Director, DSI Operations & Strategy

University of Toronto • Toronto, ON

11d • Onsite

About The Position

Founded in 1827, the University of Toronto has evolved into Canada’s leading institution of learning, discovery and knowledge creation. We are proud to be one of the world’s top research intensive universities, driven to invent and innovate. U of T is home to some of the world’s most talented thinkers, inventors, innovators, and educators, who are advancing knowledge and making critical discoveries for a healthier, more sustainable, prosperous, and secure future.

The Data Sciences Institute (DSI) at the University of Toronto (U of T) is a highly specialized research initiative that draws on world-class research expertise across multiple academic divisions, affiliated hospitals, regional, national, and international academic partners, and commercial organizations. The mission of the DSI is to provide the leadership and capacity to catalyze the transformative nature of data sciences in disciplines, in fair and ethical ways, leveraging and strengthening U of T’s pre-eminence in data sciences to solve society’s complex and pressing problems.
DSI aims to unify and galvanize the core strengths of Toronto’s data science community building capacity for data and computational-based research projects and training by being the focal point for the coordination of data science activities and partnerships to further elevate UofT’s global stature.

Your opportunity:
Reporting to the DSI Academic Director the Director, DSI Operations & Strategy brings the strategic, operational and programmatic leadership, direction, and oversight to contribute to and ensure the success of the DSI. As the senior administrative member of the DSI team, the incumbent will play a pivotal leadership role and will be responsible for the development and management of strategic partnerships across institutional, governmental, sectoral and geographic borders; development of emergent and national research strategies and training programming; developing and maintaining fellowship, mentorship and event programs; execution of strategic communications plans; preparation of key documents including internal and external progress/impact and financial reports; supporting and managing the DSI governance; and implementing research and collaboration funds, allocating budgets and creating a hiring strategy.

Requirements

• Post Graduate Degree in statistical sciences, biostatistics, computer science, computational biology, bioinformatics, data science, econometrics or an acceptable combination of education and experience.
• Project management, business, and/or financial management certificate or an acceptable combination of education and experience.
• Ten (10) years’ experience in working within a research setting with related experience in strategy development and implementation of academic and research programs.
• Experience in a senior administrative role managing complex relationships, preferably in a University environment or other large organization, is also desirable.
• Knowledge and experience in organizational governance.
• Demonstrated experience in financial, human resources and communications management.
• Proven ability assessing opportunities in a variety of science and technical disciplines
• Excellent research, analytical, negotiation, partnership development, project management, organizational and interpersonal skills
• Excellent oral and written communication skills
• Creative problem solving and decision making
• Mentorship abilities
• Computer competency with knowledge of spreadsheet, database, presentation and word processing applications.
• Ability to work at the highest strategic levels, to gain and maintain the respect of senior administration and also to take strategy and move it through to tactics and action.
• Ability to deal with senior University Officers and external stakeholders in a manner which facilitates cooperation and consensus building.
• Ability to be comfortable, credible and persuasive within academic, government or business environments
• Ability to initiate, build and nurture academic and research partnerships.
• Demonstrated effective leadership, motivational and planning abilities.
• Excellent political acuity, tact, judgment and discretion.
• Ability to interpret and evaluate policy and procedural requirements.
• Must be highly self-motivated and sustain a high degree of initiative.
• Must be a talented and fluent writer and presenter, able to concisely summarize information and provide a rationale for action.
• Must be able to identify and understand emerging issues as well as set and manage priorities.

Nice To Haves

• A PhD is highly desirable.
• Experience in a senior administrative role managing complex relationships, preferably in a University environment or other large organization, is also desirable.

Responsibilities

• Development and management of strategic partnerships across institutional, governmental, sectoral and geographic borders
• Development of emergent and national research strategies and training programming
• Developing and maintaining fellowship, mentorship and event programs
• Execution of strategic communications plans
• Preparation of key documents including internal and external progress/impact and financial reports
• Supporting and managing the DSI governance
• Implementing research and collaboration funds, allocating budgets and creating a hiring strategy

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Director