Director, Office of Emergency Management

Please refer to theHow to Apply for a Job (for External Candidates)job aid for instructions on how to apply.

If you are an active McGill employee (ie: currently in an active contract or position at McGill University) do not apply through this Career Site. Login to your McGill Workday account and apply to this posting using the Find Jobs report (type Find Jobs in the search bar).

Position Summary:

The Director of the Office of Emergency Management (OEM) reports to the Chief Security Officer as the subject matter expert in emergency management and business continuity. The incumbent will lead direct and manage the development and performance of the Universitys Office of Emergency Management which comprises the Emergency Management and Business Continuity Programs.

The Emergency Management and Business Continuity teams are deeply committed to preventing protecting against mitigating preparing for responding to and recovering from emergencies and disruptions that may impact the Universitys teaching and research missions. OEMs core mission includes meeting the requirements of University policy government regulations sound management practices and applicable standards relevant to emergency management and business continuity.

The unit supports the continuous improvement of hazard and risk identification mitigation preparedness and response processes by providing advice guidance and training to academic and administrative units as well students faculty and staff. The OEM teams are highly specialized and accountable for developing robust emergency management and business continuity programs through ongoing collaborative partnerships with academic and administrative units.

Primary Responsibilities:

• Establish the strategic and operational goals and objectives to ensure the provision of a reliable and responsive emergency management and emergency response structure University wide including providing subject matter expertise to the Emergency Operations Centre.

• Oversee the universitys business continuity strategy founded on applicable standards principles and industry best practice ensuring alignment with the overall organizational objectives and risk management framework and ensuring a continuity of activities across the University.

• Lead and develop incident response efforts during business disruptions emergencies or other disasters impacting the University by establishing response priorities and actions across the EOC teams chairing the EOC meetings and providing high-level advice on the emergency management approach. Ensures that the emergency response requirements outlined in the Emergency Management Policy are met. Collaborate with cross-functional teams such as senior administrators from faculties and other units (Deans Associate Deans AVPs Director of Administration etc.) to ensure that the EOC has identified their needs and to ensure alignment in terms of actions/priorities for timely and effective response communication and recovery efforts.

• Establish Business Impact Assessment (BIA) processes for the assessment and analysis of critical functions processes and systems to determine potential risks impacts and recovery priorities.

• Oversee the creation maintenance and regular updating of business continuity plans covering academic research and administrative functions and services. Ensure plans are well-documented actionable and aligned with industry best practices.

• Guide the design and conduct of regular testing and validation exercises to assess the effectiveness of business continuity plans. Analyze test results identify gaps and collaborate with relevant stakeholders to implement necessary improvements.

• Oversee the development and delivery of training programs to enhance the universitys overall emergency and business continuity preparedness. Promotes awareness and understanding of emergency management and business continuity principles and procedures across all levels of the organization.

• Provide subject matter expert advice to all levels of the University in matters concerning but not limited to hazard and risk identification assessment prevention and mitigation as well as business impact analysis emergency planning incident response emergency operations emergency alerting and recovery.

• Establish all strategic Office of Emergency Management initiatives programs policies and projects to enable the university to meet its strategic goals. Leads the units strategic planning process in alignment with the Chief Security Officers strategic plan and develop goals objectives and metrics for the units including organizational change development of future projects and communications strategies. Identifies and works on strategic areas for improved safety and continuity of operations in the University.

• Foster collaborative relationships with unit administrators Deans Chairs Directors faculties units and departments and external emergency management agencies. Builds strong relationships with senior leadership stakeholders and utilizes influence to move strategic emergency management and business continuity activities and initiatives forward.

• Oversee the development and implementation of communications strategies that will contribute to a shared culture of preparedness safety and organizational resilience amongst stakeholders.

• Provide expert advice and guidance in the development of university policies and procedures that guide the implementation of sound emergency management and business continuity practices.

• Strategically plan for the departments future workforce needs and inspires coaches and mentors a team of emergency management and business continuity professionals in their career development.

• Chair the Emergency Management Program Committee. Establish and oversee the Steering Committee for Business Continuity.

• Responsible for reporting on the Office of Emergency Managements activities to the Emergency Management Program Committee and the Board of Governors Human Resources Committee.

• Direct develop and execute the annual budget for the department; projects expenses; approves expenditures; approves acquisition of materials and equipment.

Other Qualifying Skills and/or Abilities

• Masters degree in Emergency Management or a related field is an asset.
• Certification in Emergency Management or Business Continuity is required.
• Experience in a senior leadership role in a large complex organization (preferably within a post-secondary institution) with a combination of experience in emergency management and/or business continuity is required.
• Expert knowledge of all the relevant and applicable emergency management and business continuity standards and legislation.
• Incident Command System (ICS) training required. ICS 300-level an asset.
• Ability to work in a high-paced complex and dynamic environment.
• Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with both internal and external stakeholders.
• Sound judgment and ability to take initiative and handle stressful situations with tact diplomacy and resourcefulness.
• Meticulous in documenting and monitoring follow-up actions regarding ongoing files.
• Excellent organizational and time management skills and demonstrated ability to identify and implement process improvements.
• Ability to take a holistic approach in an academic environment when providing direction and problem-solving.
• Excellent communications analytical and problem-solving skills.
• Excellent financial human resource and change management skills.
• Demonstrated knowledge of budget and fiscal management principles and practices.
• Superior leadership skills in making sound decisions and leading teams day-to-day and during crisis situations.
• Strong desire to champion excellence in emergency management and business continuity.
• Experience with MS Suites is an asset.
• Highly developed interpersonal oral and written communication skills in English and French.

• 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 on a scale of 0-4.

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

Job Profile: