Executive Director, Research

Reporting to the Provost and Vice President Academic, the Executive Director, Research is a member of the Provost's Senior Academic Leadership Team and assists the Provost in the oversight of planning and operational functions and policies related to research and innovation activities to further the academic vision and strategic goals of Sheridan. Research and Innovation are critical to Sheridan's vision to provide an exceptional experience for students and to support our external community partners. The Executive Director provides strategic leadership for Sheridan's Research Centres, in collaboration with Faculty Deans and other academic Leadership. A key element of this role is to foster coordination and collaboration across all Research Centres and operationalization of a culture and practice across Sheridan that ensures the Research Centre performance is aligned with Faculty and community priorities to further embed research and innovation within curriculum. The Executive Director fosters and enables interdisciplinary research and provides leadership in the development of internal and external partnerships to develop applied research and innovation opportunities and funding applications that deliver strong economic value and/or social benefit. The incumbent works closely with other departments across Sheridan and is responsible for the administration of all external research funding, ensuring legal, regulatory and funding body policies and procedures are followed. The Executive Director develops and maintains partnerships with external constituencies (e.g. government officials, professional societies, federal/ provincial research funding agencies, industry and other educational groups and institutions) to continue to represent the interests and build the scholarly and creative profile of Sheridan and its programs.

What You’ll Be Doing

• Providing strategic leadership for the Research and Innovation portfolio, expanding engagement in scholarly, research, and creative endeavors while fostering interdisciplinary collaborations;
• Leading Research Centres, supporting strategic partnerships in various fields, and overseeing applied research activities, including national and international collaborations;
• Advancing the integration between Generator and the four Faculties to solidify the connection to curriculum and student experience and developing policies to align with Sheridan’s vision, ensuring compliance with external funding requirements, legislative standards and effective resource and budget management;
• Contributing to strategic planning, policy-making, and operational decisions, working closely with senior leadership to drive organizational change and support business strategies, particularly related to research and innovation;
• Collaborating with the Senior Academic Leadership Team to develop and implement the Academic and Research, Innovation and Entrepreneurship Strategic Plans to embed and drive the ongoing culture of research and innovation across Sheridan;
• Providing leadership to external policy initiatives (Intellectual Property; Research Security) that directly related to research activities at the college;
• Providing leadership to portfolio leaders and teams, ensuring accountability for resources, budgets, and academic priorities;
• Fostering a diverse, high-performing team, promoting professional development and a supportive work environment;
• Supporting HR functions, compliance with policies, and ensuring strategic allocation of financial and physical resources to support academic goals and infrastructure;
• Building strategic partnerships with external organizations to support Sheridan’s academic goals and enhancing its reputation;
• Assisting the Provost with advocacy, negotiations, and representation, both internally on academic committees and externally with government agencies, educational institutions, and other organizations;
• Representing Sheridan Research at both functional and social events, as well as taking on other responsibilities and special projects as assigned.

About You

You demonstrate a forward-thinking, energetic, and visionary leadership style, with a proven ability to inspire, engage, and motivate others toward shared goals.

You bring extensive experience achieving collaborative outcomes within complex, multi-stakeholder environments, fostering strong partnerships and alignment across diverse groups.

You possess exceptional communication and interpersonal skills, including written, verbal, listening, and presentation abilities, and consistently promote open, transparent communication while engaging stakeholders at all levels in decision-making processes.

You demonstrate a strong commitment to collaborative leadership and team-based decision-making, fostering inclusive and effective operational management practices.

You exercise sound judgment and strategic thinking, with the ability to evaluate complex situations, present effective options and their potential impacts, and make difficult decisions when required.

You demonstrate strong creative problem-solving abilities and are comfortable navigating complexity, ambiguity, and competing priorities.

You possess highly developed negotiation, consensus-building, and conflict resolution skills, enabling productive dialogue and positive outcomes across diverse stakeholder groups.

You are proactive, self-directed, and take initiative to identify opportunities, address challenges, and drive results.

You demonstrate strong organizational and managerial capabilities, effectively prioritizing work, empowering others through delegation, and ensuring accountability for results.

You serve as a positive and credible ambassador for Sheridan, building trust and representing the institution professionally and effectively with internal and external stakeholders.

Qualifications

• Master’s degree required; PhD in a discipline related to Sheridan’s areas of research expertise is preferred
• Broad knowledge of disciplines reflected in Sheridan’s Faculties and Research Centres
• 9 years of senior level leadership in a research environment (across different disciplines, including those involving human participants), ideally within the post-secondary system (equivalency will be considered)
• Strong understanding of the external research funding landscape and federal and provincial grants
• Demonstrated success in collaborative leadership, strategic, operational and program planning, educational technology and innovation
• Knowledge of post-secondary academic emerging trends, issues, regulations, processes and best practices
• Experience with significant and successful change and transition management in a post-secondary environment
• Project management experience
• Financial management and budget development/implementation experience
• Thorough knowledge of governance, structures, policies and procedures
• Understanding of cultural diversity and needs of special populations
• Demonstrated industry experience, or experience developing partnerships with industry (strong asset)
• Understanding of intellectual property considerations in a research environment (asset)

Other Details

• Department: Office of Provost and VPA
• Primary Work/Campus Location: Trafalgar (may be assigned activities at any Sheridan campus)
• Work Categorization: Hybrid Position | On-site at least 3 days/week
• Reference #: J0626-0204
• Employee Group: Administrative
• Payband: NP
• Salary Range: $153,260 - $191,574
• Type of Vacancy: This is a new position
• Application Deadline: June 28, 2026

Commitment to Equity, Diversity & Inclusion

First Nations peoples have lived on this part of Turtle Island for millennia, stewarding the land, the water and all that contributes to life in this region. Today, the culture and presence of First Nations, Inuit and Metis peoples enrich the lands and people of this territory.

Over two centuries ago, the Mississauga people welcomed settlers to this territory, providing sustenance and engaging in trade and commerce. Between 1781 to 1820, eight treaties were signed with the Mississaugas of the Credit First Nation who opened their territory to settlement. Today, Sheridan campuses are located on Treaty 14, also known as the Head of the Lake Purchase of 1806 and Treaty 22 and 23 of 1820.

Treaty history is foundational, and it is our collective responsibility to honour the land, as we honour and respect those who have gone before us, those who are here and those who have yet to come. We are grateful for the opportunity to be learning, working and thriving on this land, and we commit to learn the truth and be active in the process of reconciliation.

Sheridan values the diverse and intersectional identities of its students, faculty, and staff. Sheridan regards equity and diversity as an integral part of academic excellence and is committed to accessibility for all employees. Sheridan seeks applicants who embrace our values of equity, anti-racism, and inclusion. As such, we encourage applications from qualified candidates who have been historically disadvantaged and marginalized, including those who identify as First Nations, Métis and/or Inuit/Inuk, Black, members of racialized communities, persons with disabilities, women and/or 2SLGBTQ+.

Sheridan will provide job applicants with accommodation in accordance with the Ontario Human Rights Code and the Accessibility for Ontarians with Disabilities Act. To request accommodation, please contact Human Resources.

You may be asked to provide copies of your educational credentials at the time of interview. Upon hire, we require official confirmation of educational credentials and Canadian equivalency assessments, if applicable.

#J-18808-Ljbffr