Associate director, global futures networks

University of Waterloo; Waterloo; On-site; CAD 101,000 - 127,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading educational institution in Waterloo seeks an Associate Director for the Global Futures Networks. This role involves strategic planning, overseeing funding programs, and developing partnerships across the university and external communities. The ideal candidate has a Master's degree and over 7 years of experience in university administration. This position is full-time and temporary, offering a competitive salary within a vibrant workplace culture.

Qualifications

• 7+ years of progressive experience in university administration, research management, or partnership development.
• Experience leading funding programs or strategic initiatives at a postsecondary institution.
• Strong interpersonal skills to sustain relationships across various sectors.

Responsibilities

• Provide strategic support to the GFN Steering Committee and Deans’ Council.
• Manage fund-related budgets and resource allocation.
• Develop performance objectives and evaluation frameworks for assessing funded initiatives.

Skills

Strategic thinking

Collaboration

Excellent communication

Project management

Education

Master’s degree in a related field

Job description

At the University of Waterloo, we create and promote a culture where everyone can reach their full potential. As an employee, you get support & opportunities that empower you to advance your career. Explore how we can bring big ideas to life, together. The University is a welcoming workplace for those of all abilities, interests, and expertise. As part of our workforce, you can do what you do best, every day.

Learn more about our recruitment process.

Job Requisition ID:

2025-00188

Time Type:

Full time

Employee Group:

Staff

Job Category:

Administrative Support

Employment Type:

Temporary

Department:

Office of the President - Global Future Networks

Hiring Range:

$101,366.87 - $126,708.58

Posting Information:

Term: 2 Years
The internal posting deadline for this position is Thursday July 31, 2025 at 11:59PM.
This position is being offered as a Secondment or contract opportunity.

Job Description:

Primary Purpose

Reporting to the Executive Director, Global Futures Networks, the Associate Director (AD) supports the strategic planning, direction, and implementation of the Global Futures Networks (GFN), the Global Futures Office (GFO), and the Global Futures Fund - all flagship initiatives aligned with the university’s Waterloo at 100 vision. The AD plays a pivotal leadership role in liaising and connecting needs of the Global Futures Initiatives comprising the GFN to various campus supports, formally and informally arranged to propel the GFIs. The AD manages interdisciplinary project funding, nurtures collaborative partnerships, and helps stewards a vibrant internal and external community of scholars, staff, and stakeholders invested in the university’s Global Futures Networks.

The AD provides strategic guidance, oversight, and implementation of the Fund’s lifecycle-from ideation and calls for proposals to selection, launch, and impact monitoring. This role is essential in building connective tissue between funded initiatives, amplifying their reach, and ensuring alignment with institutional values and long-term goals.

With an emphasis on partnerships, collaboration, and impact, the Associate Director will help sustain relationships across faculties, academic support units (ASUs), government, industry, civil society, and other external partners. The incumbent will also lead internal coordination, and professional service supports to foster an agile, inclusive, and forward-thinking fund environment.

Key Accountabilities

Strategic Leadership & Fund Design

• Provide strategic advice and coordination to the GFN Steering Committee and Deans’ Council including supporting the development of strategic planning, reports, and meeting materials.
• In collaboration with the Executive Director, GFN, lead the design, evolution, and operations of the Global Futures Fund including call design, application processes, review mechanisms, awards, and evaluation.
• Collaborate with leadership to ensure fund activities align with the vision of the Global Futures, institutional strategies, and equitable access principles.
• Assess and refine Fund operations and guidelines to ensure optimal uptake, clarity, fairness, and impact.

Internal and External Partnership and Network Development

• Identify and cultivate mutually beneficial partnerships with internal and external collaborators (faculties, institutes, ASUs, community organizations, government, industry, and others).
• In collaboration with the Executive Director, GFN, develop frameworks for cross-campus collaboration that support funded projects and foster knowledge mobilization, sustainability, and scale as well as a range of functions across marking and communications.
• Build mechanisms to engage key players throughout the lifecycle of fund-supported projects.
• Support applicants and recipients in designing projects that are collaborative, community-engaged, impact-oriented, and outcomes-driven.
• Develop methods and activities for broader convening and connecting across the campus and broader community of individuals and teams aligned to the Global Futures.

Program Oversight & Service Delivery

• In collaboration with the Executive Director, GFN oversee all GFN programmatic logistics including communications, timelines, support structures, and documentation.
• Support the iterative design of the shared professional services model for support to GFIs. Lead implementation of this model in a nimble, efficient, and strategic manner to ensure cost effectiveness and high quality and relevance of services. Liaise with campus units, leads, and related teams to formally and informally implement the supports needed for GFIs.
• Manage ongoing program updates and ensure clear reporting to university leadership, stakeholders, and governance bodies.
• Oversee the development of internal- and public-facing communications, storytelling, and convening and connecting initiatives that showcase GFIs, and other activities aligned to the Global Futures.

Team Leadership and Organizational Development

• Support and often take the lead on leadership and management provided to a small team of resources from across the University delivering GFN and fund-related operations, communications, and event coordination.
• Foster a culture of collaboration, creativity, equity, and accountability within the team and broader network.
• Support the development of the Global Futures Office with respect to space needs and the coordination of human resources support from across the campus.
• Work with the Administrative Officer to lead the development and maintenance of a robust client relations management software or comparable system to ensure optimization of stakeholder engagement and internal and external partnership development.

Measurement, Evaluation, and Impact

• Develop performance objectives and mentoring strategies that align with various unit goals and the broader Waterloo at 100 vision.
• Establish clear metrics and evaluation frameworks for assessing the success and reach of funded initiatives.
• Analyze GFN programming outcomes to identify trends, scale opportunities, and areas for improvement.
• In collaboration with the Executive Director, GFN, produce strategic reports and presentations that communicate GFN and Global Futures Fund impact to internal leadership and governance bodies and external audiences.

Financial and Resource Management

• Manage fund-related budgets, vendor contracts, and resource allocation in collaboration with the Executive Director, GFN and Finance.
• Ensure effective financial stewardship, forecasting, and reporting for fund operations and funded projects.

Required Qualifications

Education

• Master’s degree in a related field (e.g., Public Policy, Higher Education, Innovation Management, Interdisciplinary Studies); and/or equivalent experience considered

Experience

• 7+ years of progressive experience in university administration, research management, partnership development, or innovation ecosystems.
• Experience leading funding programs, interdisciplinary collaborations, or strategic initiatives at a postsecondary institution or research-intensive organization.
• Demonstrated ability to initiate and sustain relationships across sectors, including academia, government, community, and/or industry.

Knowledge / Skills / Abilities

• Sophisticated understanding of interdisciplinary research, education, and service dynamics in a university context.
• Strategic thinker with the ability to operationalize complex programs, foster stakeholder engagement, and deliver measurable impact.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills; adept at developing strategy documents, public materials, and internal reports.
• Skilled in cross-functional collaboration, stakeholder alignment, and governance navigation.
• Proven ability to lead teams, inspire collaboration, and adapt to shifting priorities.
• Competency in project management, event coordination, and communications strategy.
• Familiarity with the principles of equity, diversity, inclusion, and decolonization, and their application in academic initiatives.

Equity Statement

The University of Waterloo acknowledges that much of our work takes place on the traditional territory of the Neutral, Anishinaabeg, and Haudenosaunee peoples. Our main campus is situated on the Haldimand Tract, the land granted to the Six Nations that includes six miles on each side of the Grand River. Our active work toward reconciliation takes place across our campuses through research, learning, teaching, and community building, and is coordinated within the Office of Indigenous Relations.

The University values the diverse and intersectional identities of its students, faculty, and staff. The University regards equity and diversity as an integral part of academic excellence and is committed to accessibility for all employees. The University of Waterloo seeks applicants who embrace our values of equity, anti-racism and inclusion. As such, we encourage applications from candidates who have been historically disadvantaged and marginalized, including applicants who identify as First Nations, Métis and/or Inuk (Inuit), Black, racialized, a person with a disability, women and/or 2SLGBTQ+.

Positions are open to qualified candidates who are legally entitled to work in Canada.

The University of Waterloo is committed to accessibility for persons with disabilities. If you have any application, interview, or workplace accommodation requests, please contact Human Resources at [e-mail] or 519-888-4567, ext. 45935.