The Research Services Office under the VP Research is currently seeking a Full-time Regular Director, Institutional Programs Division.

Reporting to the Senior Director, Research Services, the Director, Institutional Programs, oversees the entire operations of the Institutional Programs Division including managing a team responsible for administering institutional research awards.

The Director, Institutional Programs directs the IPD team to design and execute end-to-end support services for priority strategic research initiatives. In consultation with the Vice-President (Research) and Associate Vice-President (Research), the incumbent manages internal processes for selection of applications and proposal development for strategic funding pools, as well as award finalization, financial compliance and reporting. This role is responsible for recommending and implementing changes to processes and procedures to ensure evolving funding agency requirements and guidelines are addressed and regulations are met.

This position is the first point of contact for key stakeholders including granting agencies, government liaisons, researchers, and senior institutional administrators. The work involves providing expert advice to senior leadership on a variety of high risk, complex business issues and depends on diplomacy, foresight and sound judgment.

Summary of Key Responsibilities (job functions include but are not limited to):

• Ensures that the appropriate resources are allocated to all institutional research awards administered by the Institutional Programs Division.
• Supervises and manages a team of MaPS and AUPE staff members and acts in an advisory role to senior counterparts in several other service units. Ensures staff within the portfolio are well trained, competent, supported in their work and encouraged in their professional development.
• Oversees the development of risk identification / mitigation strategies related to funding application development and post-award project setup in order to minimize institutional financial risk.
• Oversees the management of the University of Calgary's internal submission processes for applications to strategic funding pools.
• Provides expert level advice in the development of business cases, operating models, partner engagement strategies, and commercialization structures for developing the institution's strategic research funding applications.
• Oversees the management of complex and high-risk award finalization activities of major infrastructure funding grants (e.g. CFI).
• Oversees the management of complex post-award reporting requirements for institutional research grants.
• Designs/executes strategies to garner the University a high degree of competitiveness in non-traditional funding pools. Responsible for aligning strategic research program support with the University's Research and Innovation Plan.
• Develops and delivers internal policy and processes to address funding agency programs and guidelines. Re-engineers business process and policies to streamline intake processes in support of the same.
• Develops and oversees the execution of strategies to effectively engage external parties (e.g. government, industry, granting agencies) in relation to the cultivation of university research platform success in non-traditional research funding competitions.

Qualifications / Requirements:

• University degree required. MBA or Masters degree in a related discipline an asset.
• Extensive experience in providing direction and leadership to a team of staff.
• In depth knowledge of the Canadian research funding landscape and university business operational structures required.
• Proven track record in managing complex, high risk business projects through to completion.
• Extensive experience in designing and executing strategic planning processes. Project management experience required.
• Background in intellectual property management an asset.
• Able to operate with a high degree of tact and diplomacy when faced with difficult situations.
• Knowledge of national and regional research funding environment and the research culture of universities required.
• Independence, high energy and self-motivation.
• Able to effectively solve complex organizational, administrative and fiscal problems.
• Ability to handle numerous complex projects simultaneously.
• Demonstrated writing skills (business plans, reports, position papers).
• Successful and dedicated leader and team player, contributing to the collective effort of the RSO office.

Application Deadline: November 12, 2025

We would like to thank all applicants in advance for submitting their resumes. Please note, only those candidates chosen to continue on through the selection process will be contacted.

This position is classified in theManagement Career Band, Level 3 of the Management and Professional Staff Career Framework.

For a listing of all management and staff opportunities at the University of Calgary, view our Management and Staff Careers website.

About the University of Calgary

UCalgary is Canada's entrepreneurial university, located in Canada's most enterprising city. It is a top research university and one of the highest-ranked universities of its age. Founded in 1966, its 36,000 students experience an innovative learning environment, made rich by research, hands-on experiences and entrepreneurial thinking. It is Canada's leader in the creation of start-ups. Start something today at the University of Calgary. For more information, visit ucalgary.ca.

The University of Calgary has launched an institution-wide Indigenous Strategy committing to creating a rich, vibrant, and culturally competent campus that welcomes and supports Indigenous Peoples, encourages Indigenous community partnerships, is inclusive of Indigenous perspectives in all that we do.

As an equitable and inclusive employer, the University of Calgary recognizes that a diverse staff/faculty benefits and enriches the work, learning and research experiences of the entire campus and greater community. We are committed to removing barriers that have been historically encountered by some people in our society. We strive to recruit individuals who will further enhance our diversity and will support their academic and professional success while they are here. In particular, we encourage members of the designated groups (women, Indigenous peoples, persons with disabilities, members of visible/racialized minorities, and diverse sexual orientation and gender identities) to apply. To ensure a fair and equitable assessment, we offer accommodation at any stage during the recruitment process to applicants with disabilities. Questions regarding [diversity] EDI at UCalgary can be sent to the Office of Institutional Commitments (equity@ucalgary.ca ) and requests for accommodations can be sent to Human Resources (hrhire@ucalgary.ca ).

_Do you have most but not all the qualifications? Research show that women, racialized and visible minorities, and persons with disabilities are less likely to apply for jobs unless they meet every single qualification. At UCalgary we are committed to achieving equitable, diverse, inclusive and accessible employment practices and workplaces and encourage you to apply if you believe you are right for this role. _

We encourage all qualified applicants to apply, however preference will be given to Canadian citizens and permanent residents of Canada.