Knowledge Mobilization Manager

Posting Date: Until filled 

Term: Indefinite-term contract 

Hiring Range: $75,000-$85,000 annual salary

Benefits: Extensive benefit package inclusive of health, dental, RRSP, and paid personal days. Hybrid working options available for team members to work up to 2 days per week from home.

Background

The Schlegel-UW Research Institute for Aging (RIA) is a charitable non-profit organization that partners with the University of Waterloo, Conestoga College, and Schlegel Villages to enhance care and quality of life for older adults. Through engagement with these and other key partners and collaborators, RIA supports practice-relevant research and knowledge mobilization. Research evidence is used to inform programs, education and training, and influence practice and policy change.

Primary Purpose

The Knowledge Mobilization Manager is a self-motivated individual who is able to lead the planning and implementation of knowledge mobilization initiatives from the inception to completion of research projects led by researchers. The Knowledge Mobilization Manager understands and applies best practices in knowledge mobilization to each initiative to support and impact practice change. The individual will collaborate closely with RIA research, evaluation and communications team members, external partners, and those with lived experience to support the effective implementation and mobilization of research to improve the quality of life and care of older adults. 

The role will support RIA’s vision, mission, and values as well as have an interest and passion for enhancing quality of life and care for older adults working in senior living.

Key Accountabilities

1. Knowledge Mobilization: Provide leadership to the development, adoption and implementation of RIA’s knowledge mobilization strategy based on best practices and co-design principles in alignment with RIA’s strategic plan. Understand, develop and apply knowledge mobilization strategies to initiatives that reflect the needs of the target audience and increase the uptake and impact of evidence-based research. Manage knowledge mobilization projects and inform the implementation and evaluation plans to measure the impact of knowledge mobilization projects and products. Design appropriate, engaging, and high-quality knowledge mobilization products, tools and activities to support practice change that align with the research outcomes and meet the needs of the target audience where impact is to be achieved. 
2. Collaboration: Work collaboratively with external partners, researchers and RIA team members to meet organizational, program, and project goals by facilitating the adoption of a shared knowledge mobilization framework. Share knowledge and best practices across the organization.  
3. Partner Engagement: Liaise and build relationships with multiple internal and external partners to co-design and spread knowledge mobilization resources. Engage with key users to identify needs in the sector in alignment with RIA’s strategic plan. Participate in external committees, work groups, communities of practice, and projects, as required. 
4. Communication: Strong written and verbal communication skills for engagement with the RIA team and external partners, in the development of knowledge mobilization products, presenting, chairing meetings, and report writing. Ability to communicate with diverse partners, including researchers, clinicians, community organizations, older adults, people with lived experience and their care partners. Pro-actively and regularly communicate with the project team and senior leadership including obstacles and challenges as they arise. Document and maintain project files to maximize knowledge mobilization information sharing and to facilitate practice change.
5. Supervision and Mentorship: Provide supervision, leadership and mentorship to staff as part of our pooled-resource staffing model and in alignment with the RIA culture and values. 
6. Other: Take on additional tasks, activities and special projects, as they arise.

Position Requirements

Education: 

University degree in social sciences, public health, health services research or education research. Certificate and/or training in knowledge mobilization or equivalent experience is required.

Skills and Experience:

• Minimum of 5 years of experience leading the development and evaluation of knowledge mobilization activities for research projects. 
• Understanding of knowledge mobilization theories and best practices, and have experience developing and disseminating knowledge mobilization resources, tools and products.
• Knowledgeable and experienced in the field of research and practice in Canada in senior living settings.
• Experience engaging with various partners including researchers, clinicians and people with lived experience, specifically older adults and their care partners.
• Experience with report writing and communicating/presentation project findings.
• Experience using various systems/technologies (CRMs, customized databases, and other platforms) to optimize project outcomes.
• Ability to work in a collaborative team environment.
• Ability to adapt to change and manage competing priorities.
• Self-starter with a proactive attitude who can anticipate needs with strong organizational skills.
• Experience and fluency using Microsoft and Google Workspace products.
• Fluent in English. Fluency in French is an asset but not required.
• Must have a valid driver’s license and be available for occasional travel.
• Eligible to obtain a police background/criminal record check.

Scope of Work 

• Interpersonal Skills: Communicates effectively with internal team members and external partners; professionally represents the RIA in all communications and at events.
• Level of Responsibility: Responsible for ensuring the effective and efficient implementation of the project in alignment with the goals and objectives.
• Decision-Making Authority: Accountable to make operational decisions for the day-to-day operations of the project with support from the supervisor.
• Physical and Sensory Demands: Minimal demands, typical of a position operating within an office environment; periods of extensive sitting at a desk and in meetings and concentrated use of visual senses; substantial repetitive keyboard/mouse movement; high sensory demands because of required concentration and attentiveness to detail and regular distractions and interruptions.
• Working Environment: Much of the time is spent sitting in a comfortable position with frequent opportunities to move about. Office is located in a comfortable indoor area and options for hybrid work are available for this position. The work is varied and assignments may change frequently. Work will involve regular interaction with RIA team members and external partners and collaborators. There are deadline pressures, while at the same time there is a demand for thoroughness and accuracy. Occasional travel is required.

Vaccination Statement

All researchers, employees and students of the RIA who will work with long-term care homes, colleges, universities and other partners are required to comply with the vaccination policies of those external organizations to complete their work. Of note, vaccination policies are subject to change. The requirement to comply with those evolving policies does not change.

Equity Statement

The RIA is committed to equity, diversity and inclusion within its community and organization. We strongly welcome and encourage applications from Indigenous Peoples, racialized groups, women, LGBTQ2+ people, persons with disabilities and people from other equity-seeking groups.

The RIA is pleased to accommodate individual needs in accordance with the Accessibility of Ontarians with Disabilities Act, 2005 (AODA) within our recruitment process. If you require accommodation at any time throughout the recruitment process, please let us know.

How to Apply

RIA invites applications (cover letter and resume) to be submitted by email to applications@the-ria.ca. Please include the job title in the subject line of the email.