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Position summary:
Reporting to the Associate Director, Strategic Initiatives the Senior Advisors, Research Core Facilities primary focus is to provide high-quality guidance to researchers and managers of research Core Facilities across all Faculties and all areas of research at McGill with focus on planning and preparing for complex grant applications to funding bodies such as granting agencies but also industry and other sponsors to fund equipment and operating costs. Research Core Facilities at McGill are research platforms that provide access to specialized equipment, expertise, training, services, technologies, and scientific and technical personnel that are accessible to multiple investigators The Senior Advisor - will promote financial sustainability of Research Core facility and has a deep understanding of the operations to provide guidance on funding opportunities, user fee structures, and financial systems for billing and reporting. The incumbent works closely with the Associate Deans, Research, personnel in Faculty-based research offices, Office of Sponsored Research, Innovation & Partnerships, Facility Management and Ancillary Services (FMAS), and Procurement Services.
Primary Responsibilities:
The Senior Advisor ensures a high level of responsiveness and effectiveness in all interactions with Core Facilities across three key areas of responsibility: 1) Financial sustainability – guide researchers in applying for granting programs for Core Facilities; 2) Process development – provide skilled advice to researchers and managers of Core Facilities for operational best practice i.e., implementing user fee, financial compliance, and staffing; and 3) Management and Planning – develop business plan, guidelines, templates, and advice Core Facilities in the use of best practice, keep records as described in the Policy for Research Entities and related Procedure for Core Facilities to plan for efficient institutional oversight of Core Facilities with specific emphasis on long-term planning for financial sustainability.
Financial Sustainability
- Identify funding opportunities to guide the operations and equipment renewal of Core Facilities. Continuously provide guidance to scientific directors and managers about such funding programs and processes for applications.
- Provide guidance to scientific directors (Principal Investigators) of Core Facilities and Faculty-based research offices and lead the development of strong and highly competitive large-scale grant applications to external funding programs.
- Provide outstanding service to McGill’s scientific community throughout the proposal development process.
- Develop and negotiate various types of agreements related to Core Facilities, including user agreements, award agreements, collaboration agreements, and sponsorship agreements.
- Ensure compliance with established procedures for research administration, including signing authority on grant applications, agreements, contracts, and resource allocation.
Process Development
- Enhance the visibility of McGill’s Core Facilities to external partners, e.g., industry, funding agencies, etc., by publicizing on external platforms such as the Research Facilities Navigator by the Canada Foundation for Innovation (CFI).
- Oversee collection and dissemination of information about best practice related to operations of Core Facilities. Develop and promote operational procedures and templates as needed.
- Lead the development of models for user fees that can be adapted to the needs and context of individual Core Facilities.
- Develop and provide training for Core Facility personnel, e.g., on software for user management and billing.
- Provide guidance to facilitate administrative processes for Core Facility managers while ensuring compliance with McGill’s policies and external sponsors’ terms and conditions, for example with Procurement Services to facilitate the purchase of large-scale equipment, supplies and materials across several Core Facilities to obtain preferred pricing.
Management and Planning
- Develop and maintain up-to-date documentation related to McGill Core Facilities as described in the Policy on Research Entities, e.g., annual reports, evaluation reports, etc.
- Provide senior professional expertise to Associate Deans, Research and Faculty-based research offices to determine priorities for providing efficient support of Core Facilities across campus. This requires keeping abreast of up-to-date knowledge of technological development.
- Oversee data collection and analysis related to McGill’s research Core Facilities in order to develop and implement institutional-wide metrics and key performance indicators for reporting and performance evaluation of Core Facilities.
- Provide guidance to Core Facility Managers to prepare plans and reports, i.e., business plan, strategic plan, staffing plan and annual reports.
- Oversee the development and review of institutional policies and procedures to reflect the changing landscape for Core Facilities
- Prepare appropriate reports, briefings, and other documents to Senior Administration including the VP (R+I), AVPs, Deans, in a timely fashion.
Other Qualifying Skills and/or Abilities
- Over 5 years’ experience in research development and administration in a Canadian University or Funding Agency.
- Experience with management and/or operations of Core Facilities in a university is an asset. Strong scientific/research background.
- Ability to think strategically and identify opportunities and risks at an early stage.
- Experience in developing strategies and building projects to ensure their success within a public or private sector research environment.
- Excellent leadership skills to bring together diverse stakeholders and develop winning teams, leveraging individual strengths and overcoming differing points of view.
- Self-motivated, with strong organizational skills, able to effectively prioritize a wide range of responsibilities, able to supervise multiple projects simultaneously, and to work well under pressure.
- Strong technical skills in the Office 365 suite, especially Excel, Word, SharePoint, OneDrive.
- Experience with software solutions for client management as an asset.
- Demonstrate a high level of leadership and professionalism in working with a team of people to achieve specific outcomes.
- Fully bilingual in both written and spoken English and French, in order to communicate with external stakeholders, make presentations and develop/compose complex and sensitive documents targeted to multiple audiences.
- Service-oriented approach to people and a proven ability to problem solving.
- Knowledge of French and English. McGill University is an English-language university where day to day duties may require English communication both verbally and in writing.
- The level of English required for this position has been assessed at a level # 4 on a scale of 0-4.”
Minimum Education and Experience:
Bachelor's Degree 5 Years Related Experience /
Annual Salary:
(MPEX Grade 07) $87,090.00 - $108,860.00 - $130,630.00
Hours per Week:
33.75 (Full time)
Supervisor:
Assoc Dir Strategic Initiative
Position End Date (If applicable):
Deadline to Apply:
2024-04-19
McGill University hires on the basis of merit and is strongly committed to equity and diversity within its community. We welcome applications from racialized persons/visible minorities, women, Indigenous persons, persons with disabilities, ethnic minorities, and persons of minority sexual orientations and gender identities, as well as from all qualified candidates with the skills and knowledge to productively engage with diverse communities. McGill implements an employment equity program and encourages members of designated groups to self-identify. Persons with disabilities who anticipate needing accommodations for any part of the application process may contact, in confidence, [email protected] .