Associate Director, Operations, Transportation and Logistics Industry Programs

About the Role

Reporting to the Executive Director, this role owns the internal engine of the Programs. While the Executive Director focuses externally on partnerships, sector leadership, and ecosystem building, the Associate Director ensures the operations run with precision. They oversee budgeting, financial controls, reporting, milestone tracking, and operational delivery. They ensure the Industry Programs meets all funder commitments, including reporting, and keep MRU leadership confident that the organization is disciplined, compliant, and high performing.

This is the role that translates ambitious strategy into reliable execution.

This is a full-time conditionally funded position which is expected to conclude March 31, 2029.

Responsibilities

Operational Leadership

• Design, implement, and continuously refine internal systems which keep operations coordinated, efficient, and predictable.
• Oversee day-to-day workflow of programs, ensuring resources, timelines, and staff are aligned to commitments.
• Serve as the primary point of continuity across multiple programs and partners.
• Leverage influence and expertise to achieve goals, rather than relying on formal authority.

Performance Management and Milestone Tracking

• Build and operate the KPI system that tracks all outcomes, including individuals trained, numbers, companies engaged, and job creation metrics.
• Ensure data collection systems meet funder requirements while minimizing burden on companies and staff.
• Lead risk mitigation planning, especially around milestone-tied funding and indirect job creation expectations.

Financial Stewardship

• Lead and deliver budgeting, forecasting, cash flow tracking, and financial reporting for the Centre.
• Ensure spending aligns with eligible cost rules, milestone-linked funding, and MRU financial policies.
• Develop proactive strategies to manage risks related to milestone-dependent payments and delayed reimbursements.

Funder and Institutional Compliance

• Own all reporting obligations to funders and internal MRU governance.
• Ensure the organization stays fully aligned with agreement terms, auditability, and documentation expectations.
• Translate funder milestones into internal operational plans and staff deliverables.
• Maintain professional relationships with peers at funders, sensitive to their critical role in the project.

University Liaison

• Act as the organizations connective tissue with MRU finance, HR, legal, and other institutional entities.
• Clear internal roadblocks to enable external partnerships and programs to move quickly.

Qualifications

• Education: Bachelor’s Degree required, Master's Degree preferred.
• Experience: 5 years of experience in a financial or operational leadership role.
• Ability to build operating models, manage budgets, forecast, track, and report on financial performance.
• Excellent project management and risk mitigation skills, achieving desired outcomes without hierarchical authority.
• Excellent interpersonal and written communication skills.
• Ability to build respectful professional relationships internally and externally.
• Evidence of an entrepreneurial mindset, including identifying opportunities, mitigating risk, developing and launching solutions, measuring results and iterating.