Special Projects Officer

Job summary

The Special Projects Officer leads complex, cross-functional projects from concept through implementation while ensuring alignment with institutional priorities. Responsibilities include managing project budgets, procurement processes, risk registers, and facilitating stakeholder engagement to deliver measurable value.

Job details

Date Posted: 09/10/2026Req ID: 50143Faculty/Division: VP-People, Finance & Digital ServicesDepartment: Office of the Chief Financial OfficerCampus: St. George (Downtown Toronto) Existing Vacancy: Yes Description: About us: The Finance Division is responsible for the University's overall financial policies, systems, and controls, within a decentralized financial management structure. The Division provides financial leadership and services to the University, establishing and monitoring financial policies and procedures, ensuring accurate financial controls are in place, setting direction for financial information systems, and producing financial reports and analysis. Your opportunity: Under the general direction of the Manager, Strategic Initiatives, the Special Projects Officer leads the delivery of complex, cross-functional projects from concept through implementation, applying structured project management methodologies to scope, plan, budget, schedule, and manage risk across the full project lifecycle. Operating within an enterprise-wide context, you will ensure projects align with institutional priorities and are delivered on time, on budget, and to a high standard, generating measurable, long-term value for the University. This role requires access to sensitive and confidential information related to workforce planning and organizational design in support of enterprise transformation efforts. Your responsibilities will include: ● Leading initiatives from concept through to well-defined, approved projects, determining and applying appropriate project management methodologies and securing stakeholder buy-in● Leading project teams and, where applicable, external consultants to deliver outcomes within defined scope, time, and budget● Developing and managing project budgets and procurement processes, including RFP development and vendor selection, and establishing performance metrics to assess outcomes● Applying critical path analysis and scheduling techniques (e.g., Gantt charts, dependency mapping) and estimation techniques to build realistic timelines and cost projections● Utilizing project management software to track progress, resources, and deliverables across active initiatives● Building and maintaining a risk register, and analyzing and managing project-specific risks and opportunities to enhance efficiency, effectiveness, and value● Actively managing change and scope throughout the project lifecycle to ensure stakeholder satisfaction and achievement of objectives● Conducting benefit realization tracking post-implementation to confirm that projects delivered their intended value● Facilitating implementation planning, documenting decisions and agreements, guiding related policy and procedure development, and addressing barriers to long-term sustainability with internal and external stakeholders● Conducting stakeholder assessments to define objectives, scope, priorities, and success measures, supported by cost-benefit, risk, and SWOT analyses● Providing strategic and functional advice to senior leaders, and preparing briefings, summaries, and reports for executive decision-making● Supporting institutional operational excellence initiatives as required Essential Qualifications: ● Minimum four (4) years of progressively responsible experience leading or supporting complex, cross-functional projects through the full project lifecycle in a complex, preferably academic or public-sector, environment● Proven experience applying structured project management methodologies, including scope definition, integrated planning and scheduling, budgeting, procurement, and risk management● Demonstrated experience coordinating multiple stakeholders and workstreams, and supporting governance and decision-making processes to deliver projects within defined time, resource, and quality parameters● Experience supporting change management efforts, including assessing impacts, engaging stakeholders, and contributing to the sustainability of new processes or systems● University degree required; graduate degree an asset, or an equivalent combination of education and experience● Project management qualifications considered an asset● Strong analytical and structured problem-solving skills, with the ability to manage competing timelines, risks, and dependencies● Advanced Microsoft Office and project management software skills, along with strong political acuity and sound judgment when handling confidential and sensitive information Assets (Nonessential): ● Familiarity with Microsoft SharePoint and Microsoft Project● Familiarity with Adobe Acrobat and other Adobe software● Familiarity with Lucidchart and Azure DevOps (ADO) To be successful in this role you will be: ● Organized● Logical● Strategic thinker● Analytical● Detail-oriented● Problem solver● Politically astute● Collaborative Note: This is a fully onsite, three (3) year term position. Closing Date: 09/24/2026, 11:59PM ETEmployee Group: SalariedPersonnel Subarea:PMAppointment Type: Budget - TermSchedule: Full-Time Note: This is a fully onsite, three (3) year term position. Pay Scale Group & Hiring Zone: PM 3 -- Hiring Zone: $93,592 - $109,190 -- Broadband Salary Range: $93,592 - $155,985Job Category: Finance/Budget/Planning/Audit

What you’ll do

The Special Projects Officer leads complex, cross-functional projects from concept through implementation while ensuring alignment with institutional priorities. Responsibilities include managing project budgets, procurement processes, risk registers, and facilitating stakeholder engagement to deliver measurable value.

Requirements

Candidates must have a minimum of four years of experience leading complex projects in an academic or public-sector environment. A university degree is required, along with proficiency in project management methodologies and strong analytical skills.

Listed skills

• Change Management · Preferred
• Problem solving · Preferred
• Financial Reporting · Preferred
• Data analysis · Preferred
• Risk Management · Preferred
• Microsoft Office · Preferred
• Project management · Preferred
• scheduling · Preferred
• Procurement · Preferred

Other relevant skills

Identified from the job description. Confirm important requirements above.

• Project management
• Strategic planning
• Budget management
• Procurement
• Risk management
• Change management
• Stakeholder engagement
• Critical path analysis
• Scheduling
• Financial reporting
• Data analysis
• Problem solving
• Political acuity
• Microsoft Office
• Project management software
• Procedure Development
• Business Metrics
• Financial Controls
• Financial Policy
• Organizational Design
• Planning
• Azure DevOps
• ADO.NET (Programming Language)
• Budgeting
• Auditing
• Benefits Realization Management
• Broadband
• Change Management
• Decision Making
• Information Systems
• Critical Path Method (CPM) Scheduling
• Finance
• Financial Management
• Financial Statements
• Gantt Charts
• Governance
• Leadership
• Problem Solving
• Project Management Software
• Project Management
• Operational Excellence
• Performance Metric
• Systems Development Life Cycle
• Request For Proposal
• Risk Register
• Microsoft SharePoint
• Workforce Planning
• Timelines
• Coordinating

Job areas

• Management & Leadership
• Finance & Accounting
• Education
• Government & Public Sector
• Administrative
• Special Projects Officer
• Project Manager (General)
• Management and Organization Analysts
• Project Management Specialists