Senior Advisor, Research Chairs

University of Ottawa; Ottawa; On-site; CAD 97,000 - 121,000; Full time

Job summary

University of Ottawa seeks a seasoned leader to oversee the portfolio of Research Chairs Programs, advising senior leadership and coordinating recruitment and proposals to enhance research intensity.

Reporting to the Director of Strategic Services, you will liaise with faculties and grant agencies, ensuring alignment with strategic priorities and funder requirements. Strong English/French communication and strategic project management are essential.

Qualifications

• Master's degree with strong research background; PhD asset.
• At least 7 years of relevant experience.
• Knowledge of federal/provincial funding policies and contracting.
• University/research admin experience and major proposal prep.
• Excellent written and oral communication in English and French.
• Experience in project management.
• Strong analytical and critical-thinking skills.
• Excellent organizational, administrative and communications skills.
• Demonstrated strategic thinking and actionable recommendations.
• Ability to work independently with tight deadlines and shifting priorities.
• Diplomacy when liaising with administrators, researchers and grant agency staff.
• Proficiency with Windows, PowerPoint, word processors, spreadsheets, databases, e-mail and Internet.

Responsibilities

• Design and plan strategies around targeted research initiatives with OVPRI.
• Guide faculties/researchers on priorities and ensure alignment with funding bodies.
• Advise researchers on major funding opportunities and CRC nominations.
• Connect researchers with partners to strengthen competitiveness in chair competitions.
• Monitor funding environment and advise on EDI and CRC program requirements.
• Design and implement strategies to maximize CRC chair allocation and recruitments.

Skills

Analytical thinking

Critical thinking

Communication skills

Project management

Independence

Strategic thinking

Diplomacy

Organizational skills

Stakeholder management

Education

Master's degree (strong research background)

PhD asset

Tools

Windows

PowerPoint

Word processing

Spreadsheets

Databases

Email

Internet

Job description

Follow us on LinkedIn

Posting Reason: Replacement of a regular position

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: Strategic Services

Campus: Main Campus

Union Affiliation: N/A

Date Posted (YYYY/MM/DD): 2026/11/02

Applications must be received BEFORE (YYYY/MM/DD): 2026/11/13

Hours per week: 35

Salary Grade: Non-Union Grade NC8 - 35 hrs

Salary Range: $96,570.00 - $120,712.00

Position Purpose

Reporting to the Director, Strategic Services, the incumbent develops, manages and implements the institutional portfolio of Research Chairs Programs. Provides expert high-level advice to the leadership team within the Office of the Vice-President, Research and Innovation (OVPRI) to support strategy and decision making. Key liaison to Faculty administrators and researchers in the recruitment of Research Chairs and in development and submission of competitive proposals to improve the success rate of Chair funding requests and increase the University's research intensity. Manage all Research Chair-related operations and institutional reporting for the Canada Research Chairs Program.

In this role you will:

• Participate to the design and planning of strategies around targeted research initiatives and work closely with the VPRI and AVP to implement strategic recruitment plans for the University Research Chairs and externally-funded research chairs. Monitor internal and external trends in research activities to identify priorities and recommend new initiatives.
• Conduct discussions with Faculties and researchers to guide them on the institution's strategic research priorities and to ensure that their research programs are aligned with the strategic areas of development in research as well as those of the funding organizations. Provide advice, guidance and strategies in a timely manner to researchers preparing proposals for major funding opportunities (more specifically Research Chair nominations) to ensure their applications meet the evaluation criteria, the requirements of the Programs and are competitive.
• Connect researchers, faculty-based Research Advisors and their teams to potential partners and networks to improve the team's capacity and, thus, their competitive advantage in major Chair competitions.
• Keep abreast of the challenges and opportunities inherent in the funding environment, specifically for the Canada Research Chair Program and Canada Excellence Research Chair Program, such as EDI requirements and best practices and make recommendations to support decision-making of senior university administrators.
• Design and implement strategies in collaboration with OVPRI senior management to ensure that our Canada Research chairs allocation is maximized and our recruitments meet the EDI equity targets and CRC program requirements.

What you will bring:

• Master's degree, preferably with a strong research background or equivalent experience. PhD an asset.
• Minimum of 7 years of experience in similar or equivalent positions or responsibilities.
• Knowledge of policies, guidelines and granting/contracting practices of federal and provincial funding agencies and departments, as well as granting foundations.
• Demonstrated experience in a university, research administration or research environment and direct involvement and experience in preparing major research proposals.
• Excellent written and oral communication skills in English and French.
• Experience in project management.
• Strong analytical and critical-thinking skills.
• Excellent organizational, administrative and communications skills.
• Demonstrated ability to think strategically about complex issues, leading to thoughtful recommendations and action plans.
• Ability to work independently, manage overlapping deadline and shifting priorities while exercising excellent judgment at all times.
• Exercise foresight, tact and diplomacy when interacting with university administrators and researchers of varying rank, as well as in liaising with granting agency personnel and key stakeholders.
• Experience in using computer systems and software such as Windows, PowerPoint, word processors, spreadsheets, databases, e-mail, Internet.

#LI-Hybrid

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 Co