Project Manager

This position is a part of the Association of the Academic Staff of the University of Alberta (AASUA).

In accordance with the Trust/Research Academic Staff Agreement this position has an approximate appointment of 48 months and offers a comprehensive benefits package found at Faculty & Staff Benefits and annual salary range of $58,938 - $81,051.

Location - North campus. This role is hybrid with a mix of remote and in person

Working for the University of Alberta

The University of Alberta acknowledges that we are located on Treaty 6 territory, and respects the histories, languages and cultures of First Nations, Métis, Inuit and all First Peoples of Canada, whose presence continues to enrich our vibrant community.

The University of Alberta is teeming with change makers, community builders, and world 

shapers who lead with purpose each and every day. We are home to more than 40,000 students in 200+ undergraduate and 500+ graduate programs, over 13,000 faculty and staff, 260,000 alumni worldwide and have been recognized as one of Canada’s Greenest Employers for over a decade.

Your work will have a meaningful influence on a fascinating cross section of people—from our students and stakeholders, to our renowned researchers and innovators who are quite literally curing diseases, making discoveries and generating solutions that make the world healthier, safer, stronger, and more just.

Department summary

CAT-G (Climate Action through Grazing) is a multi-investigator, Genome Canada funded research project aimed at helping Canada meet its ambitious climate goal of net-zero C emissions by 2050. Within CAT-G, the team is focused on understanding how beef cattle management decisions can affect ecosystem-level responses in grasslands such as soil C storage and the soil microbiome, vegetative growth, and cattle and soil GHG emissions. Central to CAT-G is the adoption of a collaborative approach which brings together diverse perspectives for common purpose. Team members include natural and social scientists, governmental researchers and decision makers, private producers and industry groups, as well as environmental groups.

Position summary

The Project Manager will serve as a senior manager for the Genome Canada, Climate Action through Grazing (CAT-G) interdisciplinary challenge team. The CAT-G project is co-lead by researchers at the University of Alberta, with additional team members from UA, Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada, and the University of Saskatchewan. The Project Manager is the focal point for organization both within the project and with its external partners, and serves as an essential bridge between the project’s scientific and administrative aspects. The Project Manager will be responsible for assisting with overall project coordination, including project planning & implementation, purchasing, budgeting & cost control, scheduling, risk management, and on-going communications with diverse stakeholders inside and outside of the University. Though this position is based within the Department of Biological Sciences (Faculty of Science), the project manager will also work closely with the Faculty of Agriculture, Life, and Environmental Sciences.

Duties

• Assists the Academic co-leads with designing and implementing of operational plans based upon the overall strategic vision of the Project including ongoing assessment of strategic plan, timelines, and deliverables
• Is the principal point of contact between the Project and Genome Alberta/Genome Canada, fee-for-service providers (e.g. Genome Quebec), and diverse stakeholders inside and outside the University
• Works with the Finance Partner assigned to the area to monitor, analyze, forecast and report on financial position.
• In conjunction with the Finance Partner, the Staff Service Centre, and Genome Canada/Alberta oversees the financial transactions across all sources of funds.
• Maintains and evaluates current business processes for operational and financial efficiencies. Recommends options, strategies and proposals regarding budget allocations/reallocations and distribution of resources to support area priorities.
• Purchases services, equipment and supplies.
• Manages requests for building/room access.
• In collaboration with the co-leads and PIs will assist in the development and maintenance of data management plans and sample inventory systems.
• In collaboration with the HR Partner for the area, provides advice and support on human resource issues. HR responsibilities include day to day administrative tasks, appointments, contracts, reappointments, onboarding and off boarding, maintaining/updating training and safety processes and documentation
• Contributes to the creation of an environment where diverse ideas, perspectives and achievements are recognized, rewarded and celebrated.
• Participates in the preparation and submission of grant applications and ensures timelines/deliverables are met.

• Organise research project symposia, conferences, lectures, seminars or meetings. This includes scheduling, coordinating, setting agendas, acting as moderator / note-taker for virtual and in-person Project meetings.
• Assists in the creation of progress, scientific, financial or final reports for stakeholders, granting agencies or external funders.
• Advises on the application of University of Alberta Policies and Procedures to the areas (e.g., research administration, risk management, etc.).
• May complete or oversee communications activities for the project in conjunction with team members and h communications partners.
• Cultivates positive working relationships with all project participants and acts as a moderator among parties in the event that issues arise among Project participants

Minimum Qualifications

The candidate must have experience in a related scientific field and in project management or other management position. 

The following post-secondary education is required:

• An MSc or PhD in a related scientific discipline plus at least three years of demonstrated management experience OR
• A Masters degree plus an MBA or MPM

Preferred Qualifications

• A background in scientific fields related to the project is considered an asset, including but not limited to -omics, plant and soil ecology, livestock operations, greenhouse gas emissions, synthetic analyses and integration of social and natural sciences.
• Demonstrated knowledge of grassland/rangeland ecology or greenhouse gas emissions (soil and cattle) are considered an asset.
• Familiarity with the generation and interpretation of genomic data is considered an asset.
• Familiarity with agronomic and/or ecological field work is an asset.

• Excellent financial management skills are essential, with demonstrated experience and/or educational background in accounting, agreements, financial reporting, reconciliation, and forecasting required.
• Experience with budgets of $1M or more an asset.
• Familiarity with software environments commonly used within UA and Genome Canada is highly desirable.

• Prior experience in human resources is necessary, including a proven ability to effectively resolve challenging personnel situations.
• The individual must be an exceptional relationship manager, possessing outstanding interpersonal skills.
• The individual must have a demonstrated ability to foster and maintain excellent relationship dynamics with diverse participants and stakeholders.
• Prior experience in interacting with university administration or equivalent agencies or institutions - in particular financial services and human resources - is required.

• Excellent verbal and written communication skills are essential.
• Demonstrated experience with report preparation required.
• Demonstrated experience in communication with stakeholders and the public highly desirable.
• Familiarity with online communication tools required.  

• A high degree of computer literacy is required.
• Familiarity with handling large datasets is an asset.
• Familiarity with the key elements of a data management plan is desirable.
• Prior experience with database interfaces is an asset.

• Experience in team environments essential, as is experience in coordinating activities involving multiple parties.
• Prior experience in organizing and moderating virtual and in-person meetings and workshops of 2-150 people is considered an asset.
• Demonstrated aptitude for organization and timeliness is critical.
• Proven track record in timeline-driven, milestone-oriented projects a priority.
• Ability to work well under pressure to meet deadlines in a dynamic team environment is required.
• Demonstrated resourcefulness, enthusiasm and innovation are all considered positive attributes.
• Demonstrated problem-solving skills are important.
• A willingness to take on new challenges and learn new skills is also important.

Note: Online applications are accepted until midnight Mountain Standard Time of the closing date.