Summary:
The associate director provides institutional leadership across the full research administration lifecycle, integrating pre-award, post-award, research contracts, and compliance functions. This role oversees research integrity and support services while working closely with research security and other units to develop and implement policies, procedures, and operational frameworks aligned with evolving regulatory requirements. The associate director supports the advancement of research, scholarly, and artistic activities through the development of specialized programs and strategic initiatives.
Collaborating with senior leadership to set short-, medium-, and long-term goals, this position leads a team of staff in the coordination of the institutional research support functions to foster a community of practice and plan for professional development initiatives. The associate director builds and maintains strategic relationships with internal and external stakeholders, representing the university in various forums and leading cross-functional coordination across multiple institutional partners. Additionally, this role contributes to institutional alignment and strategic growth by guiding research operations, compliance activities, and lifecycle integration.
Duties and Responsibilities:
- Integrates pre-award, research agreements, compliance oversight, and post-award activities into a unified research administration lifecycle
- Aligns operational execution with institutional priorities, growth targets, and compliance requirements
- Supports coordination of the institutional research support functions and plans professional development initiatives
- Reviews, develops, and implements procedural improvements to enhance administrative efficiency and service delivery
- Designs operational models and leads process improvements to address application volume and regulatory complexity
- Liaises between grants and contracts functions to mitigate institutional risk strengthen lifecycle continuity across research administration functions
- Provides advisory oversight on confidential, high‑risk research administration matters, working with institutional partners to manage regulatory, ethical, and reputational risks
- Exercises institutional signing authority for research applications, contracts, and agreements
- Interprets and operationalizes complex Tri-Agency, non-Tri-Agency, and eligibility policy requirements into institutional compliance frameworks
- Leads strategic direction through participation in the departmental leadership team as well as the development of institutional programming and research initiatives
- Provides oversight of research information management systems, data integrity, reporting, workflows, and audit coordination
- Leads internal and external research audits and revenue reporting processes
- Coordinates institutional research support networks, in collaboration with unit leadership, to create a community of practice and plan for professional development initiatives
- Leads communication strategies to promote awareness of research services and programs
- Manages the full employee lifecycle of a team of direct reports including hiring, mentoring, supporting professional development and engagement, planning workflows, and performance management
- Liaises with external federal agencies to maintain a current and expert knowledge of the Canadian and international research funding environments
- Oversees departmental communication strategies including outreach and engagement of key stakeholders
- Develops strategies and supports to address research information, process, and policy needs in collaboration with other units across campus
- Fosters and maintains strong relationships and collaborations locally, regionally, and nationally with internal and external clients, stakeholders and partners
- Communicates and acts in a respectful and professional manner, collaborates effectively, abides by policy, contributes to a positive and productive work and learning environment, and models these behaviours across the institution
- Builds and leads diverse teams, champions inclusive leadership, and values different perspectives
- Engages in and supports the understanding and growth of employees with the frameworks, initiatives and activities relating to equity, diversity and inclusion and Indigenous engagement
- Sets and achieves actionable goals in alignment with Indigenous engagement and equity, diversity, and inclusion frameworks; addresses systemic inequities affecting underrepresented equity groups
- Undertakes related duties, as assigned, consistent with the nature of the position
- A master’s degree in a related field; a doctoral degree is preferred
- Minimum of seven years’ experience in research administration, preferably in a university setting
- Experience in a leadership role managing professional staff
- Knowledge of international, national, and regional research funding environments, including large-scale granting programs
- Advanced understanding of university policies, processes, and compliance requirements
- Excellent communication skills including strong scholarly writing abilities
- Ability to prioritize competing demands while maintaining quality and accuracy
- Effective organizational, planning, and time management abilities
- Capacity to build relationships and collaborate with diverse stakeholders
- High level of attention to detail and accuracy
- Ability to work effectively both independently and collaboratively in a team
- Excellent interpersonal skills including the ability to facilitate dialogue, build consensus, and develop synergies with a broad range of constituencies
- Ability to prioritize work effectively to meet deadlines while maintaining quality
Department: Research Acceleration and Strategic Initiatives
Supervisor Job Title: Director, Research Acceleration and Strategic Initiatives
Status: Permanent
Employment Group: Exempt
Full Time Equivalent (FTE): 1.0
Salary: The salary range, based on 1.0 FTE, is $94,864.00 - 158,925.00 per annum. The starting salary will be commensurate with education and experience.
Salary Phase/Band: Phase 4
Posted Date: 7/20/2026
Closing Date: 8/5/2026 at 6:00 pm CST
Number of Openings: 1
Work Location: May be eligible for hybrid work under the terms of USask's Alternative Workspace Guidelines
The University of Saskatchewan aspires to be what the world needs and embraces equity, diversity and inclusion as foundational to excellence and innovation. We actively seek to create a welcoming environment where all individuals feel empowered to thrive, contribute, and grow. Applications from equity-deserving groups are encouraged as part of our ongoing efforts to reflect the diversity of the communities we serve: EDI Framework for Action.
We continue to grow our partnerships with Indigenous communities across the province, nationally, and internationally and value the unique perspective that Indigenous employees provide to strengthen these relationships. Verification of Indigenous Membership/Citizenship at the University of Saskatchewan is led and determined by the deybwewin | taapwaywin | tapwewin: Indigenous Truth policy and the Standing Committee in accordance with the processes developed to enact the policy. Successful candidates that assert Indigenous membership/citizenship will be asked to complete the verification process of Indigenous membership/citizenship with documentation.
The University of Saskatchewan provides an accessible and inclusive workplace. Should you require support through any stage of the recruitment process, please contact us for assistance.
