Operations Manager

Department: G360
This position is classified under the Grant & Trust Professional Group

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Temporary full-time from 12/01/2026 to 11/30/2028

​​If you are a current employee of the University of Guelph you must apply on the internal Career Page in order to be considered as an internal applicant.
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This role serves as a key liaison between faculty, researchers, staff, students, university departments, and external partners to ensure the Morwick G360 Groundwater Research Institute operates efficiently, safely, and in compliance with university policies and procedures.

The Operations Manager will lead and coordinate the Institute's day-to-day administrative and operational activities across research, teaching, laboratory, and field environments. The Manager will:

· Develop and maintain operational procedures, systems, and best practices to support efficiency, compliance, and organizational effectiveness;

· Oversee facilities, procurement planning, inventory tracking;

· Coordinate logistics for research activities, fieldwork, travel, workshops, meetings, and special events;

· Support financial and operational administration and act as the primary liaison with university administrative units to ensure compliance and alignment with institutional policies;

· Provide senior administrative support to the Director, including confidential correspondence, calendar management, and meeting coordination.

Serving as the primary HR resource for the Institute, the Manager will

· Provide guidance on policies, procedures, and employment practices;

· Lead recruitment and hiring processes, including onboarding, orientation, and training;

· Manage employee lifecycle processes, maintaining accurate and confidential personnel records;

· Support performance management, professional development, and workforce planning initiatives;

· Work with central HR to coordinate workplace accommodations, leave management, and matters related to employee relations;

· Oversee the health, safety, and risk management portfolio, managing health and safety compliance across laboratory, office and field operations, ensuring compliance with university requirements and applicable health and safety regulations.

The Manager will also:

· Contribute to strategic planning related to staffing, infrastructure, operational growth, and resource allocation while identifying and implementing process improvements to enhance efficiency and service delivery;

· Coordinate internal communications, reporting, documentation, administrative workflows, and support data collection and analysis;

· Organize workshops, seminars, outreach initiatives, and stakeholder engagement activities;

· Provide backup support to Director's Office team members and affiliated faculty as required.

Qualifications

Required

• Bachelor's degree in Business Administration, Human Resources, Operations Management, Environmental Science, or a related discipline.
• An equivalent combination of education and relevant experience may be considered.
• Approximately 5+ years of progressively responsible experience in operations, administration, human resources, or organizational management within a university, research institute, or similarly complex organization.
• Experience coordinating administrative operations, facilities, staffing processes, and organizational workflows.
• Strong knowledge of human resources practices, employment standards, policy interpretation, and organizational procedures.
• Demonstrated ability to manage multiple priorities while maintaining exceptional attention to detail.
• Excellent interpersonal, communication, organizational, and problem-solving skills.
• Proven ability to work independently while collaborating effectively with diverse stakeholders.
• Experience supporting health and safety compliance and operational risk management.
• Advanced proficiency with Microsoft Office applications, particularly Excel, databases, scheduling systems, and administrative software.

Assets

• CHRP designation or related professional certification.
• Experience working within a post-secondary, research, or academic environment.
• Knowledge of collective agreements and university administrative processes.
• Experience with content management and communication platforms such as WordPress, Mailchimp, Eventbrite, or similar systems.

What You'll Bring

• Strong operational leadership and organizational planning skills.
• Ability to build effective relationships across a wide range of stakeholders.
• Sound judgment, discretion, and a commitment to confidentiality.
• A proactive, solution-focused approach to managing complex challenges.
• Strong project coordination and process improvement capabilities.
• Adaptability and resilience in a fast-paced, evolving research environment.

Why Join MG360?

This is an opportunity to play a leadership role within a globally recognized groundwater research institute, supporting innovative research, interdisciplinary collaboration, and organizational growth. You will help build the operational foundation that enables researchers, staff, and students to deliver meaningful impact in groundwater science, sustainability, and environmental stewardship.

Employee Type: Temporary
Classification: Grant/ Trust fund position, P&M FT- Band 04
GTP Professional/Managerial Salary Bands

At the University of Guelph, fostering a culture of inclusion is an institutional imperative. The University invites and encourages applications from all qualified individuals, including from groups that are traditionally underrepresented in employment, who may contribute to further diversification of our Institution.

Posting Date: 11/05/2026
Close Date: 11/19/2026

Delete if not applicable:
*Tentative evaluation; subject to committee review.