Senior Research Partner (College of Social Sciences and Humanities)

Competition 2467

This position is excluded from the bargaining unit.

In accordance with the Handbook of Employment for Management and Professional Staff (Excluded), this position has a comprehensive benefits package and an annual salary which will be commensurate with qualifications.

Location - Work primarily takes place at North Campus, Edmonton.

Working at 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, Métis, Inuit and all First Peoples of Canada, whose presence continues to enrich our vibrant community.

The University of Alberta is a community of knowledge seekers, change makers and world shapers who lead with purpose each and every day. We are home to over 14,000 faculty and staff, more than 40,000 students and a growing community of 300,000 alumni worldwide.

Your work will have a meaningful influence on a fascinating cross-section of people — from our students and community members, to our renowned researchers and innovators, making discoveries and generating solutions that make the world healthier, safer, stronger and more just. Learn more.

Working for the Research Partners Network

We are seeking a creative, committed, and solution oriented Senior Research Partner (SRP) individual to join the Research Partners Network, a college/faculty-based extension of the Vice President (Research and Innovation) portfolio. The network is comprised of a diverse team of skilled professionals embedded within the colleges/faculties, working as part of an institution-wide network to provide essential hands-on support designed to enable research application success and reduce the administrative load on researchers.

Position

Reporting to the Director, Research Partner Network and working closely with 3 other SRPs and the Manager, Research Administration Support services this role will help lead a close-knit team of highly skilled professionals that provide institution-wide, portfolio-focused research development and administrative support to researchers. This SRP position will be assigned to the College of Social Sciences and Humanities and will lead a team of Research partners. Working closely with the college/faculty Associate Deans (Research) the SRPs are responsible for supporting college/faculties with strategic cross-college/faculty and interdisciplinary initiatives and supporting college/faculty specific research opportunities, either directly or through the mobilization of the research partners. Working with the Director, SRPs are also responsible for identifying opportunities for streamlining, policy and procedure improvement, meeting strategic research goals, through consultation, advising, guiding, and knowledge exchange and working with other administrators (including, but not limited to college/faculty general managers, other partner networks, and center of expertise staff) to develop and implement effective solutions designed to provide researcher-focused support, programs and services.

Drawing on a deep understanding of the research development and administration continuum and of the University, its research operations and challenges, the incumbent will act as a go-to resource for researchers, senior academic leaders, and administrators in the college and faculties within for both strategic advice and hands-on research development and administrative support. The successful candidate will contribute to a new approach to research support and be accountable for implementing efficient standards that contribute to the development and growth of an environment that helps researchers and innovators to do their best work.

Duties

Research Development & Strategic Support

• Provide professional-level advice to college/faculty deans, vice/associate deans (research), department managers, senior administrators, researchers, and their staff on a variety of research-related matters.
• Support college/faculty deans and vice/associate deans (research) with strategic cross-college/faculty and interdisciplinary initiatives, as well as college/faculty-specific research opportunities.
• Lead and support research development for interdisciplinary funding opportunities in collaboration with associate deans (research), research partners, and VPRI Centres of Expertise.
• Provide research proposal development and administrative support to researchers either directly or through collaboration within the research partner network.
• Identify and implement strategies to increase grant success, working closely with associate deans (research) and engaging appropriate supports from the research partner network and VPRI Centres of Expertise.
• Participate in college/faculty-level research committees, where applicable.
• Identify and actively support opportunities for collaborative, multidisciplinary, and multi-institutional research initiatives and funding applications.
• Support and contribute to institutional research priorities set by the VPRI.

Client & Relationship Management

• Serve as the primary point of contact between the VPRI portfolio and assigned colleges/faculties, including associate deans (research) and general managers.
• Act as a conduit of information between the VPRI portfolio and colleges/faculties, ensuring two-way communication and alignment.
• Work with the Director, other Senior Research Partners (SRPs), and managers to develop and maintain strong, trusted relationships with senior leaders, researchers, and their staff within the assigned client group.
• Advocate for the needs and concerns of assigned colleges/faculties by gathering feedback, researching best practices, and providing actionable options for leadership consideration.
• Provide analysis and recommendations on funding developments and project opportunities relevant to assigned disciplines, connecting faculties into broader institutional initiatives.

Operational & Process Improvement

• Raise awareness of operational barriers and collaborate on developing and implementing effective solutions.
• Contribute to the development and implementation of consistent research administration processes and procedures within and across assigned areas, aligned with institution-wide standards.
• Actively engage in research-related strategic planning and implementation within assigned areas, bringing an institutional perspective to support collective research goals.

Team Leadership & Capacity Building

• Build and strengthen the Partnership team by leveraging the diverse capabilities of staff.
• Set and communicate clear performance expectations for team members, removing barriers to achieving goals.
• Contribute to an environment that fosters staff development, supports growth, and builds team capacity and capability.
• Foster a culture where ideas, contributions, and achievements are recognized, rewarded, and celebrated.

Qualifications

• A Graduate degree, ideally in a social sciences and humanities related discipline, required.
• A minimum of 7 years of relevant work experience, ideally in an academic research environment.
• At least 5 years of demonstrated leadership experience; proven ability to lead teams and inspire optimal team performance.
• A detailed knowledge of the integrated research and innovation enterprise and research administration continuum, from grant development to project conclusion.
• Superior writing and verbal communication skills, including an ability to understand at a conceptual level a wide range of research work in various disciplines and report on it to a variety of stakeholders, including partners, funders, and the public.
• Experience developing, writing, and/or editing research funding applications/proposals and a solid understanding of the Canadian research funding ecosystem and funding agency mandates, culture, opportunities, and guidelines.
• Computer/IT skills relevant to today’s work environment (e.g. Microsoft Office, PeopleSoft, Google Suite, Zoom).
• Excellent motivator and enthusiastic team leader.
• Excellent active listening, oral and written communication skills.
• Excellent time management skills with the proven ability to manage and prioritize multiple tasks and competing deadlines; comfortable in coping with constant pressure and owning numerous objectives to achieve.
• Ability to apply problem-solving and critical thinking skills to analyze problems, identify alternative solutions, assess consequences of proposed actions, choose the most appropriate solution and implement successfully; ability to act decisively and to exercise initiative and judgment on a wide range of issues.
• Experience working independently within a large institutional environment and demonstrating effective collaboration with various individuals and groups.