Associate Director, Strategic Research Operations

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Job Summary

Reporting to the Vice Dean, Research in Smith Engineering, the Associate Director of Strategic Research Operations is responsible for supporting a variety of research-related initiatives that are critical to the overall research goals of the Faculty. Acting with delegated authority from the Vice Dean, Research the incumbent will lead key Faculty-wide strategic initiatives designed to improve the research intensity of the Faculty, coordinate high-value multi-partner proposals, and serve as the Faculty lead for research performance analytics, communications, and compliance activities. This role will also provide guidance to researchers on cross-departmental and cross-Faculty partnership opportunities that will promote the multi-disciplinary research mission of the Faculty.
Note: The schedule for this position requires the incumbent to work occasional flexible hours, including evening and weekends, according to program or area needs. Some travel may be required.

Job Description

KEY RESPONSIBILITIES:
• Lead the full implementation cycle for multi-year research strategies: develop project plans, set milestones, maintain risk registers, own resource requests and timelines, and report progress and recommended corrective actions to the Vice Dean. Authority to reprioritize tactical activities to meet Faculty targets within delegated limits.
• Provide expert advice and project management services to faculty members to aid in the submission of successful applications for research funding, including development of internal guidelines, sample applications and web resources, development and delivery of workshops, and provision of editing feedback to faculty regarding quality, content and style.
• Approve allocation of internal proposal support resources (editing, analyst time, externals) for strategic applications within delegated annual limits. Sign off on completeness and non-financial/non-contractual elements of strategic submissions prior to institutional sign-off.
• Design and execute targeted funding campaigns and outreach, set participation and success KPIs, convene ad hoc teams for high-value competitions, and proactively match faculty to multi-institution and industry partnership opportunities.
• Serve as Faculty lead for research performance analytics: build and maintain dashboards, produce quarterly briefings to senior leadership with recommended actions, and use data to inform prioritization of development resources.
• Prepare material relating to Faculty research planning, projects and initiatives, and lead the preparation of strategic briefing notes, policy recommendations, and business cases related to research strategy, resource allocation, and program initiatives.
• Act as lead internal coordinator for large, complex, and multi-institution proposals: convene partners, manage timelines, finalize non-technical content; ensure all applications are completed in accordance with university and agency policies, guidelines, and deadlines.
• Liaise with URS and VPR Office staff, representatives of other institutions and funding agency staff regarding the interpretation of agency/institutional guidelines and policies. As needed, serves as an advocate on behalf of faculty with agency/institutional staff.
• Lead the full design and governance of Faculty awards and assist the Vice Dean, Research in running competitions (eligibility, adjudication processes, committee selection) and provide recommendations for award/chair funding priorities.
• Represent the Vice Dean, Research externally as delegated; proactively cultivate relationships with funders, industry and partner institutions to advance strategic opportunities.
• Strategize with faculty on specific funding opportunities for research initiatives and large, complex, and multi-institutional proposals.
• Lead development and execution of the Faculty research communications and branding strategy (in collaboration with Faculty Communications), including website strategy, social media initiatives, and targeted stakeholder outreach for strategic calls.
• For complex programs, facilitates post-award administration of projects, including finalization of awards, budgets, and agreements and management of submission of annual researcher reports in accordance with internal and funding agency guidelines, policies, and deadlines (in consultation with other institutions when required). Administers post-contract processes and works to resolve post-contract issues, including research revenue protection and enhancement and risk mitigation activities.
• Serve as Faculty point-person for external audits and major funder reporting (e.g., Tri-Council), coordinating responses and ensuring compliance timelines are met.
• Develop and lead an Early Career Researcher (ECR) program: orientation, grant-readiness workshops, mentorship pairing, and targeted funding preparation.
• Connect researchers with other relevant activities on campus such as outreach, data management,
• Ensure EDI principles are integrated into proposal support, awards adjudication, and Faculty research activities.
• Provides work direction to other staff; providing strategic and tactical advice, support, guidance and coaching. Identifies the need for staff resources, participates on staffing committees, and makes effective recommendations regarding employee selection.
• Maintain and curate a portfolio-level tracking system for active proposals and awards; flag financial or reputational risks and recommend mitigation or prioritization actions.
• Other activities and special projects as requested by the Vice Dean, Research

REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS:
• Bachelor or Master’s Degree in related educational field. Master’s degree preferred (in public policy, research administration, science/engineering, business administration, or related field).
• Outstanding oral and written communication skills, including expertise in proposal development and effective internal communications.
• Minimum 6 years of progressively responsible experience in research development or university research administration..
• Ability to partner with diverse principal investigators who work in a wide variety of disciplines.
• Demonstrated capacity to manage competing priorities while consistently delivering results in a timely manner.
• Knowledge of university and research-facility administrative practices for safety, confidentiality, financial accountability and research integrity. Familiarity with academic workflows and the nature of demands placed on faculty, graduate students, research assistants and fellows engaged in research.
• Strong personal initiative, creativity, service-orientation, and willingness to perform tasks that range from strategic to detail-oriented.
• Experience with analytics/dashboard tools (Power BI/Tableau) is desirable.
• Experience with Tri-Council and other federal/provincial funders’ reporting and audit processes is desirable.

SPECIAL SKILLS:
• Ability to interact with a diverse group of individuals, in a professional manner, using tact, discretion and good judgement.
• Excellent time management and organizational skills, with the ability to juggle conflicting priorities from many different sources while working within tight timeframes and a demanding workload.
• Advanced analytical, interpretive and problem-solving skills to support ongoing programs and to assist with the development of strategic objectives. Ability to research and synthesize information from a wide variety of sources. Ability to conceptualize creative plans and workable solutions.
• Demonstrate commitment to progressing diversity and inclusion goals in research and related activities, contribute to a work environment that promotes collaboration and engagement.
• Strong research skills are preferred and an ability to articulate complex research findings to make them accessible to the general public while maintaining accuracy and integrity of research.
• Ability to work with software and run a wide range of queries with corresponding ability to interpret the results. Ability to adapt to new technologies.
• Demonstrate keen business judgement, and ability to handle sensitive issues in a professional manner.
• Ability to work both independently and as part of a team; possesses a stakeholder focused attitude.
• Well-organized, with ability to manage multiple demands, meet deadlines, and think and act strategically, creatively and dynamically.
• Skills to monitor and analyze research funding landscape and remain knowledgeable of major trends.
• Possesses awareness of the impact/implications of privacy and ethics issues and regulations on the day-to-day and long-term operations of the Smith Engineering Faculty.
• Proven ability to represent senior leadership with external partners, negotiate multi-party timelines and deliverables, and make decisions under ambiguity.
• Experience developing communications strategies and managing research-related web/social media content in partnership with communications teams.

DECISION MAKING:
• Determine multi-year plans and strategies to meet research intensity objectives for the Faculty.
• Determine tactical prioritization of initiatives; authority to reallocate internal research development resources and team workload within delegated limits.
• Identify and engage prospective partners and networks who can contribute to the innovative and new research opportunities for the Faculty.
• Analyze data, interpret research trends and prepare reports in relation to research opportunities for consideration by senior management.
• Monitor and mitigates risks in ongoing innovation projects and funding development projects.
• Decide when to call on other Faculty or University staff members to utilize their expertise.
• Identify resource requirements to optimize project delivery in a fixed resource environment.
• Exercise strong business judgement and adheres to confidentiality agreements; understands when to escalate issues to Vice Dean, Research

Employment Equity and Accessibility Statement

The University invites applications from all qualified individuals. Queen's is strongly committed to employment equity, diversity, and inclusion in the workplace and encourages applications from Black, racialized persons, Indigenous people, women, persons with disabilities, and 2SLGBTQI+ persons. In accordance with Canadian Immigration requirements, priority will be given to those who are legally eligible to work in Canada.

The University provides support in its recruitment processes to all applicants who require accommodation due to a protected ground under the Ontario Human Rights Code, including those with disabilities. Candidates requiring accommodation during the recruitment process are asked to contact Human Resources at [email protected].