University of Manitoba Vice-President (Research) Position Profile The Opportunity The University of Manitoba is seeking an outstanding leader for the position of Vice- President (Research). The new Vice-President (Research) will help to lead the University through a period of transformation and growth, and strengthen its position as one of Canada s leading research-intensive universities. The University Mission To create, preserve, and communicate knowledge, and thereby contribute to the cultural, social, and economic well-being of the people of Manitoba, Canada, and the world. Located in the heart of the country, in the vibrant city of Winnipeg, the University of Manitoba is a uniquely comprehensive medical/doctoral institution. Students receive excellent instruction at graduate and undergraduate levels in medicine, law, dentistry, engineering and other professional disciplines, as well as in arts and sciences. In all, the University of Manitoba has 24 Faculties and Schools, offering over 90 degrees, diplomas, and certificates. The University stimulates over $1.2 billion in economic activity in the province annually, and is Manitoba s research and innovation engine. Continuing dedication to research has led to the kinds of breakthroughs and discoveries that not only have had a global impact, but have accelerated the University s reputation for innovation, whether in climate change, wireless communications, or HIV/AIDS research. The University s operating budget totals more than $450 million; research funding is more than $125 million; and the University enjoys significant philanthropic support from individuals, foundations and corporations totalling over $400 million in the last ten years. With a strong legacy of excellence, the University of Manitoba and its dynamic community of researchers, students, teachers and staff are addressing the challenges facing Canada and the world in the 21st century. Under the leadership of a new President, the University of Manitoba is committed to seeking greatness and enabling transformation in the lives of its students.
The University of Manitoba offers a wide range of student services and is dedicated to accessibility and academic success. The University of Manitoba is also home to a renowned program that assists students from Aboriginal and other backgrounds who face financial, academic or personal challenges in adjusting to the university experience. The ACCESS program attracts many students who otherwise would never have pursued a postsecondary education, and University 1 provides additional support to ensure student success. Since 1902, the University of Manitoba has produced 86 Rhodes Scholars the most in Western Canada. Over 24,000 undergraduate and 3,000 graduate students are currently enrolled at the University of Manitoba. The University s student body is also very diverse and inclusive; over 1,600 Aboriginal students and 2,650 international students from over 100 countries study here. The University employs more than 2,300 academic staff, 2,650 support staff and 2,000 casual employees. The University of Manitoba has two distinct but closely aligned campuses: the Fort Garry Campus, a 274-hectare complex on the Red River in south Winnipeg; and the Bannatyne Campus in central Winnipeg, adjacent to the Health Sciences Centre. The University extends its reach beyond these two campuses to the new William Norrie Centre, which provides Social Work education to students who wish to focus on inner city issues, and the University of Manitoba Downtown Aboriginal Education Centre, which offers degrees and certificate programs in partnership with Aboriginal communities. University teaching and research occurs at the St. Boniface Research Centre and at facilities beyond the City of Winnipeg including agricultural research stations at Glenlea and Carman, a biological sciences research station at Delta Marsh, and the University s Northern Bachelor of Social Work program based in Thompson. The University also has four colleges St. Andrew s College (Ukrainian Orthodox), St. John s College (Anglican), St. Paul s College (Roman Catholic), and University College (secular) that provide students, staff and faculty with a community within a community. Collège universitaire de Saint-Boniface, where the language of instruction is French, is also affiliated with the University of Manitoba. The University of Manitoba is home to 36 Research Centres and Institutes, 48 Canada Research Chairs, and is the network leader of ISIS Canada (Intelligent Sensing for Innovative Structures). These research centres, institutes and shared facilities promote the exchange of ideas and provide collaborative research environments that stimulate multidisciplinary research and development. They also afford novel training opportunities for students and are a valuable resource for the community at large. To learn more about this remarkable university, please visit: www.umanitoba.ca. 2
The Position Reporting directly to the President, the Vice-President (Research) is a key member of the University s senior administrative team, and serves as the external and internal advocate for the development and promotion of the University s research programs. The new President of the University of Manitoba has instituted the President s Executive Team (PET) which is dedicated to, among other things, leading a dialogue on the importance and necessity of scholarship and research to an educated and humane society. As a member of PET, the Vice- President (Research) has a significant role therefore in formulating plans for all aspects of the development of the University and for implementing those plans. Working closely and collaboratively with deans/directors, associate deans (research)/research liaison officers, the directors of affiliated research organizations/institutes and members of government and business/industry, the Vice-President (Research) works to build and promote the University's research strengths and achievements, in particular, and Manitoba's research capabilities in general. The Vice-President is the primary spokesperson for the University on research matters and policy, and is responsible for providing innovative leadership for the full spectrum of the University s research activities, raising the profile of research within the immediate and larger communities, and developing and enhancing effective liaison with external organizations, funding agencies, government, business, industry and other postsecondary institutions. Other specific responsibilities of the Vice-President (Research) include: research planning, in conjunction with the Vice-President (Academic) and Provost; developing and monitoring research-related policies and procedures; ensuring the effective and efficient provision of research and technology development services (which include: research grant and contract services; human and animal ethics; technology transfer, and research promotion/marketing); administering the University's internal research support programs; overseeing the activities of university research centres/institutes; and, with the Vice-President (Administration), of Smartpark, the University's research and technology park. The Vice-President (Research) is accountable for the following: Providing the overall leadership for the strategic development of research at the University of Manitoba and, providing guidance, direction and support to faculty members in pursuit of research funding; Soliciting new funding opportunities, leveraging existing funding, and maximizing the external resources that can be brought to the University in support of its research programs; Encouraging new funding applications, and fostering departmental, interdepartmental, and professional research initiatives; working to enhance support for research and creative activity, both in fields where support is limited, and in fields where it is already well-developed; 3
Leading the University s compliance efforts with regard to the regulatory requirements of the Granting Councils and government; Fostering an appreciation for the research enterprise at the University through communications, outreach and promotion of research accomplishments; Playing a key role in the University's long-term planning and government relations activity, particularly as they relate to research; Taking primary responsibility for leading policy development on research matters, and for implementing new, or maintaining current, University policy related to research; Establishing and nurturing contacts with the federal granting councils, provincial ministries and relevant agencies and funding bodies, in order to enhance the University s success in grant competitions; Working to ensure that budgetary allocations appropriately reflect the research priorities within the University; and Overseeing the overall management of the Office of Research Services. Opportunities and Challenges for the Vice-President (Research) The University of Manitoba seeks to be increasingly recognized as a leading institution among Canada s research-intensive universities. By example and by personal initiative, The Vice-President (Research) will encourage and facilitate excellence in research, and communicate the fundamental importance of the University of Manitoba s research contributions to Canada, and to the world. Advocating for the University in all venues where decisions affect the intensity and potential growth of research activity, the Vice President (Research) will cultivate the necessary support systems to ensure research success in all disciplines, promoting and expanding the notions of research scholarship and creative activity to recognize the full range of legitimate scholarly inquiry. Sustaining and expanding funding envelopes from government, industry and private sources is a key challenge for the University. The Vice-President (Research) will have an astute awareness of the complexity of this issue and will aggressively advocate the funding requirements of the University of Manitoba, a medical/doctoral institution, to governments, granting agencies, and other funders. Developing institutional strategies to promote interdisciplinary research, recognizing new and emerging areas of excellence and, as well, identifying opportunities for assisting faculty to obtain support and conduct cutting-edge scholarship and research. Creating a research environment that encourages and promotes collaboration, within the University and with external partners, and removing barriers to its development, will be a key opportunity for the new Vice President (Research). 4
Balancing the needs of the University s diverse research communities, such that research revenue and productivity are maximized, but within the broader academic mission of the University in teaching, service, and scholarship. Knowledge translation, commercialization, and the development of patents and products are key to the advancement of the University s reputation as a centre for leading-edge research productivity. The Vice President (Research) will pay particular attention to fostering, both within the University and externally, a more informed understanding of the benefits accruing to society of such activities. As a learning organization, the University of Manitoba makes available to its students, both undergraduate and graduate, opportunities to take part in research related activities. Working with the Provost, the new Vice President (Research) will maximize the effectiveness and availability of such opportunities, encouraging specific initiatives in the curriculum that will provide experiences that will enhance student success in their future careers. Enhancing the external profile of University of Manitoba researchers and their research, by such activities as: nominating faculty for major provincial, national and international research awards, and encouraging initiatives that will build the reputation of research at the University. Meeting the ever-changing and complex regulatory requirements for research, nurturing strong working relationships between the University and the granting agencies, and ensuring that appropriate policies and practices are in place to maintain strong accountability in financial administration of awards, and in the business services provided by the Office of Research Services. Ongoing review and monitoring of research performance metrics are essential to improving research and scholarly performance in every discipline. The Vice President (Research) will work with Deans and Directors, and the faculty to enhance the University s productivity and reputation for innovation and creativity in research. The Candidate Qualifications The successful candidate will have an exceptional record of scholarship, and a sophisticated understanding of research ethics and of the relationship between research and learning. The next Vice-President (Research) will have outstanding skills in facilitating research and scholarship, both basic and applied, across a range of fields, and will have the capacity to elicit support for research from private and public sources at many levels. In addition, the successful candidate will have a significant track record in administration, a thorough grasp of issues in post-secondary education, and the ability to work collegially and communicate effectively with the university community and with other post-secondary partners. While 5
no one candidate will meet all of the desired criteria in equal measure, the Committee is seeking a person who has demonstrated: A passion for research, broad scholarly interests, and the capacity to derive satisfaction from nurturing scholars outside of one s own discipline; The ability to advocate for the research needs of the entire University community, both internally and externally; A significant record of scholarship consistent with appointment to the rank of full professor, a personal record of success in attracting support for research, and a commanding presence on the national and international research stage; Demonstrated collaborative leadership and management experience within a university environment, preferably with extensive experience in developing and promoting complex research activities; An appreciation for, and willingness to become expert in, understanding the relationships among pure research, applied research, and the development of intellectual property; Commitment to furthering the integral relationship between teaching and research at a university, and to finding innovative means of engaging graduate and undergraduate students in research; The energy, ability, and commitment to build partnerships outside of the University, and to identify and take advantage of funding opportunities from granting agencies, governments, foundations, industry and other potential partners in the University s research enterprise; The ability to lead and coordinate interdisciplinary efforts and major grant proposals; A record of initiating and encouraging links between scholarly, creative, and research activity and the needs of the community; and the ability to enlist the involvement and support of a broad range of stakeholders including government, universities and colleges, funding agencies, community organizations, and the private sector; A facilitative and consultative leadership style; respect for others; the ability to inspire trust; the capacity to build and work with teams in a collegial environment; the ability to listen, especially to those whose experience or point of view is different; and, Exceptional organizational skills, outstanding communications skills, and sound judgment. The desire to embrace the Winnipeg community, the Province of Manitoba, as well as the University of Manitoba. 6
The Appointment The appointment of the new Vice-President (Research) will commence on July 1, 2009, or as mutually agreed. The Search Committee will begin consideration of candidates in February 2009. Nominations and applications, including the qualifications and accomplishments on the basis of which the individual merits consideration, should be submitted in confidence to the address shown below. The University of Manitoba encourages applications from qualified women and men, including members of visible minorities, Aboriginal peoples, and persons with disabilities. All qualified candidates are encouraged to apply; however, Canadians and permanent residents will be given priority. All inquiries regarding this position will be treated in strict confidence and should be directed to Gerri Woodford at Janet Wright & Associates Inc. (JWA), 174 Bedford Road, Suite 200, Toronto, Ontario M5R 2K9, Fax: 416-923-8311, Phone: 416-923-3008; E-mail: admin@jwasearch.com. 7