At the Upstream Lab (https://upstreamlab.org/), our work is focused on three interrelated areas: tackling the social determinants of health, data science and clinical trials. Our large, interdisciplinary team is guided by priorities identified by patient and community members, health and social care providers, and policymakers. We ultimately seek to cede power to communities, and see research as an intervention that can help change systems to achieve social justice.
We are currently looking for a Permanent Full-time Research Program Manager, to join our dynamic team.
The Research Program Manager¿s primary responsibility is to develop, improve, and sustain the operational effectiveness and efficiency of research programs. This position is responsible for overseeing the project load of the research team (research assistants, research coordinators, students and volunteers) as well as managing research finance activities, human resource management, adhering to study protocols, ethical guidelines, timelines, and oversight of data management of a research program. They also lead the advancement of project platforms, policies and procedures, and develop and maintain successful partnerships with external stakeholders. They are flexible to work beyond the job description at times as work demands.
The Research program manager main duties and responsibilities will include:
Management of Human Resources:
- Manage all aspects of human resources including recruitment, hiring, training, coaching and supervision of research staff and trainees; Oversee staff and proactively identify staff training needs, professional development needs and performance management.
- Oversees workload of team.
- Ensures staff needs for performance of duties and responsibilities are met.
- Appraises performance of staff in consultation with Scientists and project leads,
- Schedules staffing and maintains efficient and optimal levels (including daily, vacation, and sick time coverage).
- Develops and fosters team culture, creates an environment that celebrates team member successes, is collaborative, encouraging, and fun.
- Supports team wellbeing/growth/recruitment, encourages collaboration, and team-focused approaches. Promotes a cross-functional approach within their program.
- Plans the strategy and project management of the program (projects, timelines, staffing and resource needs) in collaboration with scientist and team.
- Support project leads to facilitate execution of a project, resourcing of staff for projects, and oversees the project ensuring it runs smoothly, while identifying strategic opportunities.
- Provides oversight of deliverable timelines, and support process for written reports and financial reports for funders
- Provides coaching of staff to ensure conflicts are resolved appropriately and professionally.
- Oversees personnel and approval of payroll reports and timesheets
- Responsible for staff contract renewals, job change/status requests, etc. oversees research budget management including recoveries.
- Plans salary projections, ensuring accurate spending, recoveries, etc.
- Oversees programmatic and financial reporting with the entire research program with input from project managers and senior coordinators
- Takes initiative to evaluate current staffing positions/levels, recommends and support development of job descriptions to match the needs of the research team.
Operational Effectiveness and Efficiency:
- Guides the Research Quality Project Manager and cluster facilitators to identify areas of improvements, and implement streamlined processes to ensure efficiencies and quality of projects for all clusters in our program.
- Develops and implements policies, procedures and standards for the research program.
- Supports Scientists in ensuring regulatory compliance of activities and facilities in the program.
- Risk management and associated accountabilities.
- Initiates major projects and initiatives in line with program objectives and strategic priorities (e.g. national advisory committee, network development, internal capacity building etc)
- Carries out duties of principal investigator, or co-investigator in research studies as authorized by the investigator and sponsors.
- Coordinates and may oversee research grant process, including Research Ethics Board approvals, and privacy agreements.
- Conducts administrative and technical research and contributes to professional publications, presentations, posters, manuscript preparations, and knowledge translation products.
- Ensures development of Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs).
- Chairs research group meetings and support the coordination of regular meetings and infrastructure to ensure deliverables are met
- In conjunction with the Office of Research Administration, reviews and approves all confidentiality statements, legal disclosures, contracts, and legal documents.
- Facilitates procurement of services and supplies related to the research study.
- Performs other duties as assigned and/or requested
External Stakeholder relations and strategic opportunities:
- In collaboration with the Principal Investigator, may help initiate, support, review, and/or develop research proposals (RFP), and grant application processes and protocols, and identifying strategic opportunities.
- Oversees the application/administration process, including proposal writing, establishing partnerships, and preparing budget.
- Develops and negotiates research agreements (including terms of financing), and strategic alliances/partnerships for collaboration with outside parties.
- Support stakeholder engagement and management and serves as a main point of contact and helps to resolves issues for external stakeholders.
- Fosters positive and sustainable partnerships with internal and external stakeholders.
- Liaises with funders and regulators
- Negotiates terms of financing with outside parties (hospital and industry based).
- Support community engagement specialist and research coordinators to recruit, maintain, and manage patient partners on the team.
- May help initiate and develop research proposals and protocols, including research contracts in collaboration with Contracts department, and clarifying details/deliverables as needed.
- Participates in, and joins committees as applicable
The ideal candidate for this position will be highly motivated, adaptable, team-minded, solutions-oriented, and have:
- Masters with 5 years of relevant experience and 2 years in a leadership role OR demonstrable equivalent combination of specialized education and experience.
- Strong understanding of regulatory guidelines and research governance of human participant research (GCP, TCPS2, Health Canada regulations, etc) is required, or to be completed within first 2 weeks of hire.
- Experience with the Canadian funding landscape
- Experience in overseeing strategic development and implementation of large research programs.
- Experience managing staff including delegation of tasks, developmental conversations, and performance management.
- Familiarity with research budgeting, contract negotiation (and applicable language), REB.
- Familiarity with healthcare research and various methodologies including clinical trials
- Familiarity with privacy legislation and contracts (such as PIPEDA, PHIPA).
- Excellent communication (verbal/written), superb interpersonal skills, with ability to adapt communication styles to meet the needs of diverse stakeholder groups.
- Exceptional financial management skills, including developing and managing substantial research grants from multiple local, national, and international funding sources.
- Excellent organizational and time management skills with the ability to efficiently manage multiple projects and produce high quality work, maintaining flexibility to adapt to changing priorities and remaining solutions-focused.
- Ability to work independently and as part of a team.
- Ability to multi-task and prioritize
- Experience building relationships with internal and external stakeholders
- Highly detailed orientated with ability to exercise initiative and effectively work a fast-paced, high-functioning work environment
- Understanding of process development
- Excellent problem solver and critical thinking skills
- Change management skills, an asset
- Project Management certification is an asset.
- Commitment to EDI principles, and awareness of diverse communities and priority populations.
- Demonstrates exceptional character in alignment with UHT values
