Senior Manager of Research Operations

Ontario Soil and Crop Improvement Association•Guelph, ON

1d•CA$85,000 - CA$95,000•Hybrid

About The Position

The Senior Manager of Research Operations is responsible for the operational management of research initiatives that advance sustainable agriculture, soil health, and climate-resilient farming systems. This role ensures that research projects are designed, implemented, and evaluated effectively, supporting the organization’s mission to foster innovation, environmental stewardship, and evidence-based decision-making in agriculture. The incumbent will oversee research planning, project management, data integrity, stakeholder coordination, and reporting functions. They will also ensure compliance with funding agreements, scientific standards, and ethical research practices while supporting partnerships with academic institutions, government agencies, and industry collaborators.

Requirements

A post-secondary degree in related fields (e.g. Agriculture, Environmental Science, Soil Science, Plant Science, Agri-environmental Studies, natural resource management, biology, agronomy) is required.
Minimum of 5 years of progressive experience in program administration or delivery, with demonstrated leadership experience, preferably within the agriculture or environmental sectors.
Demonstrated experience overseeing research operations, including project planning, data collection, analysis, reporting, and evaluation.
Proven ability to lead multidisciplinary teams, providing mentorship, performance feedback, and operational guidance to researchers and technical staff.
Experience in budget management, including forecasting, expenditure tracking, and financial reporting for grant- or contribution-funded research projects.
Experience working with government agencies, academic institutions, and industry partners to deliver collaborative research initiatives.
Demonstrated ability to develop and implement Knowledge Translation and Transfer (KTT) strategies, including converting research findings into plain-language materials, decision-support tools, and extension resources.
Experience managing or contributing to grant writing, funding applications, and compliance with contribution agreements.
Strong background in data governance, ensuring research integrity, data accuracy, and ethical handling of sensitive information.
Experience implementing quality assurance systems, monitoring frameworks, and process improvements to enhance research efficiency and consistency.
Familiarity with digital tools, databases, and visualization platforms used for research tracking, performance measurement, and stakeholder reporting.
Demonstrated success in communicating technical results to non-technical audiences, including producers, funding agents, and the general public.
Experience coordinating workshops, field days, and stakeholder engagement sessions to promote knowledge exchange and adoption of research findings.
Experience managing projects with an emphasis on sustainability metrics, such as soil health, water quality, biodiversity, and greenhouse gas reduction.
Deep understanding of sustainable agriculture practices, agri-environmental systems, and applied research methodologies.
Knowledge of funding frameworks, grant management, and compliance processes.
Familiarity with research ethics, data management standards, and open science principles.
Understanding of Ontario’s agricultural landscape, policy environment, and sectoral priorities.
Strategic and operational planning for research programs.
Strong leadership, communication, and stakeholder engagement skills.
Proficiency in project management, data analytics, and reporting tools.
Financial and budget management with strong attention to compliance.
Ability to synthesize scientific data into actionable insights and policy recommendations.
Proficiency in Microsoft Office Suite and database management.
Excellent written and verbal communication skills.
Ability to lead teams and foster a supportive, results-driven work culture. Foster collaboration among partners.
Ability to lead through change, promoting innovation and adaptability in evolving program environments.
Ability to balance multiple priorities and manage time effectively in a dynamic research environment.
Ability to translate complex research outcomes into accessible knowledge products.
Ability to maintain professionalism, confidentiality, and scientific integrity.
Ability to represent the organization with credibility and authority in scientific and policy forums
Adaptability: Demonstrate a willingness to be flexible, versatile, and dynamic in a changing work environment while maintaining effectiveness and efficiency.
Ethical behaviour: Ensure personal behaviours align with the Association's core values and code of conduct.
Relationship development: Establish and maintain positive working relationships with others, internally and externally.
Effective communication: Speak, listen, and write in a precise, clear, and timely manner using appropriate and effective communication tools.
Client focus: Anticipate clients' needs and respond in an appropriate and timely manner, seeking to provide the highest quality service.
Teamwork development: Work cooperatively and effectively with others to set goals, resolve challenges, and make decisions that enhance cross-functional cooperation.
Initiative: Ability to assess and initiate tasks independently.
Decision-making: Assess role-based situations to determine the importance, risks, and make clear decisions in a timely manner.
Time management and organization: Set priorities, develop a task schedule, monitor progress towards deadlines.
Problem-solving: View problems as learning opportunities, focus on improving future results.
Cultural Competence: Value diversity and inclusivity, demonstrating an ability to work effectively with trust across various departments.
Foster Sustainability: Ensuring the work we do improves the viability and sustainability of rural Ontario and Ontario agriculture.
Continuous Learning: Participates in an environment of professional development and personal growth.
Requires regular use of a computer; prolonged sitting, typing, and screen time required.
Must hold and maintain a valid driver’s licence and have access to reliable transportation for occasional travel to meetings, stakeholder events, and organizational sites.
Must maintain a high level of professionalism and confidentiality when handling sensitive or organizational information.

Nice To Haves

A graduate degree in a related field is considered an asset.
A post-secondary degree in public administration, or leadership management is considered an asset.
Professional credentials – Earned from professional associations that verify specialized knowledge in leadership competence.
Memberships in professional organizations, (Certified Crop Advisor (CCA), Professional Agrologist (PAg) Advanced Agricultural Leadership Program (AALP), Nuffield Agriculture Canada, considered an asset.
Experience working with agricultural best management practices related to soil health, water quality, greenhouse gas reduction, and climate adaptation preferred.
Proven track record in research program development, from proposal design implementation and final reporting.

Responsibilities

Lead the design, coordination, and delivery of applied research projects that address sustainability priorities such as soil health, water quality greenhouse gas emission reductions, biodiversity, and climate adaptation.
Assist the Director of Research and Knowledge Transfer with the development of annual and multi-year plans to identify research opportunities that align with organizational strategies and sectoral goals.
Manage the research operations portfolio, assist with budgeting, staffing, and resource allocation.
Ensure the integration of research outcomes into organizational programming, communications, and policy engagement.
Provide scientific leadership in project development, methodology design, and outcome measurement.
Oversee the day-to-day operations of research activities, ensuring adherence to timelines, quality standards, and funding obligations.
Develop and maintain Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) for research design, data collection, analysis, project management and reporting.
Coordinate ethics review processes, data governance, and confidentiality standards.
Support continuous improvement of data systems, digital tools, and workflows for research management.
Implement risk management strategies to mitigate operational or compliance challenges in research execution.
Assist with monitoring research budgets, ensuring expenditures align with approved allocations and funding guidelines.
Monitor financial and contractual compliance for research projects and partnerships.
Prepare and submit operational reports and performance summaries to funding agents and senior leadership for oversight and transparency.
Prepare research reports, data summaries, and performance analyses for senior leadership, funding agencies, and stakeholders.
Lead internal audits and contribute to external evaluations of research programs.
Support grant writing and funding proposal development by providing operational input and budget frameworks.
Supervise research and technical staff, provide mentorship, training, and performance management.
Foster a collaborative, innovative, and knowledge-sharing culture across research teams.
Encourage staff development through goal setting, learning opportunities, and professional growth plans.
Support recruitment and onboarding of new research personnel and students.
Coordinate succession planning and skill development, ensuring team capacity aligns with evolving organizational and research priorities.
Build and maintain strong working relationships with academic institutions, research organizations, and funding partners.
Represent the organization at conferences, workshops, and industry events.
Facilitate collaboration between research, programs, and communications teams to ensure alignment and impact.
Ensure the timely and effective implementation of knowledge translation and transfer (KTT) strategies to share research outcomes and best practices with producers, industry stakeholders, and policy partners.
Translate complex research findings into plain language materials to support producer adoption, policy development, and public engagement.
Oversee research data collection, management, and analysis to ensure scientific accuracy and reproducibility.
Implement quality assurance and performance evaluation frameworks for research outcomes.
Coordinate data integration into central databases and knowledge platforms for long-term accessibility.
Lead efforts to translate research results into practical tools, resources, and recommendations for producers and policymakers.
Contribute to the development of evaluation frameworks and performance measures for programs.
Analyze program data and prepare operational summaries for management review.
Identify opportunities to improve delivery efficiency and participant experience.
Oversee the coordination, development, and ongoing maintenance of Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs).
Coordinate the development of post-research evaluation reports and recommendations.