Project Specialist - 1 year term

Michael Smith Health Research BC; Vancouver; Hybrid; CAD 70,000 - 100,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Pension plan

Health insurance

Wellness allowance

Hybrid work model

Professional development policy

Job summary

Michael Smith Health Research BC in Vancouver is seeking a Project Specialist, Priority Programs to coordinate and advance core elements of our priority programs within the Research & Innovation department. You will support the execution of program activities and help translate research into actionable outcomes.

This one-year contract offers a hybrid work model with a collaborative team. The role requires strong planning, budgeting, risk management, and the ability to develop clear knowledge

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in business, communications, health sciences, or related field.
• 4–6 years of project management, program operations experience or equivalent.
• Formal PM training or certification is an asset (PMP, CAPM, Prosci, Agile, Lean).
• Knowledge of BC health research environment and funding processes is an asset.
• Strong knowledge of project management principles, methodologies and tools.
• Experience with budgeting, forecasting and financial reporting within projects or programs.
• Proficiency with Microsoft Office and collaboration tools.
• Strong analytical and critical thinking skills to interpret information and make recommendations.
• Proficiency in visual storytelling to support knowledge mobilization and engagement.
• Experience with PowerPoint, Canva, Adobe Acrobat, Visio, PowerBI or similar.
• Understanding of accessibility and information design best practices.
• Excellent interpersonal and relationship-building skills for cross-team collaboration.
• Strong organizational skills and ability to manage multiple priorities.
• Ability to work independently within a collaborative team.
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills; ability to tailor messaging for audiences.
• Commitment to equity, diversity and Indigenous reconciliation.

Responsibilities

• Lead execution of assigned program activities ensuring timely deliverables.
• Develop and maintain project plans, timelines, and implementation tools.
• Monitor progress, identify risks and dependencies, implement mitigations.
• Escalate complex issues with analysis and recommendations.
• Create and maintain program tools, templates, and documentation.
• Monitor budgets, forecasts and expenditures; identify variances and actions.
• Manage contracts and deliverables; ensure compliance and address issues.
• Conduct environmental scanning to identify trends, risks and opportunities.
• Synthesize research into clear, accessible knowledge products.
• Prepare high-quality reports, briefings and presentations for decision making.
• Translate complex information into accessible knowledge products for diverse audiences.
• Coordinate governance and advisory committee activities; act as point of contact for projects.
• Facilitate collaboration across stakeholders to advance priorities.
• Build strong relationships with internal teams, health authorities, and community organizations.

Skills

Project coordination

Stakeholder management

Analytical thinking

Verbal communication

Written communication

Equity, diversity & inclusion

Change management

Critical thinking

Education

Bachelor’s degree in business, communications, health sciences, or related field

Tools

PowerPoint

Canva

Adobe Acrobat

Visio

PowerBI

Job description

Michael Smith Health Research BC

Join a team that’s shaping the future of health research in our province. We fund people and research, invest in priority areas, and work with partners to turn evidence into action.

We are a team of dedicated professionals who care deeply about each other and our work. We believe in embracing diversity as a strength and core value, creating spaces that are inclusive of all peoples, and are grounded in our ongoing commitment to reconciliation and respect for Indigenous self-determination. We value and support a diverse workforce, reflective of different backgrounds, skillsets, perspectives and life experiences.

Our benefits package includes a pension plan, generous dental and health insurance and a wellness allowance; our professional development policy supports learning and growth. We have a hybrid work model. When you are in the office, our beautiful space offers views of False Creek, an outdoor patio (think summer BBQs!) and a fitness centre, and it’s walking distance to restaurants and other amenities. Our social committee, Team Good Times, organizes events throughout the year.

If you’re passionate about making a difference and want your work to have real impact, we’d love to have you join us.

Position Summary

The Project Specialist, Priority Programs, is an exciting opportunity to join an excellent program and team in our Research & Innovation department. We’re looking for an individual contributor responsible for coordinating and managing core elements of Health Research BC’s priority programs. The Project Specialist contributes to advancing innovative approaches to research funding and community engagement, helping to bridge the gap between research evidence creation and its use.

Reporting to the Manager, Priority Programs, this role supports the effective execution of program activities and high-quality outputs, that advance program objectives and support the use of research evidence to improved health outcomes.

This is a one-year contract position, with continuation subject to organizational needs and funding.

Key Responsibilities

• Leads the execution of assigned program and project activities, ensuring deliverables are completed on time and align with program objectives.
• Develops and maintains project plans, timelines, workback schedules, and implementation tools to support successful program delivery.
• Monitors project progress, identifies risks, issues, and dependencies, and implements or recommends mitigation strategies.
• Escalates complex issues to the Manager, Priority Programs with analysis and recommendations for resolution.
• Develops and maintains program tools, resources, templates, and documentation to support operational excellence.
• Monitors project level budgets, forecasts, and expenditures, ensuring alignment with program goals and identifying variances with recommended corrective actions.
• Manages project related contracts and deliverables, ensuring compliance with agreements and proactively addressing issues with practical solutions.
• Conducts environmental scanning and analysis related to assigned program areas, identifying trends, risks, and opportunities, and providing actionable recommendations.
• Synthesizes research and program information into clear, accessible knowledge products for diverse audience.
• Prepares high-quality reports, briefings, presentations, and other materials to support decision making and program oversight for the manager.
• Translates complex research, evaluation, and program information into clear, accessible and engaging knowledge products for diverse audiences, supporting the uptake and application of evidence across the health system.
• Collaborates with communications and program teams to ensure materials align with organizational standards and objectives
• Applies visual storytelling approaches, principles of accessibility, information design, and visual communication that support effective knowledge mobilization and interested parties’ engagement. .
• Coordinates governance and advisory committee activities, including agenda development, meeting logistics, documentation, action tracking, and follow-up activities. Serves as a key point of contact for assigned projects and program activities, providing guidance, information, and coordination support to stakeholders.
• Facilitates collaboration across multiple interested parties to advance shared priorities and deliver program outcomes.
• Builds and maintains strong, collaborative working relationships with internal teams, health authorities, and community organizations to support program success.

Requirements

• Bachelor’s degree in business, communications, health sciences, or a related field.
• Four to six years of relevant experience in project management, program operations, or a related area, or an equivalent combination of education and experience.
• Formal project management training or certification (e.g., PMP, CAPM, Prosci, Agile, Lean, or equivalent) is considered an asset.
• Knowledge of the BC health research environment and research funding processes is an asset.
• Strong knowledge of project management principles, methodologies, and tools.
• Strong, applied knowledge of project planning, implementation, risk management, and continuous improvement practices.
• Experience supporting budget tracking, forecasting, and financial reporting within projects or programs.
• Advanced proficiency with Microsoft Office applications and experience using project management and collaboration tools.
• Strong analytical and critical thinking skills with the ability to interpret information, assess implications, and develop practical recommendations.
• Proficiency in visual storytelling approaches that support effective knowledge mobilization and interested parties’ engagement.
• Experience using tools such as PowerPoint, Canva, Adobe Acrobat, Visio, PowerBI or similar platforms to create polished, accessible, and audience appropriate materials.
• Understanding of accessibility standards, visual communication principles, and information design best practices.
• Strong interpersonal and relationship building skills, with the ability to collaborate effectively across diverse interested parties.
• Strong organizational skills with high attention to detail and the ability to manage multiple priorities and deadlines.
• Ability to work independently while contributing to a collaborative team environment.
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills, with the ability to clearly convey complex information and adapt messaging for different audiences.
• Commitment to equity, diversity and inclusion, and Indigenous reconciliation.