Centre Operations Lead, Centre for Health Informatics and W21C Research and Innovation Centre

Description

The Centre for Health Informatics and W21C Research and Innovation Centre in the Cumming School of Medicine invites applications for a Centre Operations Lead. This Full-time Fixed Term position is for approximately 6 months (based on length of grant funding), with the possibility of extension.

Reporting to the Director, Strategy and Impact of the Centre for Health Informatics and W21C Research and Innovation Centre, the Centre Operations Lead plays a central role in the day-to-day operational effectiveness of both Centres. This position operates within a dynamic, collaborative, and fast-paced research environment, requiring a high degree of initiative, professional judgment, and adaptability.

The role spans two distinct but closely integrated research centres – CHI and W21C – and requires the incumbent to have a thorough working knowledge of the priorities, activities, and partner landscape of both Centres. The Centre Operations Lead receives limited day-to-day supervision, is expected to exercise independent judgment on routine and moderately complex operational matters, and serves as an informal resource and point of contact for centre members, staff, and external partners.

Summary of Key Responsibilities (job functions include but are not limited to):

Centre Operations & Workspace Management:

• Serve as the primary responsible party for the physical workspace across CHI and W21C, ensuring shared offices, meeting rooms, common areas, and kitchen facilities are well-maintained, appropriately stocked, and welcoming
• Develop and maintain systems and processes for managing office supplies, equipment inventory, and service requests (e.g., IT, facilities, access cards)
• Coordinate space allocation and onboarding logistics for new staff, trainees, and visiting researchers, ensuring a smooth and professional experience from day one
• Liaise with Facilities Management, UCIT, and other university service units on behalf of the Centres for maintenance, infrastructure, and technology needs

Project Intake & Partner Orientation:

• Serve as an initial point of contact for incoming project inquiries and prospective partners, providing a welcoming and informed introduction to CHI and W21C’s mandates, capabilities, research focus areas, and engagement models
• Coordinate and support the intake process for new projects, including gathering preliminary information, connecting project leads with the appropriate centre members, and ensuring handoffs are timely and well-documented
• Maintain current and accurate orientation materials (e.g., one-pagers, FAQs, capability overviews) that clearly articulate who the Centres are, what they do, and how partners can engage in close collaboration with W21C’s communications advisor
• Track the status of incoming inquiries and new project requests through the intake pipeline, flagging items requiring project management or leadership attention and maintaining records for reporting purposes

Metrics Collection & Performance Monitoring:

• Support the Centres’ performance monitoring activities by collecting, organizing, and maintaining data related to agreed-upon metrics and key performance indicators (KPIs) across CHI and W21C
• Develop and maintain tracking tools and templates (e.g., Excel workbooks, shared databases) to support consistent and reliable data capture across the Centres’ activities, including research outputs, partner engagements, grant activity, trainee counts, and project milestones
• Liaise with centre members, project leads, and administrative staff to gather metric inputs on a regular basis, ensuring completeness and accuracy of the data
• Compile and summarize metrics data for leadership review at regular intervals, supporting the preparation of progress reports, annual reports, and funder reporting as required

Administrative Support & Problem-Solving:

• Serve as a first point of contact and trusted problem-solver for staff and researchers across both Centres, triaging administrative questions and connecting individuals to appropriate resources
• Support the Directors with calendar management, travel coordination, and correspondence as needed
• Assist with procurement processes, expense reconciliation, and financial administrative tasks, in coordination with the relevant financial contacts
• Prepare, edit, and proofread internal correspondence, reports, and briefing materials as required

Event & Meeting Logistics Support:

• Provide logistical support for centre meetings, seminars, and key events, including room bookings, catering coordination, and A/V setup
• Support the preparation and distribution of meeting materials and record minutes for operational and governance meetings as required
• Coordinate partner-facing logistics for introductory and engagement meetings hosted by the Centres

Qualifications / Requirements:

• Bachelor’s degree in Business Administration, Public Administration, Health Sciences, or a related field. A combination of relevant education and experience will be considered
• Minimum 3-5 years of progressive experience in an operational, administrative, or program coordination role, preferably in an academic research, health system, or public sector environment
• Demonstrated ability to work independently, manage multiple concurrent priorities, and exercise sound judgment with limited direction
• Strong interpersonal and communication skills, with the ability to engage professionally with diverse partners including researchers, administrative leaders, government contacts, and industry contacts
• Advanced proficiency with Microsoft Office Suite (Word, Excel, Outlook, PowerPoint, Teams)
• Familiarity with University of Calgary systems and processes (PeopleSoft, eFIN, IRISS) is highly desirable
• Knowledge of research administration, ethics processes, or grant funding cycles is an asset
• Demonstrated initiative in identifying operational gaps and implementing practical solutions
• High degree of professionalism, discretion, and tact in handling confidential or sensitive matters

Application Deadline: May 28, 2026

We would like to thank all applicants in advance for submitting their resumes. Please note, only those candidates chosen to continue on through the selection process will be contacted.

This position is part of the AUPE bargaining unit, and falls under the Specialist/Advisor Job Family, Phase 2.

For a listing of all management and staff opportunities at the University of Calgary, view our Management and Staff Careers website.

About the University of Calgary

UCalgary is Canada’s entrepreneurial university, located in Canada’s most enterprising city. It is a top research university and one of the highest-ranked universities of its age. Founded in 1966, its 36,000 students experience an innovative learning environment, made rich by research, hands-on experiences and entrepreneurial thinking. It is Canada’s leader in the creation of start-ups. Start something today at the University of Calgary. For more information, visit ucalgary.ca.

The University of Calgary has launched an institution-wide Indigenous Strategy ii’ taa’poh’to’p committing to creating a rich, vibrant, and culturally competent campus that welcomes and supports Indigenous Peoples, encourages Indigenous community partnerships, is inclusive of Indigenous perspectives in all that we do.

The university’s commitment to the Indigenous Strategy is evident through the oversight of 18 Elders serving on the Circle of Advisors and the many unit-based circles working towards implementation of the strategy including the Faculty Advisory Circle and teams such as the Office of Indigenous Engagement, the Writing Symbols Lodge, and the Indigenous Research Support Team. Many Indigenous-based events and processes are impacting curriculum, programming and polices at the University of Calgary.

As an equitable and inclusive employer, the University of Calgary recognizes that a diverse staff/faculty benefits and enriches the work, learning and research experiences of the entire campus and greater community. We are committed to removing barriers that have been historically encountered by some people in our society. We strive to recruit individuals who will further enhance our diversity and will support their academic and professional success while they are here. In particular, we encourage members of the designated groups (women, Indigenous peoples, persons with disabilities, members of visible/racialized minorities, and diverse sexual orientation and gender identities) to apply. To ensure a fair and equitable assessment, we offer accommodation at any stage during the recruitment process to applicants with disabilities. Questions regarding [diversity] EDI at UCalgary can be sent to the Office of Institutional Commitments ([email protected]) and requests for accommodations can be sent to People & Culture ([email protected]).

Do you have most but not all the qualifications? Research show that women, racialized and visible minorities, and persons with disabilities are less likely to apply for jobs unless they meet every single qualification. At UCalgary we are committed to achieving equitable, diverse, inclusive and accessible employment practices and workplaces and encourage you to apply if you believe you are right for this role.

We encourage all qualified applicants to apply, however preference will be given to Canadian citizens and permanent residents of Canada.