This position has a term length of 1 year with the possibility of extension up to 3 years.
Location - This role is hybrid with a mix of remote and on-site work, with a requirement of at least three days per week in person at North Campus, Edmonton.
The Director, Major Research Initiatives, serves as the institutional architect and senior leader for the development, coordination, and execution of the University’s major research portfolio. Operating within a complex, matrixed environment, the Director driv
es a proactive, whole-of-institution strategy across high-value research domains (e.g., Health, AI, Quantum, Aerospace, Robotics), with an immediate primary focus on defence and dual-use research.
The Director designs repeatable, secure, and multidisciplinary frameworks that lower barriers to entry for faculties while aligning university capabilities with national strategies (e.g., Canada’s Defence Industrial Strategy, national security needs, and regional economic growth). This high-visibility role bridges the gap between discovery-based research and real-world deployment, positioning the University of Alberta as a national leader in translating research into sovereign operational and commercial capabilities.
The successful candidate will be a strategic thinker and relationship builder who can align diverse stakeholders, navigate complex environments, and position the University of Alberta as a leader in major research initiatives with national and global impact.
At The Office of the Vice President - Research (VPR), research is at the core of what we do. The VPR team supports and advances the university's large and complex research enterprise, providing leadership, guidance and diverse research services.
VPR supports the university's research function, helping ensure those involved in research and partnership activities adhere to the highest operational, financial, legal, ethical and safety standards. We also develop and administer policies to ensure regulatory compliance.
Strategic Leadership & Portfolio Growth
-
Drive Portfolio Strategy: Lead the strategic direction of the University's defence and dual-use research portfolio, integrating it with the broader institutional research and innovation roadmap.
-
Align with National Priorities: Ensure initiatives leverage institutional strengths to align with national priorities, such as sovereign technologies and supply chain resilience.
-
Advise Senior Leadership: Provide executive-level counsel on emerging defence trends, high-value investment opportunities, and the mitigation of complex risks.
-
Advance National Positioning: Position the institution as a national leader in translating discovery-based research into operational and commercial capabilities.
Sponsor Strategy & Major Opportunity Development
-
Coordinate Funder Engagement: Develop and execute engagement strategies for key funders (e.g., DND, PrairiesCan, NATO), including activating the University as an established NATO-DIANA test center.
-
Lead Major Program Participation: Spearhead institutional involvement in high-value programs such as the Regional Defence Investment Initiative (RDII) and IDEaS.
-
Orchestrate Large-Scale Proposals: Build multi-partner, high-value proposals by integrating academic expertise with industry needs and end-user requirements.
-
Manage the Strategic Pipeline: Oversee the project lifecycle from early-stage concept briefs through to successful implementation and revenue generation.
Leadership of Major Defence Initiatives
-
Oversee Initiatives & Infrastructure: Provide strategic oversight, national advocacy, and leadership for major research and defence-related infrastructure development, including on- and off-campus secured networks.
-
Coordinate Governance & KPIs: Align research centers, faculties, and central VP units to resolve operational bottlenecks and ensure flagship initiatives meet governance metrics and funder expectations.
-
Collaborate on Innovation & IP Strategy: Partner with VPIIE to coordinate intellectual property strategies and innovation supports, guiding the development of a secure commercialization hub where startups and industry can test, validate, and scale technologies.
-
Bridge Discovery & Deployment: Establish the University as a central regional node that bridges the gap between discovery-based research and real-world deployment for prairie-based innovators.
External Partnerships & Ecosystem Development
-
Build Strategic Alliances: Serve as the University’s primary representative in the sector, collaborating with the Senior Advisor, Defence Strategy, to build partnerships with the Canadian Armed Forces, global industry primes, SMEs, and key ecosystem stakeholders.
-
Cultivate Regional Growth: Support the regional innovation ecosystem by facilitating pathways for supply chain expansion, job creation, and Indigenous engagement in defence markets.
-
Champion Triple-Helix Collaboration: Enhance the University's visibility as a leader that connects academia, industry, and government stakeholders to advance national sovereignty.
Institutional Integration, Security & Compliance
-
Foster Multidisciplinary Integration: Coordinate across faculties and centres to build a cohesive research ecosystem that embeds security and compliance as core components.
-
Ensure Rigorous Compliance: Partner with the Safeguarding Research Office to ensure all projects strictly adhere to institutional, government, and military standards, including the Controlled Goods Program (CGP), Contract Security Program (CSP), and NATO requirements.
-
Mitigate Portfolio Risks: Proactively identify and address regulatory, ethical, and reputational risks associated with sensitive and dual-use research.
-
Align Secure Infrastructure: Collaborate with central research services and facilities to ensure specialized lab spaces and infrastructure meet strict security and operational demands.
Safety, Culture & Inclusive Leadership
-
Build an Inclusive Culture: Foster a culture of respect, inclusion, collaboration, and accountability across major research initiatives, promoting a supportive environment for employees, researchers, students, and external partners.
-
Change leadership: Lead organizational change and capacity-building efforts that strengthen collaboration, employee engagement, and the University's ability to successfully deliver complex, multidisciplinary research initiatives.
-
Maintain Regulatory Standards: Ensure all safety legislation, mandatory training, and hazard controls are rigorously implemented and maintained within the Major Research Initiatives Coordination Office (MRICO).
Education and Experience
-
Level: Master’s degree in a relevant field (Engineering, Science, Public Policy, or Business).
-
Experience: 10+ years of leadership experience; experience in research administration, the defence sector, or a high-security government environment is preferred. Proven experience in matrix management, specifically leading cross-functional teams across diverse portfolios like IT, facilities, legal, and academic departments is highly desirable.
Technical and Specialized Knowledge
-
Institutional Governance: Deep understanding of university structures, including the relationship between central portfolios (VPR, IST, Facilities) and academic colleges/faculties.
-
Defence Landscape: Deep understanding of Canada’s Defence Industrial Strategy, DND/CAF procurement, and the global defence innovation ecosystem.
-
Security & Compliance: Advanced knowledge of research security protocols (CGP, CSP, ITAR) and the ability to maintain a high-level (Secret) security clearance.
-
Emerging Tech: Familiarity with "dual-use" technology domains including AI, Quantum, and Autonomous Systems.
Skills and Abilities
-
Ecosystem Integration: Exceptional ability to connect the dots between disparate administrative units (e.g., bridging the gap between an IT security requirement and a Faculty's research need).
-
Strategic Orchestration: Proven skill in designing repeatable processes for complex tasks (triage, concept development, and proposal orchestration) in a decentralized organization.
-
Influence & Diplomacy: Highly developed "soft power" skills; the ability to build consensus and drive results across central units and academic faculties where no direct reporting line exists.
-
Risk Intelligence: Advanced ability to identify institutional risks, reputational, financial, and security-related, and translate them into actionable mitigation strategies for senior leadership.
-
Communication & Translation: The ability to translate the rigid, high-security language of the Canadian Armed Forces and DND into the values-based, collaborative language of the University community.
-
Change Management: Ability to lead the transition from a reactive, file-by-file response model to a proactive, portfolio-level strategic approach.
Travel
-
Required (primarily national, with occasional international travel).
Application Instructions
Click "Apply Now" to submit your resume.
This position is excluded from the bargaining unit.
In accordance with the Handbook of Employment for Management and Professional Staff (Excluded), this position has a comprehensive benefits package and an annual salary which will be commensurate with qualifications.
The University of Alberta acknowledges that we are located on Treaty 6 territory, and respects the histories, languages and cultures of First Nations, Métis, Inuit and all FirstPeoples of Canada, whose presence continues to enrich our vibrant community.
The University of Alberta is a community of knowledge seekers, change makers and world shapers who lead with purpose each and every day. We are home to over 14,000 faculty and staff, more than 40,000 students and a growing community of 300,000 alumni worldwide.
Your work will have a meaningful influence on a fascinating cross-section of people - from our students and community members, to our renowned researchers and innovators, making discoveries and generating solutions that make the world healthier, safer, stronger and more just. Learn more.
At the University of Alberta, we are committed to creating an inclusive and accessible hiring process for all candidates. If you require accommodations to participate in the interview process, please let us know at the time of booking your interview and we will make every effort to accommodate your needs.
We thank all applicants for their interest; however, only those individuals selected for an interview will be contacted.
All University employees have a responsibility to foster a workplace that prioritizes safety in all its forms—physical, cultural, and psychological. This is achieved by promoting a safe environment, adhering to all safety laws, policies and procedures, completing all required safety training, identifying hazards and implementing controls, reporting incidents, and contributing to a culture of belonging and respect, while endeavoring to ensure that all colleagues feel valued and safe to express their thoughts, perspectives and concerns.
The University of Alberta is committed to creating a university community where everyone feels valued, barriers to success are removed, and thriving connections are fostered. We welcome applications from all qualified persons. We encourage women, First Nations, Métis and Inuit persons, members of visible minority groups, persons with disabilities, persons of any sexual orientation or gender identity and expression, and all those who may contribute to the further diversification of ideas and the University to apply.
L’Université de l’Alberta s’engage à créer une communauté universitaire où chaque personne se sent valorisée, où les obstacles à la réussite sont éliminés et où des connexions enrichissantes peuvent se développer. Nous accueillons les demandes de toutes les personnes qualifiées. Nous encourageons les femmes; Premières nations, Métis et Inuits; membres des groupes minoritaires visibles; personnes handicapées; personnes de toute orientation sexuelle ou identité et expression de genre; et toutes les personnes qui peuvent contribuer à la diversification des idées et à l'université à postuler.
