Institutional Strategic Initiatives Officer

Date Posted: 11/09/2026
Req ID: 50956
Faculty/Division: VP - Research
Department: Institutional Strategic Initiatives
Campus: St. George (Downtown Toronto)
Position Number: 00046743
Existing Vacancy: Yes

Description:

About us:

The Vice-President, Research & Innovation (VPRI) portfolio supports the University of Toronto as a top public research university in the world. Our mission is to create the most supportive environment possibleso that our researchers, innovators and learners can do what they do best — advance understanding and apply new knowledge. Our work supports, fosters and promotes the research and innovation culture and activities of our faculty, staff and students, along with our partner hospitals, funding sponsors, and partners in the public and private sector. VPRI provides a full range of services including guidance to faculty, staff and students on funding opportunities, research agreement negotiation, oversight andaccountability services including research accounting, environmental health and safety, innovation and entrepreneurship, partnerships, policies and procedures, and institutional awards and honours.

Your opportunity:

Reporting to the Executive Director, Strategic Initiatives, this role will work across the university’s three campuses to support the development and growth of high-profile, large-scale, interdisciplinary, multi-unit research initiatives.

The Institutional Strategic Initiatives Officer is a key member of the Institutional Strategic Initiatives (ISI) team within the VPRI portfolio. The role contributes to ISI team operations and supports the advancement of large, multi-stakeholder research initiatives. A key focus of this position will be advancing the University's Defence and Sovereignty Network, supporting research collaborations, strategic partnerships and funding opportunities in defence, security, sovereignty and dual-use innovation.

This position is responsible for the development and implementation of strategic plans for each initiative, aimed at securing substantial external funding. Working collaboratively across the University and with internal and external partners, the Institutional Strategic Initiatives Officer will identify research funding opportunities, support the preparation of collaborative funding applications, draft and edit proposal materials, and develop strategies to foster partnerships.

Your responsibilities will include:

• Writing funding applications, proposals and briefings, and drafting internal and external communications
• Developing components of programs or projects and strategic plans thatsupport collaboration, partnerships, and funding objectives; including writing proposals, conducting consultations and organizing workshops, & related duties
• Developing and tracking initiatives/project plans including milestones, timelines, deliverables and reporting
• Developing performance benchmarks and impact metrics
• Researching and recommending new opportunities for external collaborations and partnerships; researching relevant sectors, competitors, institutions and initiatives
• Conducting detailed data analyses, synthesizing findings from research and data analysis in written reports and presentations
• Promoting the University’s research capabilities and building relationships with stakeholders and partnersof strategic importance

Essential Qualifications:

• Master's Degree in a Science, Technology, Engineering, Mathematics (STEM) discipline or acceptable combination of equivalent experience.
• Minimum six to seven (6-7) years experience with writing, editing and coordinating the creation of complex, multi-stakeholder research grant applications in an academic research environment with a track record of success
• Experience identifying, developing and executing strategies for research and development partnerships involving government and/or industry, including demonstrated success in securing funding or contracts for collaborative research programs in sectors relevant to defence, security, sovereignty or dual-use technologies.
• Experience conducting strategic research, environmental scans and landscape analyses to identify emerging research and innovation priorities, funding opportunities and partnership prospects, particularly in areas related to defence, security, sovereignty and dual-use technologies; demonstrated ability to synthesize findings into strategic recommendations, reports and briefing materials.
• Experience with performance evaluation and benchmarking of research initiatives or projects
• Experience with project management including all aspects of project development and execution
• Demonstrated ability to organize and conduct seminars and workshops
• Demonstrated knowledge of Canada's defence, security and dual-use research and innovation ecosystem, including relevant government priorities, research funding programs, and opportunities for collaboration among academia, research hospitals, industry and government
• Proven ability to liaise, build andmaintain relationships, demonstrated understanding on communicating the value proposition to internal and external stakeholders
• Proven analytical and problem solving skills and highly attentive to detail
• Familiarity with strategic partnerships in a research and/or educational setting
• Demonstrated understanding of the research community, the funding agencies that support research and the broader context
• Flexibility to changing needs; capacity to make adjustments and alterations promptly and efficiently, ability to handle conflicting and multiple priorities, superior organizational and time management skills
• Demonstrated ability to bring projects to successful completion
• Exceptional communication (oral and written) skills; excellent interpersonal skills and ability to collaborate on initiatives with a wide variety of contacts both internal and external to the University
• Strong computer skills including proficiency with Microsoft Office

To be successful in this role you will be:

• Adaptable
• Communicator
• Diplomatic
• Possess a positive attitude
• Resourceful
• Self-directed

Closing Date: 11/20/2026, 11:59PM ET
Employee Group: USW
Appointment Type: Budget - Continuing
Schedule: Full-Time
Pay Scale Group & Hiring Zone:
USW Pay Band 17 -- $114,151 with an annual step progression to a maximum of $145,980. Pay scale and job class assignment is subject to determination pursuant to the Job Evaluation/Pay Equity Maintenance Protocol.
Job Category: Administrative / Managerial
Divisional HR Office Email: [email protected]

Lived Experience Statement
Candidates who are members of Indigenous, Black, racialized and 2SLGBTQ+ communities, persons with disabilities, and other equity deserving groups are encouraged to apply, and their lived experience shall be taken into consideration as applicable to the posted position.

Job descriptions are available upon request for internal applicants.