Job Type
Conditionally Funded Term
Union
Management
Position Classification
MLV4 Management
Salary Grade
FT or PT
Full-time
Hybrid Work
This position is eligible
Position End Date (if applicable)
3/31/2029
Location
MRU Main Campus - Calgary, AB T3E 6K6 CA (Primary)
About this Position
About the Institute for Innovation and Entrepreneurship
The mission of Mount Royal University's Institute for Innovation and Entrepreneurship is to create transformative experiences that cultivate the innovative and entrepreneurial talent essential to Alberta's continued economic prosperity. This is accomplished by delivering transformative community-engaged learning experiences. The Institute has been delivering on this mission for 14 years, including the creation of the renowned LaunchPad student program, the Trico Changemaker Studio, and Scaleup and Growth Programs such as Growth Catalyst and ScaleUp Week. It is now taking on the important mission of supporting the vital transportation and logistics sector.
About the Transportation and Logistics Industry Programs
The Alberta logistics system is strong. It has been shaped by decades of investment, optimization, and operational excellence. The opportunity now is to grow that strength by connecting leadership, innovation, talent, and strategy in ways that support long-term resilience, competitiveness, and impact. Powered by Mount Royal University's Institute for Innovation and Entrepreneurship, these programs are being developed to help make that growth possible.
This is a rare opportunity to be on the ground floor of building a collaborative organization driven by a single outcome - impact.
About the Role
Reporting to the Executive Director, this role owns the internal engine of the Programs. While the Executive Director focuses externally on partnerships, sector leadership, and ecosystem building, the Associate Director ensures the operations run with precision. They oversee budgeting, financial controls, reporting, milestone tracking, and operational delivery. They ensure the Industry Programs meets all funder commitments, including reporting, and keep MRU leadership confident that the organization is disciplined, compliant, and high performing.
This is the role that translates ambitious strategy into reliable execution.
This is a full-time conditionally funded position, working 35 hours per week and expected to conclude March 31, 2029.
Responsibilities
Operational Leadership

• Design, implement, and continuously refine internal systems which keep operations coordinated, efficient, and predictable.
• Oversee day-to-day workflow of programs, ensuring resources, timelines, and staff are aligned to commitments.
• Serve as the primary point of continuity across multiple programs and partners.
• Leverage influence and expertise to achieve goals, rather than relying on formal authority.

Performance Management and Milestone Tracking

• Build and operate the KPI system that tracks all outcomes, including individuals trained, numbers, companies engaged, and job creation metrics.
• Ensure data collection systems meet funder requirements while minimizing burden on companies and staff.
• Lead risk mitigation planning, especially around milestone-tied funding and indirect job creation expectations.

Financial Stewardship

• Lead and deliver budgeting, forecasting, cash flow tracking, and financial reporting for the Centre.
• Ensure spending aligns with eligible cost rules, milestone-linked funding, and MRU financial policies.
• Develop proactive strategies to manage risks related to milestone-dependent payments and delayed reimbursements.

Funder and Institutional Compliance

• Own all reporting obligations to funders and internal MRU governance.
• Ensure the organization stays fully aligned with agreement terms, auditability, and documentation expectations.
• Translate funder milestones into internal operational plans and staff deliverables.
• Maintain professional relationships with peers at funders, sensitive to their critical role in the project.

University Liaison

• Act as the organizations connective tissue with MRU finance, HR, legal, and other institutional entities.
• Clear internal roadblocks to enable external partnerships and programs to move quickly.

Qualifications

• Education: Bachelor's Degree required, Master's Degree preferred.
• Experience: 5 years of experience in a financial or operational leadership role.
• Ability to build operating models, manage budgets, forecast, track, and report on financial performance.
• Excellent project management and risk mitigation skills, achieving desired outcomes without hierarchical authority.
• Excellent interpersonal and written communication skills.
• Ability to build respectful professional relationships internally and externally.
• Evidence of an entrepreneurial mindset, including identifying opportunities, mitigating risk, developing and launching solutions, measuring results and iterating.

Salary: $98,502.00 - $135,930.00 per annum
Closing Date: Open until a suitable candidate is found
A cover letter and resume should be submitted in one .pdf document. Please title your .pdf document as follows: [Last Name], [Requisition Number], [Document Title].pdf (ex. Smith, 9999, CV.pdf).
We encourage all qualified applicants to apply, however, Canadian citizens, permanent residents and others currently legally authorized to work in Canada will be given priority. Please note only applicants selected for an interview will be contacted. After the close date, you can check on the status of your application through your Career Centre. New career opportunities arise frequently and are posted as they become available. Please check back often to view our latest postings on our Career Opportunities page.
If you require accommodation to participate in the recruitment process, please notify and we will work together on your accommodation request.
About MRU
Founded in 1910 and located in Calgary, Alberta, Canada, Mount Royal University grew into a vibrant college in the 1930s and became a mid-sized university in 2009. A student-focused undergraduate university built on teaching excellence, Mount Royal University is known for our top-calibre programs, high-quality teaching and learning experience, robust delivery of liberal education, scholarly teaching, experiential learning and undergraduate research. MRU serves approximately 15,782 students, including 11,752 full-time and 4,030 part-time learners. MRU offers 13 bachelor's degrees encompassing 37 majors across faculties such as Arts, Business, Communications, Health, Community & Education, and Science & Technology. With over 74% of its student body drawn from the local area, Mount Royal University primarily serves Calgary and its surrounding region. MRU is a diverse yet close community with over 1,800 employees. Mount Royal provides employees the support they need to lead and advance institutional goals. Learn more about MRU's and .
What We Offer
Talented and committed employees are the driving force behind student success. We strive to be an employer of choice among Canadian post-secondary institutions. At MRU, we recognize that people are a combination of many intersecting identities; we work to cultivate an environment that welcomes the whole person, and harnesses the strength that is available in our diversity, creating a rich and inclusive workplace.
Investing in the learning and development of our employees benefits the individual and the University. A variety of services, resources and programs encourage a healthy, productive workplace. MRU offers a competitive total compensation package including learning/training paid by employer, paid vacation, winter holiday closure, personal days and a free membership in our fully equipped recreation centre. Positions over six months may also be eligible for health and dental benefits, pension, health and personal spending accounts, and disability benefits.
Our campus offers the convenience of a full medical clinic, dentist and pharmacy, as well as a variety of wellness services such as physiotherapists and massage therapists. Campus Recreation offers many activities, including personal training, fitness classes, climbing, aquatics, sports, tournaments and certifications for students, employees and the public.

Skills Required