Manager, Operations – Canadian Institute for Safety, Wellness & Performance

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Position Summary

Full-Time Administrative, new position. Reporting to the Executive Director, the Manager, Operations will play a crucial role in supporting the Canadian Institute for Safety, Wellness & Performance (CISWP) leadership team in managing the operation of CISWP. The incumbent will be responsible for managing the day-to-day logistical operations. They will support finance reporting and documentation, record keeping, research infrastructure, inventory and maintenance management, prepare project progress reports and resource allocation and will act as a liaison with internal and external parties.

The Manager, Operations will support the implementation of new processes to streamline service delivery and increase capacity for applied research at CISWP. The incumbent will apply project management best practices in supporting researchers and research projects to ensure that the focus remains on research activities while adhering to various agency and institutional guidelines.

Successful candidates will be required to conduct work within Ontario and must be available to work on campus as required. It is anticipated that this position will meet the needs of the department through a hybrid work arrangement with four days on-site at the Conestoga Skilled Trades campus in Cambridge (25 Reuter Dr.), and one day remote.

Responsibilities

• Support day-to-day operations of the Institute
• Troubleshoot issues and concerns arising during day-to-day operations
• Proactively work with CISWP staff to resolve any potential issues promptly, including coordinating and facilitating discussions between internal and external parties
• Understand resources available to support the leadership team in their decision-making
• Understand and apply college policies and procedures while maintaining an in-depth knowledge of funder requirements to ensure all project activities are compliant
• Support the leadership team in hiring and onboarding new staff and trainees
• Support the leadership team in the procurement of goods and services
• Act as liaison with internal departments and external parties

Project management

• Support and contribute to the successful execution of CISWP applied research projects and partnerships
• Utilize project management best practices in the planning and execution of day-to-day logistical operations
• Track research activity (based on the contractual agreements) and progress throughout the projects, and notify the leadership team of potential issues, challenges, or changes that may impact projects
• Collect and present key project-related metrics and information as required
• Organize conferences, webinars, meetings, and other Knowledge Transfer and Exchange (KTE) activities

Finance and progress reporting

• Support the leadership team in required financial and progress reporting as per college policy and the requirements of funding agencies
• Develop and maintain budgets to ensure financial resources are allocated effectively
• In coordination with the Finance department, prepare financial reports and forecasts
• Monitor project milestones, timelines, and deliverables to ensure objectives are met
• Analyze financial data and performance metrics to identify trends, variances, and areas for improvement
• Ensure all financial activities comply with relevant regulations, policies, and standards

Process improvements and change management

• Update and streamline processes for administering research projects
• Identify and implement new initiatives to improve efficiency and reduce or mitigate potential issues, which may involve conducting regular assessments of current processes and making recommendations for improvements

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in science, health, engineering, business or a related field of study is required; a master’s degree is considered an asset
• Seven years of relevant practical work experience in operations management is required
• Project management certification is considered an asset
• Strong organizational and planning skills
• Budgeting and financial management skills
• Risk identification and mitigation skills
• Experience with project management tools
• Experience with online collaboration tools such as Microsoft Office, including Teams, SharePoint, Planner, etc.
• Experience in change management
• Strong client relationship management skills, including communication and interpersonal skills, with the ability to resolve conflict with tact and diplomacy