Associate Director, Research Acceleration and Strategic Initiatives

University of Saskatchewan•Saskatoon, SK

1d•CA$94,864 - CA$158,925•Hybrid

About The Position

The associate director provides institutional leadership across the full research administration lifecycle, integrating pre-award, post-award, research contracts, and compliance functions. This role oversees research integrity and support services while working closely with research security and other units to develop and implement policies, procedures, and operational frameworks aligned with evolving regulatory requirements. The associate director supports the advancement of research, scholarly, and artistic activities through the development of specialized programs and strategic initiatives. Collaborating with senior leadership to set short-, medium-, and long-term goals, this position leads a team of staff in the coordination of the institutional research support functions to foster a community of practice and plan for professional development initiatives. The associate director builds and maintains strategic relationships with internal and external stakeholders, representing the university in various forums and leading cross-functional coordination across multiple institutional partners. Additionally, this role contributes to institutional alignment and strategic growth by guiding research operations, compliance activities, and lifecycle integration.

Requirements

A master’s degree in a related field; a doctoral degree is preferred
Minimum of seven years’ experience in research administration, preferably in a university setting
Experience in a leadership role managing professional staff
Knowledge of international, national, and regional research funding environments, including large-scale granting programs
Advanced understanding of university policies, processes, and compliance requirements
Excellent communication skills including strong scholarly writing abilities
Ability to prioritize competing demands while maintaining quality and accuracy
Effective organizational, planning, and time management abilities
Capacity to build relationships and collaborate with diverse stakeholders
High level of attention to detail and accuracy
Ability to work effectively both independently and collaboratively in a team
Excellent interpersonal skills including the ability to facilitate dialogue, build consensus, and develop synergies with a broad range of constituencies
Ability to prioritize work effectively to meet deadlines while maintaining quality

Responsibilities

Integrates pre-award, research agreements, compliance oversight, and post-award activities into a unified research administration lifecycle
Aligns operational execution with institutional priorities, growth targets, and compliance requirements
Supports coordination of the institutional research support functions and plans professional development initiatives
Reviews, develops, and implements procedural improvements to enhance administrative efficiency and service delivery
Designs operational models and leads process improvements to address application volume and regulatory complexity
Liaises between grants and contracts functions to mitigate institutional risk strengthen lifecycle continuity across research administration functions
Provides advisory oversight on confidential, high‑risk research administration matters, working with institutional partners to manage regulatory, ethical, and reputational risks
Exercises institutional signing authority for research applications, contracts, and agreements
Interprets and operationalizes complex Tri-Agency, non-Tri-Agency, and eligibility policy requirements into institutional compliance frameworks
Leads strategic direction through participation in the departmental leadership team as well as the development of institutional programming and research initiatives
Provides oversight of research information management systems, data integrity, reporting, workflows, and audit coordination
Leads internal and external research audits and revenue reporting processes
Coordinates institutional research support networks, in collaboration with unit leadership, to create a community of practice and plan for professional development initiatives
Leads communication strategies to promote awareness of research services and programs
Manages the full employee lifecycle of a team of direct reports including hiring, mentoring, supporting professional development and engagement, planning workflows, and performance management
Liaises with external federal agencies to maintain a current and expert knowledge of the Canadian and international research funding environments
Oversees departmental communication strategies including outreach and engagement of key stakeholders
Develops strategies and supports to address research information, process, and policy needs in collaboration with other units across campus
Fosters and maintains strong relationships and collaborations locally, regionally, and nationally with internal and external clients, stakeholders and partners
Communicates and acts in a respectful and professional manner, collaborates effectively, abides by policy, contributes to a positive and productive work and learning environment, and models these behaviours across the institution
Builds and leads diverse teams, champions inclusive leadership, and values different perspectives
Engages in and supports the understanding and growth of employees with the frameworks, initiatives and activities relating to equity, diversity and inclusion and Indigenous engagement
Sets and achieves actionable goals in alignment with Indigenous engagement and equity, diversity, and inclusion frameworks; addresses systemic inequities affecting underrepresented equity groups
Undertakes related duties, as assigned, consistent with the nature of the position