Brain Canada - Program Director
Summary
The Program Director of Brain Canada will lead the design and delivery of the organization’s strategic research and training programs, in the context of the $200-million public-private partnership, the Canada Brain Research Fund. This will include all aspects of the process to announce competitions, select funding recipients and monitor the outcomes of the funded research. The Program Director will also assist with managing relationships with key collaborators, partners and funders, including the Government of Canada, Canadian neuroscience research community, Canadian Institutes of Health Research, universities, and voluntary health organizations. He/she reports directly to the President and works closely with the Vice-Chair Science.
Responsibilities
• Assists the President and Vice-Chair Science with the design of strategic research and training programs that will advance Brain Canada’s mission of supporting excellent Canadian neuroscience research;
• Manages the consultation process with the science/research community, and communicates the programs and funding competitions to the broad audience of stakeholders;
• Assists the Vice-Chair Science with setting up and managing the Science Advisory Council and Peer Review Panel(s). This includes organizing regular meetings of the Science Advisory Council, and identifying and recruiting Peer Review Panel members;
• Manages the open competition and peer review process to select funding recipients, including organizing the Peer Review Panel meeting(s), and communicates the outcomes of the competitions;
• Prepares and maintains reporting templates for the research and training grants;
• Undertakes collection of data and reports for Government reporting;
• Monitors progress of research programs (delivery), and prepares reports for donor stewardship;
• Manages budget for program development and delivery;
• Assists the President, the Executive Director of Development and campaign volunteers with the cultivation of potential funders for Brain Canada’s programs; collaborates with potential donors who seek to match their interests with Brain Canada’s research programs; assists with preparing briefing documents and presentations;
• Conducts research on potential partners and funders; conducts on-going research on topics/people of interest to Brain Canada and to the neurosciences;
• Assists in special projects that will help the organization with networking and profile building;
• Develops outreach material to inform scientists, Government and the public about the research supported by Brain Canada.
Qualifications
• A Post-graduate degree in neuroscience research;
• Understanding of Canadian research funding, including peer review process;
• Experience in project management;
• Experience in developing and managing partnerships.
Key skills and attitudes
• Positive attitude and highly motivated, with an entrepreneurial spirit;
• Excellent interpersonal skills;
• Excellent written communications skills and ability to communicate neuroscience research in lay terms;
• Problem-solving skills and creativity;
• Extremely well organized and diligent;
• Attention to detail;
• Good judgment;
• Ability to operate with minimal supervision and clerical support;
• Ability to work under pressure and meet tight deadlines;
• Bilingualism would be an asset.
Applicants should note that periodic travel will be required.
The Head Office of Brain Canada is located in Montreal, Quebec, Canada. Candidates living outside this region must be able to work from a remote/home office, and travel to Montreal on a regular basis, as needed.
Interested applicants are invited to submit a cover letter and CV, in confidence, to Judith Sale, Brain Canada Foundation, judiths@braincanada.ca . Only those applicants who proceed to the interview stage will be contacted.
