Executive Director, Academic & Scientific affairs

The Rotman Research Institute Executive Director, Academic & Scientific affairs provides strategic and operational leadership to the Rotman Research Institute (RRI), one of two major divisions within the Baycrest Academy for Research and Education, in the areas of research and research training.  Works collaboratively with other members of the Academy senior management (President, Vice-Presidents, Executive Directors) to ensure organizational-wide policies, priorities, and strategic initiatives are developed and aligned with the organization’s mission, vision, values, and strategic and business plans. The incumbent is also expected to hold the Reva James Leeds Chair in Neuroscience and Research Leadership as a Senior Scientist in the RRI, conducting their own, independent line of research in a field consistent with the research goals of the RRI.

The RRI is a premier international centre for the study of human brain function, with a special focus on aging and the brain. Founded in 1989, the RRI’s scientists, staff, and trainees have supported Baycrest in becoming Canada’s #1 most research-intensive hospital, with scientific foci in four primary areas consistent with its home on the campus of Baycrest Seniors Care: sensory and cognitive neuroscience, computational neuroscience and neuroinformatics, aging and brain health, and Alzheimer’s and related dementias. The RRI has significant research infrastructure for neuroimaging (one of the only research facilities in Canada to have MRI, MEG, and EEG all within one building), neurostimulation, psychophysics, and behavioural testing, including Institute-based and mobile-testing laboratories. The RRI is also the scientific headquarters for the Canadian Consortium on Neurodegeneration in Aging (CCNA), Canada’s largest single investment in dementia research, comprising a national network of over 350 dementia researchers and clinicians. The RRI is fully affiliated with the University of Toronto, and houses several other research centres and programs as well, including the Kunin-Lunenfeld Centre for Applied Research and Evaluation, the Anne and Allan Bank Centre for Clinical Research Trials, the Kimel Family Centre for Brain Health and Wellness, the RRI Research Training Centre, and the Ben and Hilda Katz Inter-Professional Research Program in Geriatric and Dementia Care. The Executive Director, Scientific and Academic Affairs, leads the organization in developing, refining, and delivering a research strategy that supports and continues to build a culture committed to advancing scientific knowledge, methodologies, research training and professional development; informs public policy, quality, technology transfer, and broader knowledge mobilization; and ensures the constant pursuit of health research and academic excellence.

The position is responsible for ensuring the ongoing efficiency, effectiveness, and regulatory compliance of scientists and research trainees, in collaboration with Research Training Centre leadership, with respect to university-hospital research and education relations, relations with external grant funding agencies, and other internal and external policies and processes as applicable. Also responsible for leading and/or coordinating and responding to organizational and/or cross-functional grants and funding applications with support of Senior Management.

Responsibilities include but are not limited to:

Strategic and Operational Planning and Measurement

• Participating in the development, implementation, and communication of a research strategic plan, as well as aligned divisional and departmental goals and accountabilities, with a view to ensuring the achievement of the organization’s mission and vision.
• Developing divisional performance targets and measures, as well as monitoring, evaluating, and improving organizational, divisional performance, in collaboration with other members of senior management.
• Responsible for the scientific excellence of research in the organization, and in collaboration with other Baycrest entities, through establishment of research standards, mentoring of scientists (and other researchers), establishment of monitoring and evaluation standards (e.g., external reviews, advisory committees), and training of research students and professionals (in collaboration with the ED Research, Innovation & Translation).
• Ensuring research operates in accordance with professional standards through effective planning, evaluation, and deployment of related strategies.
• Coordination and/or development of strategic initiatives in obtaining external funds (e.g., grants, philanthropic gifts, etc.), and in partnering with the Academy President & Chief Scientist to meet fundraising goals in support of research.
• Development and maintenance of local, national, and international networks of research to achieve strategic goals.
• Ensuring excellence in research knowledge mobilization through appropriate methods.

Operations Management

• Acting as a senior advisor on all matters pertaining to research, including related sector trends and developments, to identify, analyze, and respond to opportunities and challenges.
• Effectively reports on incumbent’s accountabilities to the Board of Directors and other external stakeholders, including appropriate RRI and/or Baycrest Academy reporting and reporting on organizational achievement of relevant strategic plan initiatives.
• Provides overall leadership for research by overseeing and ensuring the effectiveness of research programs in accordance with divisional and organizational priorities, as well as professional standards and resource constraints, in collaboration with other senior leaders in the Academy.

Human Resources Management

• Ensuring that RRI staff, scientists and trainees understand and support corporate policies, direction, and values.
• Hiring and coaching direct staff reports, as well as serving as a resource and sounding board to assist them in their roles and supporting their professional development.
• Management and support of RRI scientists, and support of scientific associates, adjunct scientists, and trainees in their academic roles, including oversight of University-Academy issues as required.
• Direct supervision of Associate Director, Academic and Scientific Affairs, Academic Director, RTC, and/or other positions as may be required.
• Fostering an atmosphere of respect, cooperation, and innovation, while promoting empowerment, recognition, and accountability.

Academy Representation and Regional Involvement

• Responsible for representing the Academy’s interests on regional and provincial committees and task forces as required, as well as networking and negotiating with external stakeholders and institutions, to ensure that community, academic, clinical, and industry interests are optimally satisfied.
• As relevant to the Academy, responsible for participating, as required, on national, provincial, and regional committees and task forces to influence provincial policy and/or sector standards, as well as to plan local, provincial, national, and international scientific collaborations and interactions for purposes of achieving Academy goals.

Other Duties

• Serve as strategic advisor to President & Chief Scientist, undertakes and oversees ad hoc projects as required.
• Performs cross-functional and other duties, as assigned and/or required.

Qualifications include but are not limited to:

• Applicant has M.D. or Ph.D. degree in a field relevant to cognitive neuroscience
• Applicant is a Senior Scientist or Senior Clinician Scientist, or is eligible for such appointment
• Applicant has a status appointment at the Associate Professor or Full Professor level in the appropriate Faculty at the University of Toronto, or is eligible for such appointment
• Applicant will have a record of research management and leadership experience, experience in professional development training, experience with research and trainee development and mentorship
• Applicant is an effective speaker and compelling communicator with various audiences and constituencies
• Applicant has an understanding of, appreciation for, and commitment to inclusion, diversity, equity, and accessibility  
• Applicant has a strong and consistent record of peer-reviewed funding, and other noteworthy activities that contribute to their visibility and prominence, evidenced by a sustained record of publications and presentations with impact on their area of research
• Applicant has an understanding of the Canadian research environment, and a good appreciation of the global research environment
• Applicant has experience working with a diverse set of external stakeholders, including academic and research institutions, government officials, donors, partners, and researchers.
• Applicant has record of innovation and excellence in research
• Applicant has established record of collaborative research with other professionals, clinicians, and student

JOIN OUR TEAM: Please submit your application here: http://bit.ly/RRIExecDirScience. Applications will include a recent CV, a brief letter of interest, and names and contact information of 3 potential references. Although the closing date for applications is May 11, 2022, we encourage individuals to submit their applications as early as possible.

The Rotman Research Institute is committed to fostering a climate of equity, diversity, inclusion, and accessibility. This commitment is central to, and mutually supportive of, our research excellence mandate. We welcome and respect the diversity of all members of our community, and we support an inclusive culture for our clients, families, research scientists, staff, and participants, trainees, volunteers, trustees, and partners. We welcome applications from Black individuals and other racialized persons, Indigenous Peoples, women, persons with disabilities, LGBTQ2SA+ persons, and others who may contribute to the further diversification of ideas within our community. We are committed to fair assessment of a candidate’s abilities, and consideration for diversity of thought, method, and experience, including non- traditional career paths. Accommodation will be provided in all parts of the hiring process where needed.