Senior Advisor Grants and Initiatives

McGill University•Hamilton, ON

4d•CA$103,210 - CA$154,810•Hybrid

About The Position

Under the supervision of the Deputy and Director of the Goodman Cancer Institute, the Senior Advisor, Grants and Initiatives, leads the development and execution of strategic grant and research initiatives, guiding complex multi-investigator funding applications, supporting principal investigators, and enhancing the Institute’s research funding success and long-term sustainability. The role provides expert advice to senior leadership on strategic priorities, oversees major research projects, and contributes to scientific communications, reporting, fundraising, and institutional advancement activities. In collaboration with researchers, donors, and university partners, the Senior Advisor helps strengthen the Institute’s profile, expand its impact, and advance its research and fundraising objectives.

Requirements

Diploma in Biomedical Sciences, Health Sciences, or a related discipline, with deep knowledge of cancer research and experience operating within complex, multidisciplinary research environments.
Minimum of 10 years of experience in academic, healthcare, research institute, or university settings.
Demonstrated ability to advise senior leadership on research strategy, scientific initiatives, and partnership development.
Proven experience in grant development, funding applications, and scientific writing, with a strong track record of securing competitive research funding.
Project management and organizational skills, with the ability to prioritize and manage multiple complex initiatives simultaneously.
Strong analytical, strategic thinking, and problem-solving abilities, supported by excellent research and evaluation skills.
Excellent written and verbal communication skills, with demonstrated expertise in developing high-quality grant proposals, strategic plans, reports, manuscripts, presentations, and executive briefing materials for diverse audiences.
Proven ability to build and maintain effective collaborations with researchers, clinicians, senior executives, funding agencies, and external stakeholders to advance organizational and research priorities.
Comprehensive knowledge of Canadian and international research funding landscapes, including major funding agencies, grant programs, and complex co-funding models.
Experience supporting strategic planning, scientific program development, and the establishment of provincial, national, and international research collaborations.
Demonstrated success in managing multi-institutional research funding portfolios, including budget oversight, financial reporting, compliance monitoring, and stewardship of research investments.
Strong track record of developing, cultivating, and sustaining strategic partnerships with local, provincial, national, and international organizations to enhance research capacity, visibility, and impact.
Ability to thrive in a fast-paced, dynamic environment while exercising sound judgment, discretion, and a high level of professionalism.
Must be authorized to work in Canada and willing to work in the province of Quebec.
Knowledge of English at level # 4 on a scale of 0-4.

Nice To Haves

Deep knowledge of cancer research
Experience operating within complex, multidisciplinary research environments.

Responsibilities

Take a leading role in planning and directing the course of grant applications for the Cancer Institute in collaboration with PIs throughout each step of the process.
Develop grant proposals for large-scale, multi-investigator projects to bolster the award success rate and provide financial stability for the Cancer Institute and its initiatives.
Advise senior leadership on the development of strategic plans and initiatives for the Cancer Institute to support and expand its profile, reach and impact.
Manage large-scale, multi-investigator research projects and contribute scientific expertise to data interpretation, guiding the scientific direction of the projects, planning experimental programs and new directions.
Assist individual PIs with writing and editing grants and manuscripts.
Research and planning for prospective team grant applications.
Report on Centre-level academic and research activities.
Write and edit funding proposals for GCRC core facilities and platforms.
Support the Director and senior leadership.
Work with the Director of the GCRC as well as the Director of Fundraising, University Advancement personnel and external freelance writers to fundraising materials/cases for the GCRC.
Collaborate with the GCRC Director and PIs to define the strategy and priorities for the GCRC/MCI within McGill’s Capital Campaign.
Contribute to the overall plan, design and material content of the GCRC website to effectively communicate on scientific themes and programs.

Benefits

Competitive benefits package (Health, Dental, Life Insurance) (if eligible)
Defined contribution pension plan (with employer contribution up to 10%) (if eligible)
Group Registered Retirement Savings Plan (RRSP) and Tax Free Savings Account (TFSA)
Competitive vacation policy
Two (2) personal days
Two (2) floating holidays
Nine (9) "Summer Fridays" - paid days off between the St-Jean Baptiste holiday and Labour Day
Paid time off over the December holiday period
Tuition waiver for regular employees and their dependents
Up to two (2) days of remote work per week where the position permits