Manager, Applied Research

IVEY BUSINESS SCHOOL FOUNDATION•London, ON

13d•CA$74,800 - CA$93,551•Onsite

About The Position

This is a two year contract position with Ivey Business School Foundation. The Manager, Applied Research will work closely with the John F. Wood Centre Director on strategic priorities for the Centre as informed by the highest quality research through applied scholarship, interdisciplinary collaboration, and project execution. The role’s primary initial responsibility is leading the development of an AI-enabled dashboard to support student learning of essential robust human skills, while also contributing to internal pilot projects, developing materials for teaching and learning in diverse contexts, knowledge translation for educators and business leaders, and related Centre initiatives. The Manager, Applied Research has deep academic knowledge that informs all projects and activities, along with relevant project management experience. They are very well organized and manage time effectively, adapt well to change, thrive in a position where new paths must be created toward multiple objectives, and builds strong relationships. The role requires individual accountability combined with teamwork, collaboration, entrepreneurial spirit, and flawless execution.

Requirements

Master’s degree in education, psychology, sociology, organizational behaviour/management, learning sciences, or a related field is required, with strong preference for a PhD.
Prior research should include a focus on adult learning.
Demonstrated experience in research, teaching, industry, or project-based environments showing strong project management and implementation capability is required.
Evidence of depth of knowledge, scholarly productivity, and active participation with relevant social science or business education communities is required.
Evidence of successfully navigating bureaucracy in research ethics approvals is required.
Experience supporting or academic knowledge and interest in application to support equity, diversity, and inclusion initiatives is required.
Excellent communication skills including listening, reading, writing, and speaking skills are required (presentation and/or facilitation skills are a plus), with the ability to engage academic and non-academic audiences effectively.
Strong project management, collaboration, and organizational skills, with the ability to lead complex initiatives involving abstract concepts and coordinate across stakeholders are required.
Ability to review and elucidate essential insights from relevant research literatures is required. This means also being able to iterate productively between high quality research evidence and strategic needs of projects, with developing discernment.
Working knowledge of code writing (which could be from syntax-based statistical analysis to more advanced programming) is required, with interest in AI, especially as it relates to learning.
Entrepreneurial spirit to engage proactively and collaboratively problem-solve to achieve Centre goals.
Strong management skills and the ability to successfully organize timelines, deliverables, communications, and follow-up across multiple concurrent activities.
Skills and motivation to monitor progress, identify risks or bottlenecks, and recommend practical solutions to maintain momentum and quality.
Skills and actions to support efficient execution of Centre priorities in a collaborative and evolving environment.
Must be available to travel at least once per month.

Nice To Haves

PhD preferred
Quality Assurance / Quality Improvement project experience is a plus.
Familiarity with business education and case learning contexts specifically is preferred.
presentation and/or facilitation skills are a plus
Familiarity with business education, adult learning, and interdisciplinary research environments, along with discernment, adaptability, and intellectual curiosity as aligned with the Centre’s philosophy.

Responsibilities

Serve as the academic content lead and project manager for the development and piloting of an AI-enabled dashboard that supports student learning of essential robust human skills in business education contexts. The dashboard will initially be developed for the school’s MBA program and may be adapted for other degree programs over time.
Partner closely with the IT (Ivey) and EdTech (Ivey Foundation) teams to collaborate on solutioning the learning design.
Translate social learning research and educational objectives around robust Essential Skills into practical tool features, learning development priorities in collaboration with Centre leadership and partners.
Coordinate project activities relating to piloting, stakeholder engagement and readiness for adoption by Degree Programs, ensuring alignment with program learning goals and the social learning literature, as well as program timelines.
Support testing, refinement, and knowledge transfer by synthesizing feedback from pilots, identifying implications for learning design and program use, and contributing to documentation and handover materials for Degree Programs.
Communicate effectively about the dashboard’s purpose, development and educational value in one-on-one and small group conversations, presentations and announcements with Centre leadership, academic partners and other stakeholders.
Work collaboratively with the Centre’s (Academic) Director, as well as School leaders and faculty, staff, alumni, and advisors where relevant, to advance Centre priorities and innovation projects as determined by the Director.
Organize timelines and manage delivery for projects within their area of responsibility in line with evolving Centre priorities as determined with the Director.
Contribute to plan, coordinate, and deliver other Centre activities that connect applied research, practice, and innovation in business education.
Build productive relationships with faculty, staff, and collaborators to support implementation and continuous learning.
Contribute to research projects aligned with the Centre’s focus on adult learning, social learning, Equity, Diversity and Inclusion learning, and technology-enabled business learning. These contributions include managing research ethics approvals and renewals, as well as funding grant submissions.
Produce scholarly outputs including journal manuscripts, conference papers, research summaries, and related knowledge mobilization materials.
Support the Centre’s academic profile through active participation in relevant scholarly and professional communities at the School, the University, in Canada, and internationally.
Prepare, share, and amplify communications about the Centre’s and the School’s social learning innovations in collaboration with relevant internal individuals and teams.
Leverage expertise on the highest quality social science research into equity, diversity and inclusion practices into all Centre activities within and beyond the School.
Actively engage in activities to work against racist, sexist, and other dehumanizing systems.
Engage constructively with academic and professional communities relevant to the Centre’s mission and research agenda.
Foster an inclusive, curious, and collaborative environment that supports innovation in business education.

Benefits

A collaborative and engaging work culture
Opportunity to join a community of people-focused professionals
Market competitive compensation
Generous benefits package with employer-paid premiums, including a comprehensive Health and Dental Plan, no waiting period required.
Enhanced mental health benefits coverage and resources.
Out-of-country travel insurance.
Employee and Family Assistance Program.
Vacation starting at 15 days per year plus 2 paid Ivey Personal Days.
Paid time off during the School’s December holiday closure.
Numerous campus-wide arts, culture, and sport events.