Special Projects Officer

University of Toronto; Toronto; Hybrid; CAD 94,000 - 156,000; Full time

Job summary

The University of Toronto is actively seeking a Special Projects Officer within the Finance Division to lead complex cross-functional initiatives from concept through implementation. You will apply structured project management methodologies to scope, plan, budget, schedule, and manage risk across the full lifecycle, delivering high-value outcomes.

Reporting to the Manager, Strategic Initiatives, you will coordinate with senior leaders, manage budgets, and supervise project teams and external

Qualifications

• 4+ years leading or supporting complex cross-functional projects through full lifecycle.
• Experience applying structured project management methodologies, incl. scope, planning, budgeting, procurement, risk management.
• Experience coordinating multiple stakeholders and governance to deliver on time and within scope.
• Experience supporting change management and sustaining new processes or systems.
• University degree required; graduate degree or PM qualifications asset.

Responsibilities

• Lead initiatives from concept to well-defined, approved projects with stakeholder buy-in.
• Lead project teams and external consultants to deliver within scope, time, and budget.
• Develop and manage budgets and procurement, including RFPs and vendor selection.
• Apply critical path analysis and scheduling techniques to build timelines and cost projections.
• Utilize project management software to track progress, resources, and deliverables.
• Build and maintain a risk register and manage project risks and opportunities.
• Actively manage change and scope to ensure objectives are met.
• Conduct benefit realization tracking post-implementation.
• Facilitate implementation planning and policy development with stakeholders.
• Conduct stakeholder assessments and prepare cost-benefit, risk, and SWOT analyses.
• Provide strategic advice to senior leaders and prepare briefs for executives.
• Support operational excellence initiatives as required.

Skills

Analytical thinking

Problem solving

Political acumen

Collaborative

Confidential information handling

Education

University degree

Graduate degree asset

PM qualifications asset

Tools

Microsoft Office

Microsoft Project

SharePoint

Azure DevOps (ADO)

Adobe Acrobat

Lucidchart

Job description

Description

The Finance Division is responsible for the University's overall financial policies, systems, and controls, within a decentralized financial management structure. The Division provides financial leadership and services to the University, establishing and monitoring financial policies and procedures, ensuring accurate financial controls are in place, setting direction for financial information systems, and producing financial reports and analysis.

Your opportunity

Under the general direction of the Manager, Strategic Initiatives, the Special Projects Officer leads the delivery of complex, cross‑functional projects from concept through implementation, applying structured project management methodologies to scope, plan, budget, schedule, and manage risk across the full project lifecycle. Operating within an enterprise-wide context, you will ensure projects align with institutional priorities and are delivered on time, on budget, and to a high standard, generating measurable, long‑term value for the University. This role requires access to sensitive and confidential information related to workforce planning and organizational design in support of enterprise transformation efforts.

Your responsibilities will include

• Leading initiatives from concept through to well‑defined, approved projects, determining and applying appropriate project management methodologies and securing stakeholder buy‑in
• Leading project teams and, where applicable, external consultants to deliver outcomes within defined scope, time, and budget
• Developing and managing project budgets and procurement processes, including RFP development and vendor selection, and establishing performance metrics to assess outcomes
• Applying critical path analysis and scheduling techniques (e.g., Gantt charts, dependency mapping) and estimation techniques to build realistic timelines and cost projections
• Utilizing project management software to track progress, resources, and deliverables across active initiatives
• Building and maintaining a risk register, and analyzing and managing project‑specific risks and opportunities to enhance efficiency, effectiveness, and value
• Actively managing change and scope throughout the project lifecycle to ensure stakeholder satisfaction and achievement of objectives
• Conducting benefit realization tracking post‑implementation to confirm that projects delivered their intended value
• Facilitating implementation planning, documenting decisions and agreements, guiding related policy and procedure development, and addressing barriers to long‑term sustainability with internal and external stakeholders
• Conducting stakeholder assessments to define objectives, scope, priorities, and success measures, supported by cost‑benefit, risk, and SWOT analyses
• Providing strategic and functional advice to senior leaders, and preparing briefings, summaries, and reports for executive decision‑making
• Supporting institutional operational excellence initiatives as required

Essential Qualifications

• Minimum four (4) years of progressively responsible experience leading or supporting complex, cross‑functional projects through the full project lifecycle in a complex, preferably academic or public‑sector, environment
• Proven experience applying structured project management methodologies, including scope definition, integrated planning and scheduling, budgeting, procurement, and risk management
• Demonstrated experience coordinating multiple stakeholders and workstreams, and supporting governance and decision‑making processes to deliver projects within defined time, resource, and quality parameters
• Experience supporting change management efforts, including assessing impacts, engaging stakeholders, and contributing to the sustainability of new processes or systems
• University degree required; graduate degree an asset, or an equivalent combination of education and experience
• Project management qualifications considered an asset
• Strong analytical and structured problem‑solving skills, with the ability to manage competing timelines, risks, and dependencies
• Advanced Microsoft Office and project management software skills, along with strong political acuity and sound judgment when handling confidential and sensitive information

Assets (Nonessential)

• Familiarity with Microsoft SharePoint and Microsoft Project
• Familiarity with Adobe Acrobat and other Adobe software
• Familiarity with Lucidchart and Azure DevOps (ADO)

To be successful in this role you will be

• Organized
• Logical
• Strategic thinker
• Analytical
• Detail-oriented
• Problem solver
• Politically astute
• Collaborative

Note: This is a fully onsite, three (3) year term position.

Closing Date:09/24/2026, 11:59PM ET
Employee Group: Salaried
Personnel Subarea:PM
Appointment Type: Budget - Term
Schedule: Full-Time Note: This is a fully onsite, three (3) year term position.

Pay Scale Group & Hiring Zone:PM 3 -- Hiring Zone: $93,592 - $109,190 -- Broadband Salary Range: $93,592 - $155,985
Job Category: Finance/Budget/Planning/Audit

Diversity Statement

The University of Toronto embraces Diversity and is building aculture of belonging that increases our capacity to effectivelyaddress and serve the interests of our global community. Westrongly encourage applications from Indigenous Peoples,Black and racialized persons, women, persons withdisabilities, and people of diverse sexual and gender identities.We value applicants who have demonstrated a commitment toequity, diversity and inclusion and recognize that diverseperspectives, experiences, and expertise are essential tostrengthening our academic mission.

As part of your application, you will be asked to complete a brief Diversity Survey. This survey is voluntary. Any information directly related to you is confidential and cannot be accessed by search committees or human resources staff. Results will be aggregated for institutional planning purposes. For more information, please seehttp://uoft.me/UP .

Accessibility Statement

The University strives to be an equitable and inclusive community, and proactively seeks to increase diversity among its community members. Our values regarding equity and diversity are linked with our unwavering commitment to excellence in the pursuit of our academic mission.

The University is committed to the principles of the Accessibility for Ontarians with Disabilities Act (AODA). As such, we strive to make our recruitment, assessment and selection processes as accessible as possible and provide accommodations as required for applicants with disabilities.

If you require any accommodations at any point during the application and hiring process, please [e-mail] .