Project Manager, Graduate Education Initiatives

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Graduate and Postdoctoral Studies

Position Summary:

Reporting to the Director Strategy & Operations, the Project Manager, Graduate Education Initiatives provides advising, planning, policy and project management support on a range of dossiers and initiatives related to graduate education and graduate student success at McGill. The incumbent participates in the preparation of planning documents, reports, briefing notes, data analysis and presentations that inform decision-making by the Dean and Associate Deans of Graduate and Postdoctoral Studies.

Primary Responsibilities:

• Manage and lead high-impact projects and initiatives, defining scope, objectives, success metrics and delivery timelines. Monitor progress to provide clear updates, insights, and recommendations to unit leadership. Serve as the primary point of contact for internal and external stakeholders, ensuring alignment and effective communication through the project lifecycle.
• Design and launch new initiatives informed by strategic priorities of the unit (e.g. Graduate Supervision; Program Climate; Graduate Outcomes).

• Conduct in-depth, and at times ad-hoc, research on graduate education topics to inform decision-making in the unit. Benchmark McGill against peer institutions.
• In collaboration with Analysis, Planning and Budget (APB), design, conduct, analyze and report on surveys about graduate education at McGill.
• Formulate data-informed recommendations for policy changes and policy implementation, improvements to program delivery, and other unit priorities. Ensure appropriate follow-up to policy changes and new regulations (e.g. mandatory supervision orientations).

• Write reports, briefing notes and other documentation appropriately adapted to internal and external audiences. Develop and deliver workshop presentations.

• Stay abreast of new trends and developments in graduate education to inform decision-making at the senior administration level (e.g. academic debates about supervision, graduate degrees, post-graduation outcomes etc.).
• Support the preparation of the Dean and Associate Deans for presentations, speeches, participation in important meetings, advocacy efforts etc.

• Build and maintain strong relationships with key internal and external stakeholders (e.g. faculties, graduate program directors, students, central units, and partner organizations) to advance Graduate and Postdoctoral Studies priorities.

• Participate in meetings and consultations with internal and external stakeholders to gather input, align interests, and support consensus‑building on graduate education initiatives. Translate stakeholder feedback into actionable insights to inform policy development, project design, and decision‑making.

• Manage small teams to achieve defined project objectives by setting priorities, assigning responsibilities, establishing timelines and monitoring progress. Provide day-to-day guidance and problem-solving support to ensure successful project implementation.

Other Qualifying Skills and/or Abilities

• Graduate degree an asset.
• Advanced professional proficiency in spoken and written French and English, with the ability to develop communications, resources, and partnerships in support of francization and bilingual initiatives.
• Strong analytical skills with the ability to work with quantitative and qualitative data, identify trends, generate insights and develop data-informed recommendations.
• Background or interest in data analysis an asset.
• Strong understanding of the structure of the academic milieu and of graduate education; experience in a university setting, particularly in graduate studies, an asset.
• Experience managing projects from planning through implementation, including coordinating small teams, setting priorities and monitoring progress.
• Strong organizational skills and attention to detail, with the ability to manage multiple projects, establish priorities and meet tight and competing deadlines.
• Proven ability to conduct in-depth research and critically analyze, synthesize, and communicate complex information to support decision-making and strategic initiatives.
• Ability to work independently and demonstrate initiative. Proven ability to creatively solve problems and demonstrate “out-of-the-box” thinking. Ability to work with abstract, broad, intangible concepts and flesh out concrete action plans.

• Excellent communication, interpersonal and relationship-building skills, with the ability to develop and nurture partnerships with diverse internal and external stakeholders and to adapt written and oral communications to diverse audiences, including senior leadership.
  

As one of Montreal's Top Employers, here is what we offer:

• Competitive benefits package (Health, Dental, Life Insurance) (if eligible)
• Defined contribution pension plan (with employer contribution up to 10%) (if eligible)
• Group Registered Retirement Savings Plan (RRSP) and Tax Free Savings Account (TFSA)
• Competitive vacation policy
• Two (2) personal days
• Two (2) floating holidays
• Nine (9) "Summer Fridays" - paid days off between the St-Jean Baptiste holiday and Labour Day
• Paid time off over the December holiday period
• Tuition waiver for regular employees and their dependents
• Up to two (2) days of remote work per week where the position permits

Before applying, please note that to work at McGill University, you must be both authorized to work in Canada and willing to work in the province of Quebec at the campus where the position is based / located.

Knowledge of English: McGill University is an English-language university where day to day duties may require English communication both verbally and in writing. The level of English required for this position has been assessed at a level 4 (qualifier) on a scale of 0-4.

For a definition of our language proficiency levels, please click here.

Job Profile:

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