Job Duties/Qualifications, Skills and Abilities(QSA) Job Duties Job Duties The Manager, Applied Research is accountable to the Director, Applied Research for the operations of a portfolio that includes research funding application development and submission, supporting research and fee for service project development within and beyond Sask

Polytech, managing the Applied Research facilitator and coordinator team throughout the employee lifecycle, overseeing the team in their work, scheduling resources according to priority and workloads.

The manager will oversee the engagement of students in applied research and will be responsible for the delivery of the annual Applied Research Student showcase.

This position will work with the Manager, Research Finance and Administration to coordinate pre-award and post award responsibilities including human resource requirements, research grant budget implementation and planning, as well as financial reporting, internal grant administration, metric reporting, research scholarships, research internships, and ethics administration.

The Manager, Applied Research also coordinates assigned strategic projects that enhance the capabilities of applied research and innovation at Saskatchewan Polytechnic.

The Manager, Applied Research is primarily responsible for leading and developing applied research team activities for Saskatchewan Polytechnic in a manner that demonstrates the polytechnic’s commitment to applied research and innovation.

The Manager is responsible for ensuring that the pre-award team meet grant development and submission deadlines and that submitted applications align with funder requirements and Sask

Polytech’ s policies and procedures.

The Manager is expected to promote applied research at Sask

Polytech to increase and maintain faculty, student, and staff engagement.

As a member of the applied research and innovation team, the Manager acts as an internal consultant on new and/or complex research project development activities within Saskatchewan Polytechnic and collaborates on the development of policies and initiatives to assist the organization in fulfilling its mandate to ensure business acumen. QUALIFICATIONS, SKILLS, ABILITIES AND EXPERIENCE Specific Accountabilities The incumbent provides leadership in helping to formulate the philosophy, goals, objectives, and policies for applied research that are consistent with the overall strategic goals of Saskatchewan Polytechnic.

The manager specifically performs the following functions: Research Administrative Leadership Provides strategic leadership for the planning, coordination, management, and promotion of applied research activities across Saskatchewan Polytechnic.

Leads, coaches, and manages a team of Applied Research Facilitators and Coordinators, including workload planning, prioritization, performance management, and professional development.

Directs the development, administration, and continuous improvement of processes related to internal and external applied research opportunities and fee-for-service projects.

Build and maintains effective relationships with internal and external partners to advance the institution’s applied research capacity, opportunities, and outcomes.

Oversees institutional research ethics review processes and liaises with the designated Regional Ethics Board to ensure compliance with ethical research requirements.

Supports the preparation of reports, presentations, funding submissions, and promotional materials related to Applied Research for internal and external stakeholders.

Establishes and oversees advisory services that support faculty, staff, and students engaged in applied research activities.

Ensures the quality, consistency, and integrity of applied research initiatives through the development, implementation, and monitoring of policies, procedures, and operational standards.





Collaborates closely with academic leaders and faculties to ensure applied research activities align with institutional priorities and support program development and delivery.

Contributes to institutional planning, innovation initiatives, and strategic research activities to advance Saskatchewan Polytechnic’s research mandate.

Oversees student engagement opportunities within applied research, including the planning and delivery of the Applied Research Student Showcase and other student-focused initiatives.

Reviews research initiatives and provides strategic advice, analysis, and recommendations to the Director and Associate Vice-President, Applied Research.

Reviews research initiatives and provides strategic advice, analysis, and recommendations to the Director and Associate Vice-President, Applied Research.

Establishes, implements, and oversees compliance with approved research methodologies, standards, and best practices.

Establishes, implements, and oversees compliance with approved research methodologies, standards, and best practices.

Monitors research performance metrics and emerging trends to inform decision-making, continuous improvement, and strategic planning.

Risk Assessment and Management Identifies, assesses and manages risks within research project development (i.e. supporting ethics approval, supporting TAGFA compliance, enabling timely reporting) Develops, implements, and manages internal controls, policies and procedures to ensure applications propose appropriate use of research funds i.e. appropriate approval procedures Ensures appropriate staffing assignments are provided to align applied research development activity with available personnel.

Initiates and provides assistance and expertise on regular and ad hoc research reports that provide for the planning, control and monitoring of Saskatchewan Polytechnic to be used by senior management, board of directors and/or governmental agencies in their decision-making processes.

Provides applied research expertise and maintain an inventory of templates and tools for funding applications and fee for service projects.

People Management Manages human resources of program areas through the employee life cycle reflecting the values of Saskatchewan Polytechnic.

Fosters an organizational setting that encourages personal productivity, job satisfaction and the professional growth of faculty and employees in the program areas, including group and personal development plans.

Fosters a culture of organizational safety and security.

Maintains a high level of staff performance through effective use of human resources practices and procedures including recruitment, selection, orientation, training, probationary reviews, motivating and assessing employees.

Establishes clear performance standards and goals for direct reports and hold them accountable for meeting standards and goals.

Addresses people management issues with direct reports, including independent authority to discipline, dismiss and/or terminate where appropriate, applied in a timely manner while ensuring compliance with the collective agreement and Saskatchewan Polytechnic policies.

Acts as a first point of contact to interpret, administer and manage within respective collective bargaining agreements and ensure employee standards are applied appropriately.

Promotes communication between all organizational levels.

Ensures a positive, diverse, and inclusive work and learning environment.

Relationship Management Internal Works closely with other members of the applied research and innovation leadership team to ensure alignment and consistent application of strategies, policies, and procedures.





Actively participates in various committees and projects within the area of applied research and innovation and across the organization.

Builds and maintains relationships within OARI, and with those working within applied research, academic, and administrative divisions throughout the organization.

Coordinates processes and information flow with Research Finance and Administration.

Delivers presentations about applied research and innovation to the Sask

Polytech community via various streams, including in person presentations, webinars, and job fair/trade show events.

Works closely with the Research Finance and Administration team to ensure that all research expenses are allocated appropriately and remain within budget.

External Develops and maintains relationships with management and staff of various funding agencies and industry contacts which hold grants or contracts with Saskatchewan Polytechnic to facilitate the development of applied research opportunities.

Promotes Sask

Polytech research capabilities and successes by interacting with research advocacy groups (Polytechnics Canada, CICan, Research Info

Source) .

Strategic Planning Responsible for coordinating Applied Research efforts in applied research projects and funding development into relevant databases for required reports.

Plans, organize and manage assigned strategic projects.

Further develops and implements Saskatchewan Polytechnic’s applied research and innovation plan in concert with the Director and AVP, Applied Research.

Plans, coordinates and executes the applied research section of the business plan in collaboration with deans, directors, and other academic units.

Provides support with members of the academic team in determining potential funding sources for applied research activities.

Contributes to operational effectiveness and policy development by actively participating in a wide range of strategic, operational, and professional decisions.

Project Management Ensures timely and accurate entry of funding development contributions to the database of all applied research proposals and activities, status of proposals, and funding for research.

Provides advice on research ethics, policies, and funding opportunities.

Provides oversite on the development of applications and projects for the internal applied research funding program, scholarship program and various other Applied Research funding initiatives.

Other Ensures that all staff supervised have completed the training required as specified by Sask

Polytech Human Resources.

Maintains and updates professional skills and knowledge and integrates into the work environment new knowledge acquired through continuing education and professional development opportunities.

Performs other related duties as required.

Duties Based out of one of the four Saskatchewan Polytechnic locations (Moose Jaw, Prince Albert, Regina, or Saskatoon), this position has several direct reports and as the research revenue for the institution grows, accountability, responsibilities and direct reports will grow correspondingly.

On a daily basis the Manager, Applied Research, interacts with senior management, faculty, and staff throughout the area of applied research and innovation. OARI facilitates all applied research activities at Saskatchewan Polytechnic to encourage the commercialization of newly developed technologies and to capitalize on the highly qualified and skilled Saskatchewan Polytechnic personnel to help grow the Saskatchewan economy.

Required Qualifications, Skills and Abilities (QSA) A relevant bachelor’s degree and experience in research, proposal development and administration and/or management is required.

Five to seven years of progressive management experience in a post secondary environment is required.

An equivalent combination of education and experience will be considered.

Supervisory experience in a unionized environment is preferred.

Desired QSA Required Competencies

📌 Manager, Applied Research (Saskatchewan)
🏢 Saskatchewan Polytechnic
📍 Saskatchewan