ABOUT UPP

UPP is the first pension plan of its kind in Ontario’s university sector, proudly serving over 41,000 members across five universities and fourteen sector organizations. Our purpose is to bring greater retirement peace of mind to the university sector by investing with integrity and serving members with care. As a sector-wide plan designed for growth, our doors are open to all Ontario universities.

Together, we’re a team of progressive thinkers and agile doers operating within a fast-paced culture of collaboration and respect. We believe in bringing smart and capable people together to create, solve and grow with a clear shared vision and values of integrity, inclusivity, ingenuity, and impact.

Our culture is intentionally welcoming and purposefully rooted in equity, diversity, inclusion, and reconciliation (EDIR). We believe diverse teams, perspectives, and lived experiences contribute to better decisions and a better workplace.

As a long-term investor, we recognize that environmental, social and governance (“ESG”) factors support risk management and value creation. As stated in our Responsible Investing Policy, we are committed to incorporating ESG considerations into our investment management activities and we collaborate with other industry participants in the promotion of a sustainable economy and society.

Join us in building a bright future for our members, our organization, and each other.

THE ROLE

Reporting to the Delivery Director, Corporate, the Project Manager (6-month contract) will manage complex projects, processes, tools, and activities in support of the Strategic Initiatives Portfolio.

This role will work with cross-functional teams and stakeholders across the project lifecycle. You will collaborate with business and IT leaders to ensure the successful execution and delivery of initiatives at every phase. You will oversee the work of teams across the organization, driving focus and high-quality deliverables. You will work closely with business partners to understand their needs; developing solutions that enable positive business outcomes.

This role is based in downtown Toronto in a hybrid work environment, allowing employees the flexibility to work remotely and in-office (minimum two days per week in-office).

SPECIFIC ACCOUNTABILITIES

The Project Manager is responsible for overseeing and managing the end-to-end execution of medium-to-high complexity projects with high impact within UPP. They will lead the execution and delivery of projects across the lifecycle, establishing cooperation and alignment between cross-functional teams. Their focus will be on effective planning, accurate documentation, obtaining client satisfaction, and achieving business goals. In this capacity, they will:

• Manage cross-functional stakeholders to collect their input and ensure their commitment to the project and its timely delivery
• Support the development of project proposals, charters, plans, schedules, resource plans, business plans, and performance metrics
• Deliver high-quality projects that satisfy customer requirements on time and on budget
• Oversee the successful completion of project milestones by cross-functional teams
• Manage budgets and resources throughout the project lifecycle
• Identify, manage, and resolve risks and issues proactively to enable team delivery
• Balance the needs of the project, the client, and the organization, managing tradeoffs between scope, time, cost, and quality
• Collaborate closely with clients and stakeholders to understand their business objectives, challenges, and opportunities
• Deliver status reports, data-driven insights, meeting materials, and action points. Follow-up on open items and track to closure.
• Clearly and promptly communicate program details and updates to the appropriate stakeholders
• Analyze and prioritize requirements, propose solution options by articulating benefits of options
• Perform and present analysis with appropriate detail and quality, identifying trends and provide recommendations on areas for improvement.
• Clearly and promptly communicate project details and updates to the appropriate teams, stakeholders, and oversight bodies.
• Support regular reporting to UPP’s leadership forums as required.
• Contribute to a high performing atmosphere and positive work environment through teamwork, respect, and open communication

QUALIFICATIONS & EXPERIENCE

• Undergraduate degree in preferably in business, management, or a related field.
• 5+ years of experience managing projects or initiatives within a portfolio or program context, ideally at a financial service or a consulting firm.
• Ability to work in a fast-paced environment and execute while maintaining momentum and fluidity
• Demonstrated success directing projects across multiple product lines and business units.
• Comfortable owning projects across the lifecycle and are excellent at planning, executing, controlling, and reporting on multi-faceted initiatives.
• Experience working within a matrix environment, can build strong cross-functional relationships and always go the extra mile to satisfy your clients
• Business analysis skills in facilitating requirement workshops, use case creation, and requirements documentation management will be considered an asset
• Proficiency in MS Office, analytical software, data analysis and reporting techniques
• Outcome-focused self-starter willing to do what it takes to achieve business goals and meet client needs.
• Effective collaboration and relationship management skills, including the ability to strengthen relationships with varied stakeholders
• Excellent oral communication skills and professional writing, editing and media skills.
• Comfortable working with data, conducting quantitative and qualitative analysis
• Ability to display a commitment to and advocate for accessibility, diversity, and inclusion

ATTRIBUTES

• A confident, versatile communicator who can connect with, and adapt to, an array of audiences.
• A natural relationship-builder who will ask thoughtful questions, listen intently, and engage stakeholders in a way that builds trust and credibility.
• A balance of EQ and IQ.
• A high degree of self-motivation, professionalism, and integrity.
• Committed to continuous growth and innovation.
• Organized, resourceful and able to manage multiple projects and processes across departments in a collegial and professional manner.
• You believe in delivering quality solutions. Meeting the client need is your highest priority.
• You are able to set the tone and direction of the team, but you are also able to actively listen to the team.
• A leader who addresses risk before they become issues

LIFE AT UPP

Do work that matters. We are duty-bound to serve our members’ interests, and it’s a responsibility we don’t take lightly. That’s why we’ve ingrained sustainability in our work from day one—to ensure our members have a resilient future to retire into, both today and for generations to come.

Stronger together. Collaboration is how UPP was born, and it’s how we work with each other and our partners day in, day out. No one at UPP is just a number (even if they are excellent at math) and every win is a shared win.

Grow every day. You’ll have the opportunity to work on unique, once-in-a-career projects that maximize your skill set and probably teach you some new ones—at any stage in your career.

Prioritize wellness. At UPP, wellness takes many forms. Ultimately, it’s about ensuring our people are cared for in the ways that matter to them. Check out some highlights of our inclusive employee-focused benefits program including:

• Supportive and welcoming onboarding through the UPP Buddy Program
• Free snacks and beverages (coffee, tea, and flavored water) in the office
• Paid holidays
• Paid Mental Health Days
• Flexible hybrid work model
• Work from abroad up to eight weeks/year

UPP enthusiastically welcomes applications from all qualified applicants and especially invites people with lived experience as an Indigenous person, a person with a disability or as a member of another Human Rights Code protected group that faces barriers to employment to apply. Our goal is to create a barrier-free experience for every candidate throughout the recruitment process, so if you require accommodation at any point during the process, please let us know so that we can make the appropriate arrangements. It would be our honor to work with you to adapt our processes to ensure that you can meaningfully participate.