Manager, Strategic Research Partnerships Development

Position Summary

Full-Time Administration, new position

Reporting to the Director, Research Engagement, the Manager, Strategic Research Partnerships Development identifies, builds, and manages partnerships that support the strategic research goals of the college. The Manager plays a pivotal role in strategically identifying and developing new research funding opportunities that align with the college’s capabilities and support the expansion and diversification of the college’s portfolio of research partnerships and funding sources. The incumbent will scout for potential academic and industry partners that align with the organization’s research priorities and analyze trends in research and innovation to find promising collaboration areas.

Successful candidates will be required to conduct work within Ontario and must be available to work on campus as required. It is anticipated that this position will meet the needs of the department through a hybrid work arrangement, Monday to Friday, 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., with three days on-site at Conestoga’s Office of Research Services, located at 96 Grand Ave. S. in Cambridge and two days remote. Travel to partner sites, off-campus locations and other campuses will be required.

Responsibilities

Strategic partnership development

• Identify funding opportunities that align with the college’s research capabilities and goals with a focus on larger, multi-year or multi-project funding opportunities
• Identify and prioritize high-value partners across sectors for potential engagement in large-scale research initiatives
• Develop long-term engagement plans for strategic partnerships, including targeted outreach and relationship building
• Explore consortium-building opportunities and facilitate ideation workshops
• Identify opportunities to lead joint grant applications with partners, utilizing complementary skills and resources
• Maintain a database of up-to-date research capabilities of faculty and research centres and labs
  
  

Funding acquisition

• Lead the end-to-end process for large-scale, multi-partner or multi-project funding opportunities
• Manage proposal writing activities and work with researchers and the Research Operations team to ensure all technical, financial, and administrative components receive internal approvals and meet funder guidelines and deadlines
• Manage the development, writing, and submission of research funding applications to a range of external funding agencies, including but not limited to federal and provincial funders, private foundations, international programs, etc.
  
  

Relationship management

• Negotiate high-stakes collaboration agreements, Memorandums of Understanding (MOU), and consortia agreements that govern large strategic projects
• Oversee contract execution and compliance, ensuring deliverables and reporting commitments are met
• Maintain executive-level relationships and serve as the primary point of contact for strategic projects
• Monitor project milestones, financial performance, and partnership impact metrics; implement corrective actions as needed
  
  

Strategic reporting and insights

• Maintain internal research information management system database, build dashboards and reports on strategic partnership pipeline, funding outcomes, and Return on Investment (ROI) for senior leadership
• Provide insights and recommendations to shape institutional research strategy
  
  

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in arts, science, engineering or business is required
• Seven years of relevant practical work experience, including experience with proposal writing and government funding programs
• Ability to secure and manage large-scale research funding and strategic partnerships
• Understanding of major funding programs and mechanisms
• Exceptional communication, negotiation, and stakeholder management skills
• Proficient with online collaboration tools such as Microsoft Office (Teams, SharePoint, Word, Planner, etc.)
• Familiarity with collaborative research frameworks, consortium governance, and industrial research and development (R&D) tax credits
• Understanding of Customer Relationship Management (CRM) and proposal management platforms for tracking relationships and opportunities
• Access to reliable transportation and ability to travel to Conestoga campus locations, partner sites, and event venues as required