Manager, Large-Scale Grants Post-Award Support

University of Ottawa•Ottawa, ON

1d•Onsite

About The Position

The University of Ottawa is seeking a Manager, Large-Scale Grants Post-Award Support to strengthen its capacity in managing complex research awards. This role leads a specialized team responsible for establishing structures, guidance, and oversight for effective post-award implementation of large-scale grants. The position aims to provide expert support to researchers, ensure strong governance and compliance, mitigate risk, improve operational efficiency, and enable research teams to achieve high-impact outcomes. The University of Ottawa is a dynamic, bilingual institution committed to diversity, inclusion, and employment equity, fostering a culture of respect, teamwork, and innovation.

Requirements

Master’s degree with a strong research component in a relevant field, or an equivalent combination of education and work experience.
A minimum of 7-10 years of relevant experience in a research-intensive University or research administration.
3 years of experience in supervision.
Extensive knowledge of university policies, HR, procurement and Finance procedures and research management systems.
Extensive knowledge of university post-award administration processes in complex decentralized environments, the life cycle of research grants and awards, compliance requirements, research project management principles and financial management practices.
Excellent knowledge and ability to interpret the principles and methods of research administration, granting program management and research contracting.
Knowledge and experience in the development of Standard Operation Procedures, planning documents and advising senior leadership.
Experience developing and delivering workshops related to research management.
Proven ability to work and achieve objectives within an evolving complex policy and procedure framework.
Excellent comprehension and critical analysis skills with ability to evaluate institutional risk.
Outstanding interpersonal skills, with the ability to work with researchers, administrators, faculties, staff, students, administrators from other institutions and sponsors.
Demonstrated ability to create, maintain and build relationships and partnerships within the University and externally.
Excellent written and verbal communication skills in both English and French.
Ability to prioritize tasks, meet deadlines and manage multiple projects simultaneously.
Ability to work in a high volume, deadline driven, environment while maintaining attention to detail.

Nice To Haves

Experience using computer systems and applications such as Windows, word processing software, spreadsheets, databases, presentation software, the internet and email.

Responsibilities

Designs and plans strategies and services for supporting and implementing large scale and/or complex research grants, focusing on post-award steps and processes.
Oversees the Large-Scale Grant Post-Award Unit’s portfolio of projects, ensuring effective prioritization, resource allocation, and risk management.
Leads discussions with Nominated Principal Investigator (NPI), and NPI-hired manager or coordinator to provide guidance and high-level training and oversight to institutional coordination.
Ensures that large-scale research projects are built on robust, strategically aligned budgets and executed on time, meeting granting agency guidelines and priorities.
Spearheads the development of high-impact institutional reports for multimillion-dollar federal and multisector grants, driving strategic oversight and strengthening external accountability and compliance.
Develops support mechanisms for researchers in the preparation of sponsor-mandated deliverables such as mid-term and annual progress reports, EDI action plans, and Data management and governance plans.
Conducts research and surveys, compiles data, statistics, and other information related to research activities and post-award steps to provide advice and recommendations for long-term strategic planning of resources.
Directs all aspects of human resources management for the Large-Scale Grant Post-Award Unit, including recruitment, training, development, performance management, resource planning, and goal setting.
Ensures the team has the necessary training and tools to perform their jobs efficiently and effectively.
Implements a functional structure to ensure staff are well coordinated and efficiently organized.
Leads a team culture focused on continuous improvement, anticipating stakeholder needs, and prioritizing service excellence.
Stays abreast of trends and best practices in project management, particularly within research project management, and shares knowledge with the team and the research community.
Provides researchers with expert guidance and serves as a liaison with other research support services for the successful implementation of funded research projects.
Assists with project launch, including account setup, agreement execution, and subgrants.
Supports complex human resource planning and recruitment.
Develops and monitors performance indicators.
Coordinates reporting and mid-term reviews.
Assists with project closure, including no-cost extensions.
Provides expertise and consultation on interinstitutional research initiatives and works with other institutions to ensure compliance with granting agencies’ requirements.
Plans and oversees the Unit’s activities and cost-recovery processes.
Conceptualizes, develops, and maintains internal procedures and a financial tracking system for the long-term sustainability of the Unit’s budget.
Analyzes and interprets granting agencies’ requirements and guidelines and solves complex post-award administrative problems.
Directs and implements post-award management processes for large-scale, interdisciplinary funded grants to ensure compliance with sponsor regulations and delivery of funding.
Authorizes the opening of accounts and credits of funds for awarded grants and contracts.
Develops and implements internal project management regulations and procedures to improve efficiency and collaboration with other post-award sectors (HR, Finance, IT, facility).
Designs and leads workshops and information sessions for researchers and lab managers on managing large/complex research initiatives and administrative procedures related to post-award research management.
Develops, updates, and maintains communication tools (e.g., webpage, guides) to promote and clarify the Unit’s services and tools.
Works with internal and external actors to promote University research outcomes and publicize researcher discoveries, initiatives, inventions, and accomplishments.