Senior Grants & Agreements Officer

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Position Summary:
Under the direction of the Associate Director, Grants and Agreements in OSR, the Senior Grants and Agreements Officer is responsible for the planning, management, and execution of major and/or complex funding opportunities and for raising the profile of VP Research and Innovation (VPRI), both within the McGill community and externally to sponsors. He/she provides outstanding customer service by assisting and advising researchers during both the pre-award and post-award project phases. The Senior Grants and Agreements Officer is also responsible for drafting, reviewing, and/or negotiating various types of contracts, agreements, and proposals as they relate to research outcomes for academic staff. At various times, he/she may lead or supervise a team of Grants and Agreements Officers who manage a portfolio of federal, provincial, and international research sponsors (e.g. granting agencies, foundations, institutions) within assigned areas or sectors of responsibility.
Primary Responsibilities:

• Assume a leadership role, in concert with the researcher(s), in the development of complex grants, Request For Proposals (RFPs), and contracts and agreements for provincial, national, and international stakeholders.
• Provide leadership and guidance to Grants and Agreements Officers in the management of a large portfolio of federal, provincial, and international research sponsors and non-for-profit partners within assigned areas or sectors of responsibility.
• Promote and manage the development of complex, high-value awards (multi-institutional, multi-partnered, interdisciplinary, significant budgets, etc.). Act as a key team player in mobilizing knowledge across units in VPRI to build and lead teams in response to major funding opportunities and requests for proposals (RFP).
• Develop strong working relationships with university stakeholders as well as funding agencies, organizations, foundations, and non-for-profit partners. Assess and obtain approval for internal resources to support high-value, multi-partner projects.
•  Design, draft, review, and negotiation of complex and detailed contracts and agreements for research activities led by McGill academic staff. Identify, mitigate, and seek relevant guidance on risk issues, articulate alternatives, and recommend and implement solutions.
• Organize and coordinate site visits by external sponsors for the review of high-value awards. Receive and initiate site visits as they relate to collaborative research projects.
• Provide professional expertise and strategic guidance to researchers as well as existing or potential partners within assigned areas or sectors of responsibility as related to grant applications and/or contracts and agreements. Inform and educate researchers as to  best practices. .
• Monitor progress and results of ongoing projects and other related activities.  Produce special reports and analyses as required.
• Facilitate the post-award management process with external sponsors and internally at McGill. Work with the Awards Management team regarding post-award issues. As required, communicate with partners to ensure proper management of awarded and committed funds.
• Assume and lead other responsibilities or tasks assigned by the Associate Director related to the support of research activities by academic staff.

Other Qualifying Skills and/or Abilities

• Master’s degree and 5 years of related experience (preferably at a large, research-intensive university).
• Experience with the designing, drafting, reviewing, of competitive grants at the provincial and federal levels.  Also, experience with the design, drafting, and negotiating of complex research agreements and other legal documents.
• Expert knowledge of rules of research conduct, funder and university granting policies etc. Strong understanding of intellectual property management practices.
•  Demonstrated ability to develop and promote research funding both in individual settings and in public outreach settings.
• Proven leadership as well as the ability to work both independently and in a team environment.
• Knowledge of the principles of higher education and of an academic institution’s organization, structure, and functions.  
• Demonstrated ability to deliver results within tight deadlines and in a fast-paced setting.
• Fully bilingual in English and French, both verbal and written.
• Proven ability to work and achieve objectives within a complex policy and procedure framework.

As one of Montreal's Top Employers, here is what we offer:

• Competitive benefits package (Health, Dental, Life Insurance) (if eligible)
• Defined contribution pension plan (with employer contribution up to 10%) (if eligible)
• Group Registered Retirement Savings Plan (RRSP) and Tax Free Savings Account (TFSA)
• Competitive vacation policy
• Two (2) personal days
• Two (2) floating holidays
• Nine (9) "Summer Fridays" - paid days off between the St-Jean Baptiste holiday and Labour Day
• Paid time off over the December holiday period
• Tuition waiver for regular employees and their dependents
• Up to two (2) days of remote work per week where the position permits

Before applying, please note that to work at McGill University, you must be both authorized to work in Canada and willing to work in the province of Quebec at the campus where the position is based / located.
Knowledge of English: McGill University is an English-language university where day to day duties may require English communication both verbally and in writing. The level of English required for this position has been assessed at a level # 4 on a scale of 0-4.
For a definition of our language proficiency levels, please click here.

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