Research Partnerships Facilitator
About the role
Job Title
Research Partnerships Facilitator
About the University
At the University of Lethbridge, we speak in perspectives.
We are located in the heart of traditional Blackfoot Confederacy territory in southern Alberta with campuses in Lethbridge and Calgary. ULethbridge is more than a place to learn — it’s a place to build a career and make a lasting impact. We are one of Canada’s top universities and leading research institutions with more than 8,000 undergraduate and graduate students. We are an inclusive university that values diverse experiences and backgrounds. Our people are our greatest strength, and we are dedicated to fostering growth and success for all of our people.
Together, we transform lives and communities.
Position Details
The Office of Research and Innovation Services (ORIS) at the University of Lethbridge invites applications for a Research Partnerships Facilitator position with a start date no later than May 1, 2026.
ORIS is a central support to the research community at the University of Lethbridge and this position plays a pivotal role in facilitating and developing strategic partnerships with organizations within the public, private, and not-for-profit sectors.
Reporting to the Director of Research and Innovation Services, the Research Partnerships Facilitator will cultivate strategic partnerships, foster innovation, and provide internal contract and agreement reviews. The successful candidate will work closely with researchers, key campus units, industry stakeholders, and government bodies to facilitate collaborative projects, identify funding opportunities, and support entrepreneurial ventures, thereby maximizing the impact of research outcomes that benefit the university and the broader community. The coordinator is an integral part of the research facilitation team, helping to ensure the continued growth and development of research and scholarly activity at the University of Lethbridge with a focus on external partners.
A strong candidate will bring experience and skills in the following areas:
- Strategic Partnership Development:
- Develop and implement strategies for increasing collaborative research across faculties and attracting new research partners in all disciplines and sectors (public, private, and not-for-profit) – recognizing opportunities to leverage existing collaborations across campus with external partners.
- Serve as a bridge connecting the university with outside partners, including supporting negotiations and overseeing contracts and partnership agreements.
- Foster relationships with key stakeholders and facilitate ongoing communication to ensure alignment of objectives and effective collaboration.
- Funding and Grant Opportunities:
- Identify funding opportunities from government agencies, foundations, and industry partners, and assist researchers in developing successful applications to support their research and commercialization.
- Guide, educate, and support researchers around policies, reporting, and other required compliance activities related to their funded work with partners.
- Monitor and report on funding opportunities, keeping the Office of Research and Innovation Services informed of emerging trends and opportunities.
- Collaboration and Communication:
- Foster collaboration and knowledge exchange among researchers, other units within the university, industry partners, and other stakeholders.
- Organize and facilitate workshops, seminars, and networking events to promote partnership development.
- Connect researchers with resources related to intellectual property development, sponsored research agreements, and commercial activities.
- Track, report, and communicate research partnership activity, outcomes, impacts, and success stories to internal and external stakeholders through various channels.
- Engage, coach, and support researchers by removing barriers and assisting with the development and implementation of knowledge mobilization and knowledge/technology transfer plans, including associated resources and processes.
This is an in-person position on the Lethbridge campus. Flexibility for occasional remote work will be considered. The successful candidate must be willing to relocate to Lethbridge. There is an expectation of occasional travel and working occasional non-standard hours, for instance, to support or attend special events and during grant application submission periods.
The University offers a competitive compensation package with a full range of benefits. Comprehensive information about the institution is available on our website at www.uleth.ca.
Please note a strong internal candidate will be applying for this position.
The University of Lethbridge is undertaking a job classification and compensation review for Administrative Professional Officer (APO) positions. As such, the salary range currently assigned for this position may be adjusted as a result of this project.
Position Qualifications
- Master’s degree in business, science, engineering, or a related field, and three (3) years of experience building collaborative research teams and writing/reviewing grant/contract proposals. The candidate must be familiar with the university’s research environment, policies, and procedures, as well as the Canadian research funding landscape.
- Strong understanding of partnership development strategies, intellectual property management, innovation processes, legal issues, and risk and academic requirements in contract research.
- Excellent interpersonal and communication skills, with demonstrated ability to establish and maintain strong relationships across varied disciplines.
- Proven experience in partnership development and/or project management, with experience managing and coordinating a high volume of diverse activities under tight deadlines.
- Experience in research development and knowledge of funding agencies, government programs, and industry trends related to research and commercialization.
- Strong analytical and problem-solving skills, with the ability to identify and evaluate commercialization opportunities.
- Ability to work independently and in a collaborative team setting.
- Comfort with technology and advanced user knowledge of all common Microsoft Office applications and Adobe software are required.
- Have the desire to grow and advance skills, demonstrated by attending conferences, workshops, and other professional development opportunities.
- Demonstrated knowledge of the Canadian research landscape is an asset.
- The successful candidate will be required to provide a satisfactory Criminal Record Check.
- A valid unrestricted Class 5 Driver’s License with no more than 6 demerits and submission of a motor vehicle record (driver abstract) dated within 3 months of the posting close is required.
Due to the nature of this position, the candidate must possess strong decision-making skills, sound judgement, tact, diplomacy, and the ability to build relationships with diverse stakeholders.
Starting Salary Range (at 1.0 FTE)
$65,153.16 - $81,963.08 annually
Full Salary Range (at 1.0 FTE)
$65,153.16 - $98,772.99 annually (APO - Grade 3)
Campus
Lethbridge
Employment Group
APO
Position Category
Other
About University of Lethbridge
The University of Lethbridge (also known as uLethbridge and U of L) is a publicly funded comprehensive academic and research university, founded in the liberal education tradition, located in Lethbridge, Alberta, Canada, with two other urban campuses in Calgary and Edmonton. The main building sits among the coulees on the west side of the Oldman River.uLethbridge is a member of the Alberta Rural Development Network.
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Research Partnerships Facilitator
About the role
Job Title
Research Partnerships Facilitator
About the University
At the University of Lethbridge, we speak in perspectives.
We are located in the heart of traditional Blackfoot Confederacy territory in southern Alberta with campuses in Lethbridge and Calgary. ULethbridge is more than a place to learn — it’s a place to build a career and make a lasting impact. We are one of Canada’s top universities and leading research institutions with more than 8,000 undergraduate and graduate students. We are an inclusive university that values diverse experiences and backgrounds. Our people are our greatest strength, and we are dedicated to fostering growth and success for all of our people.
Together, we transform lives and communities.
Position Details
The Office of Research and Innovation Services (ORIS) at the University of Lethbridge invites applications for a Research Partnerships Facilitator position with a start date no later than May 1, 2026.
ORIS is a central support to the research community at the University of Lethbridge and this position plays a pivotal role in facilitating and developing strategic partnerships with organizations within the public, private, and not-for-profit sectors.
Reporting to the Director of Research and Innovation Services, the Research Partnerships Facilitator will cultivate strategic partnerships, foster innovation, and provide internal contract and agreement reviews. The successful candidate will work closely with researchers, key campus units, industry stakeholders, and government bodies to facilitate collaborative projects, identify funding opportunities, and support entrepreneurial ventures, thereby maximizing the impact of research outcomes that benefit the university and the broader community. The coordinator is an integral part of the research facilitation team, helping to ensure the continued growth and development of research and scholarly activity at the University of Lethbridge with a focus on external partners.
A strong candidate will bring experience and skills in the following areas:
- Strategic Partnership Development:
- Develop and implement strategies for increasing collaborative research across faculties and attracting new research partners in all disciplines and sectors (public, private, and not-for-profit) – recognizing opportunities to leverage existing collaborations across campus with external partners.
- Serve as a bridge connecting the university with outside partners, including supporting negotiations and overseeing contracts and partnership agreements.
- Foster relationships with key stakeholders and facilitate ongoing communication to ensure alignment of objectives and effective collaboration.
- Funding and Grant Opportunities:
- Identify funding opportunities from government agencies, foundations, and industry partners, and assist researchers in developing successful applications to support their research and commercialization.
- Guide, educate, and support researchers around policies, reporting, and other required compliance activities related to their funded work with partners.
- Monitor and report on funding opportunities, keeping the Office of Research and Innovation Services informed of emerging trends and opportunities.
- Collaboration and Communication:
- Foster collaboration and knowledge exchange among researchers, other units within the university, industry partners, and other stakeholders.
- Organize and facilitate workshops, seminars, and networking events to promote partnership development.
- Connect researchers with resources related to intellectual property development, sponsored research agreements, and commercial activities.
- Track, report, and communicate research partnership activity, outcomes, impacts, and success stories to internal and external stakeholders through various channels.
- Engage, coach, and support researchers by removing barriers and assisting with the development and implementation of knowledge mobilization and knowledge/technology transfer plans, including associated resources and processes.
This is an in-person position on the Lethbridge campus. Flexibility for occasional remote work will be considered. The successful candidate must be willing to relocate to Lethbridge. There is an expectation of occasional travel and working occasional non-standard hours, for instance, to support or attend special events and during grant application submission periods.
The University offers a competitive compensation package with a full range of benefits. Comprehensive information about the institution is available on our website at www.uleth.ca.
Please note a strong internal candidate will be applying for this position.
The University of Lethbridge is undertaking a job classification and compensation review for Administrative Professional Officer (APO) positions. As such, the salary range currently assigned for this position may be adjusted as a result of this project.
Position Qualifications
- Master’s degree in business, science, engineering, or a related field, and three (3) years of experience building collaborative research teams and writing/reviewing grant/contract proposals. The candidate must be familiar with the university’s research environment, policies, and procedures, as well as the Canadian research funding landscape.
- Strong understanding of partnership development strategies, intellectual property management, innovation processes, legal issues, and risk and academic requirements in contract research.
- Excellent interpersonal and communication skills, with demonstrated ability to establish and maintain strong relationships across varied disciplines.
- Proven experience in partnership development and/or project management, with experience managing and coordinating a high volume of diverse activities under tight deadlines.
- Experience in research development and knowledge of funding agencies, government programs, and industry trends related to research and commercialization.
- Strong analytical and problem-solving skills, with the ability to identify and evaluate commercialization opportunities.
- Ability to work independently and in a collaborative team setting.
- Comfort with technology and advanced user knowledge of all common Microsoft Office applications and Adobe software are required.
- Have the desire to grow and advance skills, demonstrated by attending conferences, workshops, and other professional development opportunities.
- Demonstrated knowledge of the Canadian research landscape is an asset.
- The successful candidate will be required to provide a satisfactory Criminal Record Check.
- A valid unrestricted Class 5 Driver’s License with no more than 6 demerits and submission of a motor vehicle record (driver abstract) dated within 3 months of the posting close is required.
Due to the nature of this position, the candidate must possess strong decision-making skills, sound judgement, tact, diplomacy, and the ability to build relationships with diverse stakeholders.
Starting Salary Range (at 1.0 FTE)
$65,153.16 - $81,963.08 annually
Full Salary Range (at 1.0 FTE)
$65,153.16 - $98,772.99 annually (APO - Grade 3)
Campus
Lethbridge
Employment Group
APO
Position Category
Other
About University of Lethbridge
The University of Lethbridge (also known as uLethbridge and U of L) is a publicly funded comprehensive academic and research university, founded in the liberal education tradition, located in Lethbridge, Alberta, Canada, with two other urban campuses in Calgary and Edmonton. The main building sits among the coulees on the west side of the Oldman River.uLethbridge is a member of the Alberta Rural Development Network.