Project Manager (Homeward Bound)

Cape Breton University; Sydney; Hybrid; CAD 80,000 - 90,000; Full time

Job summary

Cape Breton University invites applications for a Project Manager to lead the Homeward Bound initiative, uniting experts across disciplines to enhance aging support in rural Nova Scotia.

This full-time, hybrid role reports to the Co-Principal Investigator overseeing Research Operations (Dr. Kelsey Harvey), with an initial one-year appointment and possibility of renewal; travel across the Eastern Health Zone is required. Salary range is 80,000–90,000 CAD per year.

Job description

Cape Breton University (CBU) is accepting applications for a Project Manager to join a transformative, multi-year research initiative titled Homeward Bound: Enhancing Healthcare, Housing, and Social Support for Aging Rural Nova Scotians. Funded by Research Nova Scotia, this 7-year initiative aims to support aging in the right place (AIRP) by improving the integration of healthcare, housing, and social supports in rural communities across Nova Scotia’s Eastern Health Zone.

This ambitious project brings together a multidisciplinary team spanning social work, architecture, nursing, medicine, computer science, economics, and policy, in partnership with communities, government, and academic institutions. Find out more here: www.homewardboundns.ca

About the Role

We are seeking a Project Manager to join our unique and innovative project. This position requires strong communication skills, exceptional attention to detail, and the ability to coordinate large teams. As a Project Manager, you will play a key leadership role in shaping and executing a transformative initiative, working closely with a dynamic team of experts.

This is a full-time, hybrid position reporting to the Co-Principal Investigator overseeing Research Operations (Dr. Kelsey Harvey) and working within a multidisciplinary team. The appointment is for one year, with the possibility of renewal. Salary Range: 80,000 – 90,000

SPECIFIC RESPONSIBILITIES:

• Steward and refine a project management system, develop and report on detailed project plans, milestones, and schedules and ensure adherence across all projects;
• Identify and managing infrastructure, resources, and vendor-related activities as per project requirements;
• Collaborate with CBU Human Resources for project hiring;
• Draft and post job ads, schedule interviews, sit on hiring panels as needed, issue contracts, manage project onboarding, and track appointment renewals for staff, postdocs and student research assistants (including Mitacs placements);
• Keep a project staffing plan and onboarding checklist covering accounts, training, REB/TCPS 2 certification and confidentiality agreements;
• Oversee and communicate project progress and status to team members or collaborators;
• Identify and manage project risks and issues;
• Devise remedial actions for any identified issues, alert upwards (project governance council). and conduct crisis management when necessary;
• Facilitate communication and collaboration across all areas of the project. Develop and maintain project documentation including standard operating procedures;
• Initiate planning with the research team, follow-through on the plans, ensure smooth execution of the plans, and evaluate the project for further improvements should these be needed;
• Assist the Research Manager with project budgets, including invoice preparations, budget tracking, and other related tasks;
• Work closely with the Knowledge Mobilization Specialist to align project timelines, milestones and research outputs with the KM and communications plan;
• Co-plan project events (conferences, workshops, community sessions, co-design sessions) with the KM Specialist (The Project Manager leads logistics, budget, travel, venues, vendors and accessibility. The KM Manager leads content, promotion, registration and post-event reporting.);
• Manage the different sub-project teams, ensuring seamless coordination and efficient operations;
• Provide support to the project’s Governance Collective;
• Conduct project phase post-mortems to identify lessons learned and areas for improvement;
• Other related duties as required.

Required Qualifications

• Undergraduate degree in business administration, Project Management, or a related field, or equivalent combination of education and experience
• Minimum 3+ years working as project manager on projects valued at +1M annually Knowledge of research governance principles and managerial best practices;
• Excellent analytical skills with the ability to track and interpret data to inform decision-making;
• Proficiency with all aspects of Office 365 and ability to become proficient in project management and other software systems used by the team;
• Experience in delivering status updates/performance reports to funder, partners, governance collectives;
• Excellent ability to manage multiple tasks simultaneously and solve problems creatively and under pressure;
• Demonstrated excellent interpersonal communication and writing skills;
• Experience working successfully both independently and in team environments;
• Proven analytical and organizational skills to meet deadlines in an environment of often-changing priorities and multiple projects. Conceptual thinker comfortable with ambiguity;
• Strong understanding of project management methodologies within large research projects;
• Commitment to respecting a high level of confidentiality;
• Experience in diverse multidisciplinary setting, such as medical, public, private industry, or academic environments, is considered an asset;
• Experience with community-based participatory research and clinical research;
• A commitment to understanding and aiding in the pursuit of equity, diversity and inclusion within project environments as well as working ethically;
• Willing and able to travel throughout the Eastern Health Zone of Nova Scotia and possibly beyond;
• Position will require some evening/weekend event attendance, but day-to-day working hours will be made flexible to accommodate.

Preferred Qualifications

• Graduate-degree preferred;
• Project Management Professional (PMP) certification is an asset;
• Knowledge of how to use Power BI