City : Waterloo, ON

Category : Temporary

Industry : Education

Employer : University of Waterloo

Term: 1 year

The Waterloo Genomics Surveillance Centre (WGSC) will provide genomic sequencing and analytical services to support ongoing genomic surveillance activities and other biological research activities requiring genomic analysis. Equipment will include cutting-edge high-throughput DNA sequencers (Illumina and Nanopore). Services provided by the facility will include amplicon sequencing, transcriptomics, metagenomics, whole-genome sequencing, and associated bioinformatic analyses. The facility will include three technicians, and activities will be overseen by the Senior Manager
 
The University of Waterloo Genomics Surveillance Centre (WGSC) Senior Manager is responsible for all aspects of facility operations. The position is accountable to the Office of the Vice-President, Research & International to strategically lead facility operations, implement new systems, processes, and strategies, as well as management/administration of the state-of-the-art facility. The primary objectives are to provide research support and expertise to Faculties at the University of Waterloo, other universities, and industries as well as to provide strategic direction (in consultation with the WGSC Users Committee and Vice President, Research and International) for the facilities physical infrastructure, management structure, growth strategy and on-going operations. The Senior Manager is responsible for providing campus-wide research, technical and operational leadership in a highly specialized area and must work effectively with both academic and administrative units.

Human Resource Management and Development

• Responsible for the management of a team of 3 technical professionals
• Recruits, selects, assigns, supervises and manages performance of staff. Establishes, communicates, and maintains operating guidelines and procedures for staff in alignment with university policies and procedures
• Facilitates staff training and professional development opportunities to assist in the achievement of their career path
• Provides staff with high-level direction, a productive work environment, and opportunities for professional growth and development. Maintains a cooperative and collegial workplace

Operational Management

• Provides day-to-day oversight and direction on technical and operational matters
• Operates with a change management approach with respect to purchasing and selecting of major equipment for the core research facility (WGSC), decommissioning of equipment and guiding on-hand inventory and stock services provided
• Provides analytical and technical assessment of major equipment requirements. Establishes priorities for refurbishment, replacement and acquisition of high value infrastructure
• Is signing authority for equipment and maintenance budgets and provides the Office of the Vice-President, Research & International with status reports and context

Client Management and Service

• Creates and fosters relationships with academic clients across the UW campus community and external to UW
• Works with University Procurement and Contract Services, Safety Office, external suppliers and vendors
• Provides campus-wide research, technical and operational leadership in a highly specialized area
• Coordinates with the Senior Managers of other University Core Research Facilities to develop and foster best practices

Health and Safety

• Supports the University’s commitment to the safety and well-being of all faculty, staff, students, and visitors, and promotes compliance with all applicable legislation, regulations, codes and standards related to facilities operations as well as occupational health and environmental safety
• Actively involved in developing a culture of safety among staff
• Establishes, adheres to and ensures direct reports are following departmental policies, procedures and safe work practices required by the University Health, Safety, and Environmental Management System (HSEMS), and in accordance with relevant health and safety legislation

Business, Financial and Strategic Leadership

• Responsible for budget development for WGSC.  This includes overarching guidance for developing charge-out rates and managing operational expenses, etc.
• Develops and maintains a business plan and implements strategies for the sustainability of the facility
• Takes a leadership role in genomics-focused research grant applications (at the provincial and federal level) by contributing scientific, and technical expertise
• Provides senior leadership and stakeholders with status reports on the financial viability of operations and partners to establish appropriate revenue sources or supplementary support
• Ensures adherence to institutional research, financial and procurement policies, procedures and best practices

• Minimum of an MSc in a relevant science discipline or equivalent education and/or experience is required, and a Ph.D. preferred
• 3 years of experience in the use and maintenance of scientific equipment in a laboratory environment
• 3 years of progressive experience in a people management and leadership role, including a track record of performance management with direct reports, preferably in a Higher Education environment is strongly preferred
• Experience with finances and budgets is required
• Proven ability to apply health and safety policies and guidelines
  Exceptional verbal and written communication skills are required
• Solid organizational skills and leadership capabilities are necessary
• Superior ability to build and manage interpersonal relationships with technical and administrative staff, faculty members, students, and external sales representatives and vendors
• Must be able to work with minimal supervision and make sound independent decisions related to the operation and maintenance of research core facility and equipment
• Strength in problem solving and driving continual improvement and positive change
• The incumbent will be required to take courses, workshops and training related to human resource management and health & safety in order to maintain current in both fields

The University of Waterloo acknowledges that much of our work takes place on the traditional territory of the Neutral, Anishinaabeg and Haudenosaunee peoples. Our main campus is situated on the Haldimand Tract, the land granted to the Six Nations that includes six miles on each side of the Grand River. Our active work toward reconciliation takes place across our campuses through research, learning, teaching, and community building, and is co-ordinated within our Office of Indigenous Relations.

The University values the diverse and intersectional identities of its students, faculty, and staff. The University regards equity and diversity as an integral part of academic excellence and is committed to accessibility for all employees. The University of Waterloo seeks applicants who embrace our values of equity, anti-racism and inclusion.  As such, we encourage applications from candidates who have been historically disadvantaged and marginalized, including applicants who identify as First Nations, Métis and/or Inuk (Inuit), Black, racialized, a person with a disability, women and/or 2SLGBTQ+.

All qualified candidates are encouraged to apply; however, Canadians and permanent residents will be given priority.

The University of Waterloo is committed to accessibility for persons with disabilities. If you have any application, interview, or workplace accommodation requests, please contact Human Resources at hrhelp@uwaterloo.ca  or 519-888-4567, ext. 45935.