Strategic Initiatives Advisor (Research Institute)

Research Institute of the McGill University Health Centre; Montreal; On-site; CAD 70,000 - 90,000; Full time

Job summary

Join a leading research institute in Montreal as a Strategic Initiatives Advisor. You will manage funding applications and collaborate with researchers to maximize funding potential. This role requires strong leadership, organizational skills, and bilingual communication in English and French.

Qualifications

• 3-5 years of related experience in a research environment.
• Proven ability to work within a complex policy framework.
• Expert knowledge of major funding opportunities.

Responsibilities

• Manage the development of funding applications for large-scale projects.
• Build and lead teams for major funding opportunities.
• Assist researchers in grant writing and budget development.

Skills

Leadership

Organizational Skills

Communication

Bilingual (English and French)

Education

PhD in a life sciences-related field

Job description

Do you want to work for a world-renowned research institute that pushes the boundaries of biomedical science and health research? Right here in Montreal! At the Research Institute of the McGill University Health Centre (RI-MUHC), you can be part of an organization focused on scientific discovery and innovation in patient-centered medicine. Join us today and make a difference!

Job Description

RESEARCH INSTITUTE OF THE MUHC

The Research Institute of the McGill University Health Centre (RI-MUHC) is a world-renowned biomedical and hospital research centre. Located in Montreal, Quebec, the Institute is the research arm of the McGill University Health Centre (MUHC) affiliated with the Faculty of Medicine at McGill University. The RI-MUHC is supported in part by the Fonds de recherche du Québec - Santé (FRQS).

Position summary

Working closely with and reporting to the Manager of the Pre-Awards Office, the Strategic Initiatives Advisor is responsible for the management and development of funding applications for large-scale, multi-partner funding opportunities in alignment with the strategic direction of the RI-MUHC. The Strategic Initiatives Advisor acts as a subject matter expert on these funding opportunities and advises the RI-MUHC research community on how to maximize the research funding potential from a range of sponsors ( agencies, foundations, industrial partners). The position is based in the Pre-Awards Office in the Division of Research Services and collaborates with the research program managers and researchers. The Strategic Initiatives Advisor also works closely with the Executive Director / Chief Scientific Officer (ED / CSO) to support the development of the RI-MUHC scientific strategy.

General Duties

The general responsibilities of the incumbent fall into the following areas :

• Promote and manage the development of complex, high-value awards ( multi-institutional, multi-partnered, interdisciplinary, significant budgets). Build and lead teams in response to major funding opportunities and requests for proposals (RFP) to support the development of applications.
• Develop strong working relationships with stakeholders as well as funding agencies, organizations, foundations, and industrial partners. Assess and obtain approval for internal resources to support high-value, multi-partner projects.
• Assist the ED / CSO with complex strategic research initiatives.
• Assist researchers in grant writing, development of budgets and coordinate resources across the institute as needed to prepare highly competitive applications.
• Review, and negotiate agreements and documents related to successful proposals and research collaborations as necessary. Identify and mitigate risk issues, articulate alternatives, and recommend solutions to RI-MUHC researchers.

Work tasks and responsibilities :

• Act as a key team player in mobilizing knowledge across programs and centres to build and lead teams in response to major funding opportunities and requests for proposals (RFP),
• Assist researchers in grant writing, development of budgets and coordinate resources across the institute as needed to prepare highly competitive applications for major funding opportunities,
• Ensure proposal development is progressing according to internal review timelines,
• Organize internal and external review committee meetings, prepare documentation for committee members in advance of meetings and follow up on summarizing comments and feedback for researchers,
• Manage external expert reviewers and collate comments and feedback,
• Assist the researchers to implement and follow through on decisions and advice provided by the internal committees,
• Assist researchers in setting timelines for the proposal development, milestones, and deliverables,
• Provide status reports and briefings to Senior Administrators including the Divisional Director, Program Leaders and the ED / CSO,
• Work closely with the ED / CSO to develop new research projects as required,
• Collaborate with the RI-MUHC EDI Specialist to ensure that EDI (equity, diversity and inclusion) is embedded the development of partnerships and conceptualization of research projects,
• Communicate with all members of the RI-MUHC Administration and relevant MUHC Departments. Regularly communicate with Investigators and / or their teams,
• Contact other hospitals, universities, private companies and funding agencies.

Website of the organization

Education / Experience

Qualifications, Skills, and Standards of Performance :

• Educational :

PhD degree (or equivalent) in a life sciences-related field

Work Experience :

• 3-5 years of related experience, preferably at a large, research-intensive university or research centre,
• Excellent leadership skills to bring together diverse stakeholders and develop winning teams, leveraging individual strengths and overcoming differing points of view,
• Self-motivated, with strong organizational skills, able to effectively prioritize a wide range of responsibilities, able to supervise multiple projects simultaneously, and to work well under pressure,
• Must be able to meet tight deadlines, and demonstrate a high level of leadership and professionalism in working with a team of people to achieve specific outcomes,
• Incumbent should be able to take decisions independently on a regular basis. Unusual problems that could require exceptions to procedures may be referred to the Division’s Director,
• Bilingual in both written and spoken English and French in order to communicate with external stakeholders, make presentations and develop / compose complex and sensitive documents targeted to multiple audiences,
• Demonstrates initiative, flexibility and good judgment,
• Maintains subject expert knowledge up to date,
• Expert knowledge of provincial, federal, and / or international major funding opportunities and collaborative projects,
• Excellent communication skills (both written and verbal, French and English),
• Demonstrated ability to work independently and in a team environment,
• Proven ability to work and achieve objectives within a complex policy and procedural framework,
• Experience with the designing, drafting, reviewing, of competitive grants at the provincial and federal levels.