Institutional Strategic Initiatives Officer

Date Posted: 07/12/2021
Req ID: 4842
Faculty/Division: VP - Research
Department: Institutional Strategic Initiatives
Campus: St. George (Downtown Toronto)

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 possible so 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 and accountability services including research accounting, environmental health and safety, innovation and entrepreneurship, partnerships, policies and procedures, and institutional awards and honours.

Your opportunity:

Working under the leadership of the Associate Vice-president and Vice-Provost, Strategic Initiatives and reporting to the Executive Director, Strategic Initiatives Development, 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 Officer will work closely with the Institutional Strategic Initiatives team, the VPRI portfolio, the Division of University Advancement, the Office of the Vice President International, and relevant Divisions, as well as external stakeholders, to support the development and execution of strategic plans for each initiative.

The Officer will also perform quantitative and qualitative research that will drive strategic decisions and support the growth of large multi-stakeholder research initiatives through external funding. Additionally, the Officer will develop and report on appropriate benchmarks and metrics to assess impact and success of initiatives.

Your responsibilities will include:

• Developing components of programs or projects and strategic plans that support collaboration, partnerships, and funding objectives; including writing proposals, conducting consultations and organizing workshops, & related duties
• Developing and tracking initiatives/project plans including milestones, timelines, deliverables and reporting
• Developing performance benchmarks and impact metrics, including developing and maintaining a dashboard for quick access to key performance indicators
• Researching and recommending new opportunities for external collaborations and partnerships; researching relevant sectors, competitors, institutions and initiatives
• Conducting detailed data analyses, synthesizing findings from research and data analysis in written reports and presentations
• Promoting the University’s research capabilities and building relationships with stakeholders and partners of strategic importance

Essential Qualifications:

• Master's Degree in social sciences, humanities, STEM or business administration, or acceptable combination of equivalent experience
• Six to seven years (6-7) relevant experience in a research environment including progressively responsible experience working directly with stakeholders on research initiatives; and with quantitative and qualitative performance evaluation and benchmarking of initiatives or projects e.g. through research impact assessment, network analysis and bibliometric/citation analysis
• Experience with project management including all aspects of project development and execution
• Experience synthesizing findings in written reports, presentations and other informational materials
• Experience researching and analyzing market data including performing market research, competitive landscape analysis and environmental scans
• Experience with grant development and grant writing with a track-record of success
• 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 large data sets
• Proven analytical and problem solving skills and highly attentive to detail
• Familiarity with strategic partnerships in a research and/or educational setting
• Demonstrated understanding of the research community, the funding agencies that support research and the broader context
• Flexibility to changing needs; capacity to make adjustments and alterations promptly and efficiently, ability to handle conflicting and multiple priorities, superior organizational and time management skills
• Demontrated 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 Office

Assets (Nonessential):

• Demonstrated experience in bibliometric data sources with citation tracking capabilities (e.g. Web of Science), basic and derivative metrics (e.g. publication counts, journal or discipline normalized metrics), and bibliometrics software (e.g. InCites)
• Prior application of Python or similar programming/coding languages

To be successful in this role you will be:

• Adaptable
• Communicator
• Diplomatic
• Possess a positive attitude
• Resourceful
• Self-directed

Closing Date: 08/15/2021, 11:59PM ET
Employee Group: USW
Appointment Type: Budget - Continuing
Schedule: Full-Time
Pay Scale Group & Hiring Zone:
USW Pay Band 17 -- $95,067 with an annual step progression to a maximum of $121,573. Pay scale and job class assignment is subject to determination pursuant to the Job Evaluation/Pay Equity Maintenance Protocol.
Job Category: Research Administration & Teaching
Recruiter: Anita Chooraman

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All qualified candidates are encouraged to apply; however, Canadians and permanent residents will be given priority.

Diversity Statement
The University of Toronto is strongly committed to diversity within its community and especially welcomes applications from racialized persons / persons of colour, women, Indigenous / Aboriginal People of North America, persons with disabilities, LGBTQ2S+ persons, and others who may contribute to the further diversification of ideas.

As part of your application, you will be asked to complete a brief Diversity Survey. This survey is voluntary. Any information directly related to you is confidential and cannot be accessed by search committees or human resources staff. Results will be aggregated for institutional planning purposes. For more information, please see http://uoft.me/UP.

Accessibility Statement
The University strives to be an equitable and inclusive community, and proactively seeks to increase diversity among its community members. Our values regarding equity and diversity are linked with our unwavering commitment to excellence in the pursuit of our academic mission.

The University is committed to the principles of the Accessibility for Ontarians with Disabilities Act (AODA). As such, we strive to make our recruitment, assessment and selection processes as accessible as possible and provide accommodations as required for applicants with disabilities.

If you require any accommodations at any point during the application and hiring process, please contact uoft.careers@utoronto.ca.
All qualified candidates are encouraged to apply; however, Canadians and permanent residents will be given priority.

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