Institutional Strategic Initiatives Officer

**Date Posted:** 11/09/2026 **Req ID:** 50956 **Faculty/Division:** VP - Research **Department:** Institutional Strategic Initiatives **Campus:** St. George (Downtown Toronto) **Position Number:** 00046743 **Existing Vacancy:** Yes **Description:** **About us:** The Vice-President, Research & Innovation (VPRI) portfolio supports the University of Toronto as a top public research university in the world. Our mission is to create the most supportive environment possibleso that our researchers, innovators and learners can do what they do best — advance understanding and apply new knowledge. Our work supports, fosters and promotes the research and innovation culture and activities of our faculty, staff and students, along with our partner hospitals, funding sponsors, and partners in the public and private sector. VPRI provides a full range of services including guidance to faculty, staff and students on funding opportunities, research agreement negotiation, oversight andaccountability services including research accounting, environmental health and safety, innovation and entrepreneurship, partnerships, policies and procedures, and institutional awards and honours. **Your opportunity:** Reporting to the Executive Director, Strategic Initiatives, this role will work across the university’s three campuses to support the development and growth of high-profile, large-scale, interdisciplinary, multi-unit research initiatives. The Institutional Strategic Initiatives Officer is a key member of the Institutional Strategic Initiatives (ISI) team within the VPRI portfolio. The role contributes to ISI team operations and supports the advancement of large, multi-stakeholder research initiatives. A key focus of this position will be advancing the University's Defence and Sovereignty Network, supporting research collaborations, strategic partnerships and funding opportunities in defence, security, sovereignty and dual-use innovation. This position is responsible for the development and implementation of strategic plans for each initiative, aimed at securing substantial external funding. Working collaboratively across the University and with internal and external partners, the Institutional Strategic Initiatives Officer will identify research funding opportunities, support the preparation of collaborative funding applications, draft and edit proposal materials, and develop strategies to foster partnerships. **Your responsibilities will include:** * Writing funding applications, proposals and briefings, and drafting internal and external communications * Developing components of programs or projects and strategic plans thatsupport collaboration, partnerships, and funding objectives; including writing proposals, conducting consultations and organizing workshops, & related duties * Developing and tracking initiatives/project plans including milestones, timelines, deliverables and reporting * Developing performance