Executive Director, Global Futures

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The internal posting deadline is Thursday, September 18, 2025 at 11:59PM

Job Description:

Primary Purpose

The Executive Director leads the Global Futures Office (GFO), advancing the University of Waterloo’s Global Futures initiative-five interconnected areas where the institution aims to make a meaningful impact on humanity and the planet. These futures align with Waterloo’s academic, research, and institutional strengths, fostering collaboration across disciplines and boundaries.

The Global Futures Network (GFN) supports this vision through two core activities:

• Convene and Connect - Building partnerships across campus and with external stakeholders to promote interdisciplinary initiatives in research, education, and service
• Support and Propel - Providing expertise and shared professional services-including seed funding through the Global Futures Fund-to accelerate impactful initiatives

The Executive Director works closely with the Special Advisor to the President and Provost on Global Futures to lead strategy, operations, governance, and engagement.

Key Accountabilities

Strategy and Planning

• Develop and implement multi-year and annual strategic plans aligned with institutional priorities (e.g., Waterloo at 100)
• Ensure GFO activities support GFN’s core functions: Convene and Connect; Support and Propel
• Facilitate collaboration across campuses and affiliated institutions
• Deliver annual planning documents, including milestones, progress indicators, and a Logic Model
• Translate strategic plans into operational work plans and resource allocations
  

Leadership and Talent Management

• Advise campus leaders on Global Futures initiatives
• Design and manage a shared professional services model (communications, events, knowledge mobilization)
• Align services with institutional reviews and future needs
• Oversee staffing, performance management, and space planning
• Foster a collaborative, inclusive, and innovative work environment
  

Stakeholder Engagement and Partnerships

• Increase awareness and engagement across internal and external stakeholders and campus partners to provide alternative pathways for further development and potential operationalization of proposed initiatives
• Build partnerships with Faculties, Academic Support Units, and external organizations
• Lead roundtables and produce strategic papers for thematic Futures (e.g., Health, Sustainability)
• Facilitate interdisciplinary proposal development
• Respond to inquiries from partners, the public, and campus constituents

Financial Management

• Lead the development and oversight of the GFO’s budget
• Design and manage the Global Futures Fund, including policies, criteria, and reporting
• Collaborate with Advancement and Research offices to secure funding
• Expand internal and external funding sources
  

Social and Policy Engagement

• Develop and implement a strategy for institutional social and policy engagement
• Centralize and amplify knowledge mobilization efforts
• Strengthen ties with local, regional, national, and international communities
  

Communications and Outreach

• Lead strategic communications and branding for the GFN and GFO
• Represent Global Futures at key events and forums
• Oversee campus and community engagement activities
• Support advancement and alumni engagement
  

Governance Support

• Work with funded initiatives and institutional governance and program development processes to help assess and embed successful activities into university operations
• Establish governance mechanisms for the GFN, GFO, and Global Futures Fund
• Prepare reports and updates for Deans Council Plus (DCPlus), Board, and Senate
• Coordinate the GFN Steering Committee and funding adjudication processes

Required Qualifications

Education

• Master’s degree or higher required
• MBA or other management degree is considered an asset
• Professional certifications or evidence of ongoing development in management are advantageous
  

Experience

• Minimum of 10 years of experience in organizational development and strategic planning, ideally within the higher education sector.
• Proven experience in project development and implementation, including financial planning, team leadership, stakeholder engagement, and performance evaluation
  

Knowledge/Skills/Abilities

• Strong strategic thinking with the ability to align goals with institutional mission and long-term vision
• Effective decision-making skills, with the ability to act independently and escalate appropriately
• Demonstrated leadership in working across teams and organizational units to foster collaboration
• Excellent oral and written communication skills
• Strong interpersonal skills for engaging diverse internal and external stakeholders
• Experience cultivating relationships with funders, academic institutions, industry, and government
• Ability to analyze trends, metrics, and feedback to inform strategy
• Skilled in change management and navigating organizational transitions
• Awareness of global and local challenges relevant to the interdisciplinary scope of the Global Futures framework

Equity Statement

The University of Waterloo acknowledges that much of our work takes place on the traditional territory of the Neutral, Anishinaabeg, and Haudenosaunee peoples. Our main campus is situated on the Haldimand Tract, the land granted to the Six Nations that includes six miles on each side of the Grand River. Our active work toward reconciliation takes place across our campuses through research, learning, teaching, and community building, and is coordinated within the Office of Indigenous Relations.

The University values the diverse and intersectional identities of its students, faculty, and staff. The University regards equity and diversity as an integral part of academic excellence and is committed to accessibility for all employees. The University of Waterloo seeks applicants who embrace our values of equity, anti-racism and inclusion. As such, we encourage applications from candidates who have been historically disadvantaged and marginalized, including applicants who identify as First Nations, Métis and/or Inuk (Inuit), Black, racialized, a person with a disability, women and/or 2SLGBTQ+.

Positions are open to qualified candidates who are legally entitled to work in Canada.

The University of Waterloo is committed to accessibility for persons with disabilities. If you have any application, interview, or workplace accommodation requests, please contact Human Resources at hrhelp@uwaterloo.ca or 519-888-4567, ext. 45935.