Manager, Presidential Initiatives & Engagement

DUTIES

Reporting to the Chief of Staff, the Manager, Presidential Initiatives & Engagement advances priority initiatives of the Office of the President and supports the President’s strategic engagement with internal and external communities.

The Manager leads and coordinates assigned presidential initiatives from planning through implementation, bringing together people and resources from across the university to achieve institutional objectives. The position develops project plans, coordinates stakeholders, monitors commitments and deliverables, identifies emerging issues, and ensures effective follow-through on priorities established by the President and Chief of Staff.

The Manager also supports the President’s engagement with students, faculty, staff, Indigenous communities, government, community organizations, partners and other stakeholders. Working closely with colleagues across the university, the position helps ensure presidential engagements are purposeful, well-coordinated and aligned with institutional priorities.

Operating in a dynamic executive environment, the Manager exercises considerable initiative, judgment, discretion and political acuity and develops effective working relationships across organizational boundaries.

MAJOR RESPONSIBILITIES

Presidential Initiatives and Project Management

• Leads and coordinates strategic initiatives and special projects assigned by the President or Chief of Staff.
• Develops project scopes, objectives, work plans, timelines, milestones and deliverables.
• Coordinates cross-functional teams and working groups involving academic and administrative units across the university.
• Monitors progress against agreed objectives and identifies risks, dependencies and emerging issues requiring attention.
• Tracks decisions, commitments and action items and ensures appropriate follow-through.
• Conducts research, environmental scans and analysis to support presidential initiatives and institutional decision-making.
• Prepares project updates, briefing materials, presentations, recommendations and other materials for the President and Chief of Staff.
• Establishes appropriate measures of success and evaluates the effectiveness and outcomes of assigned initiatives.
• Supports task forces, advisory groups and other time-limited initiatives established by the President or Chief of Staff.

Presidential Engagement

• Supports the planning and implementation of the President’s strategic engagement with university and external communities.
• Works with the Chief of Staff and other university offices to identify engagement opportunities that advance institutional priorities and strengthen key relationships.
• Develops engagement plans for priority stakeholders, communities and initiatives.
• Coordinates presidential visits, roundtables, consultations, community engagements and other strategic activities.
• Works with relevant university units to ensure the President is appropriately briefed and prepared for significant engagements.
• Tracks issues, commitments and opportunities arising from presidential engagements and coordinates appropriate institutional follow-up.
• Develops and maintains effective relationships with internal and external stakeholders on behalf of the President’s Office.

Coordination and Institutional Relationships

• Serves as a point of coordination between the President’s Office and faculties, schools, administrative units and other areas of the university on assigned initiatives.
• Builds collaborative relationships across organizational boundaries and facilitates effective participation in presidential initiatives.
• Works closely with Communications, Government Relations, Advancement, Indigenous Relations, academic leadership and other areas as appropriate to ensure coordinated institutional approaches.
• Supports effective information flow between the President’s Office and university leadership on assigned priorities.

Research, Briefing and Communications

• Researches and analyzes institutional and external issues relevant to presidential priorities.
• Synthesizes complex information into concise briefing notes, decision documents, presentations and recommendations.
• Drafts correspondence, speaking points, background materials and other executive-level materials as required.
• Works with communications colleagues to ensure that messaging associated with presidential initiatives and engagements is coordinated and consistent with institutional priorities.
• Maintains appropriate records and documentation related to presidential initiatives, decisions and commitments.

Office of the President

• Handles sensitive and confidential matters with discretion and sound judgment.
• Undertakes other strategic projects and responsibilities assigned by the Chief of Staff.

REPORTS TO

Chief of Staff, Office of the President and Vice-Chancellor

QUALIFICATIONS

REQUIRED KNOWLEDGE/SKILLS

• Undergraduate degree in a relevant discipline; a graduate degree or equivalent combination of education and experience would be an asset.
• Several years of progressively responsible experience in project management, stakeholder engagement, executive administration, public affairs, communications, government relations, higher education or a related environment.
• Demonstrated experience managing complex projects involving multiple stakeholders and competing priorities.
• Strong relationship-building and stakeholder-engagement skills.
• Excellent written communication skills, including demonstrated ability to prepare concise executive-level briefing and decision materials.
• Strong research, analytical and problem-solving capabilities.
• Demonstrated ability to exercise discretion, diplomacy, political acuity and sound judgment.
• Ability to work effectively with senior leaders and with diverse internal and external communities.
• Strong organizational skills and demonstrated ability to manage multiple priorities and deadlines in a fast-paced environment.
• Knowledge of the post-secondary sector and the British Columbia public-sector environment would be an asset.