Job ID

74854

Job Title

Assistant Academic Department Manager - Biology

Regular/Temporary

Regular

Location

Central Campus

Open Date

03/26/2026

Job Type

Continuing

Close Date

04/09/2026

Employee Group

TMG

Favorite Job

Department

Biology

Full/Part Time

Full-Time

Salary Grade/Band

Band J

Salary Range

$69652.00 - $104478.00 (annual)

Job Code

010242

Hiring Range

$69652.00 - $91331.00

Existing Vacancy

Yes - Backfilling as Existing

Target Number of Openings

1

Hours per Week

35

Posting Details

Schedule

Hours of work are 7 hours per day, 8:30 a.m. - 4:30 p.m., Monday to Friday, including a 60-minute unpaid meal period. The University is supportive of exploring flexible work arrangements that effectively balance operational needs and employee interests.

Education Level

Bachelor's degree in a relevant field or working towards a professional designation such as a CPA, MBA, etc.

Career Level

3-5 years of supervisory or managerial experience.

Reports to

Academic Department Manager

Job Description

The Department of Biologyis a thriving community of scientists working in diverse areas, who are committed to excellence and innovation in research, training, teaching, and outreach. The Department has 25 full time research-active faculty members, 4 teaching-track faculty members, ~80 graduate students, and ~900 undergraduate students. For more information on the Department, please visit https://biology.mcmaster.ca/.

Job Summary

The Assistant Academic Department Manager (AADM) is responsible for supporting the Academic Department Manager (ADM) and Chair in the strategic and operational management of an academic department with multiple functions including graduate and undergraduate programming, fee for service facilities, labs, and external partnerships. The Assistant Academic Department Manager has an integral role in supporting the department strategy and ensuring alignment with the strategic vision of the University, influencing the culture within the department, reinforcing university values and shaping the direction of the department offerings with a forward-looking perspective. The Assistant Academic Department Manager provides support to the administrative and operational leadership, visioning and strategic planning of a unit and human resources, space, curriculum, academic planning, advising and scheduling, and other strategic matters. In carrying out the position responsibilities, the Assistant Academic Department Manager collaborates with the academic leadership of the department and with central offices such as the Office of the Provost and Vice-President (Academic), the School of Grad Studies, the Office of the Registrar, Human Resources, Institutional Research and Analysis, ROADs, MILO, Finance, and Facility Services. The Assistant Academic Department Manager provides analysis of the Department’s needs related to planning, resourcing and proposal development using detailed data analytics to develop and drive the Department’s strategy. The Assistant Academic Department Manager is accountable to the Academic Department Manager (ADM) of the department and may represent the ADM in discussions with the leadership of the faculty. The Assistant Academic Department Manager provides a link between incoming and outgoing faculty and staff on operational procedures and policy as they relate to undergraduate and graduate education and research administration, and advises on new initiatives or changes to policies and procedures at both the department and university levels. The Assistant Academic Department Manager plays an integral role in managing and overseeing all aspects of the Accreditation process. This includes supporting the administration of the annual Graduate Attribute measurement and collection process, as well as the preparation for the program visits. The Assistant Academic Department Manager participates on committees and meetings as they relate to all aspects of the Accreditation Board visits and Graduate Attribute processes. The Assistant Academic Department Manager could play an integral role in managing and overseeing the Internal Quality Assurance Process (IQAP) for both graduate and undergraduate programs. On a day-to-day basis, the Assistant Manager implements the policy decisions taken by the Department, Faculty, or University with respect to undergraduate and graduate students, and research administration, may represent the department/programs on university-wide committees, and provides leadership and direction to the staff who provide service to students in the undergraduate and graduate programs.

Compensation & Benefits:

As a TMG position, this role at McMaster offers robust, market-driven compensation, benefits, retirement savings plans/pensions, paid time-off, performance and service recognition, tuition assistance for employees, tuition bursary for dependents, and many other professional development and growth opportunities. To learn more about the total rewards available to the successful candidate, please access McMaster’s Total Rewards Overview for TMG employees (https://hr.mcmaster.ca/app/uploads/2022/05/TMG-Total-Rewards-Overview-June-2022.pdf) with a summary of the compensation, benefits, retirement income, paid time-off, and learning and development opportunities offered at McMaster. To further explore the extensive total rewards program, detailed information can be accessed through the links throughout the overview document.

Core Accountabilities

Working alongside the Academic Department Manager, the Assistant Academic Department Manager will provide leadership and support to the following areas:

• Management of financial resources (operating, research, facilities/services, research institutes and centres) of the department.
• Implementation of the department strategy, while aligning with the strategic vision of the University.
• Overall management of the department’s infrastructure activities, including staff recruitment, human resources, finance, research, and teaching activities.
• Human resources management – provides significant support in human resources activity including hiring, onboarding, work assignment, conflict and performance management, disciplinary action, training, and development for direct reports.
• Physical resource management - space planning and tracking, inventory, and asset management. Serves as the backup contact for all security issues. Ensures building and equipment safety.
• Education Administrative Support - Managing the resources and infrastructure supporting education activities within the department with emphasis on academic planning, advising and development.
• Administrative support of research activity within the department including the management of grant funding and assisting with budgets and staffing inquiries where appropriate.
• Special Projects Committee Membership: Lead or participate in special projects and/or sit on committees as the department or faculty representative, both within the faculty, the broader University and in the community.

The successful candidate will have:

• Broad understanding of research, finance, Faculty and University initiatives.

• Knowledge and experience interpreting policies, procedures, and guidelines.

• Demonstrated leadership and management skills and be a proven strategic and pragmatic thinker.

• Excellent interpersonal skills, including outstanding verbal and written communication skills and a proven record of demonstrated tact, judgment, and diplomacy.

• Must be organized, a long-range planner and an accomplished problem-solver, able to quickly assess situations and individuals and lead solutions.

• Demonstrated ability to make independent decisions and to build consensus.

• Proven track record of successful relationship-building is essential as this role must work effectively and collaboratively across faculties and departments, with various internal and external stakeholders.

• Tact, diplomacy, negotiating and perusasion skills, strategic thinking, superior communication skills, able to build and inspire trust and build bridges and relationships.

Pay Transparency Statement

The posted hiring range represents McMaster's typical hiring range for this position. Actual starting salary will depend on factors such as relevant experience, qualifications, internal equity, and market conditions.

Individuals with extensive experience, deep specialized expertise, and/or those who can demonstrate exceptional past performance, as applicable, may be hired at a higher rate within the full range, in accordance with the University compensation policies.

How To Apply

To apply for this job, please submit your application online.

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.

AI Statement

McMaster and its third-party partners may use AI tools to screen, assess, or select applicants during the hiring process. Please note that currently our recruitment platform does not use AI nor is it part of our current recommended recruitment process.