ABOUT US

The central mission of Western Law is to educate students in the core areas of Canadian law, in analytical skills and in effective legal research, writing and advocacy. We will also provide students with opportunities to apply their legal knowledge and to gain experience in group work, dispute resolution, and leadership skills development.

QUALIFICATIONS

Education:

• Master’s Degree in a relevant field (e.g., Public Administration, Business, Law, Higher Education, or related discipline), or a Bachelor’s Degree with extensive relevant experience
• Professional designation such as CPA, CHRL, or PMP preferred
• Additional training or certification in strategic planning, change management, or stakeholder engagement would be an asset

Experience:

• 10 years of progressive leadership experience in a senior-level role within a large, complex organization
• 7 years of experience with accountability for leading staff, budgets, and strategic projects
• Experience in a postsecondary or academic institution would be an asset
• Demonstrated success in leading cross-functional initiatives, stakeholder engagement, and strategic planning preferred
• Experience working with governance structures, external partnerships, and institutional advancement is preferred

Knowledge, Skills & Abilities:

• Deep understanding of strategic planning, organizational development, and change management in a complex environment
• Familiarity with the Canadian postsecondary landscape and its regulatory, financial, and governance frameworks
• Strong business acumen with the ability to align financial and operational planning with long-term strategic goals
• Exceptional communication and interpersonal skills to engage diverse internal and external stakeholders
• Proven ability to lead and influence across boundaries, fostering collaboration and shared ownership of initiatives
• Advanced analytical and problem-solving skills, with the ability to synthesize data and translate insights into action
• Ability to develop and implement performance metrics and reporting frameworks
• Ability to manage competing priorities, make sound decisions under pressure, and maintain focus on strategic outcomes
• Demonstrated commitment to equity, diversity, inclusion, and accessibility in leadership and decision-making
• Strong project management skills, including the ability to lead complex initiatives from concept to execution
• Ability to navigate sensitive issues with discretion, diplomacy, and sound judgment
• Ability to establish and build healthy respectful working relations with senior leaders, academic and administrative staff, as well as community members
• Ability to effectively drive and manage change initiatives that align with organizational strategies and/or provide opportunities to increase efficiency
• Ability to deal confidentially with information that has financial, political, regulatory and reputational implications
• Critical thinking and analytical skills to assess complex higher education issues of concern to stakeholders, including the media and the public
• Ability to draw on diversity of skills, backgrounds and knowledge of people to achieve more effective results

As an integral member of the senior leadership team, the Director, Strategy and Operations provides strategic leadership to support and advance the mission, vision, and priorities of the Faculty of Law. This role is pivotal in overseeing and executing new initiatives aligned with the Faculty’s strategic goals, including program expansion, experiential learning, and external partnerships. The Director fosters inclusive and equitable change management, builds strong relationships across internal and external stakeholders, and ensures alignment of strategic efforts with institutional objectives. Working closely with the Dean, Associate and Assistant Deans, faculty, staff, and committees, the Director offers evidence-based advice and leads planning and project execution. The role leads the preparation of the annual operational and capital budget submission and provides strategic oversight of financial planning and resource alignment, ensuring that budgetary decisions support long-term priorities and growth. The Director also guides workforce planning and resource allocation, and monitors administrative operations to identify opportunities for improvement and mitigate operational and legal risks.