Research Contracts & Agreements Manager

Toronto Metropolitan University; Toronto; Hybrid; CAD 70,000 - 113,000; Full time

Job summary

Toronto Metropolitan University is seeking a Research Contracts and Agreements Manager within the Office of the Vice-President, Research & Innovation. The role focuses on developing, negotiating and managing research agreements that enable collaborations across academia, industry, government and community.

You will advise researchers on sponsor requirements and institutional policies while ensuring compliance, protecting the university's interests and supporting TMU's innovative research

Qualifications

• Completion of a post-secondary degree in law, business, public administration or a related field.
• Five (5) years of experience with contract and agreement management.
• Experience negotiating complex agreements, preferably within a university, research institution, or innovation-driven organization.
• Experience managing staff.
• Strong understanding of intellectual property principles, including ownership, inventorship, licensing, and commercialization pathways.
• Strong familiarity with Canadian research funding frameworks and compliance requirements (e.g., Tri-Agency, Mitacs).
• Equivalent experience or a combination of equivalent experience and education may be accepted in place of education.

Responsibilities

• In the highly collaborative role, lead the development, negotiation, administration, and oversight of research agreements that support the university's scholarly, research, and creative activities.
• Partner with faculty members, researchers, industry leaders, funding agencies, legal counsel, and internal stakeholders to align diverse organizations around a shared vision while balancing opportunity with sound risk management.
• Provide guidance on research contracts, sponsor requirements, and institutional policies to help researchers navigate complex partnerships and protect the university's interests.
• Contribute to process improvements and strengthen contract management practices, enhancing systems and tools for collaboration across the research ecosystem.

Education

Post-secondary degree in law, business, public administration or related field

Job description

About Toronto Metropolitan

For more than 75 years, Toronto Metropolitan University (formerly known as Ryerson University) has been shaping the next generation of leaders through its uniquely innovative, entrepreneurial and career-focused approach to higher education. Driven by bold leadership, cutting-edge research and a deep commitment to academic excellence, TMU collaborates with students, faculties, staff and partners to push boundaries, reimagine solutions and create meaningful change in an increasingly interconnected world. For a more in-depth understanding of our vision, core values and ongoing work, please see our academic plan

About Toronto Metropolitan

For more than 75 years, Toronto Metropolitan University (formerly known as Ryerson University) has been shaping the next generation of leaders through its uniquely innovative, entrepreneurial and career-focused approach to higher education. Driven by bold leadership, cutting-edge research and a deep commitment to academic excellence, TMU collaborates with students, faculties, staff and partners to push boundaries, reimagine solutions and create meaningful change in an increasingly interconnected world. For a more in-depth understanding of our vision, core values and ongoing work, please see our academic plan

TMU welcomes those who have demonstrated a commitment to upholding the values of equity, diversity, and inclusion and will assist us in realizing the benefits of embedding these values into the work at every level and in every unit of the university. In addition, to correct the conditions of disadvantage in employment in Canada and to bring lived experiences to the work, we encourage applications from members of equity deserving groups that have been historically disadvantaged and marginalized, including First Nations, Métis and Inuit Peoples in Canada, First Nations Peoples in the United States, racialized people, Black people, persons with disabilities, women, and 2SLGBTQ+ people.

Preference will be given to candidates with lived experiences as people from equity deserving groups, as well as experience working with these communities with which the University works every day. Please note that all qualified candidates are encouraged to apply and we welcome newcomers and immigrants to Canada. In April 2022, the university announced its new name of Toronto Metropolitan University. Learn more about our next chapter.

About The Office Of The Vice-President, Research & Innovation

As Canada's comprehensive innovation university, Toronto Metropolitan University engages in scholarly, research and creative (SRC) activity that addresses real-world challenges to drive economic growth and improve quality of life for Canadians.

Our strong focus on innovation and evidence-based research has made us a preferred partner for government, industry, not-for-profit organizations, communities and individuals. Together, we are improving processes, developing new technologies and services, and creating new companies and social enterprises.

The Office of the Vice-President, Research & Innovation (OVPRI) establishes the strategic direction and oversees the administration of Toronto Metropolitan University’s scholarly, research, and creative activity (SRC) enterprise, including grants administration, external funding, SRC policies, partnerships and collaborations, commercialization, and business development.

The Opportunity

Groundbreaking research rarely happens in isolation. It is built on strong partnerships, shared trust, and the agreements that turn ambitious ideas into collaborative discoveries. Could you be the catalyst that helps make it all happen? As the Research Contracts and Agreements Manager, you'll play a pivotal role in advancing research and innovation at Toronto Metropolitan University by helping transform collaborations into meaningful research partnerships. Working with academia, industry, government, and community, you'll help create the foundation that enables researchers to focus on discovery while ensuring the agreements that support their work are thoughtful, compliant, and built for success.

In this highly collaborative role, you'll lead the development, negotiation, administration, and oversight of research agreements that support the university's scholarly, research, and creative activities. Partnering closely with faculty members, researchers, industry leaders, funding agencies, legal counsel, and internal stakeholders, you'll help bring diverse organizations together around a shared vision while balancing opportunity with sound risk management.

Beyond negotiating agreements, you'll serve as a trusted advisor, providing guidance on research contracts, sponsor requirements, and institutional policies. Your expertise will help researchers confidently navigate complex partnerships while ensuring compliance and protecting the university's interests. You'll also play an important role in shaping the future of research administration by contributing to process improvements, strengthening contract management practices, and enhancing the systems and tools that support collaboration across the research ecosystem.

This is an exciting opportunity for someone who enjoys connecting people, solving complex challenges, and building partnerships that help transform innovative ideas into research with real-world impact.

Leadership Competencies

Leaders at TMU are required to demonstrate the following Leadership Competencies:

• Acts with Integrity: Demonstrates behaviors aligned with high ethical standards and personal integrity and acts in accordance with TMU values.
• Builds Relationships of Trust & Collaboration: Actively builds a culture of trust and fosters meaningful relationships.
• Leads Inclusively: Creates an inclusive environment where everyone is respected, recognized, empowered to achieve their potential, and valued for their differences.
• Demonstrates Organizational Acumen: Understands and respectfully navigates complex internal and external environments using sound judgment, diplomacy, and tact.
• Drives Vision & Results: Creates and implements a vision grounded in sound decision‑making to achieve desired outcomes.

Qualifications

To help us learn more about you, please provide a cover letter and resume describing how you meet the following required qualifications:

• Completion of a post‑secondary degree in law, business, public administration or a related field.
• A minimum of five (5) years of experience with contract and agreement management.
• Experience negotiating complex agreements, preferably within a university, research institution, or innovation-driven organization.
• Experience managing staff.
• Strong understanding of intellectual property principles, including ownership, inventorship, licensing, and commercialization pathways.
• Strong familiarity with Canadian research funding frameworks and compliance requirements (e.g., Tri‑Agency, Mitacs).
• Equivalent experience or a combination of equivalent experience and education may be accepted in place of education.

Additional Information (MAC)

Position Number(s)20005713

Reports ToAssistant Vice President, Research Partnerships & Commercialization

DepartmentOffice of the Vice-President, Research & Innovation (OVPRI)

Employee GroupMAC

Vacancy TypeTerm - this is a current vacancy

Work LocationHybrid

Start DateASAP

End Date2 years from start date

Hours of Work36.25

Grade C42

Salary Scale$70,448 - $112,535

Hiring Salary Range$70,448 - $91,492

TA SpecialistClaudiu

Posting DateAugust 12, 2026

Application Close DateAugust 24, 2026

• Equivalent experience or a combination of equivalent experience and education may be accepted in place of education.
• As part of the selection process, candidates may be required to complete an occupational assessment.