Director of Administration

The Director of Administration (hereafter referred to as DoA) is the senior administrator in the Department of Biochemistry & Biomedical Sciences (BBS) and provides operational management of the department in support of their mandate in teaching and research activities.  The DoA provides administrative and operational leadership, visioning and strategic planning in both academic and research activities and is a resource to the faculty members and Faculty-wide initiatives.  The DoA works with the administrative managers and staff of two Institutes on financial and HR matters pertaining to BBS faculty, staff and students located in those Institutes.  The DoA is responsible for the overall management and administration of the financial, human and physical resources of the Department.  The DoA is accountable to the Department Chair and may represent the Chair in discussions with the leadership of the Faculty of Health Sciences. The DoA is expected to negotiate and manage inter-Faculty relationships.  In carrying out the position responsibilities, the DoA collaborates as required with the senior administrative staff of both the Faculties of Health Sciences and Science and numerous central offices (Provost, SGS, Registrar, Business, H/R, Institutional Research & Analysis, ROADS, MILO, Finance, etc.).

FINANCIAL MANAGEMENT

  • Develops business plans for the Department
  • Develops, reports, monitors and manages multiple budgets according to institutional policies and procedures and granting agencies (operating, graduate scholarship funds, research)
  • Negotiates various agreements regarding educational contributions 

STRATEGIC PLANNING:

Plays a key role in advising the Chair on strategic planning in each critical area (finance, HR, education):

  • Provides critical analysis of the Department’s needs related to planning, resourcing and proposal development
    • Liaises with and implements strategic directives mandated by MTCU
  • Leads the development of Departmental strategic financial resource management and implements strategic financial plans that are consistent with the department's teaching, operations and research requirements
  • Develops and recommends strategies to increase revenue 

OPERATIONAL MANAGEMENT

The DoA is responsible for ensuring that the Department is managed in an effective and efficient manner. The DoA develops, implements, monitors and evaluates all infrastructure activities of the Department including staff recruitment, promotion, human resource, finance, research and teaching activities.

  • Develops marketing and communication plans for the Department
  • Assists the Chair in developing faculty recruitment strategies
  • Contributes to decisions involving research and academic programming
  • Manages programs and relationships that cross institutional boundaries as a result of partnership agreements (i.e. Ministry of Training Colleges and Universities (MTCU)

HUMAN RESOURCES MANAGEMENT:

The DoA has significant responsibility for managing human resource activity within the Department.

  • Manages core and joint Faculty (annual reviews, career awards – pre and post-award) 
  • Manages administrative support staff (performance standards, hiring, disciplinary action, etc.)
  • Creates new staff positions to meet changing needs; initiates re-evaluation of existing positions as necessary
  • Develops recruitment, retention and succession planning strategies for staff and faculty
  • Leads change management

PHYSICAL RESOURCE MANAGEMENT:

Plays a key role in the area of physical resource management within the Department.  

  • Performs space analysis for space planning activities (including funding), tracking the NASM in FHS and MDCL for budgeting purposes/reporting
  • Initiates review and commits funds to purchase or replacement of office furniture, IT, office equipment, shared lab equipment and equipment and supplies required by the Undergraduate Teaching Laboratory

EDUCATION ADMINISTRATIVE SUPPORT:

Responsible for managing the resources and infrastructure supporting education activities within the Department:

  • Manages and participates in (representing the non-academic members of the Department) the Departmental Programs Accreditation process (undergraduate and graduate)
  • Manages the infrastructure supporting all educational activities

RESEARCH ADMINISTRATIVE SUPPORT:

The DoA is responsible for the administrative support of research activity within the Department.  Key activities:

  • Analyses and advises faculty on human resource needs for research staff based on funding
  • Oversees and ensures Health and Safety procedures are followed 
  • Consults with Health Sciences Finance, Health Research Services and the McMaster Industry Liaison Office, HSC H/R on complex financial or legal matters as required, providing advice and direction to the Chair and faculty

SPECIAL PROJECTS/COMMITTEE MEMBERSHIP

  • Lead or participate in special projects and/or sit on various committees

Level of Education:

  • Master’s of Business Administration and/or CA

Experience required for the position:

  • 5-10 years of managerial experience in an academic health sciences centre

Knowledge/Skills:

  • The incumbent must be a professional who is able to personify McMaster’s six Core Competencies:   Communicating, Developing People, Leading, Embracing Change, Optimizing Service Relationships and Employing University Acumen.

 

How To Apply

To apply for this job #27094, please submit your application online at https://careers.mcmaster.ca

 

Employment Equity Statement

McMaster University is located on the traditional territories of the Haudenosaunee and Mississauga Nations and, within the lands protected by the “Dish with One Spoon” wampum agreement.

In keeping with its Statement on Building an Inclusive Community with a Shared Purpose, McMaster University strives to embody the values of respect, collaboration and diversity, and has a strong commitment to employment equity. The diversity of our workforce is at the core of our innovation and creativity and strengthens our research and teaching excellence. The University seeks qualified candidates who share our commitment to equity, diversity and inclusion. While all qualified candidates are invited to apply, we particularly welcome applications from women, persons with disabilities, First Nations, Métis and Inuit peoples, members of visible minorities, and LGBTQ+ persons. Job applicants requiring accommodation to participate in the hiring process should contact the Human Resources Service Centre at 905-525-9140 ext. 222-HR (22247) or the Faculty of Health Sciences Human Resources office at ext. 22207 to communicate accommodation needs.