Salary: Commensurate with level of experience

About OICR

OICR is Ontario's cancer research institute. We bring together people from across the province and around the world to improve the lives of everyone affected by cancer. We take on the biggest challenges in cancer research and deliver real-world solutions to find cancer earlier and treat it more effectively. We are committed to helping people living with cancer, as well as future generations, live longer and healthier lives.

Launched in December 2005, OICR is an independent institute funded by the Government of Ontario through the Ministry of Colleges and Universities.

Job Details

Position: Platform Manager

Location: MaRS Centre, Toronto

Department: Adaptive Oncology

Reports To: Director of Bioinformatics.ca

Salary: Commensurate with level of experience

Hours: 35 hours/week

Job Type: Hybrid

Status: Full-time, Temporary (1 year, with renewal option)

Position Summary

The Canadian Bioinformatics and Computational Biology (CB2) Platform is a CIHR-funded initiative designed to establish a pan-Canadian network of training and community sites in six provincial regions with the aim to increase bioinformatics, computational biology and data science capacity among researchers.

Currently hosted by the Ontario Institute for Cancer Research (OICR), Bioinformatics.ca will manage the development of a centralized CB2 platform for the coordination of bioinformatics, computational biology and health data science training opportunities. The platform will also coordinate CB2 career supporting activities including a mentorship program, professional skill development, awards as well as community building activities. The CB2 Platform aims to grow CB2 capacity among all health and life science researchers, especially Early Career Researchers and equity-deserving professionals.

We are seeking a dynamic and experienced Platform Manager to provide strategic guidance, operational governance, and administrative execution of the CB2 Platform, to oversee the overall progress, as well as integration of the Platform's Inclusivity, Diversity, Equity, and Accessibility (IDEA) framework. The individual will also lead implementation and administration of the Platform's virtual mentorship program.

Reporting to the Director of Bioinformatics.ca, who serves as both the scientific lead for the CB2 Platform and Chair of the Executive Management Committee, the Platform Manager will operate as part of the Executive Management Committee and will liaise closely with the Platform Advisory Committee (PAC), IDEA Committee, Partnerships Committee, Education Advisory Committee (EAC) and Community Outreach Committee (COC). This role is critical for harmonizing the activities across the committees to realize the CB2 Platform.

This position is temporary, full-time for one-year with renewal option.

Position Responsibilities

Strategic Guidance

• With the Director, develop and implement a comprehensive strategic plan for CB2, aligned with the priorities outlined by the Executive management and Platform Advisory committees.
  
• Provide senior-level guidance and administrative oversight across the operational committees, ensuring alignment with the platform's overarching objectives and deliverables.Reporting and Compliance:
  
• Establish and monitor Key Performance Indicators (KPIs) to assess the platform's performance and impact in training and community building.
  
• Provide performance dashboards and comprehensive reports to stakeholders at regular intervals.
  
• Compile and write annual reports on CB2 Platform. Ensure transparent and timely reporting to host institution, CIHR and other funding organizations, governing bodies, and stakeholders. Provide regular feedback to both Executive and PAC committees.
  
• Maintain records of platform activities, timelines, and milestones.
  
• Oversee internal audits and ensure the platform is compliant with all contractual and legal obligations.
  
• Facilitate the documentation of platform knowledge and conduct 'lessons learned' sessions at major milestones and closure. Ensure this knowledge is transferred across the committees, as well as to the Executive Management and PAC for future platform phases.
  

Platform Management and Coordination

• Operationalize efforts of the Platform's committees to ensure seamless integration of the deliverables and efficient platform execution.
• Develop and maintain a comprehensive governance management plan and communication plan. Act as the key liaison between the platform's committees and the Executive Committee and PAC, scheduling and facilitating effective and timely meetings.
  
• Lead the creation of Work Breakdown Structure (WBS) for each of the platform's deliverables. Ensure alignment of each WBS with the broader CB2 platform objectives while also embedding IDEA principles.
  
• Establish processes for tracking progress and budgets. Manage timelines, track budgets, and scope to ensure that deliverables and milestones are achieved as planned.
  
• Ensure the rigorous integration of the IDEA committee's policies and framework across all platform dimensions. Establish processes for assessment of IDEA across the platform and conflict resolution.
  
• Develop and lead an informed RFA for hiring of web development contractors to build the CB2 Platform's website integrating features and tools required for each of the platform's deliverables.
  
• With the Director, oversee delivery of the CB2 Platform's web tools.
  
• Develop and maintain content for CB2 Platform website and brand as the top source for high-quality bioinformatics training opportunities from multiple training vendors, jobs, awards, mentorship, community events and resources in Canada. Oversee website upgrades.
  
• Coordinate communication efforts across the CB2 Platform. Launch and oversee the CB2 Platform social media accounts and grow the communities engaged to include underserved communities;
  
• Coordinate and oversee organization of an annual national bioinformatics conference, including establishment of terms and management of scientific program, organizing committee, awards committee.
  
• Contribute to the CB2 Platform's sustainability by outreach to funding bodies and strategic partners in support of the platform's deliverables and long-term sustainability of the CB2 Platform.
  
• Lead design, development and deployment of the platform's IDEA-centric mentorship program. Recruit and train mentors on the resulting mentorship system, and grow mentee use of the program.
  
• Perform other activities that arise over the course of establishing the CB2 Platform.

Reporting and Compliance

• Establish and monitor Key Performance Indicators (KPIs) to assess the platform's performance and impact in training and community building.
• Provide performance dashboards and comprehensive reports to stakeholders at regular intervals.
• Compile and write annual reports on CB2 Platform. Ensure transparent and timely reporting to host institution, CIHR and other funding organizations, governing bodies, and stakeholders. Provide regular feedback to both Executive and PAC committees.
• Maintain records of platform activities, timelines, and milestones.
• Oversee internal audits and ensure the platform is compliant with all contractual and legal obligations.
• Facilitate the documentation of platform knowledge and conduct 'lessons learned' sessions at major milestones and closure. Ensure this knowledge is transferred across the committees, as well as to the Executive Management and PAC for future platform phases.

Qualifications

• M.Sc. in bioinformatics, computational biology, data science, molecular biology, biology or computer science, or recognized equivalent
• Direct professional experience in leading small and large projects, applying the latest project management standards and methods
• Extensive experience with academic research environments and grant funding processes
• Strong leadership and team management, skilled in working in a complex multi-stakeholder environment
• Exceptional communication skills and a strong commitment to promoting Inclusion, Diversity, Equity, and Accessibility
• Proficiency in budget oversight and grant administration, providing reporting content to institutional administrative and finance teams to meet all contractual and legal obligations
• Attention to detail and excellent organizational and time management skills
• Ability to manage large-scale development projects involving the negotiation and execution of agreements and contracts among multiple researchers, institutions, and partners
• Excellent written and oral communication skills
• Ability to work independently and within a team, and to effectively prioritize a wide range of responsibilities
• Ability to meet tight deadlines and a high level of professionalism in working with internal and external teams, partner organizations and stakeholders to achieve specific outcomes

For more information about OICR, please visit the website at www.oicr.on.ca.

To learn more about working at OICR, visit our career page.

POSTED DATE: September 16, 2024
CLOSING DATE: Until Filled

OICR is committed to fostering a climate of equity, diversity, inclusion, and accessibility. This commitment is central to, and mutually supportive of, our research excellence mandate. We welcome and respect the diversity of all members of our community and we support an inclusive culture for all. We welcome all applicants, and encourage applications from racialized persons, Indigenous Peoples, women, persons with disabilities, LGBTQ2S persons, and others who may contribute to furthering a diversity of ideas within our community. OICR is committed to fair assessment of a candidate's abilities, and consideration for diversity of thought, method, and experience. Providing an accessible workplace and recruitment process is important to us, as described in our Accessibility Plan (https://oicr.on.ca/accessibility/). Should you require accommodation during any stage in the recruitment process, please complete the form at the bottom of page https://oicr.on.ca/careers/. Information received related to accommodation will be handled confidentially.

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The Ontario Institute for Cancer Research thanks all applicants. However, only those under consideration will be contacted.