Date Posted: 09/16/2024
Req ID: 39732
Faculty/Division: VP - Research
Department: Institutional Strategic Initiatives
Campus: St. George (Downtown Toronto)
Position Number: 00046498

Description:

About us:

The Vice-President, Research & Innovation (VPRI) portfolio supports the University of Toronto as a top public research university in the world. Our mission is to create the most supportive environment possibleso that our researchers, innovators and learners can do what they do best — advance understanding and apply new knowledge. Our work supports, fosters and promotes the research and innovation culture and activities of our faculty, staff and students, along with our partner hospitals, funding sponsors, and partners in the public and private sector. VPRI provides a full range of services including guidance to faculty, staff and students on funding opportunities, research agreement negotiation, oversight andaccountability services including research accounting, environmental health and safety, innovation and entrepreneurship, partnerships, policies and procedures, and institutional awards and honours.

Your opportunity:

Reporting to the Executive Director, Strategic Initiatives, this role will work across the university’s three campuses to support the development and growth of high-profile, large-scale, interdisciplinary, multi-unit research initiatives.

The Institutional Strategic Initiatives Officer is part of the Institutional Strategic Initiatives (ISI) team, and as part of the VPRI portfolio, works with the Division of University Advancement, the Office of the Vice President International, and relevant Divisions to support the ISI team operations and the development and growth of large multi-stakeholder research initiatives.

This role supports the development and execution of strategic plans for each initiative designed to secure significant amounts of external funding. Working collaboratively across the University and with internal and external partners, the Institutional Strategic Initiatives Officer will support initiatives by identifying opportunities for research funding, supporting the application development process for collaborative funding opportunities, writing and editing drafts, and developing strategies for partnerships.

Your responsibilities will include:

• Developing components of program/project and strategic plans that support collaboration, partnerships, and funding objectives
• Researching and recommending new opportunities for external collaborations and partnerships
• Developing initiatives/project schedules including milestones, critical path, timelines, deliverables and reporting
• Building and strengthening relationships with stakeholders and partners of strategic importance
• Promoting the University’s research capabilities to external partners to enhance research and innovation funding opportunities
• Assessing and determining performance benchmarks and impact metrics
• Conducting detailed data analysis to inform management decision making, and synthesizing findings fromresearch and data analysis in written reports and presentations
• Writing funding applications, proposals and briefings, and drafting internal and external communications

Essential Qualifications:

• Master's Degree or acceptable combination of equivalent experience.
• Minimum six to seven (6-7) years related, progressively responsible experience working directly with stakeholders on initiatives; including experience with writing, editing and coordinating the creation of complex, multi-stakeholder research grant applications in an academic research environment
• Experience in project management including all aspects of project development and execution
• Experience with performance evaluation and benchmarking of initiatives or projects
• Experience monitoring and assessing research impact
• Proven ability to liaise, build and maintain relationships, demonstrated understanding on communicating the value proposition to internal and external stakeholders
• Ability to compile and analyze data, prepare reports and other informational materials
• Proven analytical and problem solving skills and highly attentive to detail
• Familiarity with strategic partnerships and new business opportunities in a research and/or educational setting
• Demonstrated understanding of the research landscape including the research community, the funding agencies that support research and the broader context
• Flexibilityto changing needs; capacity to make project adjustments and alterations promptly and efficiently, ability to handle conflicting and multiple priorities, superior organizational and time management skills
• Ability to bring projects to successful completion; determining resource shortages and reacting to prevent project bottlenecks from occurring, and raising attention to leadership where appropriate
• Exceptional communication (oral and written) skills; excellent interpersonal skills and ability to collaborate on initiatives with a wide variety of contacts both internal and external to the University
• Strong computer skills including proficiency with Microsoft Office

To be successful in this role you will be:

• Communicator
• Diligent
• Diplomatic
• Entrepreneurial
• Resourceful
• Self-directed

Closing Date: 09/25/2024, 11:59PM ET
Employee Group: USW
Appointment Type: Budget - Continuing
Schedule: Full-Time
Pay Scale Group & Hiring Zone:
USW Pay Band 17 -- $107,820. with an annual step progression to a maximum of $137,883. Pay scale and job class assignment is subject to determination pursuant to the Job Evaluation/Pay Equity Maintenance Protocol.
Job Category: Administrative / Managerial
Recruiter: Anita Chooraman

Lived Experience Statement
Candidates who are members of Indigenous, Black, racialized and 2SLGBTQ+ communities, persons with disabilities, and other equity deserving groups are encouraged to apply, and their lived experience shall be taken into consideration as applicable to the posted position.