Manager, Office of the Dean, Faculty of Arts

Description

The Office of the Dean in the Faculty of Arts is currently seeking a Full-time Staff Limited Term Manager, Office of the Dean for approximately 2 years.

The Faculty of Arts at the University of Calgary is seeking a highly experienced and strategic Manager, Office of the Dean, for a full-time 2-year limited-term appointment. This position serves as a trusted partner to the Dean and plays a critical leadership role in ensuring the effective operation of the Dean’s Office while supporting the Faculty’s strategic priorities and objectives.

Reporting directly to the Dean, Faculty of Arts, the Manager, Office of the Dean acts as an extension of the Dean, leading administrative operations, managing staff, coordinating governance activities, and providing strategic oversight of key initiatives and projects led by the Dean’s Office. The successful candidate will combine exceptional organizational leadership with sound judgment, discretion, and the ability to navigate a complex, fast-paced academic environment.

The Manager is responsible for supporting the Dean and Faculty leadership through executive-level administrative support, operational leadership, project management, governance coordination, and team leadership. The role ensures that the Dean’s Office operates efficiently and effectively, allowing Faculty leadership to focus on academic excellence and strategic priorities.

The Dean’s Office is a collaborative, fast-paced environment that supports Faculty leadership and strategic decision-making. The successful candidate will lead a team of administrative professionals while working closely with the Dean, Vice Dean, Associate Deans, and partners across the University. The culture values collegiality, accountability, mutual support, thoughtful planning, and open communication.

• Provide executive assistance to the Dean, including managing and coordinating a complex calendar, scheduling priorities, and commitments.
• Coordinate and support committees chaired by the Dean.
• Serve as a strategic partner in advancing priorities and initiatives originating from the Dean’s Office.
• Provide leadership coordination for major projects and initiatives.
• Lead operations, organizational planning, and strategy execution within the Dean’s Office.
• Supervise and support administrative staff, including performance management, recruitment activities, coaching, and employee relations.
• Foster a collaborative, accountable, and service-oriented team culture.
• Manage staff within a unionized environment and support effective workplace practices.
• Support the development and implementation of policies, procedures, governance frameworks, and accountability processes.
• Coordinate governance activities including Faculty committees and council processes.
• Oversee project management activities, risk mitigation strategies, reporting requirements, and program evaluation efforts.
• Ensure action items and strategic priorities are completed in a timely manner.
• Support communications planning and reputation management initiatives.
• Prepare operational, financial, and impact reports for Faculty leadership.
• Train and mentor administrative staff in governance, project management, and accountability practices.
• Help identify and implement process improvements within the Dean’s Office.

Required:

• Undergraduate degree required. An equivalent combination of education and experience may be considered.
• 7-10 years of progressive experience in strategic management, operations leadership, executive administration, or related fields.
• Experience leading complex and multidisciplinary teams.
• Experience working in a unionized environment.
• Demonstrated experience in project management, business planning, quality assurance, and program evaluation.

Considered an asset:

• Experience working in a post-secondary institution or similarly complex multi-stakeholder environment.
• Experience supporting senior leaders such as Deans, Vice-Presidents, or executives in a confidential advisory capacity.
• Experience managing unionized employees, including performance management and labour relations fundamentals.
• Familiarity with university…