Manager, ISI Office & Programs

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 possible so 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.

The Institutional Strategic Initiatives (ISI) portfolio is dedicated to improving the university's capacity to seed, develop, and sustain large, cross-divisional, interdisciplinary, excellence-driven research initiatives. Working with university-wide and divisional units, the ISI portfolio provides support in areas such as research leadership, external partnerships, budget and finance, human resources, and proposal development.

Your opportunity

Reporting to the Executive Director, Strategic Initiatives, the Manager, ISI Office & Programs provides operational and program leadership for the ISI portfolio. Working through and alongside a team of staff, the Manager builds the systems, processes, tools and practices that enable a portfolio of complex interdisciplinary research initiatives to operate effectively, share knowledge and meet institutional requirements.

This managerial role spans program and competition delivery, portfolio tracking and reporting, strategic communications, committee and governance support, digital and website oversight, workshops and communities of practice, and the development of operational guidance and agreements. The Manager serves as a key advisor to the Executive Director, translates strategic priorities into practical operational plans, and identifies opportunities to improve service, coordination, and consistency across the portfolio.

The Manager oversees the day-to-day administrative and operational activities of the ISI Office, including workflow management, prioritization and troubleshooting, and develops and maintains the operational procedures, SOPs, guidance documents, templates and other tools that support this work. The Manager also leads the development and rollout of ISI programs and funding competitions, and establishes and maintains the portfolio trackers, dashboards and reporting processes used to collate reports and monitor key outcomes. The Manager drafts and negotiates agreements, and oversees the document and information management systems and practices that keep the portfolio’s records and data organized and accessible

In support of the portfolio’s communications and governance needs, the Manager prepares and oversees reports, proposals, slide decks, memos and other communications, and provides strategic oversight of ISI websites and digital platforms. The Manager also supports ISI committees and governance processes — including meeting materials, coordination and follow-up — and plans and oversees workshops, communities of practice and other engagement activities.

Essential Qualifications:

(MINIMUM)

Education:

Post graduate degree (Master's or PhD) or an equivalent combination of education and experience.

Experience:

• At least 5 years of relevant experience in strategic, financial, administrative and operational leadership, project management and business administration in a large research university or equivalent complex organization.
• Demonstrated experience leading cross-functional teams and managing a complex portfolio of programs and projects involving multiple stakeholders and competing priorities.
• Experience managing complex relationships with senior administrators, funders, partners and other stakeholders, preferably in a university environment or other large complex organization.
• Experience developing and implementing programs, funding competitions or other structured institutional processes.
• Experience developing operational procedures, SOPs, guidance documents, templates and process improvements.
• Experience developing portfolio tracking, reporting and evaluation approaches, including trackers or dashboards and qualitative and quantitative information.
• Experience overseeing digital platforms and information-management systems such as SharePoint or similar tools, as well as websites and digital communications.
• Experience preparing complex written and presentation materials for varied audiences, including reports, external funding proposals, presentations, briefing materials, memos and speaking notes.
• Experience supporting committees and governance processes, and planning workshops, meetings, communities of practice or training activities.
• Experience drafting, negotiating or administering agreements and contracts, and managing operational financial activities, procurement and vendor relationships.
• Experience supervising staff, including performance management and fostering an inclusive team environment; experience managing in a unionized environment.

Skills:

• Superior written and verbal communication and interpersonal skills, with the ability to synthesize complex information and communicate effectively.
• Advanced project and program management skills.
• Strong strategic thinking, judgement and creative problem-solving skills.
• Strong program development and evaluation skills.
• Strong organizational governance and committee-management skills, including an understanding of decision-making processes, reporting requirements and the preparation of materials for senior-level review and discussion.
• Strong research, writing, editing and presentation skills.
• Strong systems and information-management skills, including oversight of collaborative platforms, internal databases and reporting tools, with the ability to support data integrity, appropriate access, version control and alignment with institutional standards.
• Proficiency with digital tools and platforms such as Microsoft 365, SharePoint, website content-management systems and data analytics or visualization tools.
• Excellent ability to manage budgets, procurement processes, programs and vendor relationships.
• Demonstrated people leadership skills, including the ability to set expectations, develop staff, delegate effectively and foster a collaborative and accountable team environment.

Other:

• High degree of collegiality; ability to work independently, as a team member, and across divisions and institutions.
• Ability to exercise tact, discretion, superior judgement and diplomacy, and to maintain confidentiality.
• Superior ability to foster a collaborative environment within the office and the broader community.
• Ability to exercise independent decision-making and sound judgement in a complex institutional environment.
• Ability to prioritize tasks and responsibilities, manage competing deadlines and work effectively under pressure.
• Strong attention to detail and the ability to source, assimilate and interpret significant amounts of information accurately and efficiently.
• Knowledge of organizational governance, policy development and decision-making processes within complex institutions.
• Familiarity with the university and research environment is essential.

Closing Date: 10/21/2026,11:59PM ET
Employee Group: Salaried 
Personnel Subarea: PM
Appointment Type : Budget - Continuing 
Schedule: Full-Time
Pay Scale Group & Hiring Zone:  PM 4 -- Hiring Zone: $110,973 - $129,471 -- Broadband Salary Range: $110,973 - $184,957
Job Category: Administrative / Managerial