Senior Research Advisor

About Queen's University

Queen’s University is the Canadian research intensive university with a transformative student learning experience. Here the employment experience is as diverse as it is interesting. We have opportunities in multiple areas of globally recognized research, faculty administration, engineering & construction, athletics & recreation, power generation, corporate shared services, and many more.

We are committed to employment equity and diversity in the workplace and welcome applications from individuals from equity seeking groups such as women, racialized/visible minorities, Indigenous/Aboriginal peoples, persons with a disability, persons who identify in the LGBTQ+ community and others who reflect the diversity of Canadian society.

Come work with us!

Job Summary
Reporting to the Director, Institutional Research Programs, the Senior Research Advisor (the ‘Senior Advisor’) is a key member of the Vice-Principal Research portfolio (‘Portfolio’) and Research Services team, and is responsible for the monitoring and execution of the institution’s portfolio of research funding programs of strategic significance to the research prominence of Queen’s University. The Senior Advisor works closely with Portfolio leadership and brings an informed, forward-thinking, and strategic approach, acting as a subject matter expert for large scale and/or allocation-based funding opportunities. This includes opportunities from the Canada Foundation for Innovation, Tri-agency Institutional Program Secretariat, Ontario Research Fund, and other opportunities as they arise.

The Senior Advisor takes a lead role in coordinating resources to deliver pre- and post-award support for research community stakeholders for the funding programs within their portfolio. The Senior Advisor works collaboratively with managers and directors across the Portfolio, as well as Associate Deans of Research, and units such as Procurement, Research Accounting, Facilities, the Human Rights and Equity Office, and the Provost’s Office, among others, to both deliver a consistent, high quality and customer-centric research experience for applicants and grant holders, and to ensure alignment with agency policies. The incumbent will oversee the work of Research Services personnel, facilitate internal committees, support collaboration among research services stakeholders, and may represent the institution in meetings with external partners.

Job Description
KEY RESPONSIBILITIES:

• Serves as the lead program advisor for a strategic portfolio of large-scale and/or allocation-based research programs, analyzing and interpreting granting agency requirements and guidelines, and providing expert program guidance and oversight across the full research program life cycle.

• In partnership with the Director, leads execution of efficient and effective internal selection processes to enhance competitiveness of limited opportunity institutional-scale external submissions, ensuring alignment with institutional strategic objectives to advance Queen’s research excellence, profile and impact.

• Monitors institutional allocation-based programs (such as CFI JELF, CFI IF, CRC, CERC) and reports to the Director to ensure effective and timely usage as directed by the government.

• In collaboration with senior Research Services leadership, advises, implements and monitors strategies to ensure that Queen’s University’s funding allocations are maximized and recruitments meet institutional equity targets as determined by the Tri-agency Institutional Programs Secretariat, for example, for CRC and CERC programs.

• Leads and guides the development, review and editing of select highly complex and high value research proposals of strategic significance to the institution, involving multiple partners, sectors or collaborators and/or having impact across the institution; including applications to the Canadian Foundation for Innovation, the Canada Research Chairs program, the Canada Excellence Research Chairs program, Canada First Research Excellence Fund, the Ontario Research Fund and other provincial, national and global funding agencies.

• Leads post-award administration of large-scale programs, serving as a liaison between the researchers, administrative offices at Queen’s, and the external funding agency.

• Builds, cultivates and maintains relationships with external funding bodies, sponsors, governments, organizations, and other universities regarding major funding opportunities, policies, and strategies, disseminating information to the University and/or stakeholders as required.

• Establishes and maintains effective communication and coordination with internal and external stakeholders, campus partners, vendors and contractors.

• Build strong working relationships with other administrative units at the University, to advance the planning, execution and success of major research initiatives, by devising strategies to improve the quality of pre- and post-award project management including effective processes and procedures for implementation of sponsor-specific requirements.

• Plans, prioritizes and manages the work of employees or consultants, providing strategic and tactical advice, guidance and coaching. Identifies the need for staff resources, participates on staffing committees, and makes effective recommendations regarding employee selection.

• Assesses staff training and development needs and ensures that employees receive training required to improve and sustain successful performance.

• Collaborates with other staff to resolve issues and challenges that could inhibit delivery of programs and services.

• Accountable for ensuring a positive and productive working environment consistent with the vision and values of the Vice-Principal Research portfolio and the University’s commitment to equity, diversity and inclusion.

• Undertakes other duties including special projects, as assigned.

REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS:

• Graduate degree combined with a minimum of seven to ten years of experience with research grant and report review, project management and/or other management/leadership related work experience.

• Extensive knowledge of the university research environment, research funding administration policies and practices, and external research support programs available to Canadian researchers.

• Demonstrated successful experience in team building and project management, including confidence, tact, discretion and judgment to work effectively with academic researchers, government representatives and senior administrators.

• Knowledge about international research trends in academia, public and private sectors and the relevance of these trends to institutional program priorities and research directions of the University.

• Experience with planning, implementing and leading major projects and their numerous variables (development of timelines and processes, financial and budgetary considerations, quality), working with various stakeholders, and influencing others.

• Extensive knowledge of university structure, policy, and administrative systems.

• Ability to understand research proposals and evaluation methodologies, and interpret, communicate and apply funding agency policies and guidelines.

• Consideration may be given to an equivalent combination of education and experience.

SPECIAL SKILLS:

• High level of organizational, administrative, project facilitation and program management skills with a demonstrated ability to meet deadlines in a collaborative and fast-paced client-oriented environment.

• Ability to lead and motivate others and cultivate high-level performance within a high- functioning team environment to maximize research and scholarship potential of faculty members.

• Sensitivity to the diverse cultures of the different faculties that will be involved in research project initiatives and the ability to respond to their needs.

• Strong analytical and problem-solving skills with an ability to compile, synthesize and interpret relevant information from a wide variety of sources, with an ability to pay exceptional attention to detail.

• Strength in exercising appropriate critical thinking abilities to proactively manage and/or mitigate known risks and identify new issues that could arise. Flexibility, initiative, and resourcefulness to develop creative ideas that provide solutions to a variety of workplace challenges.

• Well-developed and proven investigative and analytical skills to identify and address problems with initiative and horizontal collaboration.

• Interpersonal skills to work collaboratively with a wide variety of stakeholders in a fast-paced and dynamic work environment.

• Exhibits mutual respect and sensitivity to working with diverse stakeholders, and an ability to interpret and respond to their diverse needs.

• Demonstrates an ongoing commitment to learning and self-improvement to enhance the performance of the team.

DECISION MAKING:

• Determines best practices to streamline and increase efficiency, effectiveness, responsiveness and accountability of research processes and practices.

• Lead cross-functional teams in system/process review and the identification of solutions, negotiating agreement among stakeholders and resolving conflict.

• Determine strategies for personnel and faculty training in research development, grant writing, and post-award administration

• Plan, implement, and evaluate administration policies, procedures and practices in meeting university, division, portfolio and unit goals and practices.

• Decide when to escalate decisions, challenges or unresolved issues to the Director and/or other senior leaders.

• Set priorities and oversee the workload of personnel, including determining required training and communications.

• Evaluate, recommend, and offer expert advice on the development and implementation of technological or process related improvements, integrations and initiatives.

• Determine when to advise the Director of a situation that might negatively or positively impact the university and formulate recommendations for mitigation or pursuing an opportunity.

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 hradmin@queensu.ca.

Skills

• Funding Applications

• Grant Administration

• Project Management

• Research

Reference

428845