Senior Advisor, Research Operations and Strategic Support, Faculty of Science

Description

The Faculty of Science invites applications for a Senior Advisor, Research Operations and Strategic Support. This Full-time Fixed Term position is for approximately 24 months (based on length of grant funding), with the possibility of extension.

The Faculty of Science at the University of Calgary is burgeoning as a destination for research talent and action-oriented students. At its heart, the Faculty of Science is driven by curiosity, exploration and discovery. We celebrate curiosity-driven investigation and make fundamental advances in scientific knowledge. We lead change by mobilizing scientific knowledge with the goal of making positive change for our community and the world. Through excellence and innovation in teaching and learning, we provide students with future-focused programs that ensures everyone can participate in the opportunities a science education affords. And we strive to do this through a lens of inclusive excellence so all can thrive.

The Senior Advisor, Research Operations and Strategic Support provides senior level operational, advisory, and coordination support to a Canada Research Chair (CRC) who also serves as Department Head, within a complex, fast paced academic environment. The position is focused on advancing priorities, coordinating key activities, and triaging issues for the CRC's research program and leadership portfolio.

Reporting directly to the CRC, the role operates with a high degree of independence, discretion, and judgment in managing priorities, communications, and operational processes. The position functions as a trusted operational and strategic partner, enabling effective leadership across both research and departmental responsibilities.

The role operates in a high volume environment characterized by shifting priorities, competing demands, frequent interruptions, and urgent, time sensitive issues. Work regularly involves complex matters requiring coordination across departmental, faculty, and central institutional units, and sustained exposure to confidential, sensitive, and strategic information.
The standard work week is 35 hours; however, actual work schedules may occasionally vary according to business needs and service requirements.

Summary of Key Responsibilities (job functions include but are not limited to):

Operational Support & Issue Triage

• Serve as the primary point of intake for emails, requests, and issues directed to the CRC Chair/Department Head
• Review, prioritize, and triage incoming matters, determining urgency, routing, and required actions
• Proactively engage with departmental staff and central units (HR, Finance, Research Services, Facilities, IT) to gather information and clarify requirements
• Investigate issues and develop recommended options and solutions for consideration
• Prepare concise briefings, summaries, and decision points for the CRC Chair
• Draft and manage communications on behalf of the CRC Chair, ensuring clarity, alignment of tone, and responsiveness to stakeholder needs
• Track and follow up on outstanding items to ensure timely resolution
• Provide coordination support for research related committees, including scheduling, agenda preparation, materials coordination, minutes, and follow up actions

Calendar, Scheduling & Priority Management

• Manage complex and dynamic calendars, aligning commitments with operational and strategic priorities, recognizing the integrated nature of the CRC and Department Head appointment
• Coordinate meetings across internal and external stakeholders, anticipating preparation and follow-up needs
• Identify and resolve scheduling conflicts, recommending priority adjustments as needed
• Ensure readiness for meetings through coordination of agendas, materials, and logistics
• Protect time for high-value activities by actively managing competing demands

Operations Coordination and Planning

• Own and coordinate key operational processes end-to-end
• Maintain regular, proactive check-ins with the CRC Chair to anticipate needs and emerging pressures
• Partner closely with the Department Administrator to ensure alignment, avoid duplication, and maintain consistent processes
• Coordinate timelines for CRC, institutional, and grant related reporting requirements and support preparation and reporting, as required
• Build strong working relationships with key stakeholders across the institution
• Identify gaps, inefficiencies, and recurring issues; recommend and implement practical improvements
• Maintain systems to track activities, deadlines, and deliverables
• Coordinate logistics for visitors and events, including scheduling, itineraries, and documentation
• Manage research visitor logistics, including travel, meetings, space coordination, and communications
• Act as a connector across units, ensuring clarity, consistency, and shared understanding
• Support alignment of activities and communication across operational and service functions

Qualifications / Requirements:

• Post-secondary education in a related discipline; an equivalent combination of education and experience will be considered
• Minimum three (3) years of progressive experience in a senior level operations, coordination, or advisory support role within a complex, fast paced environment (research intensive or academic settings preferred)
• Understanding of research administration or science-based environments is an asset
• Demonstrated ability to work independently with a high level of discretion and sound judgment, including regular handling of confidential and sensitive information
• Demonstrated ability to function effectively in a complex, evolving, and occasionally high-pressure research environment
• Proven experience managing competing priorities, triaging complex operational issues, and advancing work with clear, well informed recommendations
• Strong organizational, analytical, and problem-solving skills, with the ability to manage multiple deadlines and frequent interruptions
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills, with the ability to interact effectively with senior researchers, administrators, and institutional partners
• Advanced proficiency in Microsoft Office applications (Word, Excel, Outlook, PowerPoint, Teams)
Experience with enterprise systems (e.g., PeopleSoft, eFIN, research reporting tools) is an asset

Application Deadline: June 19, 2026

We would like to thank all applicants in advance for submitting their resumes. Please note, only those candidates chosen to continue on through the selection process will be contacted.

This position is part of the AUPE bargaining unit, and falls under the Specialist/Advisor Job Family, Phase 2.

For a listing of all management and staff opportunities at the University of Calgary, view our Management and Staff Careers website.

About the University of Calgary

UCalgary is Canada's entrepreneurial university, located in Canada's most enterprising city. It is a top research university and one of the highest-ranked universities of its age. Founded in 1966, its 36,000 students experience an innovative learning environment, made rich by research, hands-on experiences and entrepreneurial thinking. It is Canada's leader in the creation of start-ups. Start something today at the University of Calgary. For more information, visit ucalgary.ca.

The University of Calgary has launched an institution-wide Indigenous Strategy ii' taa'poh'to'p committing to creating a rich, vibrant, and culturally competent campus that welcomes and supports Indigenous Peoples, encourages Indigenous community partnerships, is inclusive of Indigenous perspectives in all that we do.

The university's commitment to the Indigenous Strategy is evident through the oversight of 18 Elders serving on the Circle of Advisors and the many unit-based circles working towards implementation of the strategy including the Faculty Advisory Circle and teams such as the Office of Indigenous Engagement, the Writing Symbols Lodge, and the Indigenous Research Support Team. Many Indigenous-based events and processes are impacting curriculum, programming and polices at the University of Calgary.

As an equitable and inclusive employer, the University of Calgary recognizes that a diverse staff/faculty benefits and enriches the work, learning and research experiences of the entire campus and greater community. We are committed to removing barriers that have been historically encountered by some people in our society. We strive to recruit individuals who will further enhance our diversity and will support their academic and professional success while they are here. In particular, we encourage members of the designated groups (women, Indigenous peoples, persons with disabilities, members of visible/racialized minorities, and diverse sexual orientation and gender identities) to apply. To ensure a fair and equitable assessment, we offer accommodation at any stage during the recruitment process to applicants with disabilities. Questions regarding [diversity] EDI at UCalgary can be sent to the Office of Institutional Commitments (oic@ucalgary.ca) and requests for accommodations can be sent to People & Culture (hrhire@ucalgary.ca).

Do you have most but not all the qualifications? Research show that women, racialized and visible minorities, and persons with disabilities are less likely to apply for jobs unless they meet every single qualification. At UCalgary we are committed to achieving equitable, diverse, inclusive and accessible employment practices and workplaces and encourage you to apply if you believe you are right for this role.

We encourage all qualified applicants to apply, however preference will be given to Canadian citizens and permanent residents of Canada.