Senior Manager of Research Operations

Job Summary

The 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.

This 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.

The 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.

Working 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.

Key Responsibilities & Duties:

People Leadership & Team Management

• Provide direct leadership, coaching, mentorship and performance management to Research department staff.
• Establish clear roles, responsibilities, priorities and performance expectations and hold team members accountable for results.
• Conduct regular one-on-one and team meetings to monitor workload, priorities, challenges and progress.
• Build a collaborative, accountable and solutions-oriented team culture.
• Identify capacity, resource and skill gaps and work with the Director to address them.
• Lead or support recruitment, onboarding and training of new team members.
• Develop staff capabilities and succession plans to strengthen the department's long-term capacity.
• Lead the team effectively through periods of change, competing priorities and evolving program requirements.

Research Portfolio & Program Operations

• Provide operational oversight for OSCIA's portfolio of research programs and projects.
• Maintain a comprehensive understanding of each program's objectives, contractual commitments, deliverables, activities, timelines, reporting requirements and budget.
• Establish appropriate project plans, workplans, dashboards and other management tools to provide visibility into program performance.
• Regularly review program status with staff, identify barriers or emerging issues, assign actions and ensure follow-through.
• Coordinate priorities and resources across programs to ensure organizational commitments can be achieved.
• Ensure staff understand their responsibilities, deadlines and expected outcomes.
• Escalate significant issues, risks and decisions to the Director in a timely manner.
• Adapt the level of direct involvement based on program complexity, risk and the capabilities of the staff leading individual projects.

Research Program Leadership

• Lead the design, coordination, and delivery of applied research projects that address sustainability priorities such as soil health, water quality, biodiversity, and climate adaptation.
• Assist 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.
• Manage the research operations portfolio, including budgeting, staffing, and resource allocation.
• Ensure the integration of research outcomes into organizational programming, communications, and policy engagement.
• Provide scientific leadership in project development, methodology design, and outcome measurement.

Financial Management

• Oversee budgets across the Research portfolio in collaboration with the Director and Finance team.
• Lead annual and project-level forecasting and regularly update forecasts based on program activity.
• Ensure each program has an effective budget tracking system that provides timely visibility into commitments, expenditures and remaining funds.
• Establish processes for staff to maintain accurate financial information as expenditures and commitments occur.
• Reconcile program tracking information against financial actuals on a regular basis.
• Identify potential variances, underspending, overspending or other financial risks early and develop appropriate corrective actions.
• Ensure expenditures comply with contribution agreements, approved budgets and organizational policies.

Operational Systems & Continuous Improvement

• Develop, implement and continuously improve systems, processes, procedures, templates and Standard Operating Procedures that support consistent and efficient research operations.
• Establish practical department-wide approaches to project management, documentation, budget management, reporting, data management and quality assurance.
• Identify operational inefficiencies and implement improvements that reduce risk, duplication and administrative burden.
• Ensure appropriate documentation and knowledge-management practices are in place so critical program knowledge is retained by the organization.
• Identify opportunities to use digital tools and technology to improve program visibility, collaboration and efficiency.

Risk, Compliance & Quality Management

• Establish and maintain a proactive approach to operational risk management across the Research portfolio.
• Identify financial, contractual, staffing, scheduling, stakeholder, data and delivery risks and develop appropriate mitigation strategies.
• Ensure compliance with funding agreements, contractual commitments, organizational policies and applicable research requirements.
• Establish appropriate quality-control and review processes for key program deliverables.
• Ensure emerging risks and significant issues are communicated to the Director with recommended actions.

Funding Agreements, Deliverables & Reporting

• Maintain oversight of contribution agreements, contracts and other funding commitments.
• Ensure program teams understand funding requirements and incorporate them into project plans and day-to-day activities.
• Maintain visibility of all key deliverables, milestones and reporting deadlines.
• Coordinate the preparation and review of reports and other required submissions.
• Support funding proposals and program development by providing operational plans, staffing assumptions, budgets, timelines and risk considerations.

Stakeholder & Partner Management

• Build and maintain effective working relationships with funders, government agencies, academic institutions, research organizations, producers, industry partners and other collaborators.
• Ensure stakeholder commitments and expectations are understood and appropriately incorporated into project plans.
• Support staff in managing complex stakeholder relationships and resolving issues.
• Represent OSCIA professionally in meetings, working groups, workshops and industry events.
• Work collaboratively across OSCIA departments to support effective program delivery and knowledge translation.

Research Quality & Data Oversight

• Ensure appropriate technical and scientific expertise is engaged in research design, implementation, analysis and interpretation.
• Establish processes and accountability to support research integrity, data quality, documentation and reproducibility.
• Oversee appropriate data governance, quality assurance and confidentiality practices.
• Work with technical staff, researchers and external experts to ensure research activities meet appropriate standards.

Qualifications & Skills:

• Education: Post-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. A graduate degree, project/program management credential, leadership credential or relevant professional designation is considered an asset.

• Years of Experience: Candidates should bring at least five years of progressively responsible experience in program, project or operational management, including meaningful experience leading people and teams.
• Specific Experience: We are particularly interested in candidates who have demonstrated success in several of the following areas:
  • Directly managing, coaching and developing professional staff.
  • Managing a portfolio of multiple concurrent projects or programs.
  • Translating agreements, strategies or organizational commitments into operational workplans and staff priorities.
  • Managing complex budgets, forecasting expenditures and monitoring financial performance.
  • Establishing project management systems, dashboards, processes, SOPs and operational controls.
  • Managing programs funded through grants, contribution agreements or other externally funded arrangements.
  • Managing contractual obligations, deliverables, reporting deadlines and compliance requirements.
  • Identifying operational risks and implementing practical mitigation strategies.
  • Leading teams through organizational change, staffing transitions or periods of significant workload.
  • Managing relationships with government, funders, external partners and other stakeholders.
  • Working successfully with technical or subject-matter experts without necessarily being the technical expert themselves.
  • Improving organizational systems, workflows and processes.
  Experience in agriculture, applied research, environmental programming, science, government-funded programming or a related technical environment is an asset.

Knowledge, Skills & Abilities (KSAs):

Knowledge:

• Deep understanding of sustainable agriculture practices, agri-environmental systems, and applied research methodologies.
• Knowledge of funding frameworks, grant management, and compliance processes.
• Familiarity with research ethics, data management standards, and open science principles.
• Understanding of Ontario's agricultural landscape, policy environment, and sectoral priorities.

Skills:

• Strategic and operational planning for research programs.
• Strong leadership, communication, and stakeholder engagement skills.
• Proficiency in project management, data analytics, and reporting tools.
• Financial and budget management with strong attention to compliance.
• Ability to synthesize scientific data into actionable insights and policy recommendations.
• Proficiency in Microsoft Office Suite and database management.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills.

Abilities:

• Ability to lead teams and foster a supportive, results-driven work culture. Foster collaboration among partners.
• Ability to lead through change, promoting innovation and adaptability in evolving program environments.
• Ability to balance multiple priorities and manage time effectively in a dynamic research environment.
• Ability to translate complex research outcomes into accessible knowledge products.
• Ability to maintain professionalism, confidentiality, and scientific integrity.
• Ability to represent the organization with credibility and authority in scientific and policy forums

Behaviour Competencies:

• Adaptability: Demonstrate a willingness to be flexible, versatile, and dynamic in a changing work environment while maintaining effectiveness and efficiency.
• Ethical behaviour: Ensure personal behaviours align with the Association's core values and code of conduct.
• Relationship development: Establish and maintain positive working relationships with others, internally and externally.
• Effective communication: Speak, listen, and write in a precise, clear, and timely manner using appropriate and effective communication tools.
• Client focus: Anticipate clients' needs and respond in an appropriate and timely manner, seeking to provide the highest quality service.
• Teamwork development: Work cooperatively and effectively with others to set goals, resolve challenges, and make decisions that enhance cross-functional cooperation.
• Initiative: Ability to assess and initiate tasks independently.
• Decision-making: Assess role-based situations to determine the importance, risks, and make clear decisions in a timely manner.
• Time management and organization: Set priorities, develop a task schedule, monitor progress towards deadlines.
• Problem-solving: View problems as learning opportunities, focus on improving future results.
• Cultural Competence: Value diversity and inclusivity, demonstrating an ability to work effectively with trust across various departments.
• Foster Sustainability: Ensuring the work we do improves the viability and sustainability of rural Ontario and Ontario agriculture.
• Continuous Learning: Participates in an environment of professional development and personal growth.

Working Conditions / Physical Demands:

• Hybrid work model combining remote and in-office work, with the position based in Guelph, ON.
• Home office settings require a dependable, high-speed internet connection to ensure effective participation in virtual meetings and online collaboration.