Assistant Director

Primary Purpose: This senior research and communications position develops and advances innovative, and effective internal and external research projects and communications strategies to promote the Urban Public Health Network’s strategic goals and raise the network’s research profile and reputation regionally, nationally and internationally. This is accomplished by developing, implementing and evaluating research projects and communications strategies including external and internal public relations activities that highlight the network’s research impact and develop and nurture strategic partnerships.  

Nature of Work: Reporting to the President of the Urban Public Health Network (who is also the Scientific Director of the network), the Assistant Director works collaboratively with heads of research centres and institutes, researchers, research staff, and facilitators, as well as with communications offices across the University of Saskatchewan campus (as the host university for the UPHN), and across member public health organizations to develop, implement, and evaluate research projects and strategies for communicating with a wide range of internal and external stakeholders. The work is performed under the pressure of deadlines, is unstructured and often has high volume and complexity that requires management of competing interests with satisfactory outcomes for all involved. The position requires discretion, a high level of integrity, and independent judgment. The Assistant Director manages multiple responsibilities with frequent change and shifting priorities. The ability to manage conflicting needs and timelines is essential. The Assistant Director also assists the President/Scientific Director of UPHN in mentoring and managing a broad team of research and project staff and students.

Typical Duties or Accountabilities:

• Build profile and reputation through communications strategies and collaborative initiatives that help UPHN members and research partners promote their research
• Through strategic proposal writing and collaboration with research partners, ensure UPHN is successful in obtaining research funding independently and in collaboration with other research teams at U of S and other universities. These include tri-council opportunities as well as other grant opportunities available from the University or other funding partners across Canada.
• Provide advice and guidance to the UPHN President, Board of Directors and research team on best practices for conveying research findings and benefits to key stakeholders and measuring research impact
• Co-lead (with the President/Scientific Director) strategic planning and management of UPHN priority projects and initiatives in support of the network’s research and project priorities, strategies and initiatives.
• Plan, implement and measure the success of UPHN projects and initiatives to enhance the network’s research profile in alignment with strategic directions in partnership with UPHN secretariat staff. Target audiences include, but are not limited to, UPHN members, the research community, prospective students, research partners, existing and potential funders, and the general public.
• Work with communicators across UPHN member organizations to provide advice and guidance on internal and external communications to ensure strategic and consistent research messaging across a multitude of communication modes including stories, advertisements , news releases, issues management (crisis communications), media relations, and social media.
• Share expertise and collaboratively lead efforts to ensure the protection and enhancement of the research profile and reputation of the UPHN.
• Develop and maintain strategic partnerships with external organizations for the purposes of developing research collaborations, and knowledge mobilization opportunities, etc.
• Oversee the research and project budget for UPHN, and supervise project staff as required
• Provide advice on the design, management, and maintenance of the UPHN website
• Other appropriate duties as assigned

Education: A PhD degree in Public Health, Population Health or Epidemiology is preferred. Degrees in other disciplines with demonstrated experience and skill in grant and project proposal writing, strategic planning and knowledge mobilization for professional and public audiences will be considered. 

Experience: At least 10 years of directly related experience in communications, research and project work in population and public health is preferred, with demonstrated success and commitment to quality; thorough understanding of project development and implementation approaches, strategies and principles and proven experience applying them in a complex environment; experience dealing with the media and doing social media; and experience overseeing the writing, design and production of videos and print materials, articles and publications, as well as social media. An equivalent combination of directly related education and experience will be considered. Preference will be given to candidates with advanced grant writing, and scientific publishing experience and success. Prior leadership experience in national-level research and/or knowledge translation organizations including the University of Saskatchewan and / or the Urban Public Health Network, and knowledge of these institutions’ culture, goals and stakeholders would be assets.

Skills: Demonstrated skills, knowledge, and experience in stakeholder management, grant proposal development and implementation of large projects, and design and execution of communications and public relations activities, and can execute these responsibilities independently with a high level of content and procedural expertise Strong creative, strategic, analytical, organizational, time management and interpersonal skills. Superior writing, copy-editing, fact-checking, and verbal communication skills. Keen attention to detail. Ability to work independently and collaboratively within a team environment. Experience in leading or overseeing the design and production of print materials, advertisements, and peer-reviewed publications and reports. Diplomacy and tact. Commitment to working on team projects with shared leadership. Ability to manage multiple projects concurrently.

 Inquiries regarding this position can be directed to Cory Neudorf at 306-966-2276.

Department: Community Hlth & Epidemiology

Status: Term 12 months with the possibility of extension

Employment Group: ASPA
Full Time Equivalent (FTE): .5 FTE

Salary: The salary range, based on 1.0 FTE, is $64,107.00 – 100,169.00 per annum. The starting salary will be commensurate with education and experience.

Salary Family (if applicable): Specialist Professional

Salary Phase/Band: Phase 2

Posted Date: 9/29/2022

Closing Date: 10/5/2022

Number of Openings: 1
Work Location: On Campus

The successful applicant will be required to provide the following current verification(s) where ‘Yes’ is indicated below. Further information is available at: https://careers.usask.ca/tips-for-applying.php

Criminal Record Check: Not Applicable
Driver’s License and Abstract Check: Not Applicable
Education/Credential Verification: Not Applicable
Vulnerable Sector Check: Not Applicable

Please review the University of Saskatchewan’s health and safety requirements for faculty, staff andstudents in consideration of the COVID-19 pandemic.

The University believes equity, diversity, and inclusion strengthen the community and enhance excellence, innovation and creativity. We are dedicated to recruiting individuals who will enrich our work and learning environments. All qualified candidates are encouraged to apply; however, in accordance with Canadian immigration requirements, Canadian citizens and permanent residents will be given priority. We are committed to providing accommodations to those with a disability or medical necessity. If you require an accommodation in order to participate in the recruitment process, please notify us and we will work together on the accommodation request. The University of Saskatchewan’s main campus is situated on Treaty 6 Territory and the Homeland of the Métis. We pay our respects to the First Nations and Métis ancestors of this place and reaffirm our relationship with one another. Together, we are uplifting Indigenization to a place of prominence at the University of Saskatchewan.