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The Assistant Vice-President, Research Strategy and Services, reports to the Vice-President (Research & Innovation) and is a member of the senior leadership team responsible for advancing the University's research enterprise. The incumbent provides strategic and operational leadership for the University’s research development and sponsored research services and oversees a complex portfolio supporting researchers, research teams, faculties, affiliated hospitals, and research institutes throughout the research funding lifecycle.
The incumbent develops a strong culture of service, collaboration, and accountability. He/ she will establish expectations, service standards, and effective ways of working to ensure that researchers and academic units receive timely, clear, coordinated, and solutions-oriented support and that institutional requirements are translated into effective and workable processes.
Working closely with the Vice-President (Research & Innovation), Deputy Vice-President, Associate Vice-Presidents, Deans, Directors, and other senior leaders, the Assistant Vice-President provides strategic advice on institutional research priorities, governance, policy, infrastructure, performance metrics, and emerging funding opportunities. The incumbent serves as a catalyst for institutional collaboration, fostering interdisciplinary partnerships and driving continuous improvement in the University's capacity to secure and successfully manage major research investments.
The Assistant Vice-President represents the University and the Research & Innovation portfolio on internal and external committees, and works collaboratively with governments, funding agencies, partner institutions, foundations, industry, and other stakeholders to advance the University's research mission and strategic objectives.
The ideal candidate will possess a graduate degree and a demonstrated record of progressive senior leadership in research administration, research strategy, or research development within a large, complex organization, preferably in a university, research-intensive, or public-sector environment. They will bring deep knowledge of the Canadian research funding landscape, experience leading institutional research initiatives and partnerships, and a proven ability to navigate complexity while driving organizational effectiveness and service excellence. Success in this role will require strategic leadership, exceptional relationship-building skills, sound judgment, and the ability to lead high-performing teams while aligning people, processes, and resources in support of the University’s ambitious research priorities. Bilingualism in English and French is required.
McGill University has partnered with the leadership advisory firm Odgers for this recruitment. Applications are encouraged immediately to Michael Williams, Andrea Patrick and Krutika Hotwani at https://careers.odgers.com/en-ca/job/32099. This is an existing vacancy. The new AVP will assume the position in early 2027.
Inquiries or accommodation requests can be directed to mcgillavp@odgers.com.
McGill University is committed to equity and diversity within its community and values academic rigour and excellence. We welcome and encourage applications from racialized persons/visible minorities, women, Indigenous persons, persons with disabilities, ethnic minorities, and persons of minority sexual orientations and gender identities, as well as from all qualified candidates with the skills and knowledge to engage productively with diverse communities.
At McGill, research that reflects diverse intellectual traditions, methodologies, and modes of dissemination and translation is valued and encouraged. Candidates are invited to demonstrate their research impact both within and across academic disciplines and in other sectors, such as government, communities, or industry.
McGill further recognizes and fairly considers the impact of leaves (e.g., family care or health-related) that may contribute to career interruptions or slowdowns. Candidates are encouraged to signal any leave that affected productivity, or that may have had an effect on their career path. This information will be considered to ensure the equitable assessment of the candidate’s record.
McGill implements an employment equity program and encourages members of designated equity groups to self-identify. It further seeks to ensure the equitable treatment and full inclusion of persons with disabilities by striving for the implementation of universal design principles transversally, across all facets of the University community, and through accommodation policies and procedures. Persons with disabilities who anticipate needing accommodations for any part of the application process may contact, in confidence, accessibilityrequest.hr@mcgill.ca.
All qualified applicants are encouraged to apply; however, in accordance with Canadian immigration requirements, Canadians and permanent residents will be given priority.
