Description
The Department of Family Medicine in the Cumming School of Medicine invites applications for a Manager, Research. This Full-time Fixed Term position is for approximately 1 year (based on length of grant funding), with the possibility of extension.
This position reports to the Director, Research & Scholarships.
The Department of Family Medicine (DFM) is an academic department that fosters education, clinical services and research programs. Research and scholarship at DFM aims to respond to the evolving needs of communities and our profession. Our members lead diverse research programs that focus on community-partnered research, advancing health equity, and improving access to high quality health services. Our clinics serve as venues for developing, testing, and implementing innovations in practice and medical education. Strong partnerships with policymakers, healthcare providers, and the community are instrumental in driving improvements in care delivery tailored to meet community needs.
Under the general direction of the Director, Research & Scholarship, the incumbent is responsible for providing strategic input, leadership and operational management that supports and strengthens the DFM research program, and the SAPCReN and TARRANT networks. Duties include: developing and implementing strategies to improve the overall administration of the Research Program; overseeing the development and management of the operating and research budgets; ensuring that business and administrative practices are consistent with University policies and procedures; and leading initiatives aligned with the DFM Strategic Plan.
Summary of Key Responsibilities (job functions include but are not limited to):
Leadership:
- Works with faculty leadership to develop and implement short- and long-term initiatives designed to improve the overall research, financial and human resources administration of the DFM Research Program and Networks
- Develops plans and work processes for department projects based on understanding of project requirements and timelines
- Manages a diverse group of research staff; ensures work tasks are completed on schedule and standards and policies are followed
- Defines roles and responsibilities of staff, based on understanding of individual skills and project requirements
- Implements changes to the organizational structure, including organizational change, hiring, layoff, demotions, creating and eliminating positions
- Assigns tasks to staff based on understanding of needs and availability of resources
- Guides research staff by providing the necessary direction and training to complete department/project work, based on knowledge of department procedures and specialized expertise
- Effectively leads staff through changes in plans, approach, or scope, allocates resources in a manner that maximizes the productivity of the team
- Recommends training courses, seminars and conferences for staff to update and enhance their skills and knowledge
- Resolves technical problems and staff-related issues that arise during department/project work on a timely basis
- Hires staff based on assessment of candidates and understanding of department's needs
- Disciplines employees where necessary and appropriate
- Evaluates employee performance based on assessment of individual's work and achievement of performance goals
- Determines appropriate salary adjustments for employees based on performance and organization salary structure
- Mediates conflict between staff members supervised; resolves low impact concerns and ad-hoc issues within their own team
- Consults with HR when dealing with serious issues that affect employment relationships
- Instructs others in the use of project management tools
- Recognized as having advanced technical skills and expert understanding of concepts, theories and principles related to project management and administration of research projects
- Serves as co-Chair of the Research & Scholarship Committee, the executive committee for research decisions, and oversees committee activities
- Leads the Research Ask & Advise Team, the group that responds to service requests to the DFM research program and research networks
- Manages complex departmental issues and challenging interpersonal interactions
- Represents the DFM research program to internal and external stakeholders
- Establishes and maintains partnerships (U of C, AHS, U of A, Locally, Government, Governing Bodies, Fundraising, Industry, National, International) to progress the DFM Research strategy and goals
- Oversees operations of DFM research networks, identifying opportunities for synergies and resource sharing
Judgment and Decision Making:
- Provides advice and makes recommendations to the Director, Research & Scholarship on emerging issues and new priorities. Develops and implements processes and systems to increase efficiency, minimize duplication and optimize the use of resources
- Plans strategically for, and defines the organizational structure of, the research program including the kinds of equipment used, the methods and techniques of work, work assignments, duties and responsibilities of positions and the classifications and qualifications of positions
- Balances the distinct interests of diverse groups of stakeholders and manages expectations and demands within available resources
- Consults with researchers to identify resources that will assist them in achieving their research goals
- Allocates funding and research personnel to faculty and external community stakeholders, within resource constraints and per DFM policy
- Establishes and oversees system for monitoring of DFM Research activities and metrics, including grant funding, publications, presentations and other knowledge translation activities, and other indicators of impact
- Makes decisions that frequently require developing new options to solve highly complex problems, often in ambiguous situations
- Proactively anticipates problems and develops preventative solutions
- Adapts plans and priorities to meet service and operational challenges
- Develops policies and procedures pertinent to the DFM research program
- Evaluates financial priorities and works with the Business Manager, the Director ‿ Research & Scholarship, and network directors to develop annual budgets to support staff salaries and operational expenses
- Works with Business Manager and project staff to develop grant budgets and business cases for funding agencies and potential donors
Communication and Scientific Contribution:
- Effectively communicates and interacts with personnel at all levels ranging from administrative staff to faculty and university leaders
- Explains difficult and complex concepts, anticipates potential objections, and influences others to adopt a different point of view, when appropriate
- Establishes communications plans and status reports, facilitating effective communication internally within the DFM Research team and the department, as well as externally, across U of C, and with U of A, clinical partners, governing bodies, and collaborators
- Oversees the maintenance of an up-to-date database containing contact information, ongoing research projects, research interests and expertise, and staffing across DFM and Network members
- Produces annual reports for the DFM research program
- Provides oversight and leadership to the proper coordination and successful implementation of workshops and events targeted at the research community
Builds strong relationships with senior leaders, faculty, staff and community stakeholders - Establishes and maintains relationships with other University entities, including other researchers and their teams, academic departments and administrative departments (i.e. other Directors, project sponsors and Managers, clinicians, project teams, physician stakeholders, legal, ethics, purchasing, business development, fundraising, researchers, Deans from numerous faculties)
- Facilitates interdepartmental and internal communications to ensure team members understand project objectives, specifications, deadlines and deliverables
- Develops proposals, presentations and strategic communications, and coordinates supporting activities as required to advance the development of priority projects and partnerships
- Participates in creating and co-authoring internal and external reports
Qualifications / Requirements:
- 5-7 years related experience and a Graduate degree in a related discipline are required; a combination of education, training, and experience will be considered
- Experience supervising, mentoring and coaching
- Ability to share knowledge and transfer own skills to the research team
- Strong leadership and team building skills
- Strong decision-making and planning skills, focused on executing and completing tasks under pressure and managing conflicting priorities and deadlines
- Thorough knowledge of ethical aspects of research, data security and privacy and good understanding of research methods
- Ability to develop and manage a budget
- Expertise in implementing strategic plans
- Excellent management and leadership skills
- Ability to solve complex problems
- Excellent analytical and evidence-based decision-making skills
- Project management experience including project definition and planning, risk assessment, budgeting, project control and execution
- PMP Designation or working towards designation an asset
- Ability to promote departmental initiatives and programs
- Ability to write clearly and concisely
- High level of initiative, tact and diplomacy
- Strong ability to quickly grasp complex processes and procedures and develop a comprehensive understanding of research administration policies and practices in a University environment
- Excellent interpersonal skills with the ability to interact with senior administrative staff in multiple health care areas to foster collaborative research activities
- Proven ability to develop local and external collaborations
- Knowledge of research funding landscape (including commercialization of research) in Canada a strong asset
Application Deadline: April 9, 2025
We would like to thank all applicants in advance for submitting their resumes. Please note, only those candidates chosen to continue on through the selection process will be contacted.
This position is classified in the Management Career Band, Level 2 of the Management and Professional Staff Career Framework.
For a listing of all management and staff opportunities at the University of Calgary, view our Management and Staff Careers website.
About the University of Calgary
UCalgary is Canada's entrepreneurial university, located in Canada's most enterprising city. It is a top research university and one of the highest-ranked universities of its age. Founded in 1966, its 36,000 students experience an innovative learning environment, made rich by research, hands-on experiences and entrepreneurial thinking. It is Canada's leader in the creation of start-ups. Start something today at the University of Calgary. For more information, visit ucalgary.ca.
The University of Calgary has launched an institution-wide Indigenous Strategy committing to creating a rich, vibrant, and culturally competent campus that welcomes and supports Indigenous Peoples, encourages Indigenous community partnerships, is inclusive of Indigenous perspectives in all that we do.
As an equitable and inclusive employer, the University of Calgary recognizes that a diverse staff/faculty benefits and enriches the work, learning and research experiences of the entire campus and greater community. We are committed to removing barriers that have been historically encountered by some people in our society. We strive to recruit individuals who will further enhance our diversity and will support their academic and professional success while they are here. In particular, we encourage members of the designated groups (women, Indigenous peoples, persons with disabilities, members of visible/racialized minorities, and diverse sexual orientation and gender identities) to apply. To ensure a fair and equitable assessment, we offer accommodation at any stage during the recruitment process to applicants with disabilities. Questions regarding [diversity] EDI at UCalgary can be sent to the Office of Institutional Commitments(equity@ucalgary.ca) and requests for accommodations can be sent to Human Resources (hrhire@ucalgary.ca).
Do you have most but not all the qualifications? Research show that women, racialized and visible minorities, and persons with disabilities are less likely to apply for jobs unless they meet every single qualification. At UCalgary we are committed to achieving equitable, diverse, inclusive and accessible employment practices and workplaces and encourage you to apply if you believe you are right for this role.
We encourage all qualified applicants to apply, however preference will be given to Canadian citizens and permanent residents of Canada.
