Faculty/Department VP Research Unit Office of Research Services Employee Group URFA APT Collective Agreement Consideration Open with preference given to APT members. CUPE 5791 Job Family Category Staff Number of Vacancies 1 Position Summary
Join our vibrant and innovative community at the University of Regina, where research excellence drives discovery, innovation, and community impact. We are seeking an experienced and collaborative professional to fill the role of Manager, Research Strategy & Operations. If you are passionate about turning ambitious ideas into reality, navigating complex projects, and building sustainable systems that support research success, we want you on our team!
As the Manager, Research Strategy & Operations, you will lead the implementation and operationalization of major research initiatives and strategic investments across the University. You will work alongside Research Chairs, Principal Investigators, researchers, senior leaders, and administrative partners to establish the infrastructure, processes, staffing, governance, and financial frameworks needed to launch and sustain complex research enterprises while advancing the University’s strategic research priorities.
What You’ll Do:
- Lead the operational launch and implementation of major institutional research initiatives, translating funded proposals and strategic priorities into fully functioning research enterprises.
- Develop implementation plans, governance structures, operational frameworks, project schedules, and performance measures to support successful project delivery.
- Coordinate activities across multiple university units including Human Resources, Financial Services, Facilities Management, Information Services, Supply Management Services, and academic departments.
- Lead research space planning, facility fit-ups, infrastructure development, laboratory readiness activities, and technology implementation projects.
- Coordinate contractors, consultants, vendors, and service providers to ensure infrastructure and operational milestones are achieved.
- Design and implement financial planning tools, expenditure tracking systems, forecasting models, dashboards, and reporting mechanisms for major research investments.
- Monitor project budgets, funding commitments, and operational performance to identify and mitigate risks.
- Support the development, review, and implementation of agreements, contracts, subawards, partnership agreements, and service agreements required for research initiatives.
- Lead recruitment, onboarding, and workforce planning activities for research staff, technical specialists, and project personnel.
- Provide operational leadership, guidance, training, and coordination to project teams and stakeholders.
- Develop standard operating procedures, toolkits, templates, governance models, and best practices that can be applied across future institutional research initiatives.
- Provide strategic advice and operational consultation to researchers, principal investigators, ORS leadership, and senior administrators.
- Lead strategic projects that advance research capacity, institutional priorities, operational effectiveness, and continuous improvement.
- Facilitate the transition of major projects from launch phase to sustainable long-term operations.
- Be ready to take on additional related responsibilities that contribute to the success of the University’s research enterprise.
Why Join Us?
At the University of Regina, we’re more than just a campus, we’re a community committed to excellence, innovation, and collaboration.
- Meaningful Impact: Play a key role in enabling transformative research initiatives that support institutional priorities and societal advancement.
- Professional Growth: Expand your expertise in project management, research administration, strategic planning, and operational leadership.
- Collaborative Environment: Work alongside researchers, university leaders, and partners from across the institution and beyond.
- Dynamic and Diverse Work: Every project brings new challenges, opportunities, stakeholders, and experiences.
- Competitive Compensation: We offer a comprehensive compensation and benefits package, including Health, Dental and Vision benefits, flexible spending options, a Defined Contribution Pension Plan, and more.
- Work-Life Balance: We value employee well-being and support a healthy balance between professional and personal commitments.
In this highly visible role, you will help build the foundation for some of the University’s largest and most strategically important research investments while strengthening institutional research capacity for years to come. If you’re ready to help build the future of research at the University of Regina, we encourage you to apply and become part of a team dedicated to advancing institutional excellence through research, innovation, and collaboration.
Position Requirements
What You’ll Bring to the Position:
- Master’s degree in Business Administration, Project Management, Research Administration, Public Administration, or a related field.
- Five to seven years of progressively responsible experience in project management, operational leadership, research administration, institutional planning, or a related field.
- Project Management Professional (PMP), Lean Six Sigma certification, or equivalent project management training is considered an asset.
- An equivalent combination of education, professional certifications, specialized training, and directly related experience may be considered.
Skills That Will Ensure Your Success in this Role:
- Experience working within a complex university, healthcare, government, research-intensive, or similarly regulated environment.
- Advanced knowledge of project management methodologies, implementation frameworks, and organizational change management.
- Strong understanding of university administrative environments, governance structures, and institutional processes.
- Demonstrated experience managing complex, multi-stakeholder projects involving competing priorities and timelines.
- Advanced financial planning, budgeting, forecasting, and reporting skills.
- Knowledge of research administration, research funding environments, and compliance requirements.
- Experience coordinating activities across Human Resources, Finance, Facilities, Procurement, Information Technology, and other operational units.
- Ability to develop and implement operational frameworks, policies, processes, and governance models.
- Strong analytical and problem-solving abilities with demonstrated success navigating ambiguity and complex challenges.
- Exceptional relationship-building, negotiation, facilitation, and stakeholder engagement skills.
- Excellent written and verbal communication skills, including the ability to prepare reports, business cases, presentations, and recommendations for senior leadership.
- Strong organizational skills with the ability to manage multiple priorities while maintaining attention to detail.
- Demonstrated ability to exercise sound judgment, manage risk, and drive projects to successful completion.
Physical Demands Pay Grade APT 8 Salary Range $89,132 - $120,284 annually Status Term Work Hours
8:15 am – 4:30 pm, Monday to Friday
Some evening and weekend work may be required as operational needs emerge.
Duration (if Term/Temporary) 3-year term (with possibility of extension or becoming permanent) Full-Time/Part-Time Full Time Preference Posting No Preference Target Posting Not Targeted
Additional Information
Job Close Date
09/16/2026
Special Application Instructions
We know imposter syndrome can get in the way, but we truly value diverse perspectives. Don’t hesitate to apply – submit your application today!
Safety Statement
The University is committed to maintaining a safe and healthy workplace and strengthening a culture of safety across the campus community. All employees share responsibility for contributing to a safe working environment.
Diversity Statement
The University of Regina is committed to an inclusive workplace that reflects the richness of the community that we serve. The University welcomes applications from all qualified individuals, including individuals within the University’s employment equity categories of women, persons with disabilities, members of visible minorities, Indigenous persons, individuals of diverse gender and sexual orientation and all groups protected by The Saskatchewan Human Rights Code, 2018.
