Recent Posts

Research Partners Network Expansion & Workstream Update

University of Alberta International reorganization

The University of Alberta International portfolio has been redesigned, focusing on three Centres of Expertise (Global Engagement, International Student and Visitor Services, and Global Learning), this streamlining of services will enable UAI to continue to lead and facilitate strategic international policies and engagement, as well as support colleges' and faculties' international priorities.

Hiring Announcement: Executive Director for the new University Initiatives Office (UIO)

Rob Munro is the Executive Director for the new University Initiatives Office (UIO), effective April 1, 2022.

IT workstream update April 14, 2022

In response to a question received at the last Ask SET Anything event, here is an update on the IT workstream, and where to find updated information going forward.

Recap of Ask SET Anything: Looking Ahead edition

On March 29, the Service Excellence Transformation (SET) team hosted a final edition of our Ask SET Anything event series to close out the SET program (which officially concluded on March 31) and focus on the future of the university's transformation.

Tips for travel, expense claims, and PCard reconciliation

The processes for booking travel, claiming expenses, and reconciling PCards may be new to you. To support you in these areas, Shared Services would like to share the most common (and risky) travel, expense and PCard errors, the impacts to you, how to avoid them, and additional tips for clarity and expedited processing.

HR benefits, services and support available to employees

How do you complete HR and finance activities related to your employment with the U of A? Dozens of self-service actions are available to you 24/7, allowing you to problem solve immediately, and providing you with the fastest way to obtain answers and results. Learn about them and where to find answers to questions about your pay, benefits and pension, or managing life event changes such as maternity leave or retirement in this article.

Postdoctoral Fellows and Academic Visitors Office transitioned to the Faculty of Graduate Studies and Research

On January 17, 2022 the Faculty of Graduate Studies and Research (FGSR) took over support for postdoctoral fellows and academic visitors. This move creates a centralized access point for support services including awards, funding, HR, and professional development, benefitting not only postdocs and academic visitors, but also faculties and departments. FGSR is a single contact point, support base, and advocate for postdocs and academic visitors, simplifying navigation, increasing support accessibility, and providing advocacy for this specialized community at the University of Alberta.

Impacts to position opportunities and recruitment as SET comes to an end

As the SET program concludes on March 31 the SET EOI process and SET-related hiring statements will no longer apply; as well, the Position Opportunities Page (POP) will be retired. Anyone interested in pursuing a new role after April 1 should watch the Careers page for all available postings. For managers, if you wish to post a position that is restricted to internal applicants, please indicate that when you Request a Job Posting. For more details, read on.

Looking back at the first six months of the Student Service Centre

To celebrate the first six months of the Student Service Centre, we reached out to Raymond Matthias, Director, to talk about its successes, difficulties, and evolution towards the vision. Read on for more discussion about the Student Service Centre.

Invitation to final Ask SET Anything event

Join the SET team for the final edition of our Ask SET Anything series on Tuesday, March 29, from 2 - 3 p.m. While the SET program will officially stand down on March 31, we know there is still significant work that needs to be done to implement, sustain, and enhance the operating model. Learn more about what comes next and have the opportunity to ask questions about this transition period.

Shared Services updates March 8

Read about the new website section detailing the step-by-step process for recruitment at the university. Shared Services is partnering with faculties and units on a new process for reappointment. We’re identifying initiators who will receive notice of ending contracts. These initiators will work with supervisors to decide whether to extend the appointment or notify the employee of next steps. In addition, to better serve faculty and staff, Shared Services has updated the Staff Service Centre web page to improve access to submitting completed forms.

Hiring announcement: Director, HR Service Partnerships

Ravi Narine has accepted the position of Director, HR Service Partnerships effective February 22, 2022.

New steps for recruitment

The HR teams have made it easier to understand how to recruit new team members! A new step-by-step process in the Recruitment section of the website guides hiring managers, initiators and HR Service Partners through the requirements, approvals and forms required to hire faculty, staff and foreign nationals. Navigating will be more intuitive and the process will be more clear and transparent.

Hiring announcement: Finance Partners

Finance, Procurement and Planning and the SET finance workstream are pleased to announce the appointments of 12 of the Finance Partners. As 38 of the 46 Finance Partners (including Senior Finance Partners) so far are internal hires, we're pleased to be advancing our existing, key talent within the organization.

Appointment of Associate Vice-President (Strategic Research Initiatives and Performance)

Dr. André McDonald has been appointed as Associate Vice-President (Strategic Research Initiatives and Performance) for a three-year term effective 1 March 2022. Reporting to Dr. Aminah Robinson Fayek, Vice-President (Research and Innovation), André will support strategic research initiatives, strategic research planning and performance measurement and identify research and innovation trends and emerging opportunities, among other responsibilities in the redesigned portfolio.

Get to know how IST can support you!

Now that most IT services have been transitioned to IST, find a summary of how they can support you and your team's technology needs, such as what services IST provides, ways to learn about service outages, what happens when you submit an IT request, and more.

Tips for PCard use and reconciliations

Since introducing a new PCard reconciliation process in the fall, Shared Services has identified some opportunities to clarify the process.

Tips for expedited expense claims

Shared Services has identified some opportunities to expedite the time it takes us to reimburse faculty and staff for travel and expense, and personal expense reimbursement claims.

Ask SET Anything: Student Services Edition Recap

On February 7, the SET team hosted another edition of our Ask SET Anything event series specifically for student services. Staff in this area were invited to learn more, ask questions, and share feedback about the vision for the future of student services at the university.

New guides available for appointment process

New guides are available for the appointment process.

Contracts/Agreements review completed

The stream has completed its review of the Contracts/Agreements processes and will soon be presenting the results to the VPRI team.

Hiring announcement: Senior Research Partners

Vice-President (Research and Innovation) and the SET research administration workstream are pleased to announce the appointments of the three Senior Research Partners.

Appointment/reappointment process launched

The new process for appointing and reappointing employees has launched.

University-wide IT strategy

Work on developing the university-wide IT strategy continues.

Ask SET Anything hosted yesterday

Yesterday, the team hosted another Ask SET Anything event specifically for student services staff to learn more about the new vision.

Hiring announcement: Communications Coordinator, Publications

External Relations is pleased to announce that Lisa Szabo has been permanently appointed to the position of Communications Coordinator, Publications.

Hiring announcement: Social Media Specialist

External Relations is pleased to announce the Jennifer Whyte will be joining the Brand Team as a Social Media Strategist.

Hiring announcement: Senior Marketing Strategist

External Relations is pleased to announce that Laureen Beaton will be joining the Brand Team as a Senior Marketing Strategist.

Hiring announcement: Communications Associates

External Relations is pleased to announce the hiring of 10 Communications Associates throughout the three Colleges, Internal Communications, and Media Strategy.

Hiring announcement: Director of Marketing Research and Insights

External Relations is pleased to announce Sandra Johnston as the new Director of Marketing Research and Insights.

A look at the Staff Service Centre's first six months

This week marks six months since the Staff Service Centre launched to support faculty and staff. Tawheed Sadiq, Manager, Staff Service Centre in Shared Services shares his team’s experience navigating the changes at the university, his vision for employee service and what’s next for service innovation.

Shared Services: updates for hiring

Learn more about updates to hiring and the talent acquisition services that are now offered through Shared Services.

ER recruitment is proceeding well

Recruitment within the External Relations portfolio is proceeding well and sessions were held in December to start developing the operational framework.

Finance partners working productively

The initial group of finance partners are working productively and there is demand for the full complement to be hired.

IT continues transition to the Centers of Expertise

The IT stream continues to transition faculties to the IT Centres of Expertise.

Research stream establishing a support cohort

The stream is on track for establishing an initial research support cohort.

Student services service catalogue shared

Following collaboration and consultation with subject matter experts and leaders across the university, the Student Services service catalogue has been shared publicly.

Ask SET Anything: Student Services Edition

Join us for another edition of our Ask SET Anything: Student Services on Monday, February 7, 2022 from 3 to 4 p.m.

Hiring announcement: Market Planning Strategist

External Relations is pleased to announce the hiring of Andrea Gibson who will be joining the Brand team as a Market Planning Strategist.

Hiring announcement: Marketing Specialists

External Relations is pleased to announce the hiring of Lesley Dirkson, Kennedy Anderson, and Jason Mills as Marketing Specialists.

Hiring announcement: Senior Marketing Strategists

External Relations is pleased to announce the hiring of Laura Vega and Marty Pawlina as Senior Marketing Strategists.

Hiring announcement: Communications Associates

After a robust recruitment process for communications associates roles prior to the holiday break, Jennifer Pascoe shares hiring and recruitment updates for the Strategic Communications team, including our incoming communications associates.

Hiring announcement: News and Media Analysts

After a robust recruitment process for communications associates roles prior to the holiday break, Jennifer Pascoe shares hiring and recruitment updates for the Strategic Communications team, including our incoming news and media analysts.

Introducing the new process redesign methodology

While the SET process redesign team has been diligently working to redesign and streamline processes across the university's administrative functions, the team has also been working to revise and improve their methodology following several lessons learned during work completed so far.

Staff Service Centre winter closure

Shared Services and SET pilots a redesigned employee appointment process. The Staff Service Centre will be closed during the university’s winter closure.

IT stream completes more transitions

The IT stream has now completed the transition of FOMD and Museums.

University pilots simplified employee appointment process

When the university hires a new employee, the process for selecting a candidate, generating an offer letter and adding them to our employee database is called employee appointment. As part of the HR discovery work in the Service Excellence Transformation (SET) program, this process was identified as a high priority area for improvement. In November, Shared Services and SET piloted a redesigned employee appointment process that will roll out to the university in January.

Hiring announcement: Donor Relations Officer

External Relations is pleased to announce that Maegan Morasch has been hired as a Donor Relations Officer.

HR completes several process improvements

Over the past 16 months, the HR workstream and several teams within the Human Resources, Health, Safety and Environment unit have collaborated to reorganize HR services.

Hiring announcement: Media Relations Strategists

External Relations is pleased to announce that Michael Brown and Ross Neitz have been appointed Media Relations Strategists.

Finance services transition

As part of the Service Excellence Transformation (SET) program, some financial services are moving from Finance, Procurement and Planning to Shared Services, and contact information is changing. Learn more about how to access finance support, forms and information.

Redesigning the Vice-President Research and Innovation portfolio

Aminah Robinson Fayek, Vice-President (Research and Innovation) introduces a redesigned portfolio structure which integrates strategic research and innovation support, streamlines research administration, and offers expanded services delivered via four Centres of Expertise.

Establishing a vision for the future of student services

Steven Dew, Provost and Vice-President (Academic), shares the new vision for the future of student services at the University of Alberta that will drive improved student experience.

Finance services moving to Shared Services

On December 1, some finance services will be moving to Shared Services and the methods of contact will be changing.

IT stream completes transition of more faculties

This week the stream completed the transition of IT services for the two faculties, Campus Saint-Jean, and Augustana.

New VPRI structure to be announced

Deployment of the Centres of Expertise for VPRI is underway; a more detailed announcement on the new structure is coming.

Student services vision to be announced

The vision for a future-state student services structure will be announced in The Quad this Thursday.

Hiring announcement: Manager, Internal Communications (Students)

External Relations is pleased to announce that Julia Jones-Bourque has been hired as the new Manager, Internal Communications (Students).

Hiring announcement: Manager, Internal Communications (Employees)

External Relations is pleased to announce that Breanna Mroczek has been hired as the new Manager, Internal Communications (Employees).

Hiring announcement: Program Lead, Alumni Recognition

The Office of Alumni Relations is pleased to announce that Amy Knezevich has accepted the position of Program Lead, Alumni Recognition.

Hiring announcement: Program Lead, Regional Chapters

The Office of Alumni Relations is pleased to announce thay Chelsea Livingstone has moved into the role of Program Lead, Regional Chapters.

Hiring announcement: Program Lead, Faculty Engagement

The Office of Alumni Relations is pleased to announce that Elise Hetu has accepted the role of Program Lead, Faculty Engagement.

Hiring announcement: Director, Resource Planning

Finance, Procurement and Planning is pleased to announce that Kemi Kufuor-Boakye will be joining the team as the new Director, Resource Planning.

Hiring announcement: Program Lead, Affinity and Constituent Engagement

The Office of Alumni Relations is pleased to announce that Vanessa Welz has accepted the role of Program Lead, Affinity and Constituent Engagement.

Hiring announcement: Creative Director

External Relations is pleased to announce that Marlene Miceli will be joining the Marketing Team, and the Digital + Creative Centre as the new Creative Director.

Shared Services launches new pilot project

Shared Services and SET have launched a pilot for the redesigned employee appointment process.

External engagement revises service catalogue

The team has revised the service catalogue to provide more detail on the Centres of Expertise and the External Relations Exception Framework.

HRHSE has a full complement of Service Partners

HRHSE now has the planned complement of HR Service Partners with all scheduled to begin by November 22.

IT stream plans for remaining transitions

The IT stream continues to plan for the remaining transitions.

Process redesign work continues

Research administration continues work on process redesign to streamline administrative processes.

High-level design presented to leadership

Recently, the high-level design for the future state student services structure was presented to SESC and PEC-S.

Hiring announcement: Director, Faculty Development, College of Health Sciences

External Relations is pleased to announce that Daryl Silzer has accepted the position of Director, Faculty Development for the College of Health Sciences.

Hiring announcement: Director, Faculty Development, College of Natural and Applied Sciences and College of Social Sciences and Humanities

External Relations is pleased to announce that Katherine Millen Worré has accepted the position of Director, Faculty Development for the College of Natural and Applied Sciences and College of Social Sciences and Humanities.

Hiring announcement: Director, University Development

External Relations is pleased to announce that Derek Michael has accepted the position of Director, University Development.

Finance services have moved to Shared Services

A number of finance services and team members have moved from Finance, Procurement and Planning to Shared Services. Meet the team! New travel and expense and credit card reconciliation processes launch Monday, October 18; please direct inquiries to the Staff Service Centre.

Looking ahead at the central support services

This is the second in a series of four articles highlighting the upcoming activities and milestones for key initiatives of the SET program. This week, we focus on what to expect with central support services, including Shared Services, the Student Service Centre, and more.

Hiring announcement: Senior Partners, Communications & Marketing

External Relations and the SET external engagement workstream are pleased to announce the appointments of the five Senior Partners, Communications & Marketing.

Hiring announcement: Finance Partners

Finance, Procurement and Planning and the SET finance workstream are pleased to announce the appointments of 27 of the Finance Partners

Looking ahead at the administrative functional streams

In this four-part weekly series, Vice-President (University Services and Finance), Todd Gilchrist, provides an overview of the upcoming activities and milestones for key initiatives of the SET program as well as case studies to demonstrate recent successes. This first article in this series takes a look at what's ahead for each of the university’s administrative functional areas.

Hiring announcement: Prospect Management and Research, Development

External Relations is pleased to announce that Rena Liviniuk has accepted the position of Manager, Prospect Management and Research, Development

Hiring announcement: Manager, Events

External Relations is pleased to announce that Colleen Elliott has accepted the position of Manager, Events.

Ask SET Anything: Student Services Edition recap

Last Friday, the SET team hosted another edition of our Ask SET Anything event series specifically for student services. Staff in this area were invited to learn more about the Student Service Centre and student services in the new operating model, raise questions, concerns, and share feedback.

Immigration services and relocation support has moved

Immigration services and relocation support has moved from HRHSE to the Shared Services unit.

ER initiates knowledge transfer process

External Relations initiates a "knowledge transfer" process to ensure success.

Several finance partners hired

As of September 20, the first 21 finance partners have been hired and onboarded.

HR looking at service governance

HR is beginning to look at service governance to determine how services will be managed on an ongoing basis.

IT transition returns to its normal pace

With the new academic term well underway, the IT transition has resumed to its normal pace.

Pre-selection for senior partners underway

Pre-selection for the senior research partners is ongoing.

Hiring announcement: Director of Brand

External Relations is pleased to announce that Laurenne Spratt will join the marketing team as the Director of Brand.

Hiring announcement: Director of Marketing - Development and Demand Generation

External Relations is pleased to announce that Jocelyn Love will join the marketing team as the Director of Marketing - Development and Demand Generation.

Hiring announcement: Director of Recruitment Marketing

External Relations is pleased to announce that Jaylene Ulmer will join the marketing team as the Director of Recruitment Marketing

Hiring announcement: Director, Service Innovation

Shared Services is pleased to welcome Trevor Lumley in the position of Director, Service Innovation.

Hiring announcement: Strategic Initiatives Lead

Shared Services is pleased to welcome Tiffany Baker to the new role of Strategic Initiatives Lead.

Hiring announcement: Director of Media Strategy

External Relations is pleased to announce that Jennifer Crosby is joining the University of Alberta as the new Director of Media Strategy.

Hiring announcement: Director of Internal Communications

External Relations is pleased to announce that Lindsay Bliss has been hired as the new Director of Internal Communications.

Offer letters sent to finance partners

Offer letters have been sent to the finance partners with an expected start date of September 13.

Training and onboarding work continues

Training and onboarding continues to be refined as work in the HR stream progresses.

IT transition slows for return to campus

The transition of IT services has slowed to ensure that IST support is prioritized for the return to campus.

Research stream plans for senior partners

The research administration stream is currently planning for the recruitment of senior partners.

Ask SET Anything: Student Services Edition

Join us for the next Ask SET Anything event for Student Services!

Hiring announcement: Director of Editorial Strategy

External Relations is pleased to announce that Lisa Cook will be joining the leadership team in the role of Director of Editorial Strategy.

Hiring announcement: Director of Communications and Marketing Partnerships

External Relations is pleased to announce that Salena Kitteringham will join the team as the Director of Communications and Marketing Partnerships.

Ask SET Anything: External Engagement Edition recap

Last Wednesday, the SET team hosted another edition of our Ask SET Anything event series. This edition focused on external engagement, and staff were invited to learn more about the new External Relations structure, raise questions, concerns, and share feedback.

Hiring announcement: IT Partners

Information, Services & Technology and the SET IT workstream are pleased to announce the appointments of the IT Service Partners.

Several services now offered through Shared Services

With the launch of the Staff Service Centre, several priority services are now offered through Shared Services instead of HRHSE or faculty/unit contacts.

Ask SET Anything: External Engagement Edition tomorrow!

To provide staff with an opportunity to learn more about the new ER structure and ask questions, SET will be hosting our next Ask SET Anything: External Engagement Edition tomorrow, August 25, from 11 a.m. to noon.

Hiring progresses within the finance stream

Offer letters have been sent to the first phase of finance partners.

More HR stream services are now operational

Several partners have been onboarded and improved services are now operational.

IT stream hits a milestone

To date, the IT stream has made significant progress with transitioning services into IST.

Student Service Centre officially launches

August 16 marked the official launch of the Student Service Centre.

Discovery update: External Engagement

The external engagement workstream has concluded its discovery phase, engaging with functional experts and leaders to gain a better understanding of the current state of external engagement-related activities across the university.

First IT services transitioned across the university

With work beginning in early spring 2021, the IT stream is on track to complete the transition of the first university-wide IT services: networks, data centres, and cyber security, by early October.

Hiring Announcement: Director, Research Partners Network

We are pleased to announce that Julie Stephens has been appointed Director, Research Partners Network effective September 1.

New Student Service Centre opens Monday

August 16, 2021 marks the official launch of the Student Service Centre located on the main floor of the Administration Building on North Campus (utilizing the previous Student Connect space and infrastructure).

Hiring announcement: Student Recruitment Service Partners

We are pleased to announce the hiring of Student Recruitment Service Partners to support the colleges and stand-alone faculties.

Hiring announcement: Director of Issues Management

Jillian Hamilton has been appointed Director of Issues Management in the External Relations portfolio.

Hiring announcement: Enrolment Management Service Partners

We have concluded our search for the Enrolment Management Service Partners within the Office of the Registrar. We were pleased to have representatives from all colleges and stand-alone faculties participate in the hiring process. These are critical roles that will be essential connectors and supports for end-to-end undergraduate enrolment planning and management. I am pleased and excited to announce the appointments of the following individuals as our new Enrolment Management Service Partners starting August 30, 2021.

Get to know the new Staff Service Centre

Shared Services launched phase one of its services this week: HR Services and the new Staff Service Centre. The Staff Service Centre will be the entryway for faculty and staff to access centralized support.

Phase one of Shared Services launches

This week, the Shared Services unit launched the new Staff Service Centre. A number of HR activities are transitioning from faculties and units to the Staff Service Centre, including employee data changes, payroll, pension, and benefits. Please ensure staff in faculties and units who do HR activities know to direct these types of inquiries to the Staff Service Centre.

HR service improvements

As of July 26, the first phase of the Job Evaluation redesign has been deployed.

Hiring announcement: AVP Strategic Communications

After a competitive search, I am delighted to announce Jennifer Pascoe as Associate Vice-President, Strategic Communications.

Ask SET Anything: Shared Services Edition recap

Last Thursday, the SET team hosted another edition of our Ask SET Anything event series specifically for staff to learn more about Shared Services and the Staff Service Centre ahead of the July 26 launch.

Hiring announcement: Director of Finance Services

We are pleased to announce that Craig Gawryluik has joined Shared Services as Director of Finance Services.

Transforming the External Relations structure

Elan MacDonald, VP External Relations, shares the new External Relations organizational structure.

Shared services launches July 26

Over the past two and a half months, the Shared Services unit has been busy hiring and planning for the phase one launch of its services.

Get to know the new Student Service Centre

The new Student Service Centre, a navigation hub for students—and for staff who support students—will be a one-stop-shop for all enquiries, helping students throughout their university journey.

Shared services inches closer to launch

The team is hard at work in preparation for their launch on July 26, and is hosting an Ask SET Anything on July 15.

Finance stream updates

Hiring and onboarding remain a key focus for the finance stream.

HR stream updates

The HR stream has transitioned all existing HR Service Partners to HRHSE and continues to actively hire and interview for remaining roles.

IT stream update

The IT stream is continuing to move at a rapid pace to eventually transition 20 faculties and units to the new operating model.

Research administration stream update

The research administration stream is focused on finalizing the components of the new service delivery model.

Hiring announcement: Manager Payroll Services

We are pleased to welcome the new Manager Payroll Services, Alphonse Gagnon to the team.

Hiring announcement: Senior Finance Partners

Finance, Procurement and Planning and the SET finance workstream are pleased to announce the appointments of the Senior Finance Partners.

Shared services preparing for launch

Shared services is preparing for the upcoming launch.

External engagement stream update

External Relations has begun discussions on possible structure and organizational design.

HR stream updates

Process redesigns continue as work on onboarding progresses.

IT stream update

IT stream on track to complete several transitions this summer.

Discovery update: Research administration

The research administration workstream has concluded its discovery phase, engaging with functional experts and leaders to gain a better understanding of the current state of research administration processes across the university. Watch as Walter Dixon, executive co-sponsor for the stream and Interim Vice-President, Research and Innovation, presents the stream’s preliminary findings.

Shared services stream updates

Process redesigns for HR and finance processes underway; service launch sequence under development for Shared Services; key roles are being recruited. Read more.

External engagement service catalogue

Discover where services and processes will fall within the new model’s service delivery areas on the External Engagement Service Catalogue, now available on the web page.

Hiring Announcement: Senior HR Service Partners

Human Resources, Health, Safety and Environment (HRHSE) and the SET HR functional workstream are pleased to announce the appointment of the Senior HR Service Partners (Sr. HRSPs).

HR stream update

A 30-60-90 day plan has been developed for Senior HR Service Partners and a training plan is being created for HR Service Partners. In addition, redesign workshops for processes related to job evaluation, recruitment, and timesheets have begun.

Research administration stream updates

The fourth leadership workshop session is being prepared for the end of June. Workbook review and analysis, VPRI process mapping, and delivery framework design continues.

Student services stream updates

The Student Service Centre is working towards a virtual soft launch on July 1 followed by a physical launch on August 15. Visioning activities are currently being planned for key stakeholders with the first of three visioning workshops scheduled for June 8.

Hiring announcement: Student Recruitment Director & Assistant Registrar

We are pleased to announce the appointment of Kelty Heck in the inaugural role of Student Recruitment Director & Assistant Registrar for the Recruitment Centre of Expertise, starting June 1.

Hiring announcement: Associate Vice-President, Marketing

After an intensive search, Sonia Piano will be joining the External Relations team as Associate Vice-President, Marketing on June 2.

Senior HRSP and HRSP update

Senior HR Service Partners (Senior HRSPs) have been confirmed and are currently being onboarded.

A powerful vision for the new Shared Services team

The new Associate Vice-President of Shared Services, Ria Ames, shares what it means to join the new team, what faculty and staff can expect, her take on some of your burning questions, and what’s coming next.

External engagement discovery update

External engagement will now begin analyzing discovery data.

Hiring announcement: Director of Well-being, Culture and Rewards

Melissa Murphy has been appointed in the inaugural role of Director of Well-being, Culture and Rewards, starting May 31.

Hiring announcement: AVP, Human Resources, Health, Safety and Environment

Charleen Schmidt has accepted the role of Chief of Staff, Vice-President University Services and Finance, starting June 7.

IT transition update

IT is now engaged in transition activities with 10 faculties.

Hiring announcement: Chief of Staff, Vice-President, University Services and Finance

Charleen Schmidt has accepted the role of Chief of Staff, Vice-President University Services and Finance, starting June 7.

Hiring announcement: IST Director of Service Excellence

We are pleased to announce that Tim Jenkins has been selected for the role of Director of Service Excellence within IST (starting May 10, 2021).

Clarifying the scope of IT transition

Under the SET program, administrative services—including IT—will transition into a new operating model consisting of Centres of Expertise, Service Partners, a Transaction Processing Hub, and more.

Hiring announcement: Manager, Staff Service Centre

We are pleased to announce that Tawheed Sadiq has accepted the position of Manager, Staff Service Centre in Shared Services.

External engagement workstream working with stakeholders

External engagement has ramped up the discovery process working with faculties and units enterprise-wide.

Recap of Ask SET Anything: Research Administration Edition

Last Friday, the SET team hosted another edition of our Ask SET Anything event series specifically for research administration staff and researchers to raise questions, concerns, and share feedback with regard to administrative restructuring and transitioning.

Student Service Centre update

The student services workstream is prepared to soft launch the Student Service Centre (SSC) in July, having recently hired a director for the SSC.

SET and the Student Experience

SET Executive Lead Rob Munro shared a SET primer with students discussing how the changes of administrative restructuring are structured to improve education and the student experience. Students are encouraged to share their perspective on the student services workstream by completing a survey and/or feedback form.

Process redesign: optimizing for the new model

A large portion of the work that is conducted before transitioning staff and services to the new administrative operating model is known as process redesign.

External engagement workstream update

The external engagement stream web page has been updated with answers to new frequently asked questions.

Research administration service catalogue released

Following collaboration and consultation with subject matter experts and leaders in the faculties and central units, the research administration service catalogue is ready to share publicly.

Hiring announcement: AVP Shared Services

We are pleased to announce that Ria Ames has been hired as the new Associate Vice-President of shared services in the University Services and Finance portfolio.

Prepare phase update

The SET team outlines the processes and milestones for the second phase of the functional review: the prepare phase.

Finance workstream update

As the finance stream continues to work towards transitioning to the new operating model, the Director, Finance Partnerships position has now been filled, and more partner positions are currently accepting applications.

Finance workstream update

As the finance stream wraps up discovery and moves into the prepare phase, the project team is moving forward on identified priorities, and establishing workgroups.

Recap of Ask SET Anything: Shared Services Edition

The SET team hosted another edition of our Ask SET Anything event series specifically for staff to learn more about shared services and how it will fit into the university’s new administrative operating model.

IT Stream: The Transition Phase

With the IT discovery complete and priorities identified, the IT stream is quickly moving into the transition phase.

Launching the shared services web page

To keep you informed about ongoing changes and updates within the Shared Service Centre, a dedicated web page has been created to provide you with regular updates.

Discovery Update: IT & HR Streams

As we continue down the path of transitioning into the new administrative operating model, we want to outline the processes and milestones for the first phase of the functional review: the discovery phase.

Recap of Ask SET Anything: Finance Edition

VP (University Services and Finance) Todd Gilchrist recaps the Ask Set Anything: Finance Edition event from Monday, February 1, 2021.

Recap of Ask SET Anything: HR Edition

A recap of the January 19 event, including the questions asked and answered, further discussion on transitioning and career opportunities, as well as details on the upcoming HR workstream web page.

Launching IT Stream webpage

The SET team has launched a new webpage to keep you informed about ongoing changes within the IT stream of administrative reorganizations.