Operations Manager

University of Manitoba; Winnipeg; On-site; CAD 90,000 - 120,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Group benefits

Pension plan

Vacation time

Professional development

Employee Assistance Program

Job summary

The University of Manitoba is seeking an Operations Manager to provide operational leadership for the financial, human resources, and administrative functions of the Student Affairs portfolio and the Office of the Registrar and Enrolment Services. The role supports budget planning, forecasting, financial reporting, and compliance with university policies.

Reporting to the Director, with dotted-line to senior leaders, the incumbent coordinates recruitment, onboarding, workforce planning, and

Qualifications

• Undergraduate degree in Business, Public Administration, HR, Finance or related field.
• Five to seven years of progressively responsible experience in financial administration, budgeting, HR administration and operational management.
• Experience in budget planning, forecasting, financial analysis, and financial reporting.
• HR administration including recruitment, staffing processes and onboarding.
• Experience in a large, complex organization with multiple priorities.
• Proficiency with financial, HR and administrative information systems and advanced MS Office skills.

Responsibilities

• Provide operational leadership for financial, human resources and administrative functions of Student Affairs and ORES.
• Support budget management, forecasting, reporting, and accountability across portfolios.
• Coordinate recruitment, staffing, onboarding, and compliance with policies and collective agreements.
• Identify funding opportunities and manage grant-funded or externally funded projects.
• Collaborate with leaders across departments to improve administrative processes.

Skills

Budget forecasting

Financial analysis

HR administration

Project coordination

Policy interpretation

Stakeholder management

Communication

Leadership

Education

Bachelor’s degree in Business Administration / Public Administration / Finance

CPA (or progress toward CPA)

CPHR (or progress toward)

PMP certification or equivalent

Graduate degree in Business Administration / Higher Education

Tools

Excel

HRIS

Finance systems

Job description

The University of Manitoba is a driving force of innovation, discovery and advancement. Our momentum is propelled by our campus community – UM faculty, staff and students whose determination and curiosity shape our world for the better. Our teaching, learning and work environment is uniquely strengthened and enriched by Indigenous perspectives. With two main campuses in Winnipeg, satellite campuses throughout Manitoba, and world-wide research, UM’s impact is global.

Discover outstanding employee benefits, experience world-class facilities and join a dynamic community that values reconciliation, sustainability, diversity, and inclusion. We are one of Manitoba’s Top Employers and one of Canada’s Best Diversity Employers. At the University of Manitoba, what inspires you can change everything.

The opportunity:

Reporting to the Director, Office of the Provost and Vice-President (Academic), with a dotted-line reporting relationship to the Vice-Provost (Students) and the Vice-Provost (Learning, Analytics and Academic Infrastructure), the Operations Manager provides operational leadership for the financial, human resource, and administrative functions of the Student Affairs portfolio and the Office of the Registrar and Enrolment Services (ORES). The position supports the effective management of the Student Affairs and Office of Registrar and Enrolment Services budgets and provides comprehensive financial support, including budget planning, forecasting, financial reporting, account reconciliation, variance analysis, and monitoring of expenditures.

The incumbent works closely with the Vice-Provosts, Executive Directors within Student Affairs, the Registrar and Executive Director of Enrolment Services, and the Senior Budget Officer to ensure sound fiscal management, informed decision-making, and compliance with University policies and procedures. The Operations Manager also serves as the primary liaison with Human Resources for the portfolios, coordinating recruitment and staffing processes, employment transactions, onboarding and offboarding activities, workforce planning, and the administration of human resource policies and procedures. The position supports leaders in maintaining effective staffing structures, monitoring salary budgets, and ensuring compliance with collective agreements and mandatory training requirements. In addition, the position identifies, coordinates, and supports strategic funding opportunities from internal and external sources. This includes regularly monitoring funding programs and recommending viable funding opportunities, preparing and reviewing funding applications and budgets, tracking reporting requirements, contributing to reporting as required, and ensuring compliance with funding agreements and accountability obligations.

The qualifications and experience we’re looking for:

• An Undergraduate university degree or formal certification in Business Administration, Public Administration, Human Resource Management, Finance, Accounting, or a related field is required.
• Five to seven years of progressively responsible experience in financial administration, budgeting, human resources administration, and operational management within a complex organization is required.
• Experience is required in:
• Budget planning, forecasting, financial analysis, and financial reporting.
• Human resources administration, including recruitment, staffing processes, employee onboarding, and interpretation of policies and procedures.
• Managing multiple priorities and supporting senior leaders in a large and complex environment.
• Coordinating projects and initiatives involving multiple stakeholders.
• Monitoring and administering grant-funded or externally funded projects would be an asset.
• Experience in a post-secondary or public-sector environment is preferred.
• A combination of equivalent education and directly related experience may be considered.
• Advanced financial management and budgeting skills are required.
• Strong analytical and problem-solving abilities are required.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills are required.
• Strong organizational and project coordination skills are required.
• Ability to interpret and apply policies, procedures, collective agreements, and administrative processes is required.
• Proficiency with financial, human resource, and administrative information systems is required.
• Advanced Microsoft Office skills, particularly Excel, are required.
• Strong attention to detail and accuracy is required.
• Ability to build effective working relationships with a diverse range of stakeholders is required.
• Ability to exercise sound judgment and discretion when handling confidential information is required.
• Ability to work independently with a high degree of initiative is required.
• Ability to analyze complex information and develop practical solutions is required.
• Ability to manage competing priorities and meet deadlines in a fast-paced environment is required.
• Ability to collaborate effectively with leaders across multiple departments is required.
• Ability to explain financial and administrative information to non-financial audiences is required.
• Ability to identify opportunities for process improvement and implement effective administrative practices is required.
• Ability to adapt to changing priorities and organizational requirements is required.
• Satisfactory work record, including satisfactory attendance and punctuality, is required.
• Professional accounting designation (CPA) or progress toward designation.
• Chartered Professional in Human Resources (CPHR) designation or progress toward designation.
• Project Management Professional (PMP) certification or equivalent project management training.
• Graduate degree in Business Administration, Public Administration, Higher Education, or a related discipline.
• Experience working within a post-secondary institution and knowledge of university governance, budgeting, and administrative processes.

Why the University of Manitoba?

Along with being one of Manitoba’s top employers, we are proud to provide a collaborative and enriching work environment. In addition to a strong compensation package with a competitive salary, the University provides an exceptional workplace that includes:

• Comprehensive group benefits and pension plan.
• Competitive vacation time.
• Employee and Family Assistance Program.
• A full spectrum of professional development opportunities.

Closing Date: September 8, 2026

The University of Manitoba is committed to the principles of equity, diversity & inclusion and to promoting opportunities in hiring, promotion and tenure (where applicable) for systemically marginalized groups who have been excluded from full participation at the University and the larger community including Indigenous Peoples, women, racialized persons, persons with disabilities and those who identify as 2SLGBTQIA+ (Two Spirit, lesbian, gay, bisexual, trans, questioning, intersex, asexual and other diverse sexual identities).

If you require accommodation supports during the recruitment process, please contact [e-mail] or 204-474-7195. Please note this contact information is for accommodation reasons only.

Application materials, including letters of reference, will be handled in accordance with the protection of privacy provisions of The Freedom of Information and Protection of Privacy Act (Manitoba). Please note that curriculum vitae will be provided to participating members of the search process.