Research Program Coordinator - Lab; Term Ending

Overview

Research Program Coordinator, Living Lab – Ontario (Term ending March 31, 2028). The Research Program Coordinator, Living Lab – Ontario, is situated within the Department of Research and Knowledge Transfer and works primarily on the Living Lab – Ontario program, delivered by OSCIA in partnership with Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada (AAFC) and a diverse network of agricultural, academic, industry, and government stakeholders.

The success of Living Lab – Ontario relies on effective coordination, communication, governance, and relationship management among a complex network of partners working toward shared environmental and agricultural outcomes.

This role serves as a central coordinator and relationship manager across the Living Lab – Ontario partnership network, supporting successful program delivery, stakeholder engagement, budget oversight, reporting, governance processes, and strategic collaboration opportunities. The successful candidate will be equally comfortable facilitating discussions among diverse stakeholders, managing complex program requirements, tracking deliverables and budgets, reporting and tracking performance metrics, and supporting the long-term growth and success of collaborative research initiatives.

This is a full-time position  hours per week and is a hybrid role requiring a minimum of two days per week in-person based out of OSCIA’s Guelph office. This position may require occasional work outside of normal working hours and travel to support meetings, events, and stakeholder engagement activities.

Program Coordination & Delivery

• Support OSCIA’s applied research programs by serving as a central point of coordination among Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada, project partners, researchers, farmer cooperators, and other stakeholders.
• Ensure Living Lab – Ontario deliverables, milestones, and budgets remain on track and aligned with approved workplans, service agreements, and funding requirements.
• Coordinate implementation of project workplans and monitor progress toward program objectives.
• Track performance measures, deliverables, reporting requirements, and program commitments.
• Identify project risks and develop mitigation strategies related to budgets, timelines, stakeholder engagement, and program delivery.
• Support continuous improvement initiatives that strengthen program efficiency and stakeholder experience.

Stakeholder Engagement & Partnership Management

• Build and maintain strong working relationships with project partners, researchers, government representatives, farmer organizations, industry groups, and academic institutions.
• Serve as the primary point of contact for Living Lab – Ontario stakeholder engagement activities.
• Support strategic stakeholder engagement initiatives that foster collaboration, trust, and long-term partnership development.
• Facilitate productive discussions among stakeholders with varying priorities and perspectives.
• Monitor stakeholder satisfaction and establish feedback mechanisms to support continuous improvement.
• Represent OSCIA and Living Lab – Ontario at meetings, workshops, conferences, and industry events.

Governance, Meetings, & Communications

• Coordinate and facilitate meetings of project partners, consortium members, advisory committees, and working groups.
• Develop agendas, briefing materials, meeting summaries, and action-item tracking processes.
• Capture meeting notes and action items and monitor follow-up activities and ensure commitments are completed in a timely manner.
• Support communications related to project outcomes, achievements, funding requirements, and stakeholder engagement.
• Contribute to the knowledge translation and transfer of research outcomes to project stakeholders, farmer cooperators, researchers, and Ontario farmers.

Budget Management & Reporting

• Monitor Living Lab – Ontario budgets, expenditures, forecasts, and financial commitments.
• Forecast annual budgets and expenses and assign and align finances to project goals and funder commitments.
• Support preparation of invoices, reports, presentations, briefing notes, and funding updates.
• Maintain accurate project records and documentation to support reporting,…