Bilingual Project Manager

About this position

BACKGROUND: The Schlegel-UW Research Institute for Aging (RIA) is a charitable non-profit organization that partners with the University of Waterloo, Conestoga College, and Schlegel Villages to enhance the care and quality of life for older adults. Through collaborations with key partners and stakeholders, RIA supports practice-relevant research and knowledge mobilization. Research evidence is used to inform programs, education and training, and influence practice and policy.  The RIA consists of 15 research chairs and specialists, affiliate researchers, and staff members with a commitment to improved quality of life and care across the continuum of care.

PRIMARY PURPOSE:  The Bilingual Project Manager is responsible for supporting and facilitating a community of practice and virtual learning centre for multiple community-based dementia focused projects.  The network is responsible for synthesizing findings and translating and disseminating program findings and best practices to dementia policy and program community across Canada.  All of the projects aim to develop, test, disseminate, and scale-up tools, resources and approaches to optimize the well-being of persons living with dementia and their care partners and increase knowledge about dementia and risk factors.  The Project Manager will provide tailored support to projects, including education and training on knowledge mobilization, research design, implementation, evaluation and engagement with people living with dementia.  The Project Manager will provide knowledge mobilization expertise by synthesising project findings and disseminate best practices through lessons learned through the creation of products and/or learning events.  The Project Manager will collaborate with researchers, project leads, and dementia stakeholders to support knowledge mobilization and evaluation activities across all the projects.   The position requires an experienced, energetic, self-motivated individual with exceptional people skills who can work both independently and collaboratively with team members, researchers, and stakeholders, give leadership to projects with minimal supervision, and inspire others to collaborate to achieve project goals.  This position is dependent on funding. 

KEY ACCOUNTABILITIES:

1. Project Management:  Develop and implement project workplans, manage day-to-day project operations, and ensure that all project timelines and objectives are met. Monitor expenses and budget.  Prepare reports for and respond to requests of the funder on network activities.
2. Communication: Create and disseminate communication materials, manage the project website and online learning centre.  Work with the RIA communications team to develop a project communications plan that aligns with RIA strategy. Ability to communicate with diverse stakeholders, including researchers, clinicians, community organizations, people living with dementia and their care partners.
3. Stakeholder Management: Liaison and build relationships with multiple internal and external stakeholders to collaboratively manage programs, events and achieve results. Experienced at facilitating and organizing communities of practice and advisory committees.
4. Knowledge Mobilization: Experienced in co-designing knowledge mobilization resources, tools and products, sharing information across diverse groups and support education and training tailored to the needs of stakeholders.
5. Events: Provide leadership to workshops, community of practice and advisory committee meetings including overall management of event planning, delivery and evaluation.
6. Teamwork and Consultation: Work as a collaborative RIA team member to support RIA programs, projects and communications.
7. Other:  Take on additional tasks, activities and special projects, as they arise. 

POSITION REQUIREMENTS:

Education: 

• University degree (Master’s level preferred) in social sciences, health or a related area
• Experience in project management and knowledge mobilization
• Understanding of evaluation and research design (not required, but would be an asset)

Experience and Skills:  

• Must be fluent (written and verbal) in English and French
• 5-7 years experience in a managing, complex, large projects, including development of work plans, budget, implementation and evaluation.
• Experience in facilitating committee meetings, communities of practice and sharing of information across diverse projects.
• Understand knowledge mobilization theories and best practices, and have experience developing and disseminating knowledge mobilization resources, tools and products
• Experience engaging with people with lived experience, specifically people living with dementia and their care partners. 
• Knowledgeable and substantial experience in the field of dementia research and practice in Canada.  Specifically, focused on enhancing quality of care and life for people living with dementia.
• Be familiar with project management tools and techniques
• Expertise in working with online technology, including learning management systems, project management software and website content management systems
• Have excellent planning and time management skills
• Have strong writing skills, including demonstrated ability to use plain language
• Experience communicating with diverse stakeholders and tailoring messaging and communication materials for different audiences.
• Detail-oriented self-starter with a proactive attitude and ability to manage multiple tasks and competing priorities in an organized and efficient manner.
• Have strong computer skills using Microsoft software (e.g., Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Outlook)
• Experience working with researchers and/or clinicians
• Eligible to obtain a successful police background/criminal record check
• Interest and passion for enhancing quality of life and care for older adults.

SCOPE OF WORK:

• Interpersonal Skills:  Communicates effectively with internal team members and external partners; professionally represents the RIA externally in all communications and at events.
• Level of Responsibility: Responsible for ensuring effective project management and knowledge mobilization practices in a way that maintains the integrity of the RIA.  
• Decision-Making Authority: Able to identify and assess complex problems, with multiple stakeholders to build consensus. Accountable to make operational decisions.
• Physical and Sensory Demands: Minimal demands, typical of a position operating within an office environment; periods of extensive sitting at a desk and in meetings and concentrated use of visual senses; substantial repetitive keyboard/mouse movement; high sensory demands because of required concentration and attentiveness to detail and regular distractions and interruptions.
• Working Environment:  Much of the time is spent sitting in a comfortable position with frequent opportunity to move about.  Office is located in a comfortable indoor area.  The work is varied and assignments may change frequently.  Work will involve regular interaction with RIA team members and external partners and stakeholders. There are deadline pressures, while at the same time there is a demand for thoroughness and accuracy.  Occasional travel is required.

HOW TO APPLY:

RIA invites applications (cover letter and resume in one document) by October 9, 2020.  Please submit your application in one document by email to Michelle Stillman, Senior Director of Operations at michelle.stillman@uwaterloo.ca  

RIA welcomes applications from all qualified persons. RIA is an equal opportunity employer and is pleased to accommodate individual needs in accordance with the Accessibility of Ontarians with Disabilities Act, 2005 (AODA) during our recruitment process.  If you require accommodation, please let us know in advance.