Date Posted: 08/28/2025
Req ID: 44994
Faculty/Division: VP - Research
Department: Institutional Strategic Initiatives
Campus: St. George (Downtown Toronto)
Position Number: 00056578
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 Manager, Strategic Initiatives will work closely with the Institutional Strategic Initiatives team, the VPRI portfolio, other Offices and relevant Divisions to support the development and growth of large multi-stakeholder research initiatives.The Manager will develop and manage effective and efficient administrative and operational processes and programs and perform quantitative and qualitative research that drive strategic decisions. This role also supports the development and execution of strategic plans for initiatives designed to secure external funding.
Your responsibilities will include:
- Assessing and revising processes that support administrative activities and objectives
- Developing component of program/project that supports collaboration and partnerships including project-specific proposals and briefings
- Developing and maintaining a dashboard for quick access to key performance indicators
- Promoting research initiatives to increase program visibility and reputation
- Planning and implementing workflow for a group
- Settling partnership agreements and contract terms
- Building and strengthening relationships with stakeholders and partners of strategic importance
Essential Qualifications:
- Master's Degree in a Science, Technology, Engineering, Mathematics (STEM) discipline or acceptable combination of equivalent experience.
- Minimum six to seven years (6-7) relevant experience in a research environment including progressive experience working directly with stakeholders on research initiatives; and experience with database management and data analysis.
- Experience in project management including all aspects of project development and execution.
- Experience analyzing and revising administrative processes and procedures and recommending changes for improvement to support administrative and program activities and objectives.
- Experience with large-scale grant development and grant writing with a track-record of success.
- Experience with assessment of research impact including performance evaluation and benchmarking of research initiatives or projects.
- Ability to compile and analyze data, prepare reports and other informational materials.
- Proven ability to liaise, build and maintain relationships, demonstrated understanding on communicating the value proposition to internal and external stakeholders.
- 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.
- Flexibility to changing needs; capacity to make project changes promptly and efficiently, ability to handle conflicting and multiple priorities, superior organizational and time management skills.
- Ability to bring projects to successful completion.
- 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 Excel.
- Experience with data visualization tools such as Tableau.
Assets (Nonessential):
- Understanding of the life-sciences landscape at the University of Toronto and affiliated hospitals.
- Familiarity with life-sciences/medical sector.
To be successful in this role you will be:
- Communicator
- Diligent
- Diplomatic
- Resourceful
- Self-directed
Closing Date: 09/09/2025, 11:59PM ET
Employee Group: USW
Appointment Type: Budget - Continuing
Schedule: Full-Time
Pay Scale Group & Hiring Zone:
USW Pay Band 17 -- $109,761. with an annual step progression to a maximum of $140,365. 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.
