Job Summary

The Coordinator, Research Operations at the Centre for Health Policy (CHP) is a specialist leadership role within the Department of Community Health Sciences at the University of Calgary. Functioning as the “Operational Architect” for the Centre, you will oversee the complex intersection of finance, research administration, and strategic communications. This role requires the “wit” to provide expert-level advisory support for grant applications and the “grit” to manage shifting priorities within a high-volume, deadline-driven academic environment.

Job Details

Employer: University of Calgary (Cumming School of Medicine).
Position Type: Full-time Fixed Term (12 months with possibility of extension).
Classification: AUPE Specialist/Advisor Job Family, Phase 3.
Location: Calgary, AB (Foothills Campus).
Application Deadline: April 1, 2026.

Key Responsibilities: Research & Operational Mastery

You will be the primary engine driving the Centre’s daily and long-term viability through rigorous administrative and financial oversight.

Financial Stewardship: Authorize transactions, develop multi-year forecasts, and conduct specialist-level tracking of grants. You will monitor expenditures against approved budgets to ensure the Centre’s fiscal health.
Research Advisory: Provide expert review and editing of grant applications, advise on project design and logistics, and oversee compliance reporting for funding bodies.
Strategic Planning: Design agendas for multi-partner meetings and workshops, ensuring that strategic objectives are met and action items are tracked with precision.
Institutional Liaison: Leverage a network of senior contacts within the University (HR, Finance, UCIT) and with external government bodies and community partners to advance CHP operations.
Knowledge Translation (KT): Coordinate events, symposia, and engagement sessions. You will also manage social media, website updates, and research summaries to share the Centre’s findings with the public.

Candidate Profile & Qualifications

The “Systems Expert”: 5–7 years of progressively responsible experience in research operations or administration within a complex public sector environment.
Educational Wit: A post-secondary degree in Health Policy, Public Health, or Research Administration (or an equivalent combination of education and experience).
Technical Mastery: Advanced skills in MS Office and Adobe Acrobat, with a strong preference for candidates who possess high-level expertise in PeopleSoft.
Professional Grit: Proven ability to act decisively, exercise sound judgment regarding confidential issues, and maintain diplomacy when working across multiple organizations.

Technical Insights: The Research Operations Framework

In a health policy environment, operations must be as robust as the data being analyzed.

The Grant Lifecycle: You will manage the entire lifecycle of a research grant, from the initial “Notice of Intent” through the “Post-Award” financial management phase.
Stakeholder Mapping: Because health policy involves government agencies and community partners, you will employ stakeholder engagement strategies to ensure all voices are heard during strategic planning sessions.
Process Optimization: You will be expected to identify bottlenecks in current workflows and implement “Lean” administrative practices to ensure that research leads can focus on policy findings rather than paperwork.

Diversity and Representation Statistics

The University of Calgary and the Cumming School of Medicine provide transparent data to promote an equitable workforce.

The Confidence Gap: UCalgary recognizes that women and racialized minorities are statistically less likely to apply for roles unless they meet 100% of the qualifications. The university explicitly encourages applications from those who meet most criteria.
Workforce Representation: In the Calgary region, approximately 36% of the population belongs to a visible minority group. UCalgary strives to reflect this diversity in its Specialist/Advisor roles to enrich the academic community.
Indigenous Strategy (ii’ taa’poh’to’p): The university works with a Circle of 18 Elders to ensure that Indigenous perspectives impact all institutional policies. As a Coordinator at the Centre for Health Policy, you will likely engage with research that touches on Indigenous health and community partnerships.
Disability Support: With approximately 22% of Canadians identifying as having a disability, UCalgary offers accommodations at every stage of the recruitment process to ensure an accessible workplace.

Job Description

Do you believe that great health policy is only as effective as the operations that support it? The University of Calgary is seeking a Coordinator, Research Operations to join the Centre for Health Policy. We aren’t just “managing tasks”; we are building the infrastructure that allows researchers to solve the most pressing public health challenges of our time. If you have the “grit” to manage a multi-year forecast and the “wit” to navigate the complexities of PeopleSoft and grant compliance, you belong in our department.

In this role, you are an “Advisory Leader.” You understand that the bridge between a research idea and a policy shift is built on meticulous financial tracking and expert project coordination. Your goal is to provide “Excellence in Research Administration,” ensuring that the CHP remains a leader in health policy innovation. We look for “Integrity-first” professionals who are proactive, collaborative, and ready to contribute to Canada’s most entrepreneurial university.

Joining UCalgary means joining a world-class research institution in a city defined by its leadership and multicultural community. We offer a professional environment where your expertise in research operations will have a direct impact on the success of the Cumming School of Medicine. If you are a seasoned administrator with a commitment to “Operational Innovation and Inclusive Research,” we invite you to apply by April 1, 2026.

University of Calgary: Daring to Imagine “Ahead of Tomorrow”

The University of Calgary (UCalgary) is defined by a culture of entrepreneurial spirit, audacity, and “can-do” Western energy. As one of Canada’s top five research universities, its mission—codified in the “Ahead of Tomorrow” strategic plan—is to tackle “wicked” societal challenges through transdisciplinary innovation. The workplace culture is rooted in collegiality and respect, emphasizing that “curiosity-driven investigation” thrives best in an inclusive environment. UCalgary moves with the speed of a startup but the responsibility of a public institution, fostering a “Living Lab” ecosystem where students and faculty are encouraged to be “pioneers at heart.”

The UCalgary footprint is a massive, multi-campus network that mirrors the diversity of the Alberta landscape:

Main Campus (NW Calgary): Spanning over 200 hectares, this is the university’s vibrant heart. It features the Taylor Family Digital Library, one of North America’s most technology-rich hubs, and the Taylor Institute for Teaching and Learning, a pioneer in pedagogical research.
The Olympic Oval: A legacy of the 1988 Winter Games, this iconic facility is known for having the “Fastest Ice on Earth” and serves as a premier high-performance training center for athletes globally.
Foothills Campus: Located south of the main site, this is the epicenter of health innovation, home to the Cumming School of Medicine and the Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, adjacent to the Foothills Medical Centre.
Downtown Campus: Situated in the heart of Calgary’s business district, this campus connects the university with industry leaders, offering professional programs and hosting the Haskayne School of Business executive education.
Spy Hill Campus: Located in northwest Calgary, this campus supports specialized research and clinical training for the Faculty of Veterinary Medicine.

Working or studying here means being part of a top 100 global university for entrepreneurs. Whether you are engaging with Calgary’s business core or conducting genomics research, the experience is defined by the university’s commitment to “ii’ taa’poh’to’p”—its Indigenous Strategy—walking a parallel path toward truth and reconciliation while building a sustainable future.

To apply for this job please visit careers.ucalgary.ca.