Enhancing the Prevention of Injury & Disability at Work

Thunder Bay

Full-time

Permanent

##Overview

Lakehead University, Thunder Bay Campus, invites applications for a Full-time Operations Manager at the EPID@Work Research Institute. The Operations Manager serves as the operational and administrative backbone of the EPID@Work Research Institute, ensuring research projects and institute activities are effectively resourced, coordinated, and delivered in alignment with funder and university requirements. Reporting directly to the Director, the Operations Manager provides leadership across four key domains: project operations and management, human resources management, financial oversight, and strategic planning and reporting.

Working within a dynamic, multi-disciplinary environment, the incumbent applies advanced knowledge, sound judgment, and strong organizational skills to manage complex projects, support research teams, and contribute to strategic planning and reporting activities.

##Responsibilities

Project Operations & Management

• Coordinate the administration, implementation, and reporting of research projects and institute activities.
• Support the submission and renewal of Research Ethics Board (REB) applications, including preparing documentation, coordinating amendments, and maintaining compliance records.
• Serve as backup to the Administrative Assistant for organizing meetings, events, and site visits, and managing the Director’s calendar during periods of absence; coordinate cross-departmental activities as needed.
• Liaise with Lakehead University departments, including Human Resources, Finance, Maintenance, and the Office of Research.
• Serve as a back-up for project-related tasks and coordination of research activities as needed.

Human Resources Management

• Lead the full recruitment cycle for research staff and student positions, including creating and posting job descriptions and advertisements, screening candidates, coordinating interviews, reference checks, and onboarding.
• Support the Director in supervising and training research support staff and part-time employees; assist with performance evaluation processes and provide input on staff performance in accordance with university policies.
• Process internal human resource requests including contracts, extensions, and staff transitions.
• Review and verify part-time employee timecards for accuracy and compliance with applicable policies.
• Develop and maintain office policies and procedures to support a productive and compliant work environment.

Financial Oversight

• Oversee financial tracking and reporting across multiple funding sources, ensuring compliance with university and funder guidelines.
• Assist with the application and ongoing management of institutional credit cards (P-cards), including reconciling P-card expenses against financial reports and ensuring compliance with university policies.
• Prepare and submit all cheque requisitions for institute-related expenditures, including research and operational costs.
• Review and verify financial reports, invoices, and procurement documentation.
• Maintain accurate records of budget expenditures and flag discrepancies for the Director’s review.

Strategic Planning & Reporting

• Lead the preparation of a broad range of internal and external reports, including annual reports, operational plans, activity plans, impact reports, and accomplishment reports required for funder accountability and university compliance.
• Oversee the annual updating of research project specifications and milestone tracking.
• Coordinate the collection and reporting of research output data such as grant applications, publications, and presentations for internal management and external accountability.
• Provide strategic planning support to the Director, contributing to the development and execution of institute-level initiatives.

Generic Duties

• Plan, coordinate, and oversee multiple research projects and operational activities, ensuring timelines, deliverables, and compliance requirements are met.
• Provide leadership and supervision to research staff and support personnel, including assigning work, monitoring progress, and supporting performance management processes.
• Apply advanced knowledge and judgment to analyze operational challenges, recommend solutions, and improve processes related to research administration and project delivery.
• Coordinate workflows across internal departments and external stakeholders, acting as a liaison to support collaboration and effective communication.
• Contribute to the development of reports, plans, and research documentation, ensuring accuracy, quality, and alignment with institutional and funder expectations.
• Support strategic planning and operational decision-making by tracking project outcomes, identifying risks, and recommending improvements to processes and systems.

##Qualifications

• A college diploma or university degree in Business Administration, Operations Management, or a related field; a Bachelor’s or Master’s degree is considered a strong asset.
• A minimum of 5 years of demonstrated experience in an operations, management, coordinator, or senior administrative role within a fast-paced, multi-project environment; experience in a university or research setting is considered a strong asset.
• Proven ability to manage human resources functions including recruitment, onboarding, supervision, performance evaluation, and HR processing.
• Experience with financial reporting, budget tracking, and expense reconciliation across multiple funding sources.
• Familiarity with Research Ethics Board (REB) processes and research compliance requirements is a strong asset.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills with demonstrated experience preparing formal reports, plans, and correspondence.
• Strong organizational, analytical, and problem-solving skills; ability to manage competing priorities and meet deadlines independently.
• High proficiency with Microsoft Office Suite (Word, Excel, Outlook, Teams), Adobe, Google Workspace, and video-conferencing platforms (Zoom).
• Experience with Concur travel and expense systems is an asset; a valid G-class driver’s license is an asset.
• A high degree of professionalism and discretion is required; the Operations Manager handles sensitive and confidential information, including personnel records, financial data, research ethics materials, and organizational matters, and must maintain strict confidentiality at all times.
• Demonstrated commitment to equity, diversity, and inclusion principles.
• Experience working with students or in an academic environment is an asset.

Lakehead University is committed to creating a diverse and inclusive environment and welcomes applications from all qualified individuals including women, racialized persons, Indigenous people, persons with disabilities, and other equity-seeking groups. All qualified candidates are encouraged to apply; however, Canadian citizens and permanent residents will be given priority. This is in accordance with Canadian immigration requirements.

Lakehead University has a goal to recruit and retain a diverse workforce as measured by increasing representation of underrepresented groups among applicants, candidates, and hires. Experience working with Indigenous or racialized communities, and/or members of other equity-deserving groups, is a strong asset. A lived experience or worked experience of any of these issues is preferred.

**We appreciate your interest; Lakehead University is committed to supporting an accessible environment.**Applicants requiring accommodation during the interview process should contact the Office of Human Resources at (807) 343-8010 ext. 8334 or human.resources@lakeheadu.ca to make appropriate arrangements.

Benefits Information

Why Lakehead University?

Application Deadline:

Monday, April 6, 2026 - 11:59pm

Salary:

$74,310.60 - $81,772.60 (RFP 8)

Reference Number:

GEN-26-15

Application Deadline:

Monday, April 6, 2026 - 11:59pm

Salary:

$74,310.60 - $81,772.60 (RFP 8)

Yes, eligible for benefits

Reference Number:

GEN-26-15