Strategy Lead Research

Strategy Lead, Research (18-Month Contract)
Unity Health Toronto

Unity Health Toronto brings together St. Michael’s Hospital, St. Joseph’s Health Centre, and Providence Healthcare under a shared mission—to advance excellence in health care through world-class education, research, and innovation.

Research at Unity Health Toronto is comprised of more than 260 researchers, 250 learners, and 900 staff members engaged in a broad range of research activities spanning basic science, translational research, clinical research, population health, health services research, and health policy. Our full affiliation with the University of Toronto, Canada's largest research institution, supports a vibrant and collaborative research environment.

Reporting to the Senior Director, Strategy, Innovation & Partnerships, the Strategy Lead, Research will play a key role in advancing the strategic priorities of the Research Institute. The successful candidate will lead the implementation, monitoring and evaluation of the  Research Strategic Plan while managing institutional strategic initiatives and supporting executive‑level governance processes.

This position requires a highly collaborative and strategic professional who is comfortable working in a complex and evolving academic healthcare environment. The role involves extensive engagement with senior leaders, scientists, research staff, trainees, external partners, and other stakeholders to drive strategic initiatives that strengthen research excellence and impact across Unity Health Toronto.

The position will require a combination of onsite and remote work, and the successful candidate will be expected to demonstrate a high degree of adaptability, initiative and independent judgment.

• Lead the implementation, monitoring, and continuous improvement of the Research Strategic Plan, including annual objectives, initiatives, targets, and performance measures.
• Conduct environmental scans, best‑practice reviews, research, and data analyses to identify opportunities, risks, and actionable strategic recommendations.
• Lead and manage complex institutional research initiatives from planning through implementation and evaluation, ensuring alignment with organizational priorities.
• Develop project plans, timelines, performance metrics, and risk mitigation strategies, and monitor progress to ensure successful delivery of strategic initiatives.
• Develop executive‑level briefing notes, reports, and presentations for senior research leadership and governance committees.
• Coordinate cross‑functional teams and engage internal and external stakeholders to advance institutional priorities and achieve project objectives.
• Support the implementation and ongoing advancement of institutional initiatives related to research excellence, including Responsible Research Assessment (RRA) – scientist performance evaluation process – and other strategic priorities.
• Support the Vice President, Research & Innovation and the Research Leadership Committee (RLC) by coordinating governance activities, meeting planning, agenda development, and follow‑up actions.
• Develop and maintain governance documents, annual work plans, reporting cycles, committee terms of reference, and onboarding materials.
• Track and support the development and evaluation of institutional research partnerships and collaborations with academic, healthcare, government, community, and industry partners. Assess partnership outcomes and return on investment to inform leadership decision‑making.
• Serve as the Research Institute website administrator by coordinating content updates, monitoring website accuracy, and providing training and support to staff on website content management processes.

• Completion of a Master's degree in Health Sciences, Business or Health Administration, or a related field. Equivalent combinations of education and experience may be considered.
• A minimum of 5-7 years of progressively responsible experience in strategy, planning, project management, research administration, or a related field.
• Strong understanding of the research ecosystem and experience working in an academic research institute…