Strategic Research Partnerships Specialist

Union: Non-Union
New or Replacement: New
Number of Vacancies: 1
Site: OPG
Department: Strategic Research Initiatives Development (STRIDE) Team
Reports to: Manager, Strategic Research Partnerships
Hours: 37.5 hours per week
Salary: $84,006 to $105,004 annually
Status: Permanent Full-time
Shifts: Days
Closing Date: April 10, 2026

Position Summary

Reporting to the Manager of Strategic Research Partnerships, the Strategic Research Partnerships Specialist will support the development of business and innovation cases for targeted research initiatives. This individual will contribute to developing viable economic and business models for new partnered-research initiatives at UHN; translate insights, opportunities and business objectives for targeted research initiatives into strategies and actionable plans; and conduct overall project risk analyses for these new initiatives, outlining major potential barriers and proposed strategies to mitigate them. The Specialist, Strategic Partnerships will work alongside other team members and stakeholders to build a strong multi-sector research network with critical internal and external partners to facilitate the alignment and integration of emerging ideas, and to catalyze new research initiatives. 

Duties

• Lead the assessment and development of new research initiatives by evaluating business viability, building economic models, shaping funding strategies, and supporting the creation of budgets, pitch materials, and governance structures.
• Drive the development of comprehensive business plans for strategic research growth by analyzing program performance, forecasting trends, generating insights, and translating opportunities into actionable strategies.
• Conduct in‑depth market, environmental, and economic analyses to inform decision‑making, articulate the value and impact of research initiatives, and ensure alignment with emerging trends and institutional priorities.
• Support contract and agreement negotiations by collaborating with internal teams and partners to address key elements such as intellectual property, publication rights, liabilities, and other critical terms.
• Cultivate strong relationships across UHN and with external partners, enabling alignment of research activities, integration of emerging ideas, and the development of high‑impact collaborations.
• Connect stakeholders across disciplines and sectors to initiate and strengthen strategic research partnerships, proactively monitoring partnership health and resolving emerging issues.
• Serve as a central hub of institutional knowledge by mapping relationships, understanding ongoing research activities, and catalyzing the formation of new initiatives and collaborative opportunities.