Executive Director, Ancillary Operations
About the role
Regular/Temporary
Temporary
Job Title
Executive Director, Ancillary Operations
Job ID
72784
Location
Central Campus
Open Date
11/04/2025
Job Type
Limited Term (<12 months)
Close Date
11/18/2025
Employee Group
Interim
Favorite Job
Department
VP Operations and Finance
Contract Duration
6 Months
Hours per Week
35
Posting Details
McMaster University, one of Canada’s most research-intensive and student-focused universities, is seeking an accomplished and strategic leader to serve as Executive Director, Ancillary Operations for an interim term of 6 to 9 months.
This new role provides strategic leadership and operational oversight for McMaster’s ancillary and revenue-generating services including Parking Services, the Campus Store, Hospitality Services, Media Production Services, and Housing and Conference Services (dual reporting with Student Affairs). Together, these units generate over $90 million annually and play a vital role in enhancing the student experience and contributing to the University’s financial sustainability.
Reporting to the Vice-President, Operations and Finance, the Executive Director will ensure that McMaster’s ancillary operations deliver exceptional service, operational excellence, and strong financial performance. The successful candidate will work collaboratively with senior leaders to optimize revenues, identify efficiencies, and support the University’s academic and research mission.
As a seasoned people leader, the Executive Director will oversee a large and diverse team of over 800 employees, fostering a culture of inclusion, innovation, and service excellence. The role requires a leader with strong financial acumen, strategic foresight, and a demonstrated ability to manage complex, multi-unit operations in a unionized environment.
Qualifications:
- Graduate degree in business, higher education leadership, finance, or public administration (or equivalent).
- Minimum of 10 years of progressive leadership experience in large, complex organizations.
- Proven success in managing significant budgets, driving operational improvements, and delivering strong financial results.
- Experience in student housing, hospitality, or conference operations is an asset.
- Commitment to equity, diversity, inclusion, sustainability, and student success.
This is an exciting opportunity to make an immediate impact in a high-profile leadership role, supporting the next phase of operational excellence and innovation at McMaster University.
How To Apply
McMaster has partnered with the leadership advisory firm Odgers for this search. To explore this opportunity further in confidence, please submit your resume online at https://en-careers.odgers.com/en-ca/job/30823/.
For further information, please contact Sam Mofti, Consultant, at sam.mofti@odgers.com.
We would like to thank all applicants but regret that we are only able to personally contact those individuals whose backgrounds best match the requirements for the role.
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.
About McMaster University
McMaster University, one of four Canadian universities listed among the Top 100 universities in the world, is renowned for its innovation in both learning and discovery. It has a student population of 30,000, and more than 185,000 alumni in 137 countries.
Executive Director, Ancillary Operations
About the role
Regular/Temporary
Temporary
Job Title
Executive Director, Ancillary Operations
Job ID
72784
Location
Central Campus
Open Date
11/04/2025
Job Type
Limited Term (<12 months)
Close Date
11/18/2025
Employee Group
Interim
Favorite Job
Department
VP Operations and Finance
Contract Duration
6 Months
Hours per Week
35
Posting Details
McMaster University, one of Canada’s most research-intensive and student-focused universities, is seeking an accomplished and strategic leader to serve as Executive Director, Ancillary Operations for an interim term of 6 to 9 months.
This new role provides strategic leadership and operational oversight for McMaster’s ancillary and revenue-generating services including Parking Services, the Campus Store, Hospitality Services, Media Production Services, and Housing and Conference Services (dual reporting with Student Affairs). Together, these units generate over $90 million annually and play a vital role in enhancing the student experience and contributing to the University’s financial sustainability.
Reporting to the Vice-President, Operations and Finance, the Executive Director will ensure that McMaster’s ancillary operations deliver exceptional service, operational excellence, and strong financial performance. The successful candidate will work collaboratively with senior leaders to optimize revenues, identify efficiencies, and support the University’s academic and research mission.
As a seasoned people leader, the Executive Director will oversee a large and diverse team of over 800 employees, fostering a culture of inclusion, innovation, and service excellence. The role requires a leader with strong financial acumen, strategic foresight, and a demonstrated ability to manage complex, multi-unit operations in a unionized environment.
Qualifications:
- Graduate degree in business, higher education leadership, finance, or public administration (or equivalent).
- Minimum of 10 years of progressive leadership experience in large, complex organizations.
- Proven success in managing significant budgets, driving operational improvements, and delivering strong financial results.
- Experience in student housing, hospitality, or conference operations is an asset.
- Commitment to equity, diversity, inclusion, sustainability, and student success.
This is an exciting opportunity to make an immediate impact in a high-profile leadership role, supporting the next phase of operational excellence and innovation at McMaster University.
How To Apply
McMaster has partnered with the leadership advisory firm Odgers for this search. To explore this opportunity further in confidence, please submit your resume online at https://en-careers.odgers.com/en-ca/job/30823/.
For further information, please contact Sam Mofti, Consultant, at sam.mofti@odgers.com.
We would like to thank all applicants but regret that we are only able to personally contact those individuals whose backgrounds best match the requirements for the role.
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.
About McMaster University
McMaster University, one of four Canadian universities listed among the Top 100 universities in the world, is renowned for its innovation in both learning and discovery. It has a student population of 30,000, and more than 185,000 alumni in 137 countries.