Strategic Director of Research & Knowledge Mobilization

Discover

The Opportunity

Closing Date: April 16, 2025 at 4:00 PM

Pond Deshpande Centre

The Pond-Deshpande Centre (PDC) at the University of New Brunswick (UNB) fosters social innovation and entrepreneurship to address complex socio-economic challenges. By convening diverse stakeholders, PDC facilitates systemic change through research, policy development, and entrepreneurial initiatives.

WHAT WE OFFER

Full-time | 1 year Term | Fredericton Campus | Hybrid

UNB is committed to ensuring employees can maintain a healthy work-life balance. As such, we are proud to support a hybrid work approach, which includes flexible hours and work-from-home options.

Standard Winter Hours: Mon - Fri | 8:15 am - 4:30 pm | 36.25 hours per week

Salary Range: $84,288 - $114,876 per annum

YOUR FOCUS

The Strategic Director of Research & Knowledge Mobilization will lead PDC's efforts to generate, synthesize, analyze, and translate research into practical applications, policy recommendations, and public engagement strategies. This role is critical in ensuring research is accessible, actionable, and widely shared to drive impact in social innovation and entrepreneurship.

• Develop and oversee a strategic research agenda aligned with PDC's mission.
• Lead interdisciplinary research projects, ensuring methodological rigor and practical application.
• Identify and secure funding opportunities through grant writing and partnerships.
• Translate complex research findings into accessible knowledge products for various audiences such as reports, toolkits, and public resources.
• Design and implement knowledge-sharing initiatives, such as policy briefs, workshops, and public dialogues.
• Develop and execute a stakeholder engagement strategy to connect research with entrepreneurs, policymakers, UNB researchers/stakeholders, and community organizations.
• Contribute to PDC's strategic planning efforts, ensuring research and knowledge mobilization initiatives support broader organizational goals.
• Monitor and evaluate the impact of PDC's research programs, using data-driven insights to refine approaches.
• Support PDC staff and stakeholders in integrating research-based approaches into their work.
• Supervise research staff, knowledge mobilization specialists, and interns, fostering a collaborative environment.

WHAT YOU BRING

• Master's degree in a relevant field (e.g., Social Sciences, Arts, Public Policy, etc.).
• Minimum 7 years' experience in research leadership and knowledge mobilization.

Additional Strengths:

• PhD considered an asset.
• Demonstrated ability to secure funding and manage research projects.
• Strong background in research translation, public engagement, and stakeholder collaboration.
• Ability to work across sectors (academia, non-profits, government, industry).
• Excellent writing and communication skills for diverse audiences.