Senior Project Manager

Department:	Health Behaviour Research Group, Department of Health Studies and Gerontology	Effective Date:	July 7, 2004
Grade:	USG 8	Reports to:	Project Co-ordinator

General Accountability

The Senior Project Manager is accountable to the Project Coordinators and/or the Associate Director and the Faculty Investigators who work with the Health Behaviour Research Group (HBR). The incumbent is responsible for all aspects of planning, development, evaluation and maintenance of specific projects. The incumbent will take direction from a detailed proposal, and collaborate with the Principal Investigators and the Project Coordinators toward achieving major project objectives, following a detailed time line and work plan, within a specified budget.

Nature and Scope

The Organization

HBR has provided staff and research support to a growing group of health researchers largely based at the University of Waterloo. Since 1978, the research conducted by HBR investigators and staff has been recognized nationally and internationally for excellence, innovation and impact. The majority of our efforts have been related to smoking prevention and cessation, heart health, and cancer prevention. Our primary funding sources have included the Canadian Institutes of Health Research, the Social Sciences and Humanities Research Council, the National Institutes of Health (U.S.), Health Canada, the Ontario Ministry of Health, the Heart and Stroke Foundation, and the National Cancer Institute of Canada. Investigators and staff work in partnership with public health units, school boards, federal, provincial and local governments, non-government health organizations, and health professionals to plan, conduct, and disseminate research. We have close ties with the Centre for Behavioural Research and Program Evaluation (CBRPE) funded by the Canadian Cancer Society and the National Cancer Institute of Canada. HBR is also an active partner in the Ontario Tobacco Research Unit and the Program Training and Consultation Centre of the Ontario Tobacco Strategy. Finally, HBR is a member of the UW Centre for Applied Health Research.

HBR is subcontracted by the UW Survey Research Centre (SRC) to run a telephone survey centre. HBR is responsible for programming surveys, conducting interviews, monitoring data, and the training and supervision of interview staff.

HBR is directed by Drs. Steve Brown (Department of Statistics and Actuarial Science) and Paul McDonald (Department of Health Studies and Gerontology). Additional leadership and support is provided by two dozen staff including an Associate Director; Project Coordinators, Data Analysts, Project Managers, Computer Programmers and Data Managers, Administrative Assistants, and several graduate and undergraduate students.

Major Challenges of the Position

The position requires an ability to think critically and analytically, drawing upon a strong basis of research and supervisory experience. The position also requires strong skills in written and verbal communication, decision-making, organization, attention to detail, and time management.

The position requires proven interpersonal and liaison skills to communicate clearly and succinctly with Investigators drawn from both UW and other institutions, with staff, with funding agencies, and with government and community organizations.

The incumbent will be required to function well as a key member of both the research team and, if the project requires, of a community organization team, and to understand and communicate the diverse needs of both groups. The incumbent will also be required to function as an integral part of the larger HBR team.

The incumbent may also contribute to the HBR research agenda by making presentations at scientific meetings, and participating in writing scientific papers and grant proposals.

Statistical Data

HBR is in the midst of significant growth. Funding in 2004 is anticipated to exceed three quarters of a million dollars, with a concomitant increase in personnel. Equally important is that the profile of our work has been increasing. We expect to expand our work with several other major international research groups.

Specific Accountabilities

Work proactively, in consultation with the Project Coordinator, and the Principal Investigators, with minimal supervision, to manage all aspects of a large research project, (or equivalent small research projects) including planning, day-to-day implementation, maintenance, and liaison with external stakeholders and relevant university departments
Monitor and maintain project budget in consultation with the Administrative Assistant. The incumbent will be responsible for and will assist in anticipating and making decisions about expenditures over the course of a project in collaboration with the Principal Investigators, Project Coordinator, and the Administrative Assistant.
Communicate clearly and succinctly with Project Coordinator and staff, and with external organizations such as schools, public health departments and nongovernmental organizations
Involve Data Analysts, Data Management Assistant and Administrative Assistant and other HBR team members, as appropriate to achieve project goals
Supervise casual staff to complete the required tasks of a project and to ensure the smooth operation of the project
Collaborate in the generation of reports, articles and grant proposals