Manager, Academic Programs and Operations
Primary Purpose:
The Manager, Academic Programs and Operations is the lead of the SRS administrative team and supports strategic initiatives aligned with the School of Rehabilitation Science, College of Medicine and University priorities. The Manager, Academic Programs and Operations will be responsible for the operations management of the School of Rehabilitation Science’s (SRS) current and future academic programs (including the Master of Physical Therapy (MPT), Occupational Therapy (MOT), and Speech-Language Pathology (MSLP) programs) and provide financial, administrative and leadership support to the Director of the School of Rehabilitation Science and SRS academic and clinical program leadership. This includes but is not limited to: strategic planning, student services, accreditation, organizational structures and human resources, budgeting, and financial reporting.
Nature of Work:
The Manager, Academic Programs and Operations participates in strategic planning and implementation of major goals and objectives and serves as a resource regarding the day-to-day operations and the financial and administrative affairs of SRS programs. This role provides supervision and directs the work of SRS administrative staff (CUPE and ASPA) in the operational, curricular, financial, administrative, research, and academic support areas. The Manager, Academic Programs and Operations works closely with SRS leadership, faculty, staff, and students to ensure effective delivery of SRS programs. This includes the development, monitoring, and updating of financial and administrative policies and procedures, recommending and implementing efficiencies to meet the school’s goals and objectives, while ensuring that all activities are compliant with university and college policies and procedures and align with respective accreditation standards for all three programs. The position is required to provide timely and innovative responses to continuous shifts in policy and direction as the SRS and College of Medicine (CoM) adjust to ever-increasing demands on their resources.
In providing various operational, financial, and administrative services, the Manager, Academic Programs and Operations exercises discretion and professional judgment in maintaining confidential information, and applies sound practices with a consistent, proactive and collaborative approach. This position reports to the Director of the SRS and works closely with academic and clinical leadership to ensure consistency and alignment with accreditation standards for each respective program. The person in this role demonstrates resiliency while working in an environment where there is ambiguity, continuous change, and shifting priorities. The successful candidate will contribute to a positive, diverse, and inclusive work and learning environment by actively engaging in mentoring, self-awareness, learning opportunities, relationship building, and communication.
Accountabilities:
Strategic Planning and Priorities Responsibilities
- Work with the SRS Director and the SRS leadership team to achieve the goals, objectives, and strategic directions of the SRS and CoM. Participate in unit strategic planning ensuring that existing goals align with the university and college goals and contribute towards cost containment, maximizing academic performance, clinical service, and research productivity.
- Manage activities and operations of SRS programs including developing and implementing strategies and processes to ensure policies and procedures are followed which include University of Saskatchewan, partners, and regulatory bodies.
- Liaise with external stakeholders including accreditation agencies and regulatory bodies to support program excellence and compliance.
- Prepare annual accreditation reports and accreditation self-study reports and help organize site visits
- Collaborate within the SRS and with other CoM departments and units as required to ensure the educational mandate is achieved, including but not limited to accreditation, ensuring, and enhancing curriculum delivery, service and support to SRS students
- Lead initiatives to enhance program delivery and student experience
Administrative Responsibilities
- Effectively represent the SRS in all interactions, addressing issues and concerns appropriately, and consulting with SRS leadership when necessary.
- Provide confidential, comprehensive, effective, and efficient SRS programs operations support
- Initiate, implement, and support new or modified approaches, practices and processes in the SRS programs operations and SRS as a whole.
- Maintain a thorough understanding of accreditation standards for each respective SRS program to ensure adherence in day-to-day work and keep current with practices and issues
- Ensure priorities and deadlines are met, and that correspondence is handled accurately, efficiently, professionally, and confidentially.
- Oversee central administrative responsibilities such as digital records management (Jade, SharePoint), facilities (Office assignment/furniture), staff and faculty onboarding, equipment and logistics issues.
- Collaborate with IT and advocate for SRS to acquire and utilize information technology hardware and software that will provide maximum benefit in delivery of academic programs, research, and scholarly work
- Oversee administrative policies and ensure they align with university and college policies and process requirements.
- Oversee collection and compilation of content for internal and external reporting such as financial and programmatic data reports and accreditation or data requests from government or other funding agencies
- Develop solutions to improve current operations processes and maximize efficiency
- Coordinate and/or assist with special projects as needed.
- Serve as resource member for the SRS committees (e.g. Academic Affairs, Admissions, Recruitment, nistotamawin, and Executive Advisory Committees) and a member of the SRS’s Strategic Advisory Team
- Build a management culture based on teamwork, open communication, prudent risk taking, innovation, mentoring and accountability
Financial Responsibilities
- In collaboration with the CoM Finance and Administration Manager, provide effective administration of SRS financial resources; manage SRS programs operating budgets and other operating, donor-funded and research accounts.
- Oversee and approve part-time teaching support requests for all programs, committees and general operational needs in consultation with SRS leadership
- Provide strategic oversight and direction for financial administrative processes, including the collation of teaching hours, invoicing, stock management, and internal invoicing workflows, ensuring accuracy, efficiency, and alignment with institutional policies
- Prepare material needed to assist the Director with budget submissions related to the operations of SRS programs.
- Manage budget allocations, revenues, and expenditures effectively.
- Prepare budget reports for the Director and Program Chairs and convey accurate information and data to ensure financially viable and sustainable decision-making and problem-solving
Human Resource Responsibilities
- Monitor budgets and advise the Director and SRS Program Chairs, to support part-time teaching and administrative staff hiring.
- Assist with on-boarding and off-boarding of SRS administrative faculty, staff and part-time teaching staff
- Act as the people leader for SRS CUPE and ASPA administrative support staff, strategically managing administrative support, including regular performance reviews and oversight and assignment of work duties Identify needs and initiate ongoing training in program management, tools and processes for staff
Academic and Curricular Responsibilities
- Keep current with practices and issues in graduate program management through professional networks with Deans, Associate Deans, and senior administrative staff at USask and other Canadian universities.
- Provide oversight for the timely updates of all SRS organisational and student-centred policies and procedures and Terms of Reference in support of new SRS programs
- Support continuous quality improvement within SRS programs by facilitating quantitative and qualitative assessments of the program, providing oversight for the administration and analysis for Exit, Graduate and Employee feedback surveys and focus groups, to meet accreditation standards.
- Serve as a resource member of the Executive Curriculum Committee, ensuring University of Saskatchewan and SRS policies are followed when initiating curricular change, and that updates and policies are communicated to team members. Assist staff and faculty with implementation of the changes.
Education:
- Completion of a Business Administration Diploma is recommended.
- A Bachelor's degree is required in a relevant field such as health administration, education, business administration, public administration, or a related discipline; a Master’s degree is considered an asset.
- Completion of a Financial Management and/or Project Management course is considered an asset.
- A combination of education and experience will be considered
Experience:
- At least two years of experience in an academic, healthcare, or related setting, with demonstrated growth in scope of responsibilities or leadership
- Experience with financial processes, budgeting, and payment processing is required.
- Familiarity with USask processes and functions, including human resources, payroll, budgeting, accounting and payment services, and information technology
- Experience supervising administrative or program staff, including assigning duties, providing feedback, and supporting professional development
- Experience working in diverse and inclusive settings, with a commitment to equity and inclusion
Skills:
- Exceptional interpersonal and communication skills, with the ability to engage diplomatically and effectively with a wide range of stakeholders including faculty, staff, students, and external partners.
- Strong leadership and team management skills, including the ability to supervise, mentor, and develop administrative staff in a collaborative and inclusive environment.
- Demonstrated ability to exercise sound judgment, discretion, and professionalism in handling sensitive and confidential information.
- Proven organizational and project management skills, with the ability to manage multiple priorities, meet deadlines, and deliver results in a fast-paced, evolving environment.
- High level of initiative, self-motivation, and accountability, with a proactive approach to identifying and solving problems.
- Strong analytical and critical thinking skills, with the ability to interpret data, assess complex situations, and make informed decisions.
- Advanced proficiency in Microsoft Office Suite (Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Outlook) and the ability to quickly learn and adapt to new digital tools and platforms.
- Familiarity with university-based systems such as Banner, AboutUs, Unifi, PAWS, and ConnectionPoint is considered an asset.
- Commitment to equity, diversity, inclusion, and Indigenization in the workplace and academic environment.
Department: School of Rehabilitation Science
Status: Term 2 years with the possibility of extension or becoming permanent
Employment Group: ASPA
Shift: Mon-Fri, 8:30-4:30
Full Time Equivalent (FTE): 1.0
Salary: The salary range, based on 1.0 FTE, is $87,266.00 - 145,353.00 per annum. The starting salary will be commensurate with education and experience.
Salary Family (if applicable): Managerial
Salary Phase/Band: Phase 3
Posted Date: 6/23/2025
Closing Date: 6/30/2025 at 6:00 pm CST
Number of Openings: 1
Work Location: May be eligible for hybrid work under the terms of USask's Alternative Workspace Guidelines
The University is committed to employment equity, diversity, and inclusion, and are proud to support career opportunities for Indigenous peoples to reflect the community we serve. We are dedicated to recruiting individuals who will enrich our work and learning environments. All qualified candidates are encouraged to apply; however, in accordance with Canadian immigration requirements, Canadian citizens and permanent residents will be given priority. We are committed to providing accommodations to those with a disability or medical necessity. If you require an accommodation to participate in the recruitment process, please notify us and we will work together on the accommodation request. We continue to grow our partnerships with Indigenous communities across the province, nationally, and internationally and value the unique perspective that Indigenous employees provide to strengthen these relationships. Verification of Indigenous Membership/Citizenship at the University of Saskatchewan is led and determined by the deybwewin | taapwaywin | tapwewin: Indigenous Truth policy and Standing Committee in accordance with the processes developed to enact the policy. Successful candidates that assert Indigenous membership/citizenship will be asked to complete the verification process of Indigenous membership/citizenship with documentation. The University of Saskatchewan’s main campus is situated on Treaty 6 Territory and the Homeland of the Métis. We pay our respects to the First Nations and Métis ancestors of this place and reaffirm our relationship with one another. Together, we are uplifting Indigenization to a place of prominence at the University of Saskatchewan. 