McMaster University
Ranked among the world's top 70 universities, McMaster University is recognized for excellence in teaching and research.
Our purpose is the discovery, communication, and preservation of knowledge. Through our teaching, research, and scholarship, we are committed to creativity, innovation, and excellence. We value integrity, quality, inclusiveness, and teamwork in everything we do. We inspire critical thinking, personal growth, and a passion for lifelong learning. We serve the social, cultural, and economic needs of our community and society.
About the Department
The Department of Physics and Astronomy is committed to McMaster's tradition of strong, innovative undergraduate and graduate teaching programs that are closely linked to our research strengths in:
- Astrophysics
- Soft Matter and Biophysics
- Medical Physics
- Condensed Matter Physics
- Theoretical High-Energy Physics
Our integration of teaching and learning creates a whole that is greater than the sum of its parts.
We are a medium-sized department consisting of approximately:
- 30 faculty members
- 15 staff members
- 100 graduate students
- 50 teaching assistants
- 10 postdoctoral fellows
In addition, we support an upper-year cohort of more than 100 undergraduate students and reach thousands of McMaster students through foundational and general-interest courses in physics, astronomy, and science education.
Students work closely with our researchers and can become active participants in research projects as early as their second year.
About the Position
Reporting to the Department Chair, the Academic Department Manager III is responsible for the strategic and operational management of a medium-sized, complex academic department with multiple functions, including:
- Undergraduate and graduate programming
- Fee-for-service facilities
- Laboratories
- Research institutes and centres
- External partnerships
This role plays an integral part in driving departmental strategy and ensuring alignment with the University's strategic vision. The incumbent will influence departmental culture, reinforce University values, and help shape the future direction of departmental offerings through a forward-looking perspective.
Key Accountabilities
Strategic Planning and Administration
- Advise the Chair and faculty members on financial and human resources, space management, curriculum, academic planning, advising, scheduling, and other strategic matters.
- Collaborate with departmental academic leadership, Faculty administration, and central University offices, including:
- Office of the Provost and Vice-President (Academic)
- School of Graduate Studies
- Office of the Registrar
- Human Resources
- Institutional Research and Analysis
- Research Operations and Administration (ROA)
- Finance
- Facility Services
- Analyze departmental needs related to planning, resource allocation, and proposal development using detailed data analytics.
- Serve as a key link between incoming and existing faculty and staff regarding operational procedures and University policies.
- Lead accreditation activities, including Graduate Attribute assessment and program review visits.
- Manage the Internal Quality Assurance Process (IQAP) for both undergraduate and graduate programs.
- Implement policy decisions made at the Department, Faculty, and University levels.
- Provide leadership to staff supporting undergraduate and graduate programs.
Other Key Areas of Responsibility
1. Financial Management
- Independently manage the department's financial resources, including:
- Operating budgets
- Research funds
- Facilities and services
- Research institutes and centres
- Serve as the Chair's delegate with financial decision-making and signing authority.
- Develop and monitor financial policies and procedures.
- Ensure compliance with University policies and participate in audits as required.
- Prepare financial reports and analyses.
2. Strategic Planning
- Advise the Chair on departmental and Faculty strategic planning initiatives.
- Drive implementation of departmental strategy and ensure alignment with University goals.
- Influence departmental culture and reinforce institutional values.
- Provide data-driven analysis to support planning, resource allocation, and proposal development.
3. Operational Management
- Ensure effective and efficient management of departmental operations.
- Develop, implement, monitor, and evaluate departmental infrastructure and activities, including:
- Staff recruitment and promotion
- Human resources administration
- Financial management
- Research activities
- Teaching operations
- Develop and support departmental marketing and communication plans.
4. Human Resources Management
- Manage direct reports, including:
- Recruitment and hiring
- Performance management
- Conflict resolution
- Training and development
- Disciplinary action
- Work assignment and workload management
- Support the Chair in hiring and onboarding:
- Faculty members
- Sessional Instructors
- Postdoctoral fellows
- Research assistants
- Teaching assistants
- Co-op and work-study students
- Technical and research staff
- Establish quality and performance standards and ensure appropriate resource allocation and staff development.
5. Physical Resource Management
- Conduct space analyses and support departmental space planning initiatives.
- Track Net Assignable Square Metres (NASM) for budgeting and reporting purposes.
- Ensure optimal utilization of departmental space.
- Maintain fixed asset and space inventories.
- Develop asset replacement plans as part of the annual budgeting process.
- Serve as the primary contact for departmental security-related matters.
6. Educational Administrative Support
- Manage resources and infrastructure supporting educational activities within the department.
- Participate in academic planning, advising, and program development.
- Represent non-academic members of the department during accreditation and quality assurance reviews.
- Support external accreditation processes and internal departmental reviews.
- Administer graduate and undergraduate programs, including financial oversight, statistical reporting, and external reviews.
7. Research Administrative Support
- Oversee administrative support for departmental research activities.
- Identify opportunities for research collaboration and keep the Chair informed.
- Consult with research finance and legal experts on complex financial or legal matters.
- Provide advice and guidance to faculty members and the Chair regarding research administration.
Are You the Right Candidate?
This role requires a senior-level professional with 5–10 years of management and leadership experience and a broad understanding of:
- Research administration
- Financial management
- Faculty operations
- University-wide initiatives
The successful candidate will have a proven track record of driving strategic initiatives and building strong, impactful relationships. They must demonstrate sound judgment, diplomacy, and tact when managing complex situations and decision-making processes.
The successful incumbent will also have substantial experience making independent decisions and exercising leadership in the management of support services.
Additional Qualifications
- Master's degree in a relevant field or a professional designation such as CPA.
- Demonstrated experience interpreting policies, procedures, and guidelines.
- Strong organizational and long-range planning skills.
Exceptional problem-solving abilities with the capacity to quickly assess situations and individuals and lead effective solutions.
-
