Research Program Coordinator - Living Lab (Term Ending March 31, 2028)

Ontario Soil and Crop Improvement Association•Guelph, ON

3d•CA$66,500 - CA$73,500•Hybrid

About The Position

The Research Program Coordinator, Living Lab – Ontario, is situated within the Department of Research and Knowledge Transfer and works primarily on the Living Lab – Ontario program, delivered by OSCIA in partnership with Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada (AAFC) and a diverse network of agricultural, academic, industry, and government stakeholders. The success of Living Lab – Ontario relies on effective coordination, communication, governance, and relationship management among a complex network of partners working toward shared environmental and agricultural outcomes. This role serves as a central coordinator and relationship manager across the Living Lab – Ontario partnership network, supporting successful program delivery, stakeholder engagement, budget oversight, reporting, governance processes, and strategic collaboration opportunities. The successful candidate will be equally comfortable facilitating discussions among diverse stakeholders, managing complex program requirements, tracking deliverables and budgets, reporting and tracking performance metrics, and supporting the long-term growth and success of collaborative research initiatives.

Requirements

Post-secondary degree in Agriculture, Environmental Studies, Rural Studies, Community Development, Communications, Business Administration, Public Administration, or related field.
Minimum 3–5 years of experience in government-funded program coordination, project management, stakeholder engagement, partnership management, research administration, or related fields.
Exceptional interpersonal, relationship-building, facilitation, and communication skills.
Demonstrated experience coordinating complex, multi-partner projects involving multiple organizations, deliverables, budgets, and timelines.
Proven ability to facilitate meetings and maintain momentum among diverse stakeholder groups.
Experience managing stakeholder relationships and navigating competing priorities or differing viewpoints.
Strong project management skills, including planning, risk management, prioritization, and execution.
Experience developing, monitoring, forecasting, and reporting on multi-year budgets.
Experience preparing reports, presentations, briefing materials, and stakeholder communications.
Strong organizational skills and demonstrated attention to detail.
Proficiency with Microsoft Office applications including Teams, Outlook, Excel, Word, PowerPoint, and Planner.
Proven ability to work independently and collaboratively within a team environment.
Demonstrated ability to manage periods of high demand while remaining flexible and solutions-oriented.
Valid Driver’s Licence and access to a personal vehicle.
Understanding of Ontario agriculture, agricultural research systems, and environmental sustainability initiatives.
Knowledge of collaborative research models, multi-partner innovation programs, and stakeholder engagement practices.
Understanding of governance processes, funding agreements, reporting requirements, and budget stewardship principles.
Knowledge of project management methodologies, risk management practices, and performance measurement frameworks.
Familiarity with knowledge translation and transfer approaches that support research adoption and stakeholder engagement.
Strong stakeholder engagement, relationship-building, and partnership management skills.
Excellent verbal and written communication skills, including facilitation, presentation, and report writing.
Strong project coordination and organizational skills with the ability to manage multiple priorities, timelines, and deliverables.
Effective budget monitoring, forecasting, and financial tracking skills.
Proven problem-solving, critical thinking, and decision-making abilities.
Ability to facilitate productive discussions among diverse stakeholder groups with varying perspectives and priorities.
Strong attention to detail while maintaining a strategic, big-picture perspective.
Proficiency in project tracking, performance monitoring, and administrative coordination.
Ability to build credibility and maintain productive working relationships with researchers, government representatives, industry partners, farmer organizations, service providers, and funding agencies.
Ability to anticipate challenges, identify risks, and implement proactive solutions to support successful program delivery.
Ability to balance strategic thinking with day-to-day operational execution.
Ability to manage complex projects while maintaining focus on objectives, timelines, budgets, and deliverables.
Ability to work effectively in collaborative environments and foster cooperation among diverse stakeholders.
Ability to adapt to changing priorities and manage competing demands in a dynamic work environment.
Ability to maintain professionalism, confidentiality, and sound judgment when handling sensitive information.
Ability to contribute to the growth of Ontario's agricultural innovation system through collaboration, partnership development, and continuous improvement initiatives.

Nice To Haves

A diploma, graduate degree, PMP designation, or other certification in project management, stakeholder engagement, facilitation, agricultural leadership, communications, or public administration would be considered an asset.
Experience working within Ontario agriculture, the agri-food sector, environmental programming, applied research initiatives, or government-funded programs would be considered a strong asset.
Experience with funding agreements, contracts, service agreements, or contribution agreements is considered an asset.
Experience using Zoom, Canva, Adobe Pro, SharePoint, or similar collaboration platforms is considered an asset.
French language skills are an asset.

Responsibilities

Support OSCIA’s applied research programs by serving as a central point of coordination among Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada, project partners, researchers, farmer cooperators, and other stakeholders.
Ensure Living Lab – Ontario deliverables, milestones, and budgets remain on track and aligned with approved workplans, service agreements, and funding requirements.
Coordinate implementation of project workplans and monitor progress toward program objectives.
Track performance measures, deliverables, reporting requirements, and program commitments.
Identify project risks and develop mitigation strategies related to budgets, timelines, stakeholder engagement, and program delivery.
Support continuous improvement initiatives that strengthen program efficiency and stakeholder experience.
Build and maintain strong working relationships with project partners, researchers, government representatives, farmer organizations, industry groups, and academic institutions.
Serve as the primary point of contact for Living Lab – Ontario stakeholder engagement activities.
Support strategic stakeholder engagement initiatives that foster collaboration, trust, and long-term partnership development.
Facilitate productive discussions among stakeholders with varying priorities and perspectives.
Monitor stakeholder satisfaction and establish feedback mechanisms to support continuous improvement.
Represent OSCIA and Living Lab – Ontario at meetings, workshops, conferences, and industry events.
Coordinate and facilitate meetings of project partners, consortium members, advisory committees, and working groups.
Develop agendas, briefing materials, meeting summaries, and action-item tracking processes.
Capture meeting notes and action items and monitor follow-up activities and ensure commitments are completed in a timely manner.
Support communications related to project outcomes, achievements, funding requirements, and stakeholder engagement.
Contribute to the knowledge translation and transfer of research outcomes to project stakeholders, farmer cooperators, researchers, and Ontario farmers.
Monitor Living Lab – Ontario budgets, expenditures, forecasts, and financial commitments.
Forecast annual budgets and expenses and assign and align finances to project goals and funder commitments.
Support preparation of invoices, reports, presentations, briefing notes, and funding updates.
Maintain accurate project records and documentation to support reporting, compliance, and audit requirements.
Coordinate service agreements, contracts, and procurement processes with eligible service providers.
Monitor contracted work and ensure alignment with project objectives and deliverables.
Identify opportunities for new partnerships, collaborations, and complementary initiatives that strengthen OSCIA's research portfolio and Living Lab – Ontario objectives.
Support development of future research opportunities, funding proposals, and collaborative initiatives.
Contribute to strengthening OSCIA's role within Ontario's agricultural innovation ecosystem.
Participate in internal OSCIA committees, working groups, and cross-departmental initiatives that support organizational priorities.
Support the development and implementation of organizational procedures, and continuous improvement initiatives related to research and program operations.
Provide backup support to other Research and Knowledge Transfer team members during periods of high workload, staff absences, or special projects.
Support event planning and coordination, including conferences, field days, workshops, advisory meetings, and stakeholder engagement sessions.
Other duties as assigned by the Senior Manager of Research Operations or Director of Research and Knowledge Transfer.