IMH Research Manager

Job Summary

The Department of Psychiatry is one of the larger departments in the Faculty of Medicine (FoM), with over 1000 department members including full-time and clinical faculty, academic visitors, fellows, student employees and staff in varying job families and classifications, in addition to volunteers and others working in clinical and research environments. The Department’s medical education programs are some of the most widely distributed within the Faculty of Medicine, with faculty appointees and trainees located within all six (6) Health Authorities. Funding within the Department, supporting positions and activities, is a mix of operating funds, clinical alternative payment program funds, significant research grant and donation funding, endowments, education program funding, as well as external partnership funding.

As an integral part of the UBC Department of Psychiatry, the Institute of Mental Health (IMH) is home to a community of clinicians and scientists committed to re-examining the field of mental health and mental illness and seeking new insights into the diagnosis and treatment of some of the most challenging issues in modern medicine. Their activities include building on recent advances in the fields of neuroscience, clinical trials, neuromodulation, pathology, brain imaging, psychology and epidemiology, and translating these advances into clinically effective preventive and treatment strategies, including promoting resilience, early intervention, psychotherapy, pharmacotherapies and neurostimulation.

This position manages the strategic priorities of the Institute of Mental Health (IMH). The incumbent will be responsible for the planning and oversight of all activities of the IMH; these will include overseeing fundraising activities, facilitating the delivery of the IMH Marshall Fellowships and Stimulus Grants programs, and contributing to the writing of grant proposals, protocols, manuscripts, reports, scientific papers, and presentations. This position will work closely with researchers, health care providers and leaders, administrators, and community partner/organizations.

Organizational Status

Reports to the Director of Administration. Receives work direction from the Department Head/Director, Institute of Mental Health (IMJ) and Associate Head, Research. Works as part of the Department’s Administrative team and meets with the Director of Administration and other administrative staff as required.

The incumbent is required to work autonomously with minimal managerial direction. Work direction for new projects and initiatives is provided by the Department Head, Director, IMH, and/or Associate Head, Research.

This position liaises with faculty, students and staff within the Department of Psychiatry, Faculty of Medicine (FoM) units, UBC central units, external agencies, and personnel such as health authorities, various levels of government, other academic, funding and international organizations, and other stakeholders.

This position will be required to work flexible hours and days to meet operational requirements. May be required to travel.

Work Performed

• Develops and manages work plans, budgets, and timelines for various IMH projects and initiatives
• Manages the development and implementation of research project proposals and protocols, providing guidance on project requirements and ensuring alignment with research objectives, institutional policies and applicable requirements
• Oversees manuscript writing and the preparation and execution of knowledge dissemination, determining appropriate approaches and providing substantive review and recommendations
• Assess project progress, research issues and emerging risks, and provides recommendations to IMH leadership and PIs regarding priorities, corrective action and next steps
• Keeps abreast of current UBC Research Policies, serving in a key advisory role to new investigators and clinical faculty with queries related to research policies and processes, as well as a liaison between researchers and the UBC Office of Research Services (ORS).
• Monitors and provides semi-annual reports on Department research funding data, publication and citation data and other research metrics
• Reviews all research-related documents, including Research Project Information Forms (RPIFs) and Contract Request Forms, ensuring accuracy prior to signatures
• Manages the development of research-related documents, ensuring adherence to various ethical board guidelines
• Identifies and assesses funding sources for suitability and alignment with the Department’s strategic mandates, recommends which opportunities should be pursued, and manages the development of funding applications
• Contributes to scientific papers; develops research reports and presentations.
• Prepares, drafts, edits, and coordinates regular updates and reporting to research collaborators, funding partners, and donors, in conjunction with the IMH Director and Associate Head, Research.
• Facilitates knowledge translation by recommending communication strategy, media and social media content to promote the IMH, including the IMH Member Showcase, the IMH PROGRESS Webinar Series, as well as newsletters, fundraising material, and press releases, maintaining a strong digital presence for the IMH and its research activities
• Supports the strategic priorities of the IMH, in conjunction with Directors of IMH; Associate Head, Research and Director, Administration, Department of Psychiatry; Translates approved IMH Strategic priorities into research initiatives, work plans and deliverables, and monitors their implementation and outcomes
• Oversees the IMH Marshall Fellowship application, review and selection process, as well as the Stimulus Grant application, review and selection process
• Organizes and attends meetings and engagement activities, including but not limited to advisory meetings with scientists, sponsors, donors and advocacy groups
• Performs other related duties as required
  

Consequence of Error/Judgement

This position works with a high degree of independence. Non‐compliance with contractual terms, sponsoring agency guidelines, Good Clinical Practice guidelines, or regulatory requirements could result in the return of agency funds, loss of future funds and/ or inability to collect funds owned to the University, and potentially termination of research studies and activities. Incorrect interpretation of sponsoring agency and institutional policies and inaccurate or untimely information provided to faculty could result in loss of funds and lead to financial hardship for the UBC IMH

Work must often meet tight deadlines and requires the incumbent to perform well under extreme pressure. The incumbent will be expected to respond well to unexpected circumstances and exercise independent judgment. The incumbent must demonstrate exceptional public relations and interpersonal skills in dealing with government, sponsoring agency, other stakeholders and senior administration of the university community and Health Authority. Inappropriate or errant communications of sensitive issues could have a serious impact on operations and have legal implications.

Supervision Received
Reports administratively to the Director of Administration, and receives work direction from the Department Head/Director, Institute of Mental Health (IMJ) and Associate Head, Research.

Supervision Given
None

Minimum Qualifications
Undergraduate degree in a relevant discipline. Minimum of three years of related experience, or the equivalent combination of education and experience.

- 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

Preferred Qualifications

• Education or experience related to the mental health research field, experience in working with executives and in roles related to communication are desirable.
• Knowledge of and experience in writing research grant proposals, protocols, work plans, and scientific papers preferred/desired.
• Knowledge of University policies, procedures, governance and administrative systems preferred.
• Ability to effectively facilitate groups to achieve appropriate outcomes.
• Knowledge of BC government organizations related to health and knowledge of health‐related organizations in Canada and globally is highly desirable.
• Effective organizational, problem‐solving, planning and analytical skills.
• Proficient in the use of English grammar, spelling and punctuation and professional terminology.
• Proven ability to communicate professionally and tactfully, both orally and in writing.
• Ability to compose correspondence and other written materials using clear and concise business English.
• Experience working with web content management systems, including WordPress; knowledge and experience in website development, CSS and HTML an asset.
• Ability to use desktop publishing software at an intermediate to advanced level, such as Adobe Creative Suite (Photoshop, InDesign, Premiere), Canvas etc.
• Ability to effectively use survey applications (e.g. Qualtrics) and virtual meeting platforms (e.g. Zoom, MS Teams) at an intermediate/advanced level.

• Ability to work independently and cooperatively both within the UBC community and with external stakeholders.
• Ability to effectively manage multiple tasks and priorities.
• Experience in managing projects that involve a variety of stakeholders.
• Ability to maintain accuracy and attention to detail.
• Ability to exercise judgment, tact, discretion and diplomacy.
• Proactive and cognizant of conflicting priorities, with the ability to advise and direct resolutions.