Associate Director - INMD

Job Summary

As part of the Canadian Institutes of Health Research (CIHR) Institute of Nutrition, Metabolism and Diabetes (INMD) team, the Associate Director implements the vision and strategy for INMD to improve research within the mandate of the Institute. The Associate Director provides primary support to the Scientific Director in fostering and promoting the strategic initiatives of the Institute, working directly with the Institute and CIHR staff in Ottawa; senior federal and provincial government officials; Canadian and international researchers and trainees; senior staff of other CIHR institutes; and Institute inters holders to conceive, develop, implement and evaluate programs and projects to ensure the Institute meets its goals and objectives. The incumbent is primarily responsible to the financial, strategic, and operations aspects of the INMD on a day-to-day basis, and provides leadership to the INMD staff.

This is a term position, with the expected end date of December 31 2029.

Organizational Status
The Associate Director works independently and with authority to develop and implement best practices related to the financial and operational aspects of the INMD. This role receives direction from the Scientific Director, and provides oversight to all staff within the INMD. This position is responsible for and will oversee the work of all members of the INMD team, providing human resource, financial and operational support for all aspects of the Institute.

Work Performed
Management of Institute Operations, Strategic Leadership and Program Development:

• Leading the nation-wide research development, planning, coordination and evaluation of various institute initiatives.
• Developing relationships with external partners including managing a portfolio for partnership agreements by helping to develop and implement strategies for securing financial support from new partners including identifying, qualifying, cultivating, soliciting, and stewarding these relationships
• Developing and carrying out, in close collaboration with a wide range of researchers and other stakeholders in the Canadian public, private and voluntary health sectors, an organized program of interactive research planning, coordination and evaluation processes; these consultations, workshops, conferences will set priorities, develop consensus statements and requests for proposals, and build increased capacity for innovative, interdisciplinary health research across Canada
• Management of the Institute's Strategic Initiatives budget (INMD and partner funds) and oversight on the annual Institute operational and developmental budget (Institute Support Grant)
• Manages and coordinate the development of INMD’s Research Priority Plan and ensure compliance of Institute activities to this plan, under direction of the Scientific Director
• Develops and carries out, in close collaboration with a wide range of researchers and other interest holders in the Canadian public, private and voluntary health sectors, an organized program of interactive research planning, coordination and evaluation processes; these consultations, workshops, conferences will set priorities, develop consensus statements and requests for proposals, funding opportunities and build increased capacity for innovative, interdisciplinary health research across Canada
• Representing the Institute to various stakeholder groups across Canada; acts as a link between external groups and committees
• Promoting the work of the Institute at national and global meetings and conferences
• Oversees peer and relevance review/validation of INMD funding awards
• Fostering and supporting effective collaborations with networks of expertise relevant to INMD's strategic priorities
• Leading the development of INMD's Strategic Plan to set direction for research and ensure compliance of Institute activities to this plan
• Provides continued management and oversight for Institute Support Grant budget, under the direction of the Scientific Director
• Leading, developing and executing student and mentorship training programs, networks, partnerships and communications strategies
• Overseeing internal and external communication functions of the Institute (ie: Institute communications plan, ministerial briefing notes, operational and strategic plans, annual reports, newsletter content and liaising with CIHR Public Affairs)
• Developing, implementing and evaluating the strategic initiatives of the Institute
• Overseeing data collection and analysis, development of performance management frameworks and the evaluation of projects/initiatives
• Supports implementation of Integrated Institute Team (IIT) Model, working collaboratively with CIHR staff based in Ottawa to plan INMD Strategic Initiatives and carry out INMD activities
• Overseeing activities related to the Institute Advisory Board (IAB) including: working with national and international members of the IAB on ad hoc projects/activities; liaising with potential national and international applicants for IAB positions; advising on new Board members; overseeing orientation of new Board members
• Ensuring comprehensive management of Institute records including documents and communications in accordance with the federal government's Access to Information Act
• Representing the Institute at monthly CIHR meetings in Ottawa; participating in decision-making regarding funding policies and operations practices; providing input on implications of policies for the Institute
• Represents the Institute when Scientific Director not available in various interest holder groups across Canada, including promoting the work of the INMD at national and international meetings and conferences
• Working with CIHR central staff to maintain a strong, dynamic, effective and efficient working relationship between the Institute and CIHR central who are responsible for the ultimate delivery of much of the Institute's program
• Working with the Finance staff at UBC's CIHR-INMD office to ensure that contractual and other obligations undertaken by the Institute are met
• Development of the role and scope of responsibilities for Institute based staff; overseeing the annual performance evaluation process for Institute staff
• Manages requests and liaises with Partners on behalf of Scientific Director, including the development of relationships with external partners to secure financial support and cultivating and stewarding ongoing partner relationships
• Oversees internal and external communication functions of the Institute (i.e., Institute communications plan, ministerial briefing notes, operational and strategic plans, annual reports, newsletter content, liaising with CIHR Public Affairs)
• Coordinates training programs and knowledge-sharing initiatives
• Performing other related duties as required

Consequence of Error/Judgement

The incumbent is responsible for a high degree of self-direction and is required to exercise superior judgment and performance in all areas. Effective management of INMD business, specifically in the areas of human resource management; administrative and financial responsibility, is critical in order to maintain INMD’s financial and operational effectiveness, and reputation both within and outside the University community. The position has responsibility for managing a budget and has signing authority for most INMD accounts. Errors in budget and accounts management would result in serious financial consequences. Work requires a high level of diplomacy, confidentiality, and an understanding of the research environment.

Research granting agency regulations are varied and complex. Errors in budgeting, in reconciling expenditures, and in providing accurate data in a timely way could cause over-expenditures, having to return unspent money, or failing to meet Federal regulations could be damaging to university reputation and potentially reducing access to funding. Errors in interpretation of policy and practices or methods could negatively impact relations within the university and with granting agencies. Failing to ensure consistency in data entry procedures could result in audit problems.

Supervision Received
The Associate Director reports to the Scientific Director of the INMD.

Supervision Given
This position will supervise all members of the INMD team, including all AAPS (M&P) and BCGEU staff members, including recruitment and selection, staff development, performance management up to and including termination.

Minimum Qualifications

• Willingness to respect diverse perspectives, including perspectives in conflict with one’s own
• Demonstrates a commitment to enhancing one’s own awareness, knowledge, and skills related to equity, diversity, and inclusion
• Post-graduate degree or an equivalent professional designation with a minimum of five years of related experience, including experience in a field of specialization, or an equivalent combination of education and experience.

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience working with CIHR or affliated federal health research agencies.
• Related research experience including project management within health-related research networks or funding organizations.
• Experience in identifying and developing strong national and international partnerships and/or strategic alliances and/or relationships with one or more of the following sectors: federal and provincial government, industry, academia and not-for-profit sectors.
• Professional experience cultivating and facilitating collaborative programs with researchers and interest holders.
• Related senior administrative experience including training in strategic planning, human resources management, financial and business administration, budgeting and financial control.
• Experience in financial planning and budgetary control.
• Demonstrated experience with change management. Ability to develop and implement strategic business plans.
• Ability to think strategically and analytically.
• Ability to develop and implement policies and procedures.
• Ability to analyze and interpret data, determine implications, and provide recommendations.
• Ability to establish effective relationships with a variety of interest holders, including unions and associations.
• Proven ability to coach, counsel, mentor, lead and identify staff strengths with the capacity to team-build.
• Ability to effectively manage staff and workflow to ensure efficiency and to meet changing priorities and deadlines. Ability to explain, assign, and monitor work.
• Demonstrated supervisory and problem solving skills.
• Ability to identify and effectively resolve conflict.
• Ability to effectively recruit, train, supervise, and motivate employees.
• Ability to interpret and apply collective agreements in a complex, unionized environment.
• Ability to lead change by creating a vision and taking appropriate action to ensure acceptance and support
• Ability to foster the long-term learning and development of staff through coaching, managing performance, and mentoring. Ability to manage staff performance by establishing standards and goals, evaluating performance, providing feedback, and taking corrective action.