ASSOCIATE DIRECTOR, PRE-AWARD (BAND LEVEL 13)

Memorial University, Newfoundland and Labrador; San Juan de Terranova; On-site; CAD 96,000 - 127,000; Full time

Job summary

Memorial University invites applications for the Associate Director, Pre-Award (Band Level 13) in the Research Initiatives and Services division. The role leads the pre-award services, directs strategic initiatives, and maintains compliance with federal, provincial, and international funding agencies.

Reporting to the Director, you will oversee submissions, contract reviews, and institutional sign-offs, while acting as RIS Director in their absence.

Qualifications

• Substantial experience (5-8 years) in a research administration environment.
• A graduate level degree is required; equivalent combos may be considered.
• Proven track record in progressively responsible roles; leadership, management and problem-solving abilities are essential.
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills; ability to work under tight deadlines and under pressure.

Responsibilities

• Overseeing pre-award administration and recording of all research funded and carried out at Memorial University.
• Formulating strategic initiatives to enhance service delivery, efficiency and compliance with funding agencies.
• Overseeing pre-award review, approval and submission to funding agencies; sign-off on applications, contracts and agreements.
• Managing and maintaining RIS records per Memorial University retention schedule.
• Authorizing opening of research accounts after necessary clearances; overseeing internal grant competitions.
• Ensuring compliance with Tri-Council and other funding agency requirements; maintaining sponsor relationships.
• Managing research applications and contracts within research security framework.
• Providing timely information about funding opportunities through a database.
• Participating on institutional committees and overseeing annual and special projects.

Education

Graduate degree

Job description

September 10, 2026

ASSOCIATE DIRECTOR, PRE-AWARD (BAND LEVEL 13)

Research Initiatives and Services

(Permanent Position)

Research Initiatives & Services (RIS) is the primary contact for all research funding applications and all research-related awards and contracts at Memorial. RIS is composed of Pre-Award Services; Strategic Services, including Major Research Projects (MRP), Strategic Initiatives (SI) and the Core Research Equipment & Instrument Training (CREAIT) Network; Hibernia and Hebron Research & Development Initiative (HHRDI); the Centre for Analytics, Informatics and Research (CAIR); and the Clean Arctic Shipping Initiative (CASI).

DUTIES

Responsibilities

Reporting to the Director, the Associate Director, Pre-Award oversees and manages all aspects of the pre-award services division within RIS and carries out the operational objectives of this division. Responsibilities include ensuring the efficient and effective pre-award administration and recording of all research funded and carried out at Memorial University. As a member of the senior management group within RIS, the position formulates strategic initiatives to enhance service delivery, improve efficiency, and maintain compliance with requirements imposed by provincial, federal, and international funding agencies, including research involving human subjects, use of animals, use of biohazardous materials, and research involving Indigenous groups. The position holds delegated institutional signing authority from the Director for a wide range of research-related documents and will be designated as Acting Director for RIS during periods when the Director is on leave.

• Overseeing institutional review, approval, and formal submission of applications to funding agencies.
• Overseeing the review and negotiation of terms and conditions in research contracts and agreements.
• Institutional sign-off on research applications, contracts, and agreements.
• Overseeing the capture of pre-award information on Memorial's research effort.
• Ensuring office records are maintained according to the MUN retention schedule, as RIS holds the institutional records for research applications and agreements.
• Authorizing the opening of research accounts by Financial and Administrative Services after verification of all necessary clearances or permits.
• Overseeing the administration of Memorial's internal grant competitions.
• Ensuring that all pre-award accountability and regulatory requirements of the Tri-Council (CIHR, NSERC, SSHRC) and other federal, provincial, and local funding agencies and sponsors are met.
• Maintaining communication and positive working relationships with all sponsors, including government, industry, and community organizations.
• Managing research applications and contracts within the framework of research security.
• Overseeing the provision of accurate and timely information about research funding opportunities through a funding opportunities database.
• Participation on various institutional committees, and oversight of annual and special projects, as necessary.

Qualifications

Substantial experience (5-8 years) in a research administration environment; a graduate level degree, and a proven track record across progressively responsible roles are required; or an equivalent combination of experience and training may be considered. The ideal candidate will have sound leadership, management, and problem-solving ability, as well as excellent verbal and written communication skills. The ability to work under tight deadlines and manage with professionalism under stressful circumstances is essential. Experience working with industry, government, or funding agencies is considered an asset.

SALARY

$96,244 - $126,638 per annum (Leadership Group)

CLOSING DATE

September 24, 2026 by 5:00 p.m. NST

All qualified candidates are encouraged to apply; however, p reference will be given to applicants who are legally entitled to work in Canada.

Memorial University is committed to employment equity and diversity and encourages applications from all qualified candidates, including women; 2SLGBTQIA+ people; persons whose gender identity or gender expression is nonbinary or otherwise not cisgender; Indigenous peoples; racialized people; Black persons; and persons with disabilities. Memorial is committed to providing an inclusive learning and work environment.

If there is anything we can do to ensure your full participation during the application process, please contact [e-mail] directly and we will work with you to make appropriate arrangements.

The personal information requested in your application is collected under the authority of the Memorial University Act (RSNL 1990 c M-7) for the purpose of identifying and recruiting candidates; assessing applicant qualifications; and maintaining records pertaining to the administration of employment with Memorial University of Newfoundland.

If you are a successful candidate, this information will form part of your permanent employment record and will be used for other activities related to the employment process. This information may be disclosed to government departments and agencies as legally required; and to third party service providers, as necessary to administer programs and activities.

If you have any questions about the collection, use and disclosure of the information on this form, please contact MyHR, Department of Human Resources, at [e-mail].

Please be advised that we are unable to provide updates on current competitions.

We thank all applicants for their interest, however, only those selected for an interview will be contacted.