Program Coordinator, Partnerships and Engagement

This position has an expected end date of March 31, 2027.

Location - This role is hybrid with a mix of remote and in-person work at North Campus Edmonton.

This position will be directed by the Assistant Director, Learning Health System Team, Alberta SPOR SUPPORT Unit, in the Department of Medicine.

The major roles and responsibilities of the position will encompass managing the Learning Health System Team’s program of stakeholder engagement, including collaborative research projects, and the Team’s communications activities. The successful candidate is responsible for identifying and stewarding multiple partner and stakeholder relationships. The person in this role will assist with defining and implementing new engagement practices and approaches to ensure the success of all initiatives including ongoing research projects. The Specialist develops approaches to engagement, collaboration, and innovation that create improved value for the Team and its stakeholders.

This individual demonstrates a standard of excellence, enjoys challenge, and is results driven. They are also highly motivated, demonstrating the ability to use their own initiative and managing time effectively.

1. Managing all activities of the AbSPORU Implementation Science Collaborative. This will require excellent ability to communicate, work collaboratively, and maintain momentum and enthusiasm in the face of ambiguity and shifting timelines. This includes:

• Developing and maintaining professional relationships between self and stakeholder organizations (Universities of Alberta, Calgary and Lethbridge; Alberta Health and other federal and provincial ministries; Alberta Health Services; Canadian Institutes of Health Research (CIHR); and Alberta Innovates (AI)), policy/decision makers, researchers, care providers and networks;
  • Linking decision makers, researchers, and care providers with each other so that they are able to better understand each other's goals and professional cultures;
  • Where appropriate, identifying or responding to opportunities for assembling groups (i.e, working groups, etc.) to engage in an ongoing assessment of topic specific issues and possible subsequent plans;
• Leading the planning of community-building events (meetings, capacity-building and professional development events, and social events) in consultation with the Team Co-Leads, Assistant Director, other team staff and community stakeholders;
• Coordinating networks, organized around specific interests, e.g. training;
• Being a resource and point of contact for other team members and for external collaborators and clients;
• Working with the SPOR Learning Health System Team Lead and Assistant Director to monitor resources and quality control;
• Working with the Assistant Director to advise on the development of the Team’s business and strategic plans and assisting in reporting to funders and other stakeholders;
• Designing and implementing mechanisms for evaluating the Team’s work.

2. Coordinating high-level, complex research activities and analysis specific to knowledge mobilization, implementation science and learning health systems. This coordination will require a high degree of knowledge about the science involved in this work as well as highly developed abilities in management and communication.

This work includes:

• Setting objectives and timelines for each project;
• Determining which resources are needed and drawing on the knowledge of clinical and methodological experts;
• Overseeing operations and quality of work regarding all areas of research project execution;
• Establishing and maintaining the network of internal and external experts that will be required on each project;
• Supervising research team.

3. In addition to coordinating the Team’s stakeholder engagement and communications stream of work, the incumbent will be required to independently carry out scholarly work, including:

• Writing research papers, preparing presentations and publications;
• Presenting analytical research at seminars, stakeholder meetings, and conferences;
• Applying for research funding as a co-applicant only.

4. Other duties required of this position will include:

• Keeping abreast of best practices and emerging issues in knowledge mobilization, implementation science and learning health systems to support the Alberta SPOR Learning Health System Team as a leader in innovation;
• Contributing to special reports on the Learning Health System Team’s projects, activities, or accomplishments;
• Assisting with preparation of research grant applications and contract proposals; coordinating informal training sessions for the Team staff;
• Participating in formal training opportunities within the Team;
• Other duties as may be assigned by the Assistant Director.

• PhD preferred; minimum of a Masters degree.
• Experience with the principles of knowledge translation and implementation, and building and maintaining partnerships with multiple stakeholders to achieve common goals.
• Experience in a complex working environment dealing with multiple stakeholder groups.
• Excellent communication and writing skills for a variety of audiences.
• Experience with independently coordinating large research projects, including proposal preparations, project coordination, and ability in writing and editing scientific manuscripts.
• Strong leadership skills and management skills to lead projects and people. Ability to work collaboratively in an environment characterized by ambiguity, shifting timelines and priorities, and multiple projects underway simultaneously.
• Demonstrated excellent skills in oral and written communication.
• Detail-oriented, with strong organizational skills and proven ability to handle multiple projects and meet deadlines; attention to the accuracy of grammar, spelling and punctuation is imperative.
• Demonstrated excellent organizational and interpersonal skills and ability to meet project deadlines.
• Skilled in facilitation, collaboration, negotiation and problem-solving.

Application Instructions

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This position offers a comprehensive benefits package with an annual salary range of $83,195 to $114,418.

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.