Senior Analyst, Research Operations

Ontario Institute for Cancer Research; Toronto; Hybrid; CAD 67,000 - 75,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Sun Life benefits

HOOPP pension

Hybrid work model

Job summary

The Ontario Institute for Cancer Research (OICR) seeks a Senior Analyst to join the Research Operations team at MaRS Centre, Toronto. The role combines project management, business analysis and systems administration for budgeting, payments, expense reporting and financial reconciliation.

This temporary, full-time position runs January 2027 through October 2027 to cover a maternity leave. You will coordinate projects, manage CaAwardNet and related data, produce quarterly reports, and support

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in business management with a specialization in financial data management or equivalent.
• Excellent project management skills with ability to deliver on time and on budget.
• Strong analytical and problem-solving skills with option identification and practical action.
• Attention to detail with accurate data collection and validation.
• Excellent written, verbal and graphical communication skills.

Responsibilities

• Coordinate multiple projects from agreement to closure as system administrator of CaAwardNet.
• Identify budget, payment, expenditure, and reporting issues and resolve promptly.
• Work with CaAwardNet users to find bugs and improve processes and systems.
• Define, document and test business and functional requirements for system improvements.
• Lead data connectivity efforts between CaAwardNet and other reporting systems.

Skills

Project management

Analytical skills

Attention to detail

Communication

Organizational skills

Influencing without authority

Time management

Learning mindset

Teamwork

Flexibility

Education

Bachelor's degree in business management

Tools

Excel

Word

Databases

Job description

About OICR

OICR is Ontario’s cancer research institute. We bring together people from across the province and around the world to improve the lives of everyone affected by cancer. We take on the biggest challenges in cancer research and deliver real-world solutions to find cancer earlier and treat it more effectively. We are committed to helping people living with cancer, as well as future generations, live longer and healthier lives.

Launched in December 2005, OICR is an independent institute funded by the Government of Ontario through the Ministry of Colleges, Universities, Research Excellence and Security.

Job Details

Position: Senior Analyst, Research Operations

Location: MaRS Centre, Toronto

Department: Research Operations

Reports To: Senior Director, Research Operations & Therapeutic Innovation

Hiring Range: $66,660 to $74,841 per annum ($36.63 to $41.12 hourly), commensurate with level of experience; total compensation includes a competitive benefits plan (Sun Life), plus a defined benefit pension plan (HOOPP)

Hours: 35 hours/week

Job Type: Hybrid

Status: Full-time, Temporary (January 2027 to October 2027)

Position Summary

The Ontario Institute for Cancer Research (OICR) is looking to fill an existing position for a Senior Analyst to join the Research Operations team. The Senior Analyst plays a fundamental role in the stewardship of OICR’s research programs and projects by acting as Project Manager, Business Analyst and Systems Administrator for OICR’s budget, payments, expense reporting and financial reconciliation processes and systems.

This position is temporary, full-time from January 2027 until October 2027 to cover a maternity leave.

Position Responsibilities

• Coordinates multiple projects, from agreement execution to project closure, as the primary system administrator of OICR’s payment, expense and financial reconciliation system, CaAwardNet.
• Identifies budget, payment, expenditure, and/or reporting issues and acts to resolve them in a timely manner.
• Works with CaAwardNet users and internal staff to identify day-to-day bugs as well as opportunities for process and system improvements.
• Defines, documents and tests business and functional requirements for improvements to the CaAwardNet system.
• Leads efforts for greater connectivity of data elements between CaAwardNet and other reporting systems such as ReportNet, OICR’s awards management system.

• Works with internal and external Program Managers, Financial Officers, and Principal Investigators to ensure CaAwardNet budgets are appropriately entered, quarterly expenditure reports are completed, and year-end financial reports are submitted and reconciled.
• Ensures alignment of data in CaAwardNet with agreements in consultation with the Senior Research and Awards Coordinator in the Research Operations office.
• Generates quarterly expenditure reports that includes high-level project status, operational risks and mitigation plans for all projects and programs and obtains approval from management.
• Prepares budget payment schedule and obtains approval from Director and other approvers.
• Provides analysis of budget activities for decision making by Director and other stakeholders.

• Leads quality control of project and program financials in CaAwardNet during the entire funding lifecycle from competition launch to project closeout.
• Performs data analysis, visualization, reporting, and archiving.
• Ensure alignment of financial-based language and principles in documents including: policies, SOPs, Request for Applications, Notice of Decisions, and agreements.
• Trains new Program Managers and/or Financial Officers on the process to submit financial data in the system and on any process change.

• Provides headcount analysis to support OICR’s annual Key Performance (KPI) reporting.
• Provides financial data and analysis to staff and the Executive team for OICR’s Strategic Plan.
• Supports secondary analysis of performance data for presentation to OICR Executive and the Board of Directors, as applicable, to support performance monitoring and decision-making.
• Prepares and provides ad hocreports to internal and external sites, the Executive team, the Board of Directors, and other stakeholders.

Tools & Technology

• Improves the accuracy and efficiency of data collection and reporting on CaAwardNet.
• Provides business analysis, system administration, training and technical support for CaAwardNet.
• Provides first-line help-desk support to CaAwardNet users and maintains CaAwardNet training and user documentation.
• Keeps up to date with on-line tools and best practices for tracking performance.
• Secondary system administrator the KPI reporting system, ReportNet.
• Learns other OICR electronic systems to monitor the financial and operational status of projects.

Resource Management

• Manages vendor related to CaAwardNet system errors and improvements from requirements creation to testing to full-scale implementation.
• Contributes and executes on the annual operating plan of the Research Operations team.
• Works with vendors for quotation processes for system enhancements, contract renewals and SaaS fees, compliance with service level agreements, and resolve issues.

Position Requirements

• Bachelors degree in business management with a specialization in financial data management, or recognized equivalent.
• Excellent project management skills and the ability to drive towards delivering results on time & on budget.
• Excellent analytical and problem-solving skills with the ability to identify options, draw logical conclusions and recommend practical courses of action.
• Attention to detail: completes data collection and validation with a high level of accuracy.
• Excellent communicator: develops and presents material for review and informational purposes using strong written, verbal and graphical communication skills.
• Excellent organizational and time management skills.
• Demonstrated ability to influence individuals without reporting authority.
• Excellent proficiency with software applications in a Microsoft Office environment (Excel, Word, and databases) and other spreadsheet-based tools and databases.
• Responds quickly and accurately to time-sensitive requests for information.
• Demonstrated ability to provide end-to-end project management and business analysis support for the implementation of system enhancements or introduction of new systems and coordinating with technical and non-technical staff and vendors on feature design and implementation.
• Committed to continuous learning: keeps up-to-date on best practices, tools and techniques in areas of responsibility and shares information with the team.
• Works well within a team where there is no reporting authority by the individual, and is open to receiving feedback and incorporating that feedback for improvement.
• Willingness to occasionally work outside of normal business hours.

For more information about OICR, please visit the website at www.oicr.on.ca.

To learn more about working at OICR, visit our career page.

POSTED DATE: October 8, 2026
CLOSING DATE: Until Filled

OICR is committed to fostering a climate of equity, diversity, inclusion, and accessibility. This commitment is central to, and mutually supportive of, our research excellence mandate. We welcome and respect the diversity of all members of our community and we support an inclusive culture for all. We welcome all applicants, and encourage applications from racialized persons, Indigenous Peoples, women, persons with disabilities, LGBTQ2S persons, and others who may contribute to furthering a diversity of ideas within our community. OICR is committed to fair assessment of a candidate’s abilities, and consideration for diversity of thought, method, and experience. Providing an accessible workplace and recruitment process is important to us, as described in our Accessibility Plan (https://oicr.on.ca/accessibility/). Should you require accommodation during any stage in the recruitment process, please complete the form at the bottom of page https://oicr.on.ca/careers/. Information received related to accommodation will be handled confidentially.

OICR hiring managers may use approved Artificial Intelligence (AI) tools to assist with an initial screening or assessment of applications, and selection of applicants in accordance with OICR’s privacy policies. Personal information associated with any job application will not be shared with or retained by any third party for the purpose of training an AI model. Hiring managers shall determine which applications proceed through the recruitment process.

The Ontario Institute for Cancer Research thanks all applicants. However, only those under consideration will be contacted.