Job DescriptionJob Description:nnSenior Manager of Research OperationsnnThe Senior Manager, Research Programs & Operations is a people, program and operations leader responsible for ensuring OSCIA's portfolio of research programs is effectively planned, resourced, executed and delivered.nThis role provides day-to-day leadership to the Research team and operational oversight across multiple concurrent, externally funded research programs. The Senior Manager establishes the systems, processes and accountability needed to ensure projects remain on track, staff have clear direction, budgets are effectively managed, risks are identified and addressed, and contractual and reporting commitments are met.nThe incumbent will oversee research planning, project management, data integrity, stakeholder coordination, and reporting functions. They will also ensure compliance with funding agreements, scientific standards, and ethical research practices while supporting partnerships with academic institutions, government agencies, and industry collaborators.nWorking closely with the Director of Research and Knowledge Transfer and OSCIA's technical staff and partners, the Senior Manager translates organizational and funding commitments into clear operational plans and ensures the team has the structure, resources and support required to deliver high-quality results.nnKey Responsibilities & Duties:nnPeople Leadership & Team ManagementnnProvide direct leadership, coaching, mentorship and performance management to Research department staff.nEstablish clear roles, responsibilities, priorities and performance expectations and hold team members accountable for results.nConduct regular one-on-one and team meetings to monitor workload, priorities, challenges and progress.nBuild a collaborative, accountable and solutions-oriented team culture.nIdentify capacity, resource and skill gaps and work with the Director to address them.nLead or support recruitment, onboarding and training of new team members.nDevelop staff capabilities and succession plans to strengthen the department's long-term capacity.nLead the team effectively through periods of change, competing priorities and evolving program requirements.nnResearch Portfolio & Program OperationsnnProvide operational oversight for OSCIA's portfolio of research programs and projects.nMaintain a comprehensive understanding of each program's objectives, contractual commitments, deliverables, activities, timelines, reporting requirements and budget.nEstablish appropriate project plans, workplans, dashboards and other management tools to provide visibility into program performance.nRegularly review program status with staff, identify barriers or emerging issues, assign actions and ensure follow-through.nCoordinate priorities and resources across programs to ensure organizational commitments can be achieved.nEnsure staff understand their responsibilities, deadlines and expected outcomes.nEscalate significant issues, risks and decisions to the Director in a timely manner.nAdapt the level of direct involvement based on program complexity, risk and the capabilities of the staff leading individual projects.nnResearch Program LeadershipnnLead the design, coordination, and delivery of applied research projects that address sustainability priorities such as soil health, water quality, biodiversity, and climate adaptation.nAssist the Director of Research and Knowledge Transfer with the development of annual and multi-year plans to identify research opportunities that align with organizational strategies and sectoral goals.nManage the research operations portfolio, including budgeting, staffing, and resource allocation.nEnsure the integration of research outcomes into organizational programming, communications, and policy engagement.nProvide scientific leadership in project development, methodology design, and outcome measurement.nnFinancial ManagementnnOversee budgets across the Research portfolio in collaboration with the Director and Finance team.nLead annual and project-level forecasting and regularly update forecasts based on program activity.nEnsure each program has an effective budget tracking system that provides timely visibility into commitments, expenditures and remaining funds.nEstablish processes for staff to maintain accurate financial information as expenditures and commitments occur.nReconcile program tracking information against financial actuals on a regular basis.nIdentify potential variances, underspending, overspending or other financial risks early and develop appropriate corrective actions.nEnsure expenditures comply with contribution agreements, approved budgets and organizational policies.nnOperational Systems & Continuous ImprovementnnDevelop, implement and continuously improve systems, processes, procedures, templates and Standard Operating Procedures that support consistent and efficient research operations.nEstablish practical department-wide approaches to project management, documentation, budget management, reporting,



data management and quality assurance.nIdentify operational inefficiencies and implement improvements that reduce risk, duplication and administrative burden.nEnsure appropriate documentation and knowledge-management practices are in place so critical program knowledge is retained by the organization.nIdentify opportunities to use digital tools and technology to improve program visibility, collaboration and efficiency.nnRisk, Compliance & Quality ManagementnnEstablish and maintain a proactive approach to operational risk management across the Research portfolio.nIdentify financial, contractual, staffing, scheduling, stakeholder, data and delivery risks and develop appropriate mitigation strategies.nEnsure compliance with funding agreements, contractual commitments, organizational policies and applicable research requirements.nEstablish appropriate quality-control and review processes for key program deliverables.nEnsure emerging risks and significant issues are communicated to the Director with recommended actions.nnFunding Agreements, Deliverables & ReportingnnMaintain oversight of contribution agreements, contracts and other funding commitments.nEnsure program teams understand funding requirements and incorporate them into project plans and day-to-day activities.nMaintain visibility of all key deliverables, milestones and reporting deadlines.nCoordinate the preparation and review of reports and other required submissions.nSupport funding proposals and program development by providing operational plans, staffing assumptions, budgets, timelines and risk considerations.nnStakeholder & Partner ManagementnnBuild and maintain effective working relationships with funders, government agencies, academic institutions, research organizations, producers, industry partners and other collaborators.nEnsure stakeholder commitments and expectations are understood and appropriately incorporated into project plans.nSupport staff in managing complex stakeholder relationships and resolving issues.nRepresent OSCIA professionally in meetings, working groups, workshops and industry events.nWork collaboratively across OSCIA departments to support effective program delivery and knowledge translation.nnResearch Quality & Data OversightnnEnsure appropriate technical and scientific expertise is engaged in research design, implementation, analysis and interpretation.nEstablish processes and accountability to support research integrity, data quality, documentation and reproducibility.nOversee appropriate data governance, quality assurance and confidentiality practices.nWork with technical staff, researchers and external experts to ensure research activities meet appropriate standards.nn nQualifications & Skills:nnEducation:nPost-secondary education in project/program management, business administration, public administration, organizational leadership, agriculture, environmental science, natural resources, research administration or another relevant discipline. Equivalent combinations of education and significant relevant management experience will also be considered.nA graduate degree, project/program management credential, leadership credential or relevant professional designation is considered an asset.nnYears of Experience:nCandidates should bring at least five years of progressively responsible experience in program, project or operational management, including meaningful experience leading people and teams.nSpecific Experience:nWe are particularly interested in candidates who have demonstrated success in several of the following areas:nnDirectly managing, coaching and developing professional staff.nManaging a portfolio of multiple concurrent projects or programs.nTranslating agreements, strategies or organizational commitments into operational workplans and staff priorities.nManaging complex budgets, forecasting expenditures and monitoring financial performance.nEstablishing project management systems, dashboards, processes, SOPs and operational controls.nManaging programs funded through grants, contribution agreements or other externally funded arrangements.nManaging contractual obligations, deliverables, reporting deadlines and compliance requirements.nIdentifying operational risks and implementing practical mitigation strategies.nLeading teams through organizational change, staffing transitions or periods of significant workload.nManaging relationships with government, funders, external partners and other stakeholders.nWorking successfully with technical or subject-matter experts without necessarily being the technical expert themselves.nImproving organizational systems, workflows and processes.nnExperience in agriculture, applied research, environmental programming, science, government-funded programming or a related technical environment is an asset.nn nKnowledge,



Skills & Abilities (KSAs):nKnowledge:nnKnowledge of program and project management principles and practices, including planning, scheduling, resource allocation, performance monitoring and reporting.nKnowledge of people management and leadership practices, including performance management, coaching, staff development, team building, succession planning and change management.nKnowledge of financial management principles, including budgeting, forecasting, expenditure monitoring and financial reporting.nKnowledge of risk management, internal controls and compliance practices within complex, multi-project environments.nKnowledge of grant, contribution agreement and/or externally funded program management, including contractual obligations, eligible expenditures, deliverables and reporting requirements.nKnowledge of operational management and continuous improvement principles, including process development, Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs), workflow improvement and quality assurance.nGeneral knowledge of applied research operations, including the research project lifecycle, data management, research integrity, quality assurance and reporting.nGeneral understanding of stakeholder and partnership management in multi-partner programs involving government, academic, industry and/or community organizations.nKnowledge of Ontario agriculture, agri-environmental programming, sustainable agriculture practices and the agricultural research environment is considered an asset.nnSkills:nnStrong people leadership and management skills, with the ability to establish expectations, provide direction, coach employees, address performance issues and develop high-performing teams.nStrong program, project and portfolio management skills, with the ability to oversee multiple concurrent projects with different timelines, budgets, deliverables, stakeholders and levels of complexity.nStrong financial management skills, including budget development, forecasting, expenditure tracking, variance analysis and financial oversight.nStrong operational management skills, with the ability to establish effective systems, processes, procedures, workflows and controls.nStrong planning and organizational skills, including the ability to translate strategic objectives, funding agreements and program commitments into actionable workplans, priorities and accountabilities.nStrong risk-management and problem-solving skills, with the ability to anticipate issues, assess their significance, develop mitigation strategies and ensure appropriate follow-through.nStrong performance-monitoring skills, with the ability to establish meaningful measures, dashboards and reporting mechanisms to assess program progress and organizational commitments.nStrong communication skills, including the ability to communicate complex program, financial and technical information clearly to staff, senior leadership, funders, partners and other stakeholders.nStrong relationship-management and stakeholder-engagement skills, including the ability to navigate differing priorities and maintain productive partnerships.nStrong facilitation, negotiation and conflict-resolution skills.nStrong analytical and critical-thinking skills, with the ability to assess information, identify trends or concerns and support sound decision-making.nProficiency with Microsoft Office and project, financial and information-management tools, with the ability to learn and implement new digital systems as required.nnAbilities:nnLead, motivate and develop a multidisciplinary team, including professionals with specialized expertise outside the Senior Manager's own background.nLead through change and ambiguity while maintaining clarity, accountability and program delivery.nQuickly learn unfamiliar programs and technical subject matter to the level needed to manage staff, risks, budgets, stakeholders and commitments effectively.nMaintain a portfolio-level view while recognizing when an issue requires deeper involvement and hands-on management.nBalance competing priorities and make sound, timely decisions, including recognizing when consultation or escalation is required.nTranslate complex agreements and organizational objectives into clear expectations, workplans and actions for staff.nBuild trusted relationships across departments and with external partners, funders and stakeholders and represent OSCIA credibly and professionally.nIdentify and implement practical improvements that strengthen efficiency, consistency, accountability and organizational capacity while maintaining confidentiality and sound judgment.nnBehaviour Competencies:nnAdaptability: Demonstrate a willingness to be flexible, versatile, and dynamic in a changing work environment while maintaining effectiveness and efficiency.nEthical behaviour: Ensure personal behaviours align with the Association's core values and code of conduct.nRelationship development: Establish and maintain positive working relationships with others, internally and externally.nEffective communication: Speak, listen, and write in a exact, clear, and timely manner using appropriate and effective c

📌 Senior Manager, Research Programs & Operations (Guelph)
🏢 Ontario Soil and Crop Improvement Association
📍 Guelph