Manager, Administration

Union/Affiliation: Administrative Professional Excluded Staff
Pay range: $97,747 to $126,484 annually SFU Department Descr: VPFA Office
Position Grade: 11
# of openings: 1
Biweekly Hours: 72

Who We Are

Simon Fraser University is a leading research university, advancing an inclusive and sustainable future. Our purpose – the essence of SFU – is to create and connect knowledge, learning and community for deeper understanding and meaningful impact. We are committed to fostering excellence, innovation, belonging and community in all that we do.

The VPFA Office serves as the central coordinating and strategic support unit for the Vice-President, Finance and Administration portfolio at Simon Fraser University. The team provides leadership across administrative operations, strategic planning, governance processes, and cross-portfolio coordination, working closely with senior leaders, internal units, and external stakeholders.

About the Role

The Manager, Administration plays a key role in managing the administrative and operational functions of the Vice President, Finance and Administration (VPFA)’s Portfolio. The role develops and implements administrative policies, procedures and systems; collaborates with internal and external stakeholders, including VPs, AVPs, Deans, and senior Directors on strategic initiatives; manages sensitive issues of high impact to the University’s reputation; oversees variety of highly confidential correspondence, reports and material; and ensures the administration of legal and ethical frameworks. The role provides ongoing support and input to the VPFA regarding planning issues and strategies for the portfolio unit.

An ideal candidate is a strategic and highly organized leader with strong judgment, discretion, and the ability to navigate complex, sensitive issues. They bring excellent analytical, communication, and stakeholder management skills, with experience supporting senior executives in a dynamic environment. The candidate demonstrates initiative, adaptability, and a solutions-oriented mindset, with the ability to translate strategy into operational outcomes. Strong leadership and people management capabilities are essential, along with a commitment to continuous improvement, collaboration, and service excellence. Experience in a large, complex organization—preferably in the public or post-secondary sector—is an asset.

Qualifications

Bachelor's degree in Business, Communications, Public Policy, or a related discipline, with five years of related experience in administrative and financial management; supporting high-profile issues that have reputational consequences to an organization; gathering, synthesizing and disseminating information of a sensitive nature or an equivalent combination of education, training and experience.

• Excellent analytical, research, and problem-solving skills, with the ability to synthesize complex information into actionable insights.
• Exceptional written and verbal communication skills, including the ability to develop high-quality reports, briefings, and presentations on sensitive matters.
• Strong leadership and supervisory skills, with experience managing performance, coordinating workloads, and fostering team development.
• Proven ability to manage multiple priorities, exercise sound judgment, and handle highly confidential and complex issues with discretion.
• Demonstrated ability to interpret and apply policies, procedures, and collective agreements in a complex organizational environment.

Wha We Offer

At SFU, our goal is to ensure our people are valued and supported by promoting a healthy work-life balance, professional growth and development, as well as a safe and respectful workplace. We offer continuing employees who belong in the Administrative Professional Excluded Staff group (APEX):

• 4 weeks’ vacation (prorated for the first year)*
• Hybrid-work program for eligible positions
• Employer paid defined benefit pension plan
• On-campus tuition waiver for employees and their immediate family members*
• Off-campus tuition reimbursements and professional development funds*
• And more!

*Prorated for part-time employees

Additional Information

The pay range is the span between the minimum and maximum base salary for the position. The midpoint of the range is approximately halfway between the minimum and the maximum and represents an employee that possesses full job knowledge, qualifications and experience for the position. In the normal course, employees will be hired, transferred or promoted between the minimum and midpoint of the pay range.