Executive Director, Research Safety & Compliance

Date Posted: 01/20/2022
Req ID: 22206
Faculty/Division: VP - Research
Department: Environmental Health & Safety
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.

Description:

Reporting to the Associate Vice-President, Research Oversight and Compliance, the Executive Director, Research Safety and Compliance plays a strategic role and provides leadership, guidance, and direction to the Research Safety and Compliance unit, Office of Environmental Health and Safety at the University of Toronto. This unit includes oversight of radiation (radionuclides, lasers, X-ray, non-coherent light, electro-magnetic fields), chemicals, biosafety and biosecurity (human and animal pathogens and toxins, plant pests and plant pathogens, invasive species, genetically modified organisms), cannabis research, import and export of controlled goods, and environmental compliance to air emission from laboratories.

The Executive Director is responsible for providing strategic leadership and advice; maintaining expert knowledge of health and safety issues, compliance to the regulatory framework, and best practices in the various field of expertise; developing environmental health and safety policies, programs and/or procedures for the University; identifying environmental health and safety risks and issues at the University; ensuring the University is in compliance with relevant municipal, provincial and federal legislation; managing staff and developing the department budget. The Executive Director, Research Safety and Compliance has overall responsibility for fostering a strong sense of ownership for research safety and compliance at the University and develops solid risk assessment processes to ensure that resources are placed where most needed and that priorities are addressed and the strategic leadership for federal research licenses related to radiation, biological safety and biosecurity, and cannabis research. This position provides strategic support to the University’s crisis management team on issues as they relate to Environmental Health & Safety in research settings.

Essential Qualifications:

(MINIMUM)

EDUCATION:

Master’s degree in Occupational Health, Medical Sciences, Natural Sciences, or a related discipline preferred or the equivalent experience.

EXPERIENCE:

Fifteen (15) years’ relevant, specialized experience progressing to a senior management level in environmental health. Experience in a similarly complex large research-intensive organization; University environment strongly preferred. Prior experience managing complex health & safety matters including biohazards, radiation safety, chemical safety, nanomaterials, or equivalent. Prior experience working in a unionized workplace environment and managing staff. Experience developing and monitoring department and project budgets. Understanding of and experience with providing oversight to radiation and biosafety programs strongly preferred.

SKILLS:

Exceptional interpersonal skills and ability to collaborate and maintain relationships with numerous internal and external stakeholders. Demonstrated risk management approach. Advanced oral and written communication skills and highly developed strategic and conceptual skills. Ability to manage a complex and varied operation in a high-demand environment, meeting the highest standards in quality and productivity. Ability to sustain a professional demeanor in all aspects of the role, even when working under the pressure of multiple, complex demands. Strong staff management and leadership skills and demonstrated financial skills. Effective problem-solving skills to navigate multi-variate matters with a high degree of professionalism, creativity, flexibility, proactivity and planning, solution focused approach with strong ability to advise others including senior leadership.

ASSETS:

Knowledge of occupational health and/or industrial hygiene strongly preferred. Broad and detailed knowledge of university structures & operations. Knowledge of academic research administration.

OTHER:

Computer experience with understanding of operational databases. Ability to operate specialized industrial and monitoring equipment.

HOURS OF WORK

Full-time schedule (36.25 hours) on weekdays during University business hours of 8:45 am to 5:00 pm, with additional hours requirement to be meet operational needs including weekends and evenings. Will require incumbent to respond to and/or attend onto campus(es) to handle emergencies and operational needs, travel between campuses.

Closing Date: 02/13/2022, 11:59PM ET
Employee Group: Salaried
Appointment Type: Budget - Continuing
Schedule: Full-Time
Pay Scale Group & Hiring Zone:
PM 8 -- Hiring Zone: $144,647 - $168,756 -- Broadband Salary Range: $144,647 - $241,079 (Open)
Job Category: Administrative / Managerial
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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