Job Description

Reporting to the Associate Vice-President (Research Services), the Special Projects Manager leads high-profile, multi-year enterprise-wide initiatives that have been identified following an external review of the Research Enterprise. Key initiatives are aligned with the academic mission of the University and are aimed to advance the research enterprise and bring positive change to systems and key standard operating practices and policies guiding the work of multiple university business and academic units. The incumbent has expertise in project management primarily but is also known as an effective and trusted communicator, skilled in change leadership.

Using formal project management principles and practices, the Special Projects Manager leads special initiatives and projects from concept through to implementation, often including leading changes to systems, policy and business processes as well as governance structures. This role works in collaboration with stakeholders across campus to initiate, plan, execute, and control all project-related activities from initial project planning through project execution, including managing project scope, cost, timelines and risks, reporting throughout the project lifecycle and evaluating project outcomes.

Key responsibilities include: assuming responsibility for the success of project initiatives; managing available resources from all levels of the University; leading the project life cycle using industry standards; defining, managing, executing, tracking and reporting on project goals, objectives and deliverables, scope, budget, resources requirements, project tasks, and timelines; developing materials for and participates in project steering committees; identifying any project changes required and leading the Project Change Review working group, ensuring adequate documentation is maintained on project systems, processes and documents lessons learned; reporting to the project sponsor and other stakeholders on a regular basis; seeking opportunities to increase stakeholder/client satisfaction and deepen stakeholder relationships while setting realistic expectations; increasing proficiency in the adoption of changes; where required, acting as a coach to senior leaders and executives and providing direct support and coaching to all levels of managers, supervisors, faculty and staff as changes are implemented; developing an in-depth understanding of a client\'s complex business environment; implementing testing and training plans; collecting client satisfaction metrics and lessons learned; co-leading and assigning work of an administrative employee.

Requirements of the position include:

• An undergraduate (Master\'s degree preferred) in Business, Information Technology or related field plus at least five (5) years\' related change management or project management experience, or an equivalent combination of education and experience;
• Project management certification (PMP) is required;
• Certification of Competency in Business Analysis (CCBA) or Certified Business Analysis Professional (CBAP) is considered an asset;
• Experience working in the higher education sector is highly valued; must at least have work experience within a complex business environment;
• Demonstrated experience leading complex, large enterprise-scale projects across multiple and diverse stakeholder groups;
• Demonstrated understanding of and experience utilizing organizational change management principles and approaches;
• Experience in business analysis and design practices;
• Strong leadership and influencing skills;
• Ability to thoroughly assess implications of proposed policy/processes changes;
• Excellent organizational and planning skills;
• Flexible and able to adapt project planning to meet stakeholder needs;
• Excellent communication skills, both oral and written, with demonstrated ability to liaise with internal and external stakeholders at all levels of the organization;
• Strong interpersonal, decision-making, and teamwork skills as well as a strong client focus;
• Facilitation and conflict resolution skills;
• Demonstrated high creativity, innovation and initiative;
• Strong computer skills.

Position Number 545-TFT
Classification P06

At the University of Guelph, fostering a is an institutional imperative. The University invites and encourages applications from all qualified individuals, including from groups that are traditionally underrepresented in employment, who may contribute to further diversification of our Institution.

University of Guelph