**Location -**This role is in-person. Work primarily takes place at North Campus, Edmonton.

Reporting to the Dean, the Strategic Initiatives Lead provides senior strategic project leadership and executive-level coordination within the Faculty of Medicine & Dentistry. The position is responsible for driving the planning, delivery, and integration of Faculty-wide strategic initiatives, managing emerging issues, developing novel and innovative solutions and ensuring effective follow-through on priority projects across portfolios and in some cases across the University.

As a member of the Faculty’s senior leadership team and its leadership committees, the Strategic Initiatives Lead provides expert advice, analysis, and executive support to enable informed decision-making and coordinated action across the Faculty.

This role operates at the Faculty-wide and portfolio level, supporting the Dean and Vice-Deans across academic, research, and clinical programs including undergraduate, graduate and postgraduate programs.

The role impacts all Faculty strategic initiatives and serves as a key point of integration between leadership, departments, and central service partners. It works across multiple governance and advisory bodies and supports initiatives that cut across institutional boundaries.

The Faculty of Medicine & Dentistry is one of the world’s top academic health science centres. With 21 departments, multiple research institutes and centres, and a focus on excellence in education, research, and clinical care, the faculty trains outstanding medical and dental professionals and drives global health innovation in collaboration with partners across sectors.

Strategic Leadership and Execution

• Lead high-priority Faculty-wide strategic initiatives and special projects from concept through implementation, ensuring strong execution, clear accountability, and alignment with Faculty priorities.
• Partner with the Dean and senior leadership to translate strategic priorities into actionable plans, including timelines, milestones, governance pathways, and measurable outcomes.
• Lead planning and consultation processes for major strategic priorities, helping shape recommendations, refine direction, and support coordinated action.
• Monitor initiative progress, risks, dependencies, and outcomes, and recommend adjustments to improve delivery and impact.

Project and Portfolio Leadership

• Drive cross-functional initiatives that span academic and administrative areas, building alignment among leaders, departments, and central partners across the University.
• Lead complex project work that does not sit within a single portfolio or unit, including Faculty-wide reviews and other initiatives requiring rigorous analysis and coordinated follow-through.
• Establish and oversee project structures, workplans, terms of reference, and reporting processes to keep initiatives moving forward effectively.
• Oversee the broader portfolio of strategic initiatives, identifying interdependencies and ensuring alignment across priorities.

Strategic Analysis and Decision Support

• Provide senior-level strategic advice, analysis, and decision support on complex and emerging issues affecting the Faculty.
• Conduct environmental scans, best-practice reviews, and risk and opportunity assessments to inform strategy, policy development, and executive decision-making.
• Develop business cases, briefing materials, reports, presentations, and other confidential documents for the Dean, senior leadership, and key committees.
• Identify emerging trends, issues, and opportunities, and help shape practical, evidence-informed recommendations.

Governance and Coordination

• Convene and coordinate cross-functional working groups and stakeholders to support initiative planning, implementation, and follow-through.
• Support initiatives through Faculty and University governance processes, preparing materials and helping advance recommendations to key decision points.
• Track and manage an integrated view of key issues, risks, and priorities related to Faculty strategic initiatives.
• Prepare content and supporting materials for senior committees to enable strategic discussion and informed decision-making.

Financial and Organizational Alignment

• Work closely with the Senior Finance Partner to ensure strategic initiatives are informed by sound financial planning, resource considerations, and budget impacts.
• Help align strategic initiatives with the Faculty’s broader administrative, operational, and governance context to support effective implementation.

Education and Experience

• Minimum Master’s degree (for example, MBA or MPA) and/or relevant professional designation, or an equivalent combination of education and experience.
• 7+ years of progressively responsible experience in a relevant professional, academic, administrative, strategy, or project leadership role.
• Significant experience working in a complex institutional, public-sector, or academic environment.

Strategic and Institutional Knowledge

• Strong understanding of strategic planning, policy development, and portfolio-level project leadership.
• Familiarity with governance and decision-making processes in a complex organization, preferably within a post-secondary or similarly matrixed environment.
• Understanding of financial planning, budget processes, and resource alignment in a complex institutional setting.
• Knowledge of academic, research, and administrative environments and how priorities are advanced across multiple stakeholder groups.
• Awareness of Indigenous initiatives and principles of equity, diversity, and inclusion.
• Familiarity with shared services models and complex organizational structures; experience in a health, academic, or medical school environment would be an asset.

Skills and Capabilities

• Excellent written and verbal communication skills, with the ability to prepare clear, persuasive briefings, reports, and presentations for senior leaders.
• Strong analytical and conceptual skills, including the ability to synthesize complex information and translate strategy into actionable plans.
• Demonstrated ability to lead initiatives across portfolios and organizational boundaries without direct line authority.
• Strong judgment, discretion, and political acuity in handling sensitive or confidential matters.
• Ability to manage competing priorities, shifting timelines, and multiple high-impact initiatives in a fast-paced environment.
• Proven ability to build trust, foster collaboration, and support the success of others through influence and coordination.

Click "Apply Now" to submit your resume and cover letter.

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.