Director, Research and Innovation

Athabasca University is currently recruiting for the position of Director, Research and Innovation.

About the Role:

The Director, Research and Innovation will collaborate with the Associate Vice-President Research (AVPR) to propel the ambitious research vision of Athabasca University (AU).  They play a critical role in elevating the priority and enhancing the profile of research at AU and their leadership directly aligns with the university's priority of cultivating an active, ambitious, and inclusive research culture. Their work and that of their teams will increase the activity, supports, and successes in seeking and securing external research grants for enhanced research impact.

Organizationally, the Director oversees the departmental leadership of the Research Office and ensures a positive and engaged team culture in support of AU researchers. As the operational leader of these portfolios, the Director enhances the capacity, priority, strategic success, and impact of AU's research community. Through effective governance representation, meaningful engagement with the five faculties, effective service delivery, and policy development, they will contribute to the maturation of AU's research enterprise. As the AVPR's primary delegate, the Director will champion and represent AU's research priorities, capabilities, and opportunities on behalf of the AVPR as needed.

Duties and Responsibilities:

• Formulate and implement strategies to secure sponsored research funding from Tri-Agency, industry and community sources.
• Oversee the growing teams in the Research Office.
• Leading sustainable change initiatives 
• Ensure effective and efficient internal grant approval, submission, and post-award processes managed by the Research Office.
• Act as a signing authority, endorsing and approving internal and external pre-award research proposals for the AVPR to ensure compliance with reporting guidelines and regulatory processes
• Collaborate across the Research Office and with leaders of academic and administrative teams on matters of organizational resilience and integrity (e.g., enterprise risk management, business continuity, research security, ethics) and assume a leadership role in the development and implementation of corresponding plans as applicable.
• Act as the first point of contact for any major compliance issues and works with the AVPR to address concerns.
• Serve as a point of contact for research integrity concerns (i.e., ethics and research security) and coordinate information and responses with appropriate team members in the Research Office or other administrative units
•  As the primary liaison between the Research Office and the faculties, the Director will be a catalyst of research culture with Associate Deans Research as well as work directly with Directors in administrative committees to develop and mature processes or policies for effective research administration. 
•  Lead the development and refinement of policies, procedures, and program guidelines governing AU's research and innovation activities.

Qualifications:

• Master's degree and minimum five years experience in a leadership role within post-secondary research administration. Doctorate degree an asset. Equivalent combinations of formal qualifications and experience may be considered.
• Research Funding: Current knowledge of Tri-Agency programs (NSERC, SSHRC, CIHR), key federal programs (CFI, Canada Research Chairs, Research Support Fund), and provincial funding landscape (Alberta Innovates, Research Capacity Program).
• Research Integrity: Up-to-date knowledge of research security, research data management, EDI in research, ethics, Indigenization, and best practices for open research.
• Financial Acumen: Ability to develop, manage, administer, and report on internal operational budgets and external sponsored research revenue.
• Communication: Excellent communication, engagement, and presentation skills across mediums, including the creation and delivery of briefs, reports, and financial statements. 

Please view the Executive Summary of the position at this link.

A full job description can be viewed at: Director, Research and Innovation

For further information regarding this position, please contact Dr. Andrew Perrin at [email protected].

Athabasca First

Wherever possible, AU seeks to attract and hire qualified team members to reside in the Athabasca region. We will offer relocation assistance for the right candidate should you decide to relocate the Town of Athabasca. As a resident of the town or county of Athabasca, you can choose to work on and from our beautiful campus in Athabasca.

To discover the Town and Region of Athabasca, go to: Visit Athabasca.

What AU Offers: 

Benefits and Pension eligibility differs based on employee group and may include:

• Defined Benefits Pension Plan
• Alberta Health Care
• Extended Health Care
• Life Insurance, Accidental Death & Dismemberment Insurance
• Disability Coverage
• Vacation
• Office Closure between Christmas and New Year's Day
• Discretionary Benefit Fund
• AU Course Allowance
• A Variety of Leaves (e.g., Maternity/Parental/Adoption, Compassionate Care, etc.)
• Employee & Family Assistance Program (EFAP)

Educational credentials will be verified before an offer of employment is extended. An offer of employment is conditional upon verification of educational credentials. 

All qualified candidates are encouraged to apply; however, Canadian Citizens and Permanent Residents will be given priority. 

Athabasca University is committed to employment equity and encourages applications from women, Indigenous Peoples, persons with disabilities, persons of any sexual orientation, persons of any gender identity and expression, and members of visible minorities. 

Where applicants have equal skills, abilities, and experience, candidates residing within or willing to relocate to the County of Athabasca will be given preference.

Working outside of Canada is not supported by Athabasca University. You are legally not permitted to work for Athabasca University if you are living outside of Canada.