Job Description

This position is a part of the Association of the Academic Staff of the University of Alberta (AASUA).

In accordance with the this position has an approximate appointment of 1 year with a possibility of extension; and offers a comprehensive benefits package found at and annual salary range of $58,938 - $81,051.

Location

Work primarily takes place at North Campus, Edmonton.

Working for the University of Alberta

The University of Alberta acknowledges that we are located on Treaty 6 territory, and respects the histories, languages and cultures of First Nations, M\xc3\xa9tis, Inuit and all First Peoples of Canada, whose presence continues to enrich our vibrant community.

The University of Alberta is teeming with change makers, community builders, and world shapers who lead with purpose each and every day. We are home to more than 40,000 students in 200+ undergraduate and 500+ graduate programs, over 13,000 faculty and staff, 260,000 alumni worldwide and have been recognized as one of Canada\'s Greenest Employers for over a decade.

Your work will have a meaningful influence on a fascinating cross section of people-from our students and stakeholders, to our renowned researchers and innovators who are quite literally curing diseases, making discoveries and generating solutions that make the world healthier, safer, stronger, and more just.

Position Summary

The Manager of Operations reports to Dr. M Joanne Lemieux (CBRF PRAIRIE Hub Scientific Director) for operational and day to day matters, and is responsible to Dr Aminah Robinson Fayek (CBRF Lead), Vice-President (Research and Innovation) at the University of Alberta, for governance-related activities for the Canadian Biomedical Research Fund (CBRF) grant on biomanufacturing and pandemic preparedness. The Manager of Operations is a new position intended to support this program through excellence in administration. The Director of Operations organizes, prepares and attends all committee meetings and makes recommendations regarding administration and resources. The Manager of Operations is responsible for managing the various initiatives of the program including facilitating, coordinating, prioritizing, communicating, and progress monitoring. The PRAIRIE Hub consists of several partners across the prairie provinces include academic and industry, NPO and government organizations.

Duties

Administration and Hub Management

• Provides hub management: Schedules regular Steering Committee meetings, determines the agenda, and contributes to the discussion. Provides updates on sponsored research and/or initiatives, records minutes, and actions/delegates items of these meetings (monthly). Dr. Lemieux will chair these meetings.
• Integrates, tracks, and advances activities and maintains progress reports related to funded research projects, progress on fund development for the hub projects.
• Works closely and cooperatively with all parties involved in this program, including partnering Universities and industry partners, as well as other federally funded hubs.
• Works with the CBRF Core scientific team, and PRAIRIE Hub steering committees. Will schedule Oversight Board meetings: management board semi-annually and advisory council meeting annually. The Manager of Operations generates the required meeting documentation and contributes to discussion. Works with the leads coordinate key members of the management and advisory boards, including the VPRIs.
• Works closely and cooperatively with the office of the VPRI at the partner institutions, and external stakeholders across Canada, shares best-practices, and promotes partnership opportunities.
• This position works closely with the Scientific Director and is involved in strategic planning, decision making and functional oversight of the hub including grant preparation.

Communications Portfolio and Fund Development

• Oversees and manages the development and implementation of the communication portfolio associated with the program.
• Directly supervises and oversees the tasks of internal support staff and external contractors.
• Integrates, tracks, reports and helps to communicate on advances in the program.
• Oversees and manages the social media activities to increase public awareness of the program.
• Identifies and pursues strategic opportunities for communication and education.
• Generates ppt presentations about the program.
• Identifies opportunities for fundraising and helps to develop funding proposals.
• Oversees the development of major grant proposals, contracts and directly supervises support staff, as needed.

Finance

• Liaises with the with the Biochemistry financial officer.
• Coordinates with the financial officer the content of monthly financial reports.

Human Resources

• liaises with the biochemistry department human resources officer or central Human Resource Services (HRS), as required.

Funding Portfolio

• Oversees, implements, and supports the current funding portfolio (including terms of reference) offered by the program. Current funding platform includes infrastructure, training and operating components.

Resource Allocations

• Liaises with the biochemistry financial officer to coordinate purchases, liaises with vendors, oversees inventory management related to office and selected labs and core facilities, investigates large equipment purchases, as needed.

Event Planning and Coordination

• The Manager of Operations overseas, manages, organizes and coordinates symposia, conferences, workshops, etc., whether in person or virtually.
• The Director of Operations manages the support staff required for these events, whether CBRF support staff, LKSIoV support staff, other departments, or external contractors (i.e.: event managers, caterers, etc.).

Research Responsibilities (30%)

• Assist with grant writing to pursue internal and external funding; responsible collating information and assembly of grant documents in clear, concise, and compelling manner including drafting a budget, initial content, packaging, and submitting the final document.
• Manages and coordinates the content of large team grant applications, scientific and financial reports and manuscripts, ensuring timelines/deliverables are met. Participates in knowledge translation as an author (i.e.: publications, presentations, online / digital content, etc.).

Internal or External Areas Position Impacts

This position must be able to build constructive relationships with internal and external stakeholders that are based on trust and mutual respect. For example, external grant applications may incorporate a strong collaborative research team of co-applicants and current or potential collaborators from multiple departments, universities, and international organizations. The Manager of Operations and Research builds and maintains relationships with external and internal networks and partners, including collaborators, funding agencies, suppliers, etc. This position also has diverse responsibilities and accountabilities and must also manage highly sensitive and confidential issues.

Diversity and Complexity of Position

This position makes decisions. Considerable innovation, flexibility, and independence are required to develop and implement solutions to identified areas of need and requests.

Budget

The scope of the budget is $2 million from the CBRF, less indirect costs. This position must pay careful attention to proofreading and double checking all budget calculations in collaboration with the finance manager of Biochemistry.

Influence Other

This position influences, informs, supports and elevates the work of the leads of this program. There is strong potential to build on existing university research strengths, facilitate future strategic research directions and the potential for high positive impact on society. Incomplete activities or activities completed incorrectly may lead to an inability to meet milestones as well as contribute to a detrimental perception of the University of Alberta and the research team. Errors in scheduling or lack of communication regarding appointment and meetings may result in missed opportunities for exchange of information, resulting in possible costly delays in the decision-making process.

Miniumum Qualifications

• Experience, knowledge and/or training in virology, immunology, or related area.
• Experience in scientific writing.
• Experience in project management.
• Experience in communications is an asset.
• Experience in financial management, including analysis, budgets, forecasting, and reporting.
• Experience in staff supervision and leadership experience.
• Demonstrated personal initiative and able to perform tasks and functions with a high level of independence.
• Strong diplomatic and interpersonal skills in dealing with varied staff and with UofA, local, provincial, national, and international collaborators.
• Able to identify and address key administrative and managerial issues.
• Strong problem-solving skills.
• Proficient verbal and written communication skills.
• Proficient computer literacy and competence required, e.g., Microsoft Office Suite, etc.
• Ability to proficiently develop and facilitate presentations to convey information and/or knowledge transfer.
• Motivated and flexible team player with the ability to prioritize and meet tight deadlines.

Preferred Qualifications

• PhD in biochemistry, microbiology, virology, immunology or related disciplines is preferred.
• Postdoctoral training is preferred, but not required.

How to Apply

Note: Online applications are accepted until midnight Mountain Standard Time of the closing date.

All qualified candidates are encouraged to apply; however, Canadians and permanent residents will be given priority. If suitable Canadian citizens or permanent residents cannot be found, other individuals will be considered. The University of Alberta is committed to an equitable, diverse, and inclusive workforce. We welcome applications from all qualified persons. We encourage women; First Nations, M\xc3\xa9tis and Inuit persons; members of visible minority groups; persons with disabilities; persons of any sexual orientation or gender identity and expression; and all those who may contribute to the further diversification of ideas and the University to apply.

University of Alberta