This position has an initial appointment of 1 year plus 1 day, with the possibility of extension up to 3 years.
Location - This role is hybrid with a mix of remote and in-person. Work primarily takes place at North Campus, Edmonton.
The University of Alberta is seeking a strategic, collaborative, and analytical professional to lead the development of a coordinated institutional strategy for Core Facilities and Shared Research Platforms. Reporting to the Associate Vice-President (Institutional Research Infrastructure & Initiatives), this role will work across the university to strengthen the long-term sustainability, visibility, governance, and impact of shared research infrastructure.
The Core Facilities Strategy and Operations Lead will conduct a comprehensive institutional review of the university's core facilities and shared research platforms, assess current operational and financial models, identify opportunities for improved coordination and administrative efficiency, and develop a long-term strategic roadmap for institutional implementation.
Operating in a highly decentralized environment, the successful candidate will work closely with researchers, facility managers, faculty and college leadership, and central administrative units to build a shared vision for research infrastructure that supports institutional priorities and future growth.
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 Institutional Environmental Scan & Infrastructure Mapping (Weight: 25%)
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Design and administer surveys, interview protocols, and consultation tools tailored for facility directors, department chairs, and administrative stakeholders.
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Establish, validate and maintain the official institutional inventory of Core Facilities, detailing their scale, scope, administrative homes, and operational capabilities.
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Classify facilities to determine which functions serve as departmental, faculty-level, or institutional Shared Research Platforms.
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Evaluate how effectively current facilities support the university’s overarching strategic research goals (e.g., Forward with Purpose and SHAPE).
Operational, Governance, & Administrative Systems Review (Weight: 20%)
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Drive consistency, transparency, and accountability across decentralized operating models while minimizing administrative duplication and risks.
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Assess current oversight, reporting, and decision-making structures to identify operational gaps and administrative vulnerabilities.
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Perform comparative benchmarking against promising management practices at peer U15 institutions and research-intensive universities.
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Evaluate current facility transactional software (booking, billing, tracking) and recommend scalable, shared management systems (e.g., PPMS Stratocore, LMACS).
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Support the creation of standardized tools, such as annual reporting templates and performance indicator frameworks.
Financial Sustainability & Resource Optimization Analysis (Weight: 20%)
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Enhance financial viability, maximize the impact of external and internal funding, and develop equitable options for central financial support.
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Conduct a comprehensive financial review analyzing varied revenue streams, including user fees, service contracts, grants, and institutional allocations.
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Audit expenditure structures encompassing staffing, maintenance agreements, consumables, and equipment replacement or repair costs.
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Identify operational risks tied to sunsetting external support, such as expiring CFI Infrastructure Operating Fund (IOF) grants.
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Review the impact of federal and institutional fund allocations (e.g., RSF, IPG) to find opportunities for higher-yield strategic investments.
Space Utilization, Shared Services, & Synergy Identification (Weight: 15%)
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Document and evaluate dedicated spaces utilized by Core Facilities, noting constraints, safety compliance, and requirements for renovation.
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Review access barriers to ensure equitable internal, external, and cross-departmental booking and training procedures.
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Pinpoint redundancies in equipment, administrative support, staffing, or procurement across the university.
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Design collaborative service frameworks, joint procurement strategies, and networked facility models where physical consolidation is unfeasible.
Stakeholder Engagement, Visibility, & Strategic Implementation (Weight: 20%)
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Act as the primary institutional hub connecting decentralized operators with senior leadership, cultivating shared understanding, and positioning the university’s facilities for external prominence.
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Convene multi-stakeholder consultations across colleges, Finance, Facilities & Operations, IST, and Research Administrative Services.
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Synthesize complex survey, financial, and operational data into briefing notes, presentations, and comprehensive reports for senior administration.
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Promote facilities internally and externally while managing profiles on national networks (e.g., CFI Research Facilities Navigator, U15 Cognit, CNSP).
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Produce the final strategic implementation roadmap outlining priority actions, resource needs, and timelines.
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A minimum of a Master’s degree or an equivalent combination of advanced education and high-level project management experience in a complex research environment is required.
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Project Management & Tool Design: Proven experience executing large-scale institutional environmental scans, developing organizational templates, and drafting long-term strategic roadmaps.
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Analytical & Conceptual Capacity: Exceptional ability to synthesize complex financial, spatial, and operational data into clear, evidence-based business cases, briefing notes, and strategic reports.
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Practical & Technical Expertise: Advanced understanding of university research environments, funding models (CFI, IOF, RSF), fee-for-service compliance, and operational governance. Familiarity with facility transactional platforms (e.g., Stratocore, LMACS) is highly desirable.
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Interaction & Communication Skills: Exceptional interpersonal, consultation, and stakeholder-management skills. Ability to build trust, resolve institutional friction, and facilitate collaboration among highly decentralized academic, technical, and administrative groups.
Application Instructions
Click "Apply Now" to submit your resume and cover letter.
This position offers a comprehensive benefits package with an annual salary range of $95,082 to $130,739.
The terms and conditions of this appointment are governed by Schedule E of the Collective Agreement between the Board of Governors of the University of Alberta and the Association of the Academic Staff of the University of Alberta.
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.
