Chief Administrative Officer

Dalhousie University; Halifax; Hybrid; CAD 100,000 - 130,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading university seeks a Chief Administrative Officer to oversee the Ocean Frontier Institute. The role involves strategic leadership in finance, governance, and human resources, supporting significant ocean research initiatives. The successful candidate will work closely with senior leaders and manage a diverse team, ensuring alignment with university goals. Hybrid work is available based on operational needs.

Benefits

Health and dental plans

Employee and family assistance program

Voluntary RRSP

Qualifications

• Minimum of 5 years’ experience in a complex senior level administrative role.
• Demonstrated ability to provide leadership and guidance to a team.

Responsibilities

• Lead administration of the OFI, overseeing finance, governance, and HR.
• Develop and implement strategy, policy, and processes for operational issues.
• Manage governance processes and advise on compliance.

Skills

Leadership

Governance

Human Resource Management

Financial Strategy

Education

Master’s degree

PhD

Job description

Position Details

Position Information

Position Title Chief Administrative Officer

Department/Unit Ocean Frontier Institute

Research Project

Location Halifax, Nova Scotia, Canada

Posting Number GP29-25

Employee Group Grant-Paid

Position Type Term

Duration of Contract (if applicable) 3 years with possibility of extension (secondments will be considered)

Employment Type Full Time

Full-time Equivalency (FTE) 1.0

Qualifications

Salary Commensurate with qualifications

About the Organization

Dalhousie University’s Ocean Frontier Institute ( OFI ) is one of the world’s most significant ocean science research and training collaborations with partnerships extending globally, across many sectors such as university, government, research institutes, industry, NGO , and philanthropic. OFI administers several ocean research and training programs, including Dalhousie’s two largest research grants from the Canada First Research Excellence Fund ( CFREF ): Transforming Climate Action: Addressing the Missing Ocean ( TCA ), and Safe and Sustainable Development of the Ocean Frontier ( SSDOF ) with institutional partners Université du Québec à Rimouski, Université Laval, Memorial University, and University of Prince Edward Island. For more information about OFI , visit ofi.ca.

Job Summary

Reporting to the CEO & Scientific Director, and a key member of the OFI executive team, the Chief Administrative Officer ( CAO ) leads the administration of the OFI , including responsibility for finance, governance, and human resources, and is responsible for the implementation strategy of the two CFREF programs ( TCA and SSDOF ) and other strategic initiatives within OFI’s 3 research pillars: i) climate/carbon, ii) biodiversity, iii) bioresources. The CAO has 6 direct and 3 indirect reports.

Key Responsibilities

• Develop and implement strategy, policy, and processes to address key operational and administrative issues, often requiring engagement with other Dalhousie University administrative units and Faculties to ensure alignment.
• Human resource and financial planning and effective and efficient deployment of those resources towards OFI strategy and commitments, including provision of leadership for managing financial operations for OFI programs and grants with over ~$500M in funding and in-kind commitments.
• Advise on and manage governance processes, including policy and procedures development, implementation, and compliance.
• Strategically manage governing bodies (which include members internal to Dalhousie as well as members from other universities, government organizations, Indigenous community, NGOs, and industry) through agenda management, chairing and serving on governance bodies as mandated, engaging governing bodies on administrative and operational topics such as finance, human resources, risk management, policy, and other strategic areas, and overseeing implementation of decisions.
• Direct and oversee internal and external reporting requirements, and provide direction and oversight on implementation of resultant outcomes.
• Guide, coach and mentor staff as appropriate to improve performance and promote a culture of respectful engagement and teamwork.
  
  

Note

The successful applicant will be eligible for hybrid work (combination of in-person work on campus and remote work) as agreed by all parties based on operational requirements and university guidelines.

Required Qualifications

• Master’s degree with a minimum of 5 years’ experience in a complex senior level administrative role (or comparable), preferably within a university research environment.
• Demonstrated ability to provide leadership and guidance to a team of direct reports towards strategy and tactics implementation.
• Proven record of providing strategic advice to senior leaders and the confidence to voice and defend differing opinions.
• Strong understanding of governance, human resource management, and financial strategy
  
  

Assets

• Experience implementing a large, multi-organization research grant, such as a Canada First Research Excellence Fund, or similar
• PhD
• Bi-lingual (English and French)
• International relations experience
  
  

Additional Information

Dalhousie University supports a healthy and balanced lifestyle. Our total compensation package includes a voluntary RRSP , health and dental plans and an employee and family assistance program.

Application Consideration

We thank all applicants for their interest, however, only candidates selected for an interview will be contacted.

Diversity Statement

Dalhousie University commits to achieving inclusive excellence through continually championing equity, diversity, inclusion, and accessibility. The university encourages applications from: Indigenous Peoples of Turtle Island (especially Mi’kmaq), Persons of Black/African descent (especially African Nova Scotians), members of other racialized groups, persons with disabilities, women, persons identifying as members of 2SLGBTQIA+ communities, and all candidates who would contribute to the diversity of our community.

In accordance with our Employment Equity Policy, preference will be given in hiring processes to candidates who self-identify as members of one or more of the equity-deserving groups listed above. For more information, including details related to our Employment Equity Policy and Plan and definitions of equity-deserving groups please visit www.dal.ca/hiringfordiversity

Posting Detail Information

Number of Vacancies 1

Open Date 05/16/2025

Close Date 05/30/2025

Open Until Filled No

Special Instructions to Applicant

Quick Link for Direct Access to Posting https://dal.peopleadmin.ca/postings/18640