Chief Operating Officer

Dalhousie University

  • Halifax, NS
  • Permanent
  • Full-time
  • 16 days ago
Dalhousie University invites applications for the position of Chief Operating Officer (COO), Faculty of Medicine. This is a pivotal leadership opportunity within the Dean's senior team, providing direction for the overall operational management of the Faculty of Medicine in support of its strategic vision.Located on Canada's East Coast, Dalhousie University is proud to serve as the region's leading research-intensive institution. We welcome more than 21,000 students from across the province, the country, and over 115 countries worldwide. In addition to our main campuses, Dalhousie offers academic programming and clinical learning opportunities in communities across the Maritimes. Dalhousie combines teaching and research excellence with a strong sense of civic responsibility-attracting more than $210 million in external research funding each year. From connecting graduates to high-demand careers to supporting innovation, to partnering directly with local industries and communities, Dalhousie is committed to building a stronger Nova Scotia while growing our impact nationally and globally.Dalhousie Faculty of Medicine teaches scientific excellence and humanity in medicine, facilitates leading health research, influences social and health policy, and helps drive the regional economy. An integral part of Maritime Canada since 1868, Dalhousie Faculty of Medicine's success has always been linked to our relevance to the communities we serve. It operates distributed medical education sites, including urban and rural clinical teaching sites. Through this model, most Maritime doctors earned their MDs at Dalhousie, and our well-trained, highly skilled graduates can be found caring for people of all ages throughout Canada and around the world.The RoleThe COO leads and oversees the overall administration of the Faculty of Medicine's operations in the areas of communications, finance, governance, human resources, policy, information technology, facilities and space planning. The COO manages and coordinates these functions within the Dean's Office and provides collaborative leadership for other administrative units within the Faculty of Medicine.The COO also assists in providing senior leadership in strategic planning, change management and policy development, guidance in relationship building with key stakeholders (central university administration, business, government, community), and coordination of priority projects and policies to achieve faculty goals. This mandate also includes a strong relationship with Dalhousie Medicine New Brunswick and the Cape Breton Medical Campus to strengthen integrated operational and policy planning.Key ResponsibilitiesKey priorities for the COO will include:
  • Oversee process reviews to ensure operational systems focused on both students and faculty/staff are efficient and effective. Oversee the implementation of changes resulting from process and system reviews.
  • Create and assess business plans, in conjunction with other senior faculty officials, for new initiatives sponsored by individual faculty, programs, departments or the Faculty of Medicine in general.
  • Build and maintain partnerships to facilitate and support implementation of the Faculty of Medicine's strategic vision. Collaborations with partners will include Assistant and Associate Deans, Department Heads, administrators, senior officials of various government departments (e.g., Health, Advanced Education), medical societies, and affiliated health institutions.
  • Develop and implement financial strategy(s) and associated policies and procedures for the Faculty of Medicine; develop and promote processes and initiatives to align funding and ensure optimal use of available resources for strategic priorities of the Faculty and the University.
  • Responsible for coordinating the faculty's approach to funding of academic clinical departments to ensure accountability for academic deliverables. In partnership with key stakeholders and governance bodies, the COO will support policy development related to Academic Funding Plans (AFPs), requiring a full understanding of AFP funding frameworks and policy.
  • Identify business opportunities that can both generate revenue for the Faculty of Medicine and satisfy the academic priorities.
NoteThe successful applicant will be eligible for hybrid work (combination of in-person work on campus and remote work from within Nova Scotia) as agreed by all parties based on operational requirements and university guidelines.
Required QualificationsIdeal CandidateThe ideal candidate will be a respected senior leader with a strong operational and financial foundation and a demonstrated commitment to strategic excellence, relationship building, accountability, and inclusive leadership. While the Search Committee recognizes that no one candidate is expected to meet all criteria equally, the following qualifications will guide the assessment process:
  • Graduate degree preferably in business administration (MBA/MPA), plus a relevant professional designation, or an equivalent combination of education and experience.
  • Minimum 12 years' experience as a senior administrator in a complex decentralized public sector organization, preferably a university or health care setting.
  • Proven success in the development and implementation of strategic plans.
  • Recognized expertise in financial management and overseeing very complex budgets and financial arrangements.
  • Demonstrated experience in leading and managing large and diverse administrative units.
  • Proven experience managing successful large-scale change projects.
Assets
  • Professional accounting designation is a definite asset.
  • Experience developing interprofessional and cross-Faculty educational initiatives.
  • Insight into the unique healthcare needs of Atlantic Canadians and the structure of Canadian health systems.
  • Experience in fundraising, alumni engagement, and building strategic external partnerships.
Job CompetenciesAs with all Dalhousie senior leaders, the Chief Operating Officer, Faculty of Medicine will be required to demonstrate Dalhousie's core and leadership competencies, with the below being of particular importance to success in the role:
  • Thinking and Acting Strategically
  • Accountability for Performance and Results
  • Change and Innovation
  • Relationship Building
  • Resource and Process Management
  • Development
Additional Information
Application ConsiderationApplications from current university employees and external candidates are assessed concurrently. Current university employees will be given special consideration.We sincerely appreciate all applications and note that only candidates selected for an interview will be contacted directly by the hiring department or People and Culture.
Diversity StatementDalhousie University commits to achieving inclusive excellence through continually championing equity, diversity, inclusion, and accessibility. The university encourages applications from Indigenous Peoples of Turtle Island (especially Mi'kmaq), persons of Black/African descent (especially African Nova Scotians), and members of other racialized groups, persons with disabilities, women, persons identifying as members of 2SLGBTQIA+ communities, and all candidates who would contribute to the diversity of our community. In accordance with our Employment Equity Policy, preference will be given in hiring processes to candidates who self-identify as members of one or more of the equity-deserving groups listed above. For more information, including details related to our Employment Equity Policy and Plan and definitions of equity-deserving groups please visitPosting Detail InformationNumber of Vacancies 1
Open Date 08/14/2025
Close Date 09/26/2025
Open Until Filled No
Special Instructions to Applicant
Quick Link for Direct Access to PostingSupplemental QuestionsRequired fields are indicated with an asterisk (*).Documents Needed to ApplyRequired Documents * Cover Letter
  • Résumé / Curriculum Vitae (CV)
Optional Documents

Dalhousie University