Director, Academic Research

We are looking for the visionaries, the change-makers, the self-starters who are seeking more from their career. Change begins with the small decisions we make, each day, to support each other and strive to create inspiring incredible educational experiences for all students, no matter where they are or how they learn. This concept connects deeply to the idea that, in choosing a career with Yorkville University and Toronto Film School, you will have the opportunity to push boundaries, flex your creativity and inspire positive change for so many people. It’s also a call-back to the transformative power of education itself. 

Our core values put the student experience at the center of what we do, reflecting who we are and aspire to be. If you want to shine a light on academic excellence, be empowered to make an impact on the transformation of the Canadian post-secondary education landscape, and work collaboratively beyond levels, join us.

Who we need

Reporting to the university Provost, we have a newly created opportunity for a Director, Academic Research. In this highly influential and visible role, you will develop and implement a strategy that promotes and supports faculty research, strengthening its visibility and impact. You will cultivate a research culture across the university that inspires, incentivizes and supports faculty who are undertaking research. Working closely with the Centre for Excellence and Innovation in Teaching (CTEI), you will encourage research related to the Scholarship of Teaching and Learning (SoTL) with the goal of helping Yorkville University develop research-backed strengths in digital learning and non-traditional and mature learners. Additionally, you will focus on cultivating thought leadership and research on emerging issues in our areas of professional practice.

This is a hybrid role, working 2 days a week from one of our locations in Toronto, Vancouver or Fredericton.

What's in it for you

Impact. Your role will be crucial in supporting faculty and academic leaders as Yorkville University's B.C. campus pilots a new workload model in 2025, requiring full-time and continuing faculty to engage in research. This pioneering framework, which other campuses will adopt starting in 2026, will drive a culture of research excellence across the university. You will play a key role in refining research guidelines and shaping the future of academic research across our campuses.

Ownership and Influence. No other higher education institution in Canada operates on our scale. As part of our growing team, you will play a critical role at a university dedicated to growth and delivering high-quality programs and research opportunities in British Columbia, New Brunswick, and Ontario. This level of exposure is unmatched and will significantly broaden and deepen your experience and influence in the field.

Career Development. We are disrupting traditional post-secondary education. Yorkville University and Toronto Film School are progressive, forward-thinking institutions. You will play a key role in ensuring the successful elevation of our reputation and recognition, directly impacting current and future students. In this high-visibility role, you will be closely supported by your manager and collaborate with leadership to ensure we exceed our goals for published academic research. Whether you aspire to advance within this department, move into a specific program, or explore other areas of governance or university leadership, this is an exciting time to join us.

As our new Director, Academic Research, you will:

• Provide strategic leadership. You will develop and implement a strategy to foster excellence in research at Yorkville. You will create and disseminate messaging that clearly articulates areas of focus and methods most appropriate for the programs we offer and the roles we serve in Canadian higher education.
• Drive research support. You will work with key academic leaders to implement resources for faculty development of research proposals. You will organize professional development and mentoring for faculty to enhance research skills; proposal writing; funding request; publishing; applied research, SoTL, etc.
• Ensure funding access. You will identify funding sources and grants for research being undertaken at Yorkville. In the longer term, you will build eligibility for tri-council funding.
• Support internal funding and awards. You will assess eligibility and expand sources of funding and awards for faculty research. You will promote funding opportunities, encourage applications, and determine recipients of awards.
• Promote research. You will work with faculty who are conducting research to increase their visibility and impact, internally and externally. You will work with external organizations, media and professional publications and identifying conferences and other public for where faculty can showcase their work.
• Increase community engagement. You will foster partnerships with industry, government, and non-profit organizations to enhance research impact. You will engage with external stakeholders to promote Yorkville’s research initiatives and successes. You will represent Yorkville in key national bodies such as the Canadian Association of Research Administrators (CARA). 
• Manage data. You will oversee the collection and analysis of research data to assess performance, inform decision-making, and prepare reports on research activities and outcomes for internal and external stakeholders. 
• Provide oversight. You will develop policies and monitor research compliance and ethical standards ensuring adherence to regulatory requirements. You will Chair the Research Ethics Board. You will oversee development and management of research centres in line with the University’s research priorities. 

You have:

• The expertise. You have a Master’s or doctoral degree in education or a relevant field. You bring extensive experience in a research leadership role within an academic or research institution. You have an in-depth understanding of the research landscape in Canada including public and private funding sources. You have a proven track record of increasing research outputs and securing external funding for research projects.
• The leadership. You are a visionary leader with a passion for advancing research and scholarship. You prioritize taking and fostering a collaborative and inclusive approach. You are deeply committed to ethical and integrity-driven research practice. You have a demonstrated ability to think strategically and innovate in research management. 
• The project management. You have proven experience managing multiple complex, concurrent long- and short-term projects from start to finish. With high attention to detail, you ensure every aspect of a project is thoroughly addressed, focusing on meeting milestones, following processes, and proactively overcoming obstacles. You are a creative problem solver, able to balance and shift priorities, anticipate and respond to issues, and manage communications and documentation effectively.
• The technical skills. You have an affinity for technology and using it to increase efficiencies, streamline processes, and create engagement. You are proficient with standard enterprise software tools, including Microsoft Office Suite. You can manage, analyze, and interpret data. 
• The interpersonal skills. You have exceptional oral and written communication skills. You can build trusting, influential relationships with diverse stakeholders, including funders, academic leaders, faculty, students, alumni, regulatory bodies, and industry partners. You have the emotional intelligence, business acumen and maturity to manage conflict, exercise diplomacy, practice discretion, and apply constructive feedback.

Why work at Yorkville University? 

• An atmosphere that successfully blends an entrepreneurial culture with education. We value innovation and continuously look towards expanding our programming, working with the latest research, tools and solutions. As a private school with government approval of our offerings, we have the opportunity to do more, stay current and be future-forward.
• The chance to accelerate your career and disrupt education by responding to the needs you see and purposefully challenging the status quo. Everything we do here is about delighting and engaging our employees - and ultimately our students- from mentorship to teaching, from creative outlets to analytical ones. 
• A place where all individuals feel welcomed in the academic and workplace environments and can bring their authentic selves to the educational and work spheres. We celebrate the full range of human diversity and we acknowledge that equal access to opportunities and services may require the removal of barriers that equity-seeking communities experience in trying to obtain this access. 
• The opportunity to grow with access to free courses, certifications and programs - right up to our Masters' offerings. 
• An appreciation for the insights and skills you bring to work with a competitive salary and comprehensive benefits, including a wide breadth of wellness services and a work-life balance.

Join us

We welcome and appreciate candidates with a range of backgrounds and experiences. If you have 70% of the qualifications we are looking for, express your interest. 

Diversity, equity and inclusion are a critical component of life at Yorkville University and Toronto Film School and we are committed to making these values an integral part of our culture. We encourage applications from all qualified applicants, including women, persons with disabilities, Black, Indigenous and People of Colour (BIPOC), people from the Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender, Transsexual, Queer, Questioning, Two-Spirit, Intersex, Asexual + (LGBTQ2SIA+) community and other equity-seeking groups.

Yorkville University is committed to providing accessible employment practices that are in compliance with the Accessibility for Ontarians with Disabilities Act ('AODA'). If you require accommodation for disability, please notify Human Resources at 1-877-429-4029.