Manager, Operations and Administration

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Job Summary
The Centre for Radiation Impact on Materials is seeking a strategic, collaborative Manager, Operations & Administration to play a key leadership role in the launch and ongoing success of the newly established Centre. As a foundational member of our team, you will support the Tier 1 Research Centre dedicated to advancing knowledge on how existing and emerging materials perform under the harsh conditions found in current and next-generation nuclear reactor environments. To learn more about this Centre please visit: Centre for Radiation Impact on Materials.

Reporting to the Science Director, the Manager, Operations & Administration (Manager) is responsible for

providing senior level administrative and operational support to develop, manage, and execute strategic planning, partnership development, operational management, financial oversight, and fostering a collaborative and inclusive environment in the newly established Centre for Radiation Impact on Materials (CRIM).

This position manages all logistical aspects of the Centre facilitating research development, promotion, and initiatives within the Centre through coordinated project management, appropriate communication flow of ideas, information and knowledge, and active cultivation of diverse and decentralized research stakeholder relationships. The Manager supports Centre leadership in short and long-term strategic, operational, and budget planning as a trusted advisor on mitigating risk, issues, trends, concerns and opportunities.

The Manager serves as a central point of contact, resource and liaison between the Centre and other academic and administrative units of the University, research affiliates, government agencies, and external partner academic and research institutions.

Committed to equity, diversity and inclusion, this position works closely with Centre’s members that advances the Centre’s mandate, and ensures alignment with the Centre’s strategic direction, priorities, and operational objectives.

The incumbent analyzes, modifies and implements changes in procedures, policies or standards at the Centre in collaboration with internal and external stakeholders. This position requires effective judgment and results-based initiative with an exceptional level of collaboration and communication to align the needs of researchers to the resources available at the Centre.

Job Description
KEY RESPONSIBILITIES:

Strategic Leadership and Research Administration

• Participate in strategic planning processes with the Scientific Director by advising on long-term research engagement strategies, operational plans, priorities, and opportunities that raise the Centre profile and reputation.

• Work with the Scientific Director to position the Centre and its programs for sustainability, including the envisioning and drafting of new funding proposals.

• Creating annual and long-term plans, organizational goals, and evaluation metrics to ensure the Centre meets its strategic objectives.

• Collaborate with Queen’s University faculty, University Research Services, and the Research Contracts Unit to develop research grant applications and negotiate grant agreements and industry contracts.

• Negotiate, draft, review and monitor external contracts and internal statement of work associated with funding awards and research partnerships.

• Conduct risks assessments of potential research agreements and partnerships and propose and draft contract terms to mitigate risk. Supports and influences the decision-making process through consensus building when conflicting requirements or processes are identified.

• Advise and support faculty related to grant applications, building research programs, and onboarding/managing of HQP.

Operations and Financial Management

• Oversee the day-to-day operations of the Centre, providing leadership and guidance to the administrative, financial and program management of all Centre activities.

• Provides extensive business process expertise to identify tactical and strategic opportunities to improve operational performance and facilitate ongoing improvements of key business processes..

• Develop and monitor budgets and allocation of resources. .

• Oversee and support all agency statistical, operational, and financial reporting.

• Oversee research data storage and management systems compatible with federal and institutional requirements, including the synthesis of relevant data and presenting final reports on progress towards key objectives.

• Assist with development and implementation of standard operating procedures and project workflow. Monitor project timelines in collaboration with project team, evaluates progress on assigned work of project technical team members, appropriate division of responsibilities, and conflict resolution. Recommend necessary modifications and implement all aspects of change.

• Develop and provide supporting materials, implement schedules and agendas and follow-up action plans for Centre committee meetings and events.

Partnership Development & Research Engagement

• Liaise as appropriate with stakeholders including universities and research institutes, and provincial and federal funding agencies and foundations.

• Establish new partnerships and develop Memoranda of Understanding and other agreements with emerging relevant international faculties, institutes, educators, Centre’s and related industries.

• Promoting inclusion and equity within the Centre’s team and fostering a welcoming work environment.

• Support a knowledge mobilization strategy for the Centre.

• Manage the website and social media activities for the Centre.

• Undertake other duties as assigned in support of the Centre.

REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS:

• University degree, preferably at the honours level.

• A Master’s or PhD degree in engineering, business, or relevant discipline is considered an asset.

• A minimum of 5 years of experience, preferably in an academic research environment.

• A proven record of success stakeholder engagement, strong communications skills and demonstrated business acumen.

• Demonstrated successful experience in the areas of research administration, strategic research engagement and outreach, client relationship management and/or business development.

• Demonstrated successful experience in project management and the use of project management techniques and tools.

• Knowledge of the University’s strategic research priorities and understanding of national funding

agencies and structures considered to be an asset.

• Proven prior leadership experience to manage a group of skilled professionals.

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

SPECIAL SKILLS:

• Outstanding communication (both verbal and written) and interpersonal skills, demonstrating tact and diplomacy when interacting with individuals at every level and from many different perspectives.

• Recognize diversity and adapt content, tone, medium and style to the audience to be inclusive.

• Ability to think and act strategically, creatively and dynamically in a complex high-pressure environment, in a collaborative and collegial manner, using well developed relationship-building, networking, influencing and negotiating skills to secure commitment and achieve results.

• Client Orientation; proven ability to build partnerships and effective working relationships with diverse stakeholders (e.g. academic researchers, industrial clients, government representatives and senior administrators) both internal and external to the University. Understands issues from the client’s perspective and provides solutions and options accordingly.

• Project management and planning skills; with demonstrated success leading the execution of activities that meet tight timelines, propose new initiatives, improve efficiency of current service or operation, and anticipate the needs and long-term goals of the Centre.

• Strict attention to detail with strong commitment to quality and appreciation for the implications of errors for the Centre. Understanding of the major issues that impact upon the reputation of the Centre and its research environment.

• Demonstrated strong analytical and interpretive skills. Ability to synthesize information from a wide variety of sources. Ability to conceptualize creative plans and workable solutions for dealing with a wide array of management problems.

• Strong initiative, results orientation and resourcefulness to assume responsibility and prioritize among competing demands and remain focused on key objectives.

• Ability to evaluate unit and systems level information, process complex issues, and consider their holistic implications for overall Centre reputation.

• Ability to understand research proposals and methodologies, and to support the development of research applications to be submitted to funding agencies.

• Business planning expertise, including the development and/or identification of new strategies, partnerships and opportunities for research engagement.

• Values individual differences from all backgrounds and lived experiences such that their own, and others’ contributions are maximized; supports fair treatment and opportunity for all; demonstrates commitment to diversity and equity.

DECISION MAKING:

• Determine required analysis to provide appropriate advice to the Scientific Director.

• Identify related institutional, financial, and other implications and make recommendations for action and changes as required.

• Decide on best alternatives or range of solutions to a given problem, identifying possible risks and benefits of each.

• Make recommendations regarding budget and allocation of resources.

• Evaluate job candidates and make effective recommendations on suitable hires.

• Make decisions and/or effective recommendations regarding transfers and promotions.

• Evaluate employee performance and decide on appropriate training or coaching to address lack of proficiency in carrying out responsibilities, or remedial action for staff disciplinary situations.

• Make effective recommendations on level of discipline up to discharge and probationary termination.

• Assess situations and determine appropriate course of action to resolve issues. Determine when and who to involve or consult in unusual situations. Determine when an issue needs to be referred to the Scientific Director outlining possible impacts and providing options for solutions if required.

• Through analysis and observation, and in consultation with other staff, evaluate the effectiveness of operational and administrative processes, activities and tactics, and determine strategies, priorities, appropriate policies and procedures. Decide how modifications should be proposed and implemented to move the Centre forward.

• Determine appropriate strategies to ensure successful project management.

• Determine content of various reports, such as business plans and other short- and long-term planning documents that provide direction and propose objectives. Make decisions on data collection approaches and decisions regarding methods of analysis and presentation.

• Determine the best methods for establishing and maintaining collaborative relations with internal and external stakeholders in outreach and engagement efforts, and with Vice-Principal (Research) decision makers. Develop necessary strategies to cultivate and nurture such relationships.

• In collaboration with the Centre’s Scientific Director, identify and determine opportunities and strategies to increase the Centre’s profile.

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

Reference

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