Location- This role is hybrid with a mix of remote and in-person work at Enterprise Square.

Are you a seasoned, strategic professional ready to take on complex, high-impact initiatives? Join the Shared Services (ShS) leadership team as our Strategic Initiatives Officer (SIO) and become a central force in advancing the University of Alberta’s operational excellence.

This is more than a leadership role reporting to the Associate Vice-President (AVP), Shared Services—it's a chance to be a key architect in the evolution of our unit. You will lead key Shared Services projects that contribute to institution-wide goals, guiding them from initial concept through successful completion through stakeholder engagement, professional acumen and ability to execute on deliverables. Your contributions will be vital in setting Shared Services' strategic agenda, tackling emerging, high-profile issues, developing robust project roadmaps, driving essential research, and representing our interests at critical institutional forums.

We are looking for a proactive, organized, and influential strategist who thrives in a dynamic environment, leveraging strong communication and problem-solving skills to navigate and shape outcomes. If you embody collaboration, continuous improvement, and a commitment to service excellence, you will excel here.

This role is for the adaptable, results-driven professional who can manage multiple competing priorities while consistently delivering exceptional results. You will bring creative, holistic solutions to complex challenges, engage and influence stakeholders at all levels, and represent Shared Services with the highest standards of professionalism and integrity. Furthermore, you will champion the University’s commitment to Access, Community, & Belonging, embedding these values into every facet of your work alongside ShS's core values.

Shared Services is a close-knit community of smart, approachable people who collaborate, exchange knowledge and identify solutions. Our team of experts problem-solves by collaborating with Centres of Expertise (centres providing strategic expertise and specialized services in specific functional areas), faculty and staff in order to see the whole end-to-end process and find a solution that works for the entire community. We provide advice, guidance and leadership in process, quality and accuracy.

Shared Services is a highly educated, integrated team that provides service excellence in delivering and innovating the diverse catalogue of services we are responsible for. Ultimately, we create a human, positive experience when it comes to problem-solving.

The staff who are joining Shared Services can expect to feel empowered in the service they provide and look to grow their careers with critical thinking, relationship building and ongoing learning opportunities.

This high-profile position offers an expansive opportunity to lead continuous improvement initiatives across Shared Services, delivering on outcomes that impact the entire University of Alberta, through collaboration across centres of expertise, colleges, faculties, and portfolios. Your work may also extend to external parties.

In this role, you will:

• Conduct the planning, coordination, and successful execution of multiple complex institution-wide initiatives across Shared Services, collaborating closely with diverse faculties and units.
• Provide clear, data-driven recommendations and expert advice that directly informs strategic decision-making by Shared Services leadership and key stakeholders.
• Facilitate crucial discussions and negotiations to ensure strategic initiatives are successfully implemented and remain perfectly aligned with Shared Services’ goals, the USOF portfolio, and the University’s broader strategic vision.
• Develop cutting-edge frameworks, conduct environmental scans, and lead best-practice reviews to ensure the success of strategic projects.
• Systematically analyze deep-seated problems, identify root causes, and engineer holistic solutions that account for multi-causal relationships and wide-ranging institutional impacts.
• Anticipate and skillfully respond to evolving changes and challenges across Shared Services, adjusting initiatives as needed to maintain momentum.
  Coordinate comprehensive communications strategies, including drafting impactful reports, proposals, and presentations in partnership with External Relations.
• Rigorously monitor and manage project milestones, timelines, and deliverables, ensuring seamless, effective communication among leadership teams.
  Provide input at or facilitate, on behalf of Shared Services, at key university meetings, actively contributing to and propelling the advancement of institutional initiatives.
• Foster a truly collaborative environment by participating in and leading communities of practice and specialized project teams.
• Confidentially and discreetly handle sensitive labour/employment relations projects, including contingency planning and/or crisis management situations.

Minimum Qualifications

We seek high-performing candidates who possess the following essential experience:

• A minimum of a Bachelor’s degree in a relevant field.
• At least 5 years of progressively responsible experience in project or strategic initiative management, ideally within a large, complex organizational environment.
• Exceptional interpersonal, communication, and negotiation skills, with a demonstrated ability to effectively influence diverse stakeholders and cultivate powerful professional relationships.
• Proven ability to provide expert advice and support to all organizational levels, effectively managing diverse individuals and competing demands within a fast-paced work setting.
• A proven capacity to work independently, demonstrate high flexibility, effectively multi-task, and manage numerous priorities simultaneously.
• Strong critical thinking and problem-solving skills, with an unwavering focus on achieving and exceeding high-quality outcomes.
• Documented experience in developing and executing organizational strategies and contributing directly to the achievement of strategic goals.
• Advanced proficiency in the MS Office Suite, Google Applications, and current project management software.

Preferred Qualifications

Candidates who possess the following will be highly competitive:

• Experience within a post-secondary or comparably complex institutional environment is a significant asset.
• Demonstrated influential capability and hands-on experience successfully working with multidisciplinary teams.
• Experience in successfully managing significant change initiatives within a fast-paced, high-volume environment.
• Knowledge of relevant legislation and a clear commitment to continuous professional development.
• Adaptable, agile, and technologically savvy, with advanced capability in PeopleSoft systems, Oracle Recruiting Cloud (ORC), Adobe Acrobat Pro and project management software.
• Experience in facilitating and/or presenting, along with the preparation of high impact reports, slide decks and supporting documents.
• French language proficiency would be an asset (but not required)

This position is excluded from the bargaining unit.

In accordance with the Handbook of Employment for Management and Professional Staff (Excluded)**, this position has a comprehensive benefits package and an annual salary which will be commensurate with qualifications.

The University of Alberta acknowledges that we are located on Treaty 6 territory, and respects the histories, languages and cultures of First Nations, Métis, Inuit and all FirstPeoples of Canada, whose presence continues to enrich our vibrant community.

The University of Alberta is a community of knowledge seekers, change makers and world shapers who lead with purpose each and every day. We are home to over 14,000 faculty and staff, more than 40,000 students and a growing community of 300,000 alumni worldwide.

Your work will have a meaningful influence on a fascinating cross-section of people - from our students and community members, to our renowned researchers and innovators, making discoveries and generating solutions that make the world healthier, safer, stronger and more just. Learn more.

At the University of Alberta, we are committed to creating an inclusive and accessible hiring process for all candidates. If you require accommodations to participate in the interview process, please let us know at the time of booking your interview and we will make every effort to accommodate your needs.

We thank all applicants for their interest; however, only those individuals selected for an interview will be contacted.

All University employees have a responsibility to foster a workplace that prioritizes safety in all its forms—physical, cultural, and psychological. This is achieved by promoting a safe environment, adhering to all safety laws, policies and procedures, completing all required safety training, identifying hazards and implementing controls, reporting incidents, and contributing to a culture of belonging and respect, while endeavoring to ensure that all colleagues feel valued and safe to express their thoughts, perspectives and concerns.

The University of Alberta is committed to creating a university community where everyone feels valued, barriers to success are removed, and thriving connections are fostered. We welcome applications from all qualified persons. We encourage women, First Nations, Métis and Inuit persons, members of visible minority groups, persons with disabilities, persons of any sexual orientation or gender identity and expression, and all those who may contribute to the further diversification of ideas and the University to apply.

L’Université de l’Alberta s’engage à créer une communauté universitaire où chaque personne se sent valorisée, où les obstacles à la réussite sont éliminés et où des connexions enrichissantes peuvent se développer. Nous accueillons les demandes de toutes les personnes qualifiées. Nous encourageons les femmes; Premières nations, Métis et Inuits; membres des groupes minoritaires visibles; personnes handicapées; personnes de toute orientation sexuelle ou identité et expression de genre; et toutes les personnes qui peuvent contribuer à la diversification des idées et à l'université à postuler.