Description
The XPRIZE Canada Hub under the President’s Office invites applications for a Operations Manager. This Full-time Fixed Term position is for approximately 3 years (based on length of grant funding), with the possibility of extension.
Reporting to the XPRIZE Canada Hub National Hub Director, the Operations Manager will oversee the day-to-day administration of the XPRIZE Canada Hub at the University of Calgary, ensuring compliance with university processes, procedures, and policies to support efficient and effective operations. This role is critical in supporting the strategic objectives of the Hub by providing operational leadership, administrative coordination, logistical oversight, managing timelines, internal coordination, project tracking, logistics, budget operations, reporting, and partner engagement support.
Working closely with university departments and XPRIZE Hub stakeholders, the Operations Manager will oversee internal workflows, manage financial and HR processes, and coordinate reporting mechanisms. The Operations Manager will also supervise a local team of, supporting the delivery of the Hub’s mission. In collaboration with the National Hub Director and other partners, this role contributes to partnership development, community engagement, and event coordination, positioning the Hub as a dynamic space for innovation and collaboration on global challenges.
Summary of Key Responsibilities (job functions include but are not limited to):
- Serve as the key point of contact for the Canada Hub with internal university units.
- Maintain strong working relationships with the National Hub Director, Oversight Committee (OC), XPRIZE Director of Global Hubs, and UCalgary’s Associate Vice-President (Innovation) to co-create and align local activities with the Hubs’ strategic priorities and KPIs.
- Regularly provide updates, materials, and insights to the National Hub Director, OC, sponsors and stakeholders at UCalgary to support operations and advance the strategic mission.
- Administer programs that would drive measurable outcomes by meeting Hub Key Performance Indicators (KPIs) and proactively engaging with stakeholders to deliver on goals.
- Work with the National Hub Director to onboard, train, and manage hub staff, ensuring alignment with XPRIZE’s latest initiatives.
- Convene and lead regular Hub working group meetings with appropriate stakeholders.
- Create and Strengthen Regional Partnerships and Ecosystems
- Amplify Hub activities through community engagement.
- Support organization of events to promote the Hub’s mission, engage communities, advance fundraising opportunities, foster dialogue, and drive engagement around the XPRIZE mission, its seven focus domains, and current and upcoming competitions.
- Plan local conferences, webinars, and other events to showcase Hub achievements and increase visibility.
- Responsible for hiring, training, performance management and development, and disciplinary action up to and including termination of staff.
- Provide proactive quality leadership by developing and maintaining positive working relationships.
QUALIFICATIONS / REQUIREMENTS:
- Bachelor’s degree in Business Administration, International Relations, a related field, or equivalent work experience.
- Minimum of 7-10 years of experience in a management or leadership role in Canada, preferably in large university programs, international partnerships, business development, or related fields.
- Proven track record in operational management with organizational skills and demonstrated success in managing complex workflows and multiple priorities.
- Strong leadership skills with the ability to inspire and motivate diverse teams at all levels of authority.
- Experience with contract management, reporting, and business negotiations.
- Excellent communication, negotiation, and interpersonal skills, including strong business writing and professional verbal communication skills
- Ability to lead senior-level meetings, webinars, workshops, etc.
- Demonstrated management of budgets and tracking of expenses.
- Strong project management and leadership experience.
- Ability to thrive and think creatively and calmly in highly fluid situations and under intense schedules and deadlines.
- Highly diplomatic, with proven experience in crisis management.
- Demonstrated project development expertise in the research and/or innovation domains.
Application Deadline: September 23, 2025
We would like to thank all applicants in advance for submitting their resumes. Please note, only those candidates chosen to continue on through the selection process will be contacted.
This position is classified in the Management Career Band, Level 2 of the Management and Professional Staff Career Framework.
For a listing of all management and staff opportunities at the University of Calgary, view our Management and Staff Careers website.
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