Senior Program Manager

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Position Summary:

The main objective of this position is to lead the University's participation in a major multi-year administrative service benchmarking and practice-sharing initiative, joining a network of universities in Canada, the UK, Australia, and New Zealand.

This role involves strategic planning, stakeholder management, communication, change management, risk identification and management, as well as monitoring and review.

The Senior Program Manager will manage a team of 2 Planning Analysts and collaborate closely with about 50 senior managers from major units and departments, as well as over 300 managers and supervisors across the University in order to individually categorize the work of over 4,500 administrative and support employees, along with the costs for out-sourced services, into the benchmarking program platform using standardized definitions, ensuring data quality and meeting tight timelines.

Primary Responsibilities:

• Oversee and direct the annual benchmarking program initiatives, including activity data collections from administrative staff and service suppliers, and delivery of the service satisfaction survey.
• Develop institutional expertise and provide senior professional expertise for the activity data collection while providing strategic support, advanced training, and mentorship to staff members as required.
• Establish and maintain strong working relationships and professional networks across the University, fostering collaboration with business unit areas and Faculties.
• Deliver strategic reporting, updates, analysis, and data insights to the University, highlighting actionable recommendations and service improvement opportunities.
• Act as a principal liaison with the Program Sponsors, Steering Committee, Deans, senior administration and key stakeholders to facilitate effective communication, participation, and engagement.
• Serve as the primary contact for the benchmarking program supplier, representing the University at user group meetings and forums related to the program.
• Manage the service agreement/contract with benchmarking program supplier, ensuring alignment with compliance standards.
• Manage a team of 2 planning analysts.

Key Capabilities:

• Higher Education:  Requires a strong knowledge and understanding of University structure and day-to-day operations.
• Customer service: Provides seamless customer-focused service through simplified and efficient processes, understanding and anticipating the needs of the team.
• Effective communication: Adjusts messages and delivery based on the audience, actively listens to others, and produces accurate and timely information.
• Collaboration: Creates opportunities for collaboration among colleagues and adds value to the entire University beyond immediate team boundaries.
• Delivers results: Achieves agreed outcomes, escalates issues, when necessary, identifies process improvement opportunities, and effectively responds to changing circumstances.
• Business acumen: Understands the purpose of their position and its contribution to the University's objectives, manages resources effectively.

Other Qualifying Skills and/or Abilities:

Strong analytical background and project management skills. Prior supervisory experience.  Six Sigma certification, experience with Alteryx, Tableau and/or PowerBI, strong assets. Knowledge of data structure and databases. Ability to transform data into recommendations. Capacity to find creative solutions and make independent decisions. Ability to work in a PC environment using databases, spreadsheets, statistical and visualization tools to produce analyses and reports. Advanced knowledge of Excel and PowerPoint. Proven experience working in an environment where confidentiality is foremost. Ability to work autonomously and as part of a larger team and to build strong relationships with internal and external partners. Excellent organizational skills and professional conduct. English (spoken and written).

“Knowledge of French and English: McGill University is an English-language university where day to day duties may require English communication both verbal