Associate Director, Strategic Operations And Research

Description:

Reporting to the Director of the CDSI and working in close collaboration with the co-directors of the McGill Collaborative for AI and Society (McCAIS), the AD will foster relationships with industry, academic and research partners, and lead program, awards and event development. This role involves a mix of strategic planning, operational management oversight, event management, and relationship building. It’s a dynamic position that requires strong leadership and organizational skills.

Primary Responsibilities:

• Provide professional expertise and collaborate with CDSI and McCAIS leadership to establish long-term strategies for connecting, complementing, and amplifying McGill’s resources and energies where computing, data, and systems meet, particularly in the contexts of AI and data science.

• Support the development and delivery of programs that align with CDSI’s and McCAIS’s strategic objectives.

• Identify and cultivate growth opportunities in support of CDSI and McCAIS goals and priorities.

• Lead the planning and execution of events, including setting the vision, objectives and structure and advise accordingly in conjunction with CDSI and McCAIS partners and stakeholders. Ensure successful event execution by supervising all logistics and evaluate event outcomes and recommend improvements for future engagements.

• Advise and make key decisions on event direction and content strategy and collaborate with partners and stakeholders to define event themes and goals. Advise on the selection and engage speakers, moderators, and panelists.

• Explore and identify potential strategic alliances for research and event partnerships by performing market research and networking.

• Manage day-to-day operations, ensuring the smooth functioning of the Initiative. Responsible for the management and supervision of the administrative staff, including setting and directing workflow priorities.

• Oversee and manage the academic components of CDSI’s and McCAIS’s growing portfolio of award programs including award processes, policies, progress and queries.

• Foster relationships with industry, academic and research partners that lead to the development of research programs that particularly leverage McGill’s unique strengths in research and research training in the CDSI space.

• Develop and prioritize initiatives that promote key values, such as equity, diversity, and inclusivity.

• Participate in the pursuit of and securing external funding through grants and sponsorships.

• Anticipate and respond to a range of operational needs to support the Initiative and advance mandates.

• Oversee fiscal activities including budget review and compliance with University, Faculty and unit budget priorities.

• Serve as a primary contact for industry relations and the development of industry-facing mechanisms, such as industry affiliate programs and partnerships.

Your Qualifications:

• Education: Undergraduate degree in a core data science field (e.g., statistics, computer science, or applied mathematics), or a related field. Master's degree in a related field is preferred.

• Experience: Minimum of 2-5 years of experience in the tech and/or data industry. Experience in a higher education setting is preferred.

Your Key Strengths:

• Demonstrated ability to develop and implement long-term strategies that align with the Initiative’s goals. Strong leadership with strategic thinking abilities.

• Demonstrated knowledge and understanding of data science principles, methodologies and tools, as well as expertise in AI technologies and applications.

• Strong ability to foster and maintain relationships with industry partners, collaborate with academic and research partners, and skilled in networking and identifying potential research partnerships and alliances.

• Proven experience in developing and delivering programs that support strategic objectives.

• High level of interpersonal and communication skills, essential for effectively guiding and managing teams. Strong team player with the ability to collaborate effectively with diverse cross-functional groups.

• Proven experience in leading the planning and execution of events.

• Excellent project management skills with the ability to manage multiple projects simultaneously using methodologies and tools.

• Bilingual; excellent verbal and written communication skills, in both English and French.

As one of Montreal's Top Employers, here is what we offer:

• Competitive benefits package (Health, Dental, Life Insurance)

• Defined contribution pension plan (with employer contribution up to 10%)

• Group Registered Retirement Savings Plan (RRSP) and Tax Free Savings Account (TFSA)

• Competitive vacation policy

• Two (2) personal days

• Two (2) floating holidays

• Nine (9) "Summer Fridays" - paid days off between the St-Jean Baptiste holiday and Labour Day

• Paid time off over the December holiday period

• Tuition waver for regular employees and their dependents

• Up to two (2) days of remote work per week where the position permits