Date Posted: 08/19/2026
Req ID: 49907
Faculty/Division: VP:People, Finance and Digital Services
Department: VP, People, Finance and Digital Services
Campus: St. George (Downtown Toronto)
Existing Vacancy: Yes
Description:
Reporting to the Vice President, Division of People, Finance and Digital Services, the Chief Operations Officer (COO) serves as a key member of the PFDS Executive Team, providing leadership, strategic direction and sound management of administrative operations and business administration within the PFDS portfolio. The COO provides executive support and strategic advice to the VP, PFDS and has responsibility for facilitating and implementing the administration of divisional priorities and directions set by the Vice:President.
The COO provides leadership administrative, financial and strategic planning, facility operations and planning and information technology functions for the Division. The incumbent ensures plans, benchmarks and policies are in place to support the mission of the Division. The COO develops short and long:term strategic plans and multi:year financial plans to support strategic priorities of the Division. The COO is responsible for leading the VP Division’s annual budget process based on a thorough understanding of the University budget model, financial and human resource policies, procedures and systems.
The COO manages complex and high:profile issues on behalf of the Vice:President by assessing stakeholder concerns, coordinating responses across portfolios, and providing strategic advice on matters with institutional impact. The incumbent proactively identifies emerging risks and issues, recommends courses of action, and ensures effective resolution and communication of outcomes.
Additionally, the incumbent provides strategic advice to the Vice:President, the Executive Team and senior staff on a wide range of initiatives to optimize the Division’s capacity to perform its service mandate for the University. The incumbent develops and maintains internal and external relations within the University and the broader community, related to internal financial staff, vendors, IT providers, etc.
In providing executive support and strategic advice to the VP, PFDS, the COO has responsibility for facilitating and implementing the administration of divisional priorities, including key responsibilities, such assupporting the Vice:President on a range of institutional files; providing advice and making recommendations based on research and analysis; preparing governance documentation for submission on behalf of the Vice:President; overseeing the preparation of speaking notes, presentations and correspondence on behalf of the Vice:President; leading institutional projects and initiatives; and triaging a range of strategic and pressing initiatives on behalf of the Vice:President.
In addition, the incumbent represents the Office of the Vice:President, People, Finance and Digital Services in discussions related to issues on the Vice:President’s behalf with respect to employee health and safety.
The incumbent is responsible for the effective management of staff within the Office of the VP, PFDS. The COO acts as a liaison with other executive offices in Simcoe Hall and across the three campuses and works to develop and sustain an environment of clear and open communications and supportive, yet efficient decision:making and accountability at all levels within the portfolio. The COO ensures cross collaboration across portfolios within the Division of PFDS, other University portfolios, senior administrators, and staff in a range of Vice:Presidential offices across the three campuses.
Qualifications Required:
I. EDUCATION:
University degree in Business or Commerce or acceptable equivalent combination of education and experience in finance and business management is required. A professional accounting designation (CA, CMA or CGA) is strongly preferred.
I
Salary: Competitive
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