Director, Strategy and Operations

Western University; London; On-site; CAD 120,000 - 150,000; Full time

Job summary

A prominent educational institution in London seeks a Director of Strategy and Operations to provide strategic leadership and oversee initiatives in the Faculty of Law. Candidates should have a Master's Degree and extensive experience in senior leadership roles. This position offers a competitive salary range of $120,000 - $150,000, focusing on strategic goals and fostering inclusive change management.

Qualifications

• 10 years of progressive leadership experience in a senior-level role.
• 7 years of experience leading staff, budgets, and strategic projects.
• Experience in a postsecondary institution preferred.

Responsibilities

• Provide strategic leadership to support the Faculty of Law's mission.
• Oversee and execute new initiatives aligned with strategic goals.
• Lead the preparation of annual operational and capital budgets.

Skills

Strategic planning

Change management

Stakeholder engagement

Analytical skills

Project management

Interpersonal skills

Education

Master’s Degree in a relevant field

Professional designation (CPA, CHRL, PMP)

Job description

Classification & Regular Hours

Hours per Week: 35

Salary Grade: 19

Hiring Range: $120,000 - $150,000, commensurate with experience.

About Western

Since 1878, Western University has been committed to serving our communities through the pursuit of academic excellence and by providing students, faculty, and community members with life-long opportunities for intellectual, social, and cultural growth. We seek excellent students, faculty, and staff to join us in what has become known as the "Western Experience" - an opportunity to contribute to a better world through the development of new knowledge, new abilities, new connections, and new ways to make a difference.

About Us

The central mission of Western Law is to educate students in the core areas of Canadian law, in analytical skills and in effective legal research, writing and advocacy. We will also provide students with opportunities to apply their legal knowledge and to gain experience in group work, dispute resolution, and leadership skills development.

Responsibilities

As an integral member of the senior leadership team, the Director, Strategy and Operations provides strategic leadership to support and advance the mission, vision, and priorities of the Faculty of Law. This role is pivotal in overseeing and executing new initiatives aligned with the Faculty’s strategic goals, including program expansion, experiential learning, and external partnerships. The Director fosters inclusive and equitable change management, builds strong relationships across internal and external stakeholders, and ensures alignment of strategic efforts with institutional objectives. Working closely with the Dean, Associate and Assistant Deans, faculty, staff, and committees, the Director offers evidence-based advice and leads planning and project execution. The role leads the preparation of the annual operational and capital budget submission and provides strategic oversight of financial planning and resource alignment, ensuring that budgetary decisions support long-term priorities and growth. The Director also guides workforce planning and resource allocation, and monitors administrative operations to identify opportunities for improvement and mitigate operational and legal risks.

Qualifications

Education:

• Master’s Degree in a relevant field (e.g., Public Administration, Business, Law, Higher Education, or related discipline), or a Bachelor’s Degree with extensive relevant experience
• Professional designation such as CPA, CHRL, or PMP preferred
• Additional training or certification in strategic planning, change management, or stakeholder engagement would be an asset

Experience:

• 10 years of progressive leadership experience in a senior-level role within a large, complex organization
• 7 years of experience with accountability for leading staff, budgets, and strategic projects
• Experience in a postsecondary or academic institution would be an asset
• Demonstrated success in leading cross-functional initiatives, stakeholder engagement, and strategic planning preferred
• Experience working with governance structures, external partnerships, and institutional advancement is preferred

Knowledge, Skills & Abilities:

• Deep understanding of strategic planning, organizational development, and change management in a complex environment
• Familiarity with the Canadian postsecondary landscape and its regulatory, financial, and governance frameworks
• Strong business acumen with the ability to align financial and operational planning with long-term strategic goals
• Exceptional communication and interpersonal skills to engage diverse internal and external stakeholders
• Proven ability to lead and influence across boundaries, fostering collaboration and shared ownership of initiatives
• Advanced analytical and problem-solving skills, with the ability to synthesize data and translate insights into action
• Ability to develop and implement performance metrics and reporting frameworks
• Ability to manage competing priorities, make sound decisions under pressure, and maintain focus on strategic outcomes
• Demonstrated commitment to equity, diversity, inclusion, and accessibility in leadership and decision-making
• Strong project management skills, including the ability to lead complex initiatives from concept to execution
• Ability to navigate sensitive issues with discretion, diplomacy, and sound judgment
• Ability to establish and build healthy respectful working relations with senior leaders, academic and administrative staff, as well as community members
• Ability to effectively drive and manage change initiatives that align with organizational strategies and/or provide opportunities to increase efficiency
• Ability to deal confidentially with information that has financial, political, regulatory and reputational implications
• Critical thinking and analytical skills to assess complex higher education issues of concern to stakeholders, including the media and the public
• Ability to draw on diversity of skills, backgrounds and knowledge of people to achieve more effective results

Western Values Diversity

The University invites applications from all qualified individuals. Western is committed to employment equity and diversity in the workplace and welcomes applications from women, members of racialized groups/visible minorities, Indigenous persons, persons with disabilities, persons of any sexual orientation, and persons of any gender identity or gender expression. Accommodations are available for applicants with disabilities throughout the recruitment process. If you require accommodations for interviews or other meetings, please contact Human Resources or phone [phone].

Please Note:

We thank all applicants for their interest; however, only those chosen for an interview will be contacted.