| Description |
This position is central to maintaining and advancing the University of Waterloo (UW) as a leading centre for research and knowledge mobilization on the impacts of global climate change and the transition to a decarbonized and climate-resilient society in Canada and around the world.
The Director will have a full understanding of the scope of IC3 activities and will have a leading role in the development and implementation of strategic plans and partnerships to advance the mission of IC3. The Director is responsible for aspects of overall business leadership, management of relationships with members and other key stakeholders across campus, external partnership development, promotion of research activities and knowledge mobilization, oversee day-to-day operations, and support of UW’s leadership in climate change education and training.
This role is contingent on funding.
Responsibilities
Strategy, Governance, and Leadership
- Recruit and continually engage an external advisory committee, comprised of leaders in climate change research and practice from government, business, and civil society
- Work with the Executive Director and in consultation with members, external advisory committee, and partners, to develop, implement and report on a multi-year strategic plan for IC3
- Convene and facilitate meetings with internal management and external advisory committees, as well as with IC3 sub-Centre leadership and advisory committees (Intact Centre on Climate Adaptation, Polar Data Catalogue)
- Identifying opportunities to further IC3’s impact by working with external or internal partners and/or by increasing internal human resources capacity
- Engage additional new and existing faculty with climate change interests and expertise in IC3 activities
Partnership Development and Management
- A central role of the Director will be to build and manage external partnerships with industry, government, non-governmental organizations, and academia, including negotiating collaborative agreements and tracking outcomes
The Director will work closely with the ED, IC3 members, external advisory committee, Office of Research, and the Office of Advancement to identify and cultivate research and knowledge mobilization prospects
- Act as a first point of contact for inquiries from prospective partners, media, and the general public
- Informing and facilitating connections for IC3 members (and University of Waterloo students where applicable) to relevant partnership inquiries, potential research opportunities and calls for proposal
- As requested and where appropriate support the development of cross-campus collaborative and interdisciplinary research teams and funding proposals
- Oversee development, implementation, and monitoring of major research and program funding proposals led by IC3
- Cultivate and maintain communications and relationships with climate change with leading domestic and international research centres through memorandum of understanding and create opportunities for IC3 members to participate in domestic and international research and professional networks
Strengthen synergistic collaborations with other research groups on campus, including for example for the Water Institute and Waterloo Institute for Sustainable Energy
- Develop and maintain a UW climate change expertise database in collaboration with Office of Research personnel
Operations Management and Supervision
- Manage all day-to-day operational and supervisory functions of IC3, including human resources, financial management and space management (in coordinator with other University of Waterloo departments as required)Contribute to the leadership and supervision of all employees of IC3, including aspects of planning for training and development, conducting performance appraisals, assigning job responsibilities and the primary liaison with Human Resources regarding all staffing issues
- Maintain internal relationship and communications with the Office of Research, Faculty- and University-level administrative and service offices (Finance, Human Resources, Creative Services, Food Services, etc.)
- Support the management of IC3 knowledge mobilization sub-centres: Intact Centre for Climate Adaptation and the Polar Data Catalogue
Communications and Knowledge Mobilization
- Work with the Executive Director, and in consultation with the external advisory committee, to develop and implement a communications and marketing strategy to raise the profile of IC3 on campus, across Canada and internationally
- Coordinate communications with IC3 members, governance committees, and partners
- Oversee development of a professional portfolio of marketing communications materials (including website, social media, brochure, conference booth)
- Prepare annual report and newsletters to share IC3’s results with university administration, membership, and external partners
- Liaising with media, engaging IC3 members in media opportunities, and coordinate with Faculty and University communications staff and media outlets regarding IC3 press release and op-eds
- Contribute actively to content development for IC3 website and social media accounts
- Collaborate with IC3 members, other campus centres/institutes, and external organizations to organize invited lectures, seminars, events and workshops
- Foster the transfer of knowledge to society and decision-makers through coordination and participation in diverse outreach strategies (e.g. seminars, workshops, websites, social media, targeted plain language publications, op-eds)
Education and Training
- Foster new education and training opportunities by encouraging faculty-student interactions (research, workshops, seminars), connecting students with external organizations (research, project courses, and internships), and supporting activities of the IC3-affiliated student group
- Supporting the advancement of UW’s nationally leading climate change education and training programs, including the Master of Climate Change and Climate Risk Management Diploma, as well as climate change content in other program curricula
Qualifications
- Master’s Degree required; Degree related to climate change an asset
- Previous experience in organizational development (preferable in the scientific, academic sectors)
- Experience with organizational communication strategies, public relations, and media management
- Substantial experience with partner relationship development and management (government, business, NGO)
- Experience with research or other project development and implementation, including financial planning, team development, management, and monitoring and reporting
- Experience in climate change professional practice in Canada or internationally an asset
- Proven ability to work successfully with a wide range of groups and individuals, including community groups, researchers, the private sector, and multiple levels of government
- Advanced knowledge of climate change issues as well as related governance and professional practice in Canada (and internationally is an asset)
- Strong leadership, interpersonal, and communication skills
- Proven management and strategic planning skills
- Excellent writing and presentation skills
Intermediate computer skills: Outlook, Word, Excel, PowerPoint
- Travel required, including international travel
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