POSITION SUMMARY

The Assistant Vice-President, Research Strategy and Services, reports to the Vice-President (Research & Innovation) and is a member of the senior leadership team responsible for advancing the University's research enterprise. The incumbent provides strategic and operational leadership for the University’s research development and sponsored research services and oversees a complex portfolio supporting researchers, research teams, faculties, affiliated hospitals, and research institutes throughout the research funding lifecycle. The incumbent develops a robust culture of service, collaboration, and accountability. He/ she will establish expectations, service standards, and effective ways of working to ensure that researchers and academic units receive timely, clear, coordinated, and solutions-oriented support and that institutional requirements are translated into effective and workable processes. Working closely with the Vice-President (Research & Innovation), Deputy Vice-President, Associate Vice-Presidents, Deans, Directors, and other senior leaders, the Assistant Vice-President provides strategic advice on institutional research priorities, governance, policy, infrastructure, performance metrics, and emerging funding opportunities. The incumbent serves as a catalyst for institutional collaboration, fostering interdisciplinary partnerships and driving continuous improvement in the University's capacity to secure and successfully manage major research investments. The Assistant Vice-President represents the University and the Research & Innovation portfolio on internal and external committees, and works collaboratively with governments, funding agencies, partner institutions, foundations, industry, and other stakeholders to advance the University's research mission and strategic objectives.



PRIMARY RESPONSIBILITIES

Strategic Research Development and Major Initiatives Provide strategic leadership for the identification, development, prioritization, and execution of major institutional research initiatives and funding competitions, including CFI, CERC, CFREF, NFRF and other strategic funding opportunities. Lead the development of high-value institutional funding proposals, partnership agreements, and implementation plans that position the University for success in competitive national and international funding programs. Identify opportunities to strengthen interdisciplinary research and foster collaboration across faculties, research institutes, affiliated hospitals, and external partners. Research Services Lead the University’s sponsored research services and oversee effective delivery across the full funding lifecycle, including funding opportunity identification, application review and submission, sponsored research agreements, amendments and ongoing award administration. Oversee service delivery for research software, cloud-, and advanced research computing services to researchers. Ensure responsive, consistent, and high-quality services to individual researchers, research teams, Faculties, affiliated hospitals, and research institutes. Establish clear service standards, accountabilities, decision pathways, and escalation mechanisms,



and use service data and feedback to improve the researcher experience. Lead and develop high-performing teams and strengthen organizational capacity, project management, coordination, and continuous improvement across the portfolio. Institutional Research Strategy and Planning Lead the development and implementation of institutional policies, programs, procedures, and best practices that support research excellence and strengthen the University’s research environment. Lead institution-wide strategic projects related to research planning, -infrastructure, and capacity-building, including the University's Strategic Research Plan and the implementation and monitoring of related action plans. Advise the Vice-President (Research & Innovation) on institutional research priorities, emerging opportunities, policy issues, infrastructure, and other complex matters affecting the research enterprise. Prepare related briefings, reports and recommendations. Monitor developments in the provincial, national, and international research funding landscape and assess their implications for the University. External Relations and Institutional Representation Build and maintain productive relationships with federal and provincial governments, funding agencies, foundations, industry partners, research organizations, and peer institutions to advance institutional research priorities. Represent the University and the Research & Innovation portfolio on internal governance committees, external advisory bodies, and sector-wide initiatives. The ideal candidate will possess a graduate degree and a demonstrated record of progressive senior leadership in research administration, research strategy, or research development within a large, complex organization, preferably in

📌 Assistant Vice-President, Research Strategy and Services (Montreal)
🏢 McGill University
📍 Montreal