Senior Officer - Strategic Initiative, College of Dentistry

University of Saskatchewan; Saskatoon; On-site; CAD 69,000 - 108,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading educational institution in Saskatoon is seeking a Senior Officer for Strategic Initiatives in the College of Dentistry. The role encompasses leading new strategic priorities, developing academic programs, and enhancing operational efficiency. The candidate should possess a Bachelor's degree and 3-5 years of relevant experience in project management and program development. A competitive salary and a supportive work environment are offered.

Qualifications

• 3-5 years of experience in project management or strategic initiatives.
• Experience preparing academic program proposals.
• Experience in health-professional education is an asset.

Responsibilities

• Lead and coordinate new initiatives across the College.
• Prepare project charters, timelines, and implementation plans.
• Manage early operations to ensure stability before hand-off.

Skills

Outstanding writing skills

Strong project-management abilities

Advanced analytical skills

Strong communication skills

Leadership by influence

Education

Bachelor’s degree in related field

Master’s degree or advanced project-management training

Tools

Project-management tools

Job description

Senior Officer - Strategic Initiative, College of Dentistry

Primary Purpose

The Senior Officer, Strategic Initiatives & Program leads the development, coordination, and execution of new strategic priorities within the College of Dentistry. This includes new academic programs, continuing dental education expansion, clinic-efficiency projects, procurement modernization, and other major initiatives. The role moves initiatives from concept to implementation, stabilizes early operations, and transitions them to appropriate operational units with full documentation and reporting. This position enhances college-wide efficiency and supports the Dean in advancing the College’s strategic agenda.

Nature of Work

This high-responsibility professional role requires independence, advanced judgment, and the ability to manage multiple complex projects. The Senior Officer collaborates with the Dean’s Office, Associate Deans, Academic Directors, Finance & Administration, Academic Affairs, Clinic Operations, faculty, staff, University governance offices, and external partners. The work requires exceptional writing skills, strong project-management abilities, and the capacity to integrate complex academic, operational, and clinical information.

Typical Duties or Accountabilities

Strategic Initiative Leadership

• Lead and coordinate new initiatives across the College, including academic program development, CE programming, clinic modernization, and operational improvements
• Develop project charters, timelines, risk assessments, budgets, KPIs, and implementation plans
• Ensure initiatives align with the College’s strategic and operational priorities

Academic Program Development

• Lead the writing and preparation of new academic program proposals (undergraduate, graduate, CE)
• Prepare documentation for approval through College, APC, CGPS/UCQ, PCIP/PEC, and Senate
• Develop enrollment models, resource frameworks, curriculum structures, and operational plans
• Coordinate consultations with Academic Directors, faculty, staff, regulators, and external partners

Implementation & Early Operations

• Oversee implementation of new programs, workflows, systems, and strategic initiatives
• Coordinate interdisciplinary teams across academic, administrative, clinical, and financial areas
• Develop SOPs, operational frameworks, documentation, and training materials
• Manage early operations to ensure stability and readiness before hand-off

Transition to Permanent Operations

• Transfer completed initiatives to Academic Affairs, Clinic Operations, CE office, Procurement, or other units with full documentation
• Provide training, operational guidance, and support during the transition period
• Ensure continuity and long-term sustainability of initiatives

Reporting & Evaluation

• Prepare progress updates, impact assessments, dashboards, post-implementation reports, and strategic briefs for the Dean
• Track KPIs, deliverables, risks, timelines, and resource needs
• Recommend improvements and future steps

Process Improvement & Efficiency

• Lead projects to optimize clinic workflows, administrative processes, procurement, and resource utilization
• Conduct process mapping, gap analysis, and workflow redesign
• Implement improvements based on evidence-based and best-practice methods
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Stakeholder Engagement

• Serve as central liaison for strategic initiatives across the College
• Work closely with Associate Deans, Academic Directors, faculty, staff, clinic leadership, and university partners
• Facilitate meetings, consultations, communication, and alignment across all project teams

Other Duties

• Support College-wide strategic planning and implementation
• Assist the Dean with urgent or high-priority projects requiring swift action
• Undertake additional responsibilities as assigned to support the success of the College’s strategic portfolio

Education

Bachelor’s degree required (business, public administration, education, health administration, or related)

Master’s degree or advanced project-management training (PMP, PROSCI, Lean) is an asset

Experience

3-5 years of experience in project management, strategic initiatives, program development, or operations

Experience preparing academic program proposals and navigating university approval processes

Experience in health-professional education or clinical environments is an asset

Demonstrated success implementing new initiatives, programs, workflows, or systems

Skills

• Outstanding writing skills for complex proposals, reports, and strategic documents
• Strong project-management and organizational abilities
• Ability to lead by influence
• Advanced analytical, planning, and problem-solving skills
• Strong communication and stakeholder-engagement abilities
• High professionalism, discretion, and adaptability
• Proficiency with office software and project-management tools

Department

College of Dentistry

Employment Status

Permanent

Shift

Monday to Friday 8:00am to 4:30pm

Full Time Equivalent (FTE)

1.0

Salary

The salary range, based on 1.0 FTE, is $69,035.00 - 107,868.00 per annum. The starting salary will be commensurate with education and experience.

Posting Date

11/25/2025

Closing Date

12/8/2025 at 6:00 pm CST

Work Location

On Campus

Criminal Record Check

Not Applicable

Driver's License and Abstract Check

Not Applicable

Education/Credential Verification

Yes

Vulnerable Sector Check

Not Applicable

Equity, Diversity, Inclusion Statement

The University of Saskatchewan aspires to be what the world needs and embraces equity, diversity and inclusion as foundational to excellence and innovation. We actively seek to create a welcoming environment where all individuals feel empowered to thrive, contribute, and grow. Applications from equity-deserving groups are encouraged as part of our ongoing efforts to reflect the diversity of the communities we serve. We continue to grow our partnerships with Indigenous communities across the province, nationally, and internationally and value the unique perspective that Indigenous employees provide to strengthen these relationships. Verification of Indigenous Membership/Citizenship at the University of Saskatchewan is led and determined by the Indigenous Truth policy and the Standing Committee in accordance with the processes developed to enact the policy. Successful candidates that assert Indigenous membership/citizenship will be asked to complete the verification process of Indigenous membership/citizenship with documentation. The University of Saskatchewan provides an accessible and inclusive workplace. Should you require support through any stage of the recruitment process, please contact Human Resources for assistance.