Job ID
78474
Job Title
Assistant Academic Department Manager - School of Interdisciplinary Science (SIS), Faculty of Science
Regular/Temporary
Regular
Location
Central Campus
Open Date
2026/09/08
Job Type
Continuing
Close Date
2026/09/21
Employee Group
TMG
Favorite Job
Department
School Interdisciplinary Sci
Full/Part Time
Full-Time
Salary Grade/Band
Band J
Salary Range
$71375.00 - $107063.00 (annual)
Job Code
010242
Hiring Range
$71375.00 - $93591.00
Existing Vacancy
Yes - Backfilling as Existing
Target Number of Openings
1
Hours per Week
35
Posting Details
Schedule
Monday - Friday 8:30am - 4:30pm
Education Level
Bachelor's level degree in Business, Management or a related field, or working towards a professional designation such as a CPA, MBA, etc.
Career Level
3-5 years of supervisory or management experience
Job Description
About the School of Interdisciplinary Science
The School of Interdisciplinary Science (SIS) , based in the Faculty of Science, is seeking a dynamic and service-oriented administrative leader to support key functions of the department.
The School consists of 3 unique undergraduate programs: Integrated Science, Life Sciences and Medical Radiation Sciences. The thread that links these three exceptional programs is the commitment to an interdisciplinary approach to teaching, employing experiential and hands-on opportunities. Core to this approach is our focus on the role of science in addressing contemporary challenges in human health and societal well-being. The School supports over 2000 undergraduate students. This role will be essential in maintaining and improving all aspects of administrative and academic service to staff, faculty, students, and community members.
About the Position
The Assistant Academic Department Manager (AADM) is primarily responsible for supporting the Academic Department Manager (ADM) and Chair in the strategic and operational management of the Department. In addition, this position will play an integral role in supporting the Departments strategy by ensuring alignment with the strategic vision of the University, influencing the culture within the Department, reinforcing University values, and shaping the direction of the Departments offerings with a forward-looking perspective.
The Assistant Academic Department Manager provides vital administrative and operational assistance to the Departments leadership as well as supporting the visioning and strategic planning of a unit, human resources management, curriculum development, academic planning, advising, and scheduling, financial operations, physical space and resource management, and other strategic matters.
Core Accountabilities
Financial Management:
The AADM Supports the Academic Department Manager to manage the financial resources (operating, research, facilities/services, etc) of the department.
- Serves as the ADM’s delegate when needed and has financial decision making and signing authority necessary for the continued operation of the Department on such occasions.
- Monitors financial policies and procedures and ensures compliance with University policies, participating in audits where necessary.
- Develops and prepares reports, monitors, and manages multiple budgets and daily activity as directed by the ADM (operating, research, TA, PDA, trusts) according to institutional policies and procedures.
- When delegate for ADM, approves all faculty and staff salaries, oversees payroll for all staff and students and reconciles payments. Else perform compensation duties as defined by the ADM
- Supports research contract development needs.
- If assigned by ADM, works with ROADS and Research Finance to advise, monitor, reconcile and report research funds.
- Supports routine journal entries, expense support, working with the Faculty central services.
Strategic Planning:
- Supports the implementation of the department strategy and ensures alignment with the strategic vision of the University, influences the culture within the department, reinforces university values and shapes the direction of the department offerings with a forward-looking perspective.
- Helps to collect information to support the critical analysis of the Department’s needs related to planning, resourcing and proposal development using detailed data analytics.
- Contributes to strategic thinking for development and implementation of new initiatives of strategic importance to the Department, Faculty and University.
- Supports the ADM in the development of Departmental strategic financial resource management and implements strategic financial plans that are consistent with the department's teaching, operations, and research requirements.
Operational Management:
The AADM is responsible for ensuring that the ADM is supported to manage the Department in an effective and efficient manner. The AADM works alongside the ADM to develop, implement, monitor, and evaluates all infrastructure activities of the Department including staff recruitment, promotion, human resource, finance, research, and teaching activities.
- Ensures Collective Agreements are respected, and management rights are preserved.
- Participates in crisis-response planning, such as developing strike plans.
- Supports Health and Safety for the departmental faculty and staff (including Unifor, TMG, sessional faculty, post-doctoral fellows, TA’s, interim and work-study students) and manages issues of any occupational health and safety incidents.
- Sits on Department committees as part of the management team and participates in the development of new policies and procedures, in the revision of existing policies and monitors the effectiveness with which these departmental policies/procedures are executed.
- Supports the collection of content of departmental statistical and promotional material.
- Supports Departmental and Program reviews.
Human Resources Management:
The AADM provides significant support in human resources activity within the Department.
- Supports hiring, work assignment, conflict management, performance management, hiring disciplinary action, training, and development for direct reports.
- Supports the ADM in hiring and onboarding all employees including, faculty, sessionals, Post Docs, IAs, TAs, work study, technical and research staff.
- Leads the creation and upkeep of onboarding processes and materials.
- Supports human resource goals, objectives, plans and supports systems to support the accomplishment of the department’s strategic goals.
- Maintains current knowledge of the UNIFOR Collective Agreement, MUFA Agreement, CUPE Agreement, Employment Standards Act and University policy and procedures.
Physical Resource Management:
The AADM plays a key role in physical resource management within the Department. Specifically, the most important elements are:
- Supports the maintenance of a fixed asset and space inventory and creates asset replacement plans to accompany the budget each year.
- Monitors work orders and repairs to ensure completion.
- Serves as the backup contact for all security issues.
- Ensure building and equipment safety.
Education Administrative Support:
The AADM is responsible for managing the resources and infrastructure supporting education activities within the Department and is heavily involved in academic planning, advising and development. Educational activities include:
- Support the ADM in the Departmental Accreditation process (for external bodies such as IQAP and Accreditation Boards (for undergraduate programs) and internal process, i.e., department reviews).
- Supports the administration of undergraduate programs (i.e., financial, statistical, external reviews).
- Works with staff to ensure the concerns of students are addressed when appropriate.
- Assist in curriculum review, enrolment management, timetabling and scheduling of all courses for the delivery of undergraduate programs, collaborating with the RO to create a conflict-free schedule.
- Supports new program development.
- Supports any additional admissions requirement such as supplementary applications.
- Problem solves system integration issues with college partners.
Special Projects Committee Membership:
The AADM is expected to lead or participate in special projects and/or sit on committees as the department or faculty representative in potentially many areas both within the faculty, the broader University and in the community.
The successful candidate will have:
- Has a Bachelor’s level degree in business, management or a related field, or working towards a professional designation such as a CPA, MBA, etc.
- 3-5 years of supervisory or management experience.
- Broad understanding of finance, Faculty and University initiatives. Experience in managing budgets and various financial resources.
- Knowledge and experience interpreting policies, procedures, and guidelines in a university environment.
- Demonstrated leadership and management skills and be a proven strategic and pragmatic thinker.
- Excellent interpersonal skills, including outstanding verbal and written communication skills and a proven record of demonstrated tact, judgment, and diplomacy.
- Must be organized, a long-range planner and an accomplished problem-solver, able to quickly assess situations and individuals and lead solutions.
- Demonstrated ability to make independent decisions and to build consensus.
- Proven track record of successful relationship-building is essential as this role must work effectively and collaboratively across faculties and departments, with various internal and external stakeholders.
- Tact, diplomacy, negotiating and persuasion skills, strategic thinking, superior communications skills, able to build and inspire trust and build bridges and relationships.
Pay Transparency Statement
The posted hiring range represents McMaster's typical hiring range for this position. Actual starting salary will depend on factors such as relevant experience, qualifications, internal equity, and market conditions.
Individuals with extensive experience, deep specialized expertise, and/or those who can demonstrate exceptional past performance, as applicable, may be hired at a higher rate within the full range, in accordance with the University compensation policies.
How To Apply
To apply for this job, please submit your application online.
Employment Equity Statement
McMaster University is located on the traditional territories of the Haudenosaunee and Mississauga Nations and within the lands protected by the “Dish With One Spoon” wampum agreement.
The diversity of our workforce is at the core of our innovation and creativity and strengthens our research and teaching excellence. In keeping with its Statement on Building an Inclusive Community with a Shared Purpose, McMaster University strives to embody the values of respect, collaboration and diversity, and has a strong commitment to employment equity.
The University seeks qualified candidates who share our commitment to equity and inclusion, who will contribute to the diversification of ideas and perspectives, and especially welcomes applications from indigenous (First Nations, Métis or Inuit) peoples, members of racialized communities, persons with disabilities, women, and persons who identify as 2SLGBTQ+.
As part of McMaster’s commitment, all applicants are invited to complete a confidential Applicant Diversity Survey through the online application submission process. The Survey questionnaire requests voluntary self-identification in relation to equity-seeking groups that have historically faced and continue to face barriers in employment. Please refer to the Applicant Diversity Survey - Statement of Collection for additional information.
Job applicants requiring accommodation to participate in the hiring process should contact:
- Human Resources Service Centre at 905-525-9140 ext. 222-HR (22247), or
- Faculty of Health Sciences HR Office at ext. 22207, or
- School of Graduate Studies at ext. 23679
to communicate accommodation needs.
Hybrid Work Language
To ensure an ongoing and vibrant University community that meets the needs of our students, staff and faculty and supports the University mission, ability to work on-site continues to be a requirement for most University positions. The University is supportive of exploring flexible work arrangements that effectively balance operational needs and employee interests.
Interview Experience
At McMaster University, we believe in a comprehensive and inclusive interview process. Our interview methods encompass a variety of approaches that allow our hiring teams to provide a flexible and accessible experience for engaging with our candidates. Throughout your recruitment process at McMaster, you may be requested to participate in a variety of formats, that may include in-person, virtual or recorded interviews. If you have any questions as you move through the hiring process, please reach out to [email protected] or the HR contact associated with your position of interest.
AI Statement
McMaster and its third-party partners may use AI tools to screen, assess, or select applicants during the hiring process. Please note that currently our recruitment platform does not use AI nor is it part of our current recommended recruitment process.