Director, Strategy, Operations & Compliance

Description:

Description:

About Us:

Home to over 40 departments and institutes, the University of Toronto's Temerty Faculty of Medicine lies at the heart of the Toronto Academic Health Science Network and is a global leader in ground-breaking research and education, spanning clinical medicine, basic science and the rehabilitation sciences sectors.

Your Opportunity:

The Office of the Vice Dean, Research, Innovation & Health Science Education oversees all research undertaken for the Temerty Faculty of Medicine and coordinates with its counterparts at the affiliated hospital research institutes for clinical research. This includes grant proposal development, administering internal funding allocations, collecting and reporting on research productivity metrics, and managing core research facilities.

The Toronto High Containment Facility (THCF) has expanded its physical operations and level of service extensively since the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic. With the support of federal and provincial governments, new space and infrastructure will launch in 2027, including emerging Biobank and Viral Core platforms, to support a larger client base in infectious disease research. The facility is also a platform for delivering the Emerging Pathogens and Infectious Disease Consortium (EPIC) programming and commitments, which fosters collaboration, partnership, and integration of research and expertise across the University, affiliated hospital research institutes and industry partners.

As the Director, Strategy, Operations and Compliance, you will provide strategic, operational, and programmatic leadership to support the expanded mandate of the Toronto High Containment Facility and its associated institutional initiatives, including EPIC. Working closely with the Vice Dean, Academic Directors, and institutional partners, you will oversee strategic planning, facility operations, regulatory compliance, financial management, and partnership development. Your leadership will contribute to the successful launch of the expanded facility, strengthen collaboration across the infectious disease research community, and support the long-term sustainability of its programs.

Essential Qualifications

• PhD in molecular or cellular biology, infectious disease, immunology, or an acceptable combination of education and experience
• Minimum ten (10) years of experience in strategic planning, operational management, and implementation of complex research programs or initiatives within an academic, research, or healthcare environment
• Detailed knowledge of Canadian regulations governing biological agents and biocontainment laboratories, including regulatory and compliance requirements for biosafety level 3 facilities
• Demonstrated experience liaising with government and institutional regulatory bodies to meet compliance and regulatory requirements for commissioning and decommissioning high containment facilities
• Experience with the operations and maintenance of complex infrastructure and equipment supporting high-containment research facilities
• Experience planning and implementing research infrastructure projects, including facility development, expansion, or upgrades
• Demonstrated experience developing and managing strategic partnerships and collaborative research initiatives involving academic institutions, hospitals, government, and industry partners
• Experience developing financial sustainability strategies for research facilities, including identifying external funding opportunities, revenue sources, and service growth opportunities
• Demonstrated experience in financial management, including budget development and oversight, financial forecasting, resource allocation, and financial reporting
• Demonstrated experience managing staff, including recruitment, performance management, staff development, and organizational planning
• Experience supporting organizational governance and developing and implementing policies, procedures, and operational processes for research programs or facilities
• Experience coordinating research and infrastructure funding proposals involving institutional and external research partners, reporting on progress to funding agencies
• Demonstrated experience managing communications and external engagement activities for research programs or initiatives
• Strong research and analytical skills, including the ability to assess opportunities across scientific and technical disciplines
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills, including the ability to synthesize complex information and present clear recommendations to senior leadership and external stakeholders
• Strong negotiation, diplomacy, and consensus-building skills, with the ability to navigate complex stakeholder interests and resolve competing priorities
• Excellent judgment, tact, and discretion in handling sensitive and confidential matters and making decisions on complex operational and strategic issues

Assets (Nonessential)

• Experience in a senior administrative role within a university or similarly complex research organization

Closing Date: 10/28/2026, 11:59PM ET
Employee Group: Salaried 
Appointment Type : Grant - Continuing 
Schedule: Full-Time
Pay Scale Group & Hiring Zone:
PM 6 -- Hiring Zone: $137,645 - $160,585 -- Broadband Salary Range: $137,645 - $229,410
Job Category: Administrative / Managerial
Divisional HR Office Email: View email address on jobs.utoronto.ca

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.