Research Partnerships Officer

Brock University is located on the traditional territory of the Haudenosaunee and Anishinaabe peoples, many of whom continue to live and work here today. This territory is covered by the Upper Canada Treaties and is within the land protected by the Dish with One Spoon Wampum Agreement. 

We are one of Canada’s outstanding comprehensive universities, where excellence and innovation thrive! Brock has been proudly recognized as a Hamilton-Niagara Top Employer for eight consecutive years. Brock continues to earn recognition as one of Canada’s Best Employers and one of Canada’s Best Employers for Diversity in 2026. For the second consecutive year, Forbes, in partnership with Statista, also named Brock one of Canada’s Top Employers for Company Culture. At Brock, you will find a welcoming, inclusive community and an exciting range of meaningful career opportunities.

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Post End Date:

November 11, 2026 at 11:59 PMThis job advertisement is to fill an existing vacancy in the Administrative Professional (Employee Group)

About the Role:

Reporting to the Associate Director, Partnership Development, the Research Partnerships Officer manages active research partnership files from qualification through agreement completion and project launch. The Officer serves as the primary point of contact for active partnership files, coordinating researchers, external and internal partners, to ensure projects progress efficiently through institutional processes. The incumbent is accountable for the coordination and administration of active research partnership files, including proposal development, contract coordination, partner communication, institutional approvals, CRM workflow management, and project readiness activities.

The Research Partnerships Officer will:

• Serve as the primary point of contact for research partnership opportunities once they enter active development;  
• Coordinate project planning discussions among researchers, external partners, funding agencies, and internal support units to clarify requirements, responsibilities, timelines, and next steps;  
• Proactively identify partnership risks, process barriers, workflow bottlenecks, partner concerns, and administrative challenges, coordinating corrective actions to maintain partnership engagement, project viability, and file progression;  
• Monitor project milestones, required activities, and timelines, communicating progress, outstanding actions, and next steps to relevant partners;  
• Coordinate project launch readiness by confirming required approvals, agreements, documentation, and other implementation requirements have been completed; 
• Coordinate the preparation and submission of partnership-related funding applications and project documentation;  
• Review partnership agreements and related documentation to identify non-standard terms, potential risks, and issues requiring clarification or escalation, coordinating appropriate review to support institutional compliance and protection of university interests;   
• Coordinate the review and routing of contracts and supporting materials to Legal Counsel and other review units for compliance assessment and execution;  
• Maintain accurate records of agreements, approvals, correspondence, and file status throughout the project lifecycle;  
• Maintain productive working relationships with researchers, industry partners, government agencies, community organizations, and Brock partners;  
• Act as the central liaison between project participants throughout active file development, institutional review, contracting, and launch;  
• Maintain current information on researcher expertise and active partnership files to support accurate referral of partnership-related inquiries and coordination of active opportunities;  
• Provide guidance and readiness support to researchers involved in active partnership files, serving as the primary point of contact for researchers on relevant opportunities, program requirements, timelines, documentation, institutional processes, and their responsibilities throughout the application and approval process;  
• Provide guidance to researchers and external partners regarding institutional processes, documentation requirements, timelines, and available support services applicable to active partnership files;  
• Manage CRM workflow requirements for active files, ensuring records are updated and files progress through established stages and workflows;  
• Maintain accurate and current information within CRM and partnership platforms, ensuring data integrity and reporting reliability;  
• Support a positive and professional experience for researchers and external partners by providing timely communication, clear process guidance, and coordinated follow-up throughout active partnership files.  

Please note: Occasional evenings and/or weekends may be required. 

Key Skills and Experience:

• Graduate degree in science, technology, engineering, mathematics, or relevant related discipline. The equivalent combination of education and experience would be considered; 
• Experience in research administration, partnership development, project coordination, industry engagement, innovation support, or a related environment; 
• Experience coordinating research funding applications, partnership agreements, contracts, or complex projects;  
• Experience working with researchers, industry partners, government agencies, and funding organizations;  
• Demonstrated experience managing complex workflows, competing priorities, and detailed administrative processes including CRM or partnership platforms; 
• Good understanding of the research process at universities or postsecondary institutions, and good knowledge of a range of academic disciplines relevant to Brock's priority partnership areas;  
• Excellent project management skills with an ability to manage multiple active files;  
• Strong problem-solving skills, with the ability to identify issues, assess options, and coordinate practical, workable solutions in complex or time-sensitive partnership challenges;  
• Ability to work effectively with staff, faculty, students, and partners at all levels of their organizations;  
• Ability to work effectively in an environment with sensitive and confidential information;  
• Extreme accuracy and attention to detail;  
• Excellent verbal, written, and interpersonal skills;  
• Excellent customer-service orientation and relationship management skills, with an ability to respond quickly to partner and researcher needs;  and
• Ability to keep up to date with current and emerging funding programs, institutional policies, and procedures relevant to the role.  

Preferred or Asset Skills:

• Graduate degree (Masters or PhD) in STEM or related relevant field;  
• Valid G class driver’s license; 
• Experience with performing or directing research in an academic or postsecondary environment; or experience with performing or directing research in an industrial setting; and  
• Familiarity with drafting and reviewing research agreements, NDAs, or similar documentation sufficient to prepare a clean submission package. 

Salary and Total Rewards:

• Job Grade: L; Salary Scale: $67,721- $108,353 
• Target Hiring Range: $67,721 - $75,000*
• This is a permanent position that includes:
  • Health & Dental Benefits: Comprehensive extended health, dental, and vision coverage.
  • Pension Plan: Enrollment eligibility in the Brock University Pension Plan.
  • Vacation: Up to 3 weeks per year, in addition to university holidays.
  • Flexible Work Arrangements: Hybrid work schedule available.
  • Professional Development: Eligibility for the Brock Tuition Waiver Program.

*The final salary is based on experience, internal equity, and budget considerations within the target hiring range.