Job Opportunities
Manager, Strategic Partnerships & Initiatives

Job ID: 66102

Founded in 1887, McMaster University is a research-intensive, student-centered university dedicated to advancing human and societal health and well-being and has achieved an international reputation as a center of excellence for teaching and learning, innovation, and creativity. Currently, McMaster is home to over 37,000 students, 13,000 staff and 1,000 full-time faculty. As an institution, McMaster is committed to creating a brighter world for all. This starts at home as McMaster University is one of 27 Canadian Institutions who have signed the Okanagan Charter, signifying a commitment to integrating health and well-being into all aspects of campus life. McMaster has been selected as a Hamilton-Niagara Top Employer for the past five years in a row and has also been recognized as one of Canada's Best Diversity Employers for the past seven years. McMaster is unique among U15 institutions in the balance it strikes between research intensiveness on a global scale and a focus on innovative teaching and learning strategies that foster an exceptional student experience. As articulated in its Institutional Priorities & Strategic Framework 2021-2024, McMaster’s commitments to inclusion, community, and social responsibility are central to this balance of research and learning excellence. Whether you are an athlete, artist or world traveler, McMaster’s student life has something for everyone. McMaster has over 350 student-led clubs on campus, more than 70 international exchange agreements and world- class athletic facilities. Our athletic facilities has been home to multiple National and Provincial championships in the past years.

The Department of Athletics & Recreation serves our McMaster University and greater Hamilton communities, offering programs and services, facilities and expertise to support the cultivation of the human potential and wellness in each of us - and we aim to be the best at what we do. We recognize the value in offering active invitations, not just open doors, and are committed to leading and learning alongside our community members to build a strong and inclusive community over time. Our continued evolution into a high performing, collaborative and results-driven work environment is inspired by the drive and determination of our staff, students and student-athletes.

Job Summary

Reporting to the Director, Athletics & Recreation, The Manager, Strategic Partnerships & Initiatives will oversee and manage resources needed to refine, implement, and measure strategic initiatives and associated projects. This role will be based out of The Strategic Initiatives unit within the Department of Athletics and Recreation. This role will be responsible for enhancing the department's strategic goals and major projects. Reporting to the Director, Athletics & Recreation, the Manager will provide leadership to a team responsible for communications, events & alumni relations, and community engagement. The Manager will be responsible for building and strengthening relationships with both internal and external stakeholders, fostering collaboration across multiple campus partners to promote excellence in athletic & recreation programs, student & community engagement, and alumni relations.

The Manager will oversee planning, development, and execution of strategic initiatives for the Athletics & Recreation department. The Manager will be a critical point of contact for key campus partners such as Advancement & Alumni Relations, Communications, Marketing & Public Relations (CMPA) and UTS, ensuring that communication strategies are aligned with the department's goals. This role includes managing communications efforts, engagement strategies, and alumni relations events, while collaborating with strategic campus partners and providing leadership and guidance to staff members. Day-to-day activities of this portfolio include supervision, project planning and development, communication/liaison, collaborative leadership, consultation and financial management. This role is required to work collaboratively and support a wide range of leaders, partners and stakeholders across various departments, programs and stakeholders ensuring timelines are met and activities are delivered.

Job Details

Term:

Full-Time

Salary:

$87276.00 - $130914.00 (annual)

Strategic Planning and Implementation of Strategic Initiatives

  • Develops, implements, and oversees a dynamic strategic planning framework to implement the A&R strategic plan initiatives. Facilitates development of a prioritization process which includes tracking and reporting of strategic initiatives to the Director, A&R on a regular basis.
  • Develops and implements a continuous metric tracking and reporting framework, leveraging data from various sources such as student athlete performance records, participation rates in recreational programs, facility usage statistics, feedback from student surveys, health and wellness assessments, and employee experience surveys. This includes tracking metrics related to student engagement, program effectiveness, diversity and inclusion initiatives, employee satisfaction, and operational efficiency.
  • Manages multiple projects and establishes multi-group teams as needed. Oversees resource deployment.
  • Develops and manages all aspects of projects from planning, consultation, communications, resources, budget, risks, and issues.
  • Develops and maintains project plans, prepares project status reports and keeps management, and other project stakeholders informed of the status.
  • Provides insight and advice to ensure operational needs and priorities are effectively addressed, and strategic objectives are met.
  • Oversee sponsorship opportunities, ensuring fulfillment of contractual obligations, delivering regular performance reports, and maintaining an accurate inventory database.
  • Provides advice and guidance to Sr. Leadership team and unit leaders with respect to the development of projects, including project scope, resourcing, timelines, and charter.
  • Supports the development, planning and identification of growth and strategic opportunities, by collecting relevant data, researching best practices and trends, and obtaining relevant feedback from internal and external stakeholders.
  • Performs gap analysis to identify specific needs, recommends solutioning, and, where appropriate, implements improvements to existing business practices and processes.
  • Identifies and oversees key success/satisfaction metrics to aid in the continuous improvement and uses these indicators to aid with development and implementation of recommendations and solutions.
  • Meets with Director, A&R and related community partners regularly to review the strategic plan and the prioritization of project assignments.
  • Provides leadership with a particular focus on implementing McMaster’s EDI strategic plan in coordination with all activities of Department’s strategic plan implementation.
  • Provides strategic oversight in leading and implementing a change management process.
  • Serve as the main liaison for Athletics & Recreation with campus partners, including Advancement & Alumni Relations, CMPA, and UTS, ensuring cross-functional collaboration.

Student Engagement & Alumni Relations

  • Manage the planning and execution of departmental events, in collaboration with the Events & Alumni Relations Coordinator.
  • Work with Advancement & Alumni Relations to enhance alumni engagement and support athletic events.
  • Oversee large-scale department events, including alumni events, and community outreach activities.
  • Acts as an additional point of connection between the department and the Welcome week initiatives, and other events from the AVP student affairs office.
  • Lead initiatives to enhance student engagement in athletics and recreation, in coordination with the Coordinator support.
  • Collaborate with internal and external stakeholders to strengthen community partnerships and enhance student participation in departmental activities.
  • Support student leadership opportunities and foster connections between students, alumni, and community partners.

Communication and Marketing

  • Works with the CMPA & Student Affairs Sr. leaders under the Communications & Marketing unit regarding engagement and communication initiatives related to projects and collaborates to create a communication plan.
  • Works with the Communications Specialist to manage online presence and content with respect to Strategic Plan/Initiative information and updates.
  • Develops executive level communication regarding all aspects of the projects. Coordinates the flow of information and directs data appropriately.
  • Reviews and analyzes reports, briefs, and other sources of information and composes related correspondence and documents.
  • Leads and oversees all communications initiatives, working in collaboration with CMPA and Student Affairs communications.

Staff Supervision

  • Manages staff within the Strategic Initiatives Unit of A&R.
  • Responsible for personnel decisions and performance management for staff in the strategic initiative’s office.
  • Evaluates, manages, and develops direct reports and provides mentorship for the team.
  • Identifies and facilitates training/growth opportunities to develop and supports staff in reaching their career goals. Develops a strong, dedicated and service-oriented team.
  • Sets performance goals, measures performance, and engages in recognition strategies for staff.
  • Identifies student leadership opportunities and develops strategies for student input. Provides mentoring, coaching, and goal setting and connects students with fellow student-leaders and on-campus partners.

Financial Management

  • In conjunction with the Director, A&R, determines financial priorities and plans and authorizes expenditures.
  • Develops, implements, and monitors the annual budget for initiatives.

Education

  • University degree in a relevant field (e.g., communications, sports management, business administration).
  • Project Management designation (PMP) an asset

Experience

  • 5-10 years of experience in strategic planning, communications, or a related field, preferably within higher education or sports management.
  • Solid understanding and broad-based knowledge of the University culture.
  • Knowledge of governance, systems and decision-making processes in higher education; a comprehensive understanding of higher education policies and procedures is essential including student government.
  • Solid foundation in organizational change management methodology and principles and the ability to translate them into standard business practice.
  • Strong research, analytical and problem-solving skills with the ability to exercise mature judgment.
  • Excellent verbal, written, presentation and interpersonal skills.
  • Highly self-motivated and self-directed. Ability to work independently and creatively with limited resources and minimal direction.
  • Ability to work collaboratively with a wide range of internal (e.g., UTS, CMPA, Advancement & Alumni Relations) and external partners and stakeholders.
  • Strategic communications, change management training or other related experience.
  • Able to work effectively at all levels in an organization.
  • Demonstrated ability to establish and maintain effective relationships and partnerships.
  • Strong time management, organizational skills, attention to detail, and focus on task completion and outcome deliverables.
  • Strong research skills and demonstrated knowledge and experience synthesizing research and providing recommendations.
  • Strong computer skills, proficient with MS Office applications (Word, PowerPoint, Excel).
  • Ability to communicate clearly and effectively, building trust and confidence.
  • Ability to manage change and ambiguity, with competing demands, priorities, and deadlines. Is adaptive and flexible as conditions change.

Qualified candidates are encouraged to apply online. The application must include:

  • A cover letter
  • A current curriculum vita (CV)
  • Indication of Canadian permanent residency status.

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.

The diversity of our workforce is at the core of our innovation and creativity and strengthens our research and teaching excellence. 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 University seeks qualified candidates who share our commitment to equity and inclusion, who will contribute to the diversification of ideas and perspectives, and especially welcomes applications from indigenous (First Nations, Métis or Inuit) peoples, members of racialized communities, persons with disabilities, women, and persons who identify as 2SLGBTQ+.

As part of McMaster’s commitment, all applicants are invited to complete a confidential Applicant Diversity Survey through the online application submission process. The Survey questionnaire requests voluntary self-identification in relation to equity-seeking groups that have historically faced and continue to face barriers in employment. Please refer to the Applicant Diversity Survey - Statement of Collection for additional information.

Job applicants requiring accommodation to participate in the hiring process should contact:

  • Human Resources Service Centre at 905-525-9140 ext. 222-HR (22247), or
  • Faculty of Health Sciences HR Office at ext. 22207, or
  • School of Graduate Studies at ext. 23679 to communicate accommodation needs.

Hybrid Work Language

To ensure an ongoing and vibrant University community that meets the needs of our students, staff and faculty and supports the University mission, ability to work on-site continues to be a requirement for most University positions. The University is supportive of exploring flexible work arrangements that effectively balance operational needs and employee interests.

Interview Experience

At McMaster University, we believe in a comprehensive and inclusive interview process. Our interview methods encompass a variety of approaches that allow our hiring teams to provide a flexible and accessible experience for engaging with our candidates. Throughout your recruitment process at McMaster, you may be requested to participate in a variety of formats, that may include in-person, virtual or recorded interviews. If you have any questions as you move through the hiring process, please reach out to talent@mcmaster.ca or the HR contact associated with your position of interest.