Research Funding Manager

University of Toronto • Toronto, ON

1d • CA$97,348 - CA$124,491 • Onsite

About The Position

The Vice-President, Research & Innovation (VPRI) portfolio supports the University of Toronto as a top public research university in the world. Our mission is to create the most supportive environment possible so that our researchers, innovators and learners can do what they do best — advance understanding and apply new knowledge. Our work supports, fosters and promotes the research and innovation culture and activities of our faculty, staff and students, along with our partner hospitals, funding sponsors, and partners in the public and private sector. VPRI provides a full range of services including guidance to faculty, staff and students on funding opportunities, research agreement negotiation, oversight and accountability services including research accounting, environmental health and safety, innovation and entrepreneurship, partnerships, policies and procedures, and institutional awards and honours.

As a member of the Agency & Foundation Funding Team within the Research Services Office (RSO) the Research Funding Manager (RFM) provides leadership and direction in the provision of professional client service to the University of Toronto research community. Reporting to the Director, Agency & Foundation Funding (AFF), the Research Funding Manager (RFM) will work closely with academic administrators and faculty members to facilitate identification of new funding opportunities, and to work with the divisions, targeted groups of researchers and individual researchers to optimize success with new and existing funding opportunities. Areas of focus are identified by undertaking analysis of international, national, provincial and local information from a variety of information sources.

The RFM leads a team comprising (a) Research Funding Officer(s) and, in some cases, (a) Research Funding Administrator(s), to provide efficient and effective service and support to the University research community. The provision of such support includes professional pre-award activities as noted above as well as post-award activities including the timely and accurate establishment of successful awards on the University’s Administrative Management Systems (AMS), negotiating research funding agreements with sponsors on behalf of the University, post-award stewardship of funded initiatives, expertise and direction within the team, the portfolio and the research community on compliance-related issues in a rapidly evolving regulatory environment; and ongoing analysis of the University’s performance in research funding programs. The team works closely with research facilitators inside and outside the Research portfolio to identify and address administrative challenges and opportunities in research and in developing and implementing service enhancements.

Requirements

• Bachelor's Degree or acceptable combination of education and equivalent experience.
• Minimum six to seven (6-7) years relevant experience, ideally in a post-secondary or similar institutional setting, including supervisory experience
• Demonstrated knowledge of and competencies in agreement negotiation through to mutually acceptable terms
• Thorough knowledge of how research funding agencies fund faculty-driven research.
• Expert knowledge of University research-related and financial policies and procedures or equivalent organizational policies.
• Expert knowledge of the University's Research Information System (RIS) and Financial Information System (FIS) or equivalent systems.
• Strong computer skills including the ability to work with a broad range of information system tools including spreadsheets, databases, and sponsor-based electronic systems;
• Strong analytical and statistical skills, excellent numerical, data management, record keeping and administrative skills.
• Demonstrated leadership ability; ability to work independently as well as in a team environment.
• Excellent organizational and problem-solving skills.
• Demonstrated tact and sensitivity in dealing with varied clientele; excellent interpersonal, oral and written communication skills; judgement, flexibility, initiative and creativity; superior attention to detail.

Nice To Haves

• Candidates who are members of Indigenous, Black, racialized and 2SLGBTQ+ communities, persons with disabilities, and other equity deserving groups are encouraged to apply, and their lived experience shall be taken into consideration as applicable to the posted position.

Responsibilities

• Developing business processes that mitigate risks associated with the use of research funds
• Interpreting policy to resolve complex research funding administration problems referred by research funding specialists
• Interpreting and applying policies to independently determine if sponsor terms comply with applicable regulations
• Coordinating and guiding applicants through various phases of the research funding application process
• Disseminating information regarding research funding programs and opportunities to the research community
• Releasing or holding funds according to internal and external compliance requirements
• Directing the activities of a group of staff-appointed employees all performing a similar function

What This Job Offers

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