Lead Executive Advisor, Research Services

University of Ottawa; Ottawa; On-site; CAD 108,000 - 134,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Competitive salary

Pension plan

Group insurance coverage

Employee and family assistance program

Job summary

The University of Ottawa is seeking an experienced professional to support the development and execution of strategic research initiatives and major funding programs. This role provides expert guidance to researchers in preparing competitive proposals and works with the AVP to advance cross-functional initiatives.

Responsibilities include monitoring funding trends, coordinating with partners, and delivering strategic analyses and briefing materials to senior administrators.

Qualifications

• Master’s degree in pure and applied sciences, preferably with a strong research background.
• PhD considered an asset.
• Minimum of 7 years of experience in similar or equivalent positions or responsibilities.
• Knowledge of granting and contracting practices, policies and guidelines of federal and provincial funding agencies and departments as well as granting foundations.
• Demonstrated experience in a university research or research administration environment with direct involvement in preparing major research proposals.
• Experience with the NSERC considered an asset.
• Project management experience.
• Experience using computer applications and systems such as Windows, PowerPoint, word processing software, spreadsheets, databases, email and the Internet.
• Strong analytical and critical thinking skills.
• Excellent organizational, administrative and communication skills.
• Demonstrated ability to think strategically about complex issues and develop sound and robust recommendations and action plans.
• Ability to work independently and manage competing deadlines and shifting priorities, while consistently exercising excellent judgment.
• Ability to exercise foresight, tact and diplomacy when interacting with University administrators and researchers of varying ranks and in liaising with granting agency personnel and key stakeholders.
• Excellent written and oral communication skills in English and French

Responsibilities

• Participates to the design and planning of strategies around targeted research initiatives and work closely with the AVP to implement a strategic research action plan for the University.
• Monitor internal and external trends in research activities to identify priorities and recommend new initiatives.
• Conducts discussions with researchers to guide them on the institution’s strategic research priorities and to ensure that their research projects are aligned with the strategic areas of development in research as well as those of the funding organizations.
• Provides preliminary advice, guidance and strategies in a timely manner to researchers preparing proposals for major funding opportunities to ensure the projects submitted meet the evaluation criteria and are competitive.
• Connects researchers, faculty-based facilitators and their teams to potential partners and networks to improve the team’s capacity and, thus, their competitive advantage in major funding competitions.
• Keeps abreast of the challenges and opportunities inherent in the funding environment, including internal funding programs offered by U15 universities for major funding opportunities, and makes recommendations to support decision-making of senior university administrators regarding the efficiency and the effectiveness of the considerable research investments the University makes in terms of research funding, equipment and facilities.

Skills

Analytical thinking

Critical thinking

Organizational skills

Communication skills

Bilingual English/French

Project management

Independent work

Education

Master’s degree in pure and applied sciences

PhD considered an asset

Tools

Windows

PowerPoint

Word processing

Spreadsheets

Databases

Email

NSERC familiarity

Job description

Job Type: Employee
Anticipated Duration in Months (for contracts and temporary assignments): N/A
Job Family: Research and Program Support
# of Open Positions: 1 Faculty/Service - Department: Research Management Services
Campus: Main Campus
Union Affiliation: N/A
Date Posted (YYYY/MM/DD): 2026/09/15
Hours per week: 35
Salary Grade: Non-Union Grade NM1
Salary Range: $107,503.00 - $134,379.00

Position purpose

Reporting to the Associate Vice‑President, Research Services, supports in the development and implementation of various strategic initiatives and the management of large funding programs. Provides advice, high-quality guidance and support to researchers in the development and submission of competitive proposals for major funding opportunities. Within the Research Services portfolio, this position provides strategic advice, analysis and executive support to the AVP. This includes supporting the effective coordination and advancement of complex, cross-functional initiatives and providing high-quality analysis, briefing materials, recommendations and advice to support decision‑making by the AVP and senior University administrators.

In this role you will:

• Participates to the design and planning of strategies around targeted research initiatives and work closely with the AVP to implement a strategic research action plan for the University.
• Monitor internal and external trends in research activities to identify priorities and recommend new initiatives.
• Conducts discussions with researchers to guide them on the institution’s strategic research priorities and to ensure that their research projects are aligned with the strategic areas of development in research as well as those of the funding organizations.
• Provides preliminary advice, guidance and strategies in a timely manner to researchers preparing proposals for major funding opportunities to ensure the projects submitted meet the evaluation criteria and are competitive.
• Connects researchers, faculty‑based facilitators and their teams to potential partners and networks to improve the team’s capacity and, thus, their competitive advantage in major funding competitions.
• Keeps abreast of the challenges and opportunities inherent in the funding environment, including internal funding programs offered by U15 universities for major funding opportunities, and makes recommendations to support decision‑making of senior university administrators regarding the efficiency and the effectiveness of the considerable research investments the University makes in terms of research funding, equipment and facilities.

What you will bring:

• Master’s degree in pure and applied sciences, preferably with a strong research background, or equivalent experience.
• PhD considered an asset
• Minimum of 7 years of experience in similar or equivalent positions or responsibilities
• Knowledge of granting and contracting practices, policies and guidelines of federal and provincial funding agencies and departments as well as granting foundations
• Demonstrated experience in a university research or research administration environment with direct involvement in preparing major research proposals
• Experience with the Natural Sciences and Engineering Research Council (NSERC) considered an asset
• Project management experience
• Experience using computer applications and systems such as Windows, PowerPoint, word processing software, spreadsheets, databases, email and the Internet
• Strong analytical and critical thinking skills
• Excellent organizational, administrative and communication skills
• Demonstrated ability to think strategically about complex issues and develop sound and robust recommendations and action plans
• Ability to work independently and manage competing deadlines and shifting priorities, while consistently exercising excellent judgment
• Ability to exercise foresight, tact and diplomacy when interacting with University administrators and researchers of varying ranks and in liaising with granting agency personnel and key stakeholders
• Excellent written and oral communication skills in English and French

Key Competencies at uOttawa:

Here are the required competencies for all or our employees at uOttawa:

• Planning: Organize in time a series of actions or events in order to realize an objective or a project. Plan and organize own work and priorities in regular daily activities.
• Initiative: Demonstrate creativity and initiative to suggest improvements and encourage positive results. Is proactive and self‑starting. Show availability and willingness to go above and beyond whenever it is possible.
• Client Service Orientation: Help or serve others to meet their needs. This implies anticipating and identifying the needs of internal and external clients and finding solutions on how to meet them.
• Teamwork and Cooperation: Cooperate and work well with other members of the team to reach common goal(s). Accept and give constructive feedback. Able to adjust own behaviour to reach the goals of the team.

The University of Ottawa embraces diversity and inclusion in the workplace. We are passionate about our people and committed to employment equity. We foster a culture of respect, teamwork and inclusion, where collaboration, innovation, and creativity fuel our quest for research and teaching excellence.

While all qualified persons are invited to apply, we welcome applications from qualified Indigenous persons, racialized persons, persons with disabilities, women and LGBTQIA2S+ persons. The University is committed to creating and maintaining an accessible, barrier‑free work environment. The University is also committed to working with applicants with disabilities requesting accommodation during the recruitment, assessment and selection processes. Applicants with disabilities may contact [e-mail] to communicate the accommodation need.

All qualified candidates are encouraged to apply; however, Canadians and permanent residents will be given priority.

Note: if this is a union position: The hiring process will be governed by the current collective agreement related to the union affiliation noted above; you can click here to find out more.

If this is a front‑line position with responsibilities to interact with students, selected candidates must be rated at the Low Advanced proficiency level or higher for both oral comprehension and reading comprehension in their second official language. The rating is determined by a proficiency test designed by the Official Languages and Bilingualism Institute.

Prior to May1,2022, the University required all students, faculty, staff, and visitors (including contractors) to be fully vaccinated against Covid‑19 as defined in Policy129– Covid‑19 Vaccination. This policy was suspended effective May1,2022 but may be reinstated at any point in the future depending on public health guidelines and the recommendations of experts.

The University of Ottawa is the largest bilingual (English‑French) university in the world. Located at the heart of Canada’s capital, we have ready access to the great institutions of our country. Our advances in social sciences, health, engineering, science and the humanities make uOttawa a unique place to learn, grow and excel. The University of Ottawa aspires to employing a staff that fully represents the diversity of Canada's population. As a result, it is committed to employment equity principles and aims to provide an inclusive and barrier‑free workplace.

The University of Ottawa offers a generous pay and benefits package that includes

• competitive salary
• defined benefit pension plan
• group insurance coverage
• employee and family assistance program

Explore Our Benefits.