Job ID 78020 Job Title Senior Advisor, Development Regular/Temporary Temporary Location Central Campus Open Date 2026/08/13 Job Type Limited Term (>12 months) Close Date 2026/08/26 Employee Group Unifor Unit 1, Staff Favorite Job Department ROADS Full/Part Time Full-Time Salary Grade/Band Grade 9 Salary Range $34.99 - $49.20 (hourly) Job Code JD0053 Existing Vacancy Yes - Backfilling as Existing Contract Duration 13.2 Months Target Number of Openings 1 Hours per Week 35 Posting Details Schedule Monday to Friday, 8:30 am to 4:30 pm Education Level Bachelor’s degree in a relevant field. Career Level Requires a minimum of 3 years of relevant experience. Estimated Start Date September 14, 2026 Job Description Should the successful applicant be a Unifor Unit 1 bargaining unit member, who meets the eligibility conditions of Article 19.02 of the Unifor Unit 1 Collective Agreement, then the Limited Term Assignment will be defined as a Career Growth Opportunity in accordance with Article 19 of the Unifor Local 5555 Unit 1 Collective Agreement. The Research Office for Administration, Development and Support (ROADS) helps researchers access funding from external granting agencies. ROADS supports researchers through the identification of funding opportunities, provision of information sessions, and review and editing of grant submissions. ROADS manages McMaster's allocation for identified programs and ensures that researchers and the University are protected through funding agreements and compliance with agency and institutional policy. Job Summary: The Senior Advisor is responsible for assisting faculty members with the development of research proposals and the identification of appropriate research funding opportunities. Negotiate and draft contracts and agreements with various parties securing cooperation and funding for research endeavors. Provide administrative expertise in writing proposals and ensuring proper documentation is provided for various projects. Purpose and Key Functions: - Negotiate and draft contracts and inter-institutional agreements between McMaster University and funding agencies, other universities, not-for-profits, federal and provincial governments, and agencies. - Negotiate and develop budgets with partners including other institutions, private sector, not for-profit, federal and provincial governments, and agencies. - Develop concepts and strategies when authoring sections of grant applications which address the project's importance to the University's strategic research plan to aid in the agency's decision to fund or reject a proposal. - Write and submit reports to sponsors on research funding outcomes and the status of research projects. - Draft and edit research funding proposals. - Develop solutions to address serious budget deviations. - Scrutinize documents for small changes when critically reviewing project proposals and budgets. - Ensure that proposals and funding agreements comply with University policies, protect the University from legal liabilities, and conform to the criteria and guidelines of the relevant program sponsoring agency. - Design and develop tools, guidance documents, University agreement templates and processes to manage research funding competitions. - Interpret and communicate applicable policies, procedures, and guidelines to researchers, Deans, Chairs and other University personnel. - Provide advice to researchers regarding the interpretation and application of funding agency policy. - Ensure all research within the University has up-to-date institutional human ethics approval, animal ethics approval and biosafety approvals, where applicable. - Participate in the development of policies and procedures related to research administration. - Ensure compliance with progress reporting deadlines and requirements. - Act as a liaison between the University and external sponsors concerning sponsors' policies, regulations, and opportunities for research funding. - Monitor and ensure compliance with research ethics policies and procedures of the University and sponsoring agencies. - Write sections of funding proposals including the institutional sections which outline institutional resources, collaborations, and strategic directions. - Draft University industry agreements with private sector partners detailing funding amounts, purpose of matching funds provided for a specific proposal, and terms and conditions under which research programs will proceed. - Write guidance and institutional documents to be used by all Faculties for proposal preparation, and post award management. - Write proposals to granting agencies seeking allowance or explanation of material deviation in proposal management, or addressing other agency concerns as required. - Develop multi-party, multi-year budgets where cost-sharing includes proportional cash and in-kind contributions from the granting agencies, the private sector partners, and other University partners. - Develop solutions to address serious budget deviations. - Draft letters of recommendation for prizes and awards for researchers. - Coordinate large and diverse cross-functional team which may include internal researchers and staff, other academic institution personnel, and external agencies. - Respond to requests for information regarding the interpretation of policies, directions regarding the completion of budgets, advice regarding strategic approaches to a proposal, and research funding data for both internal and external reports. - Design and deliver a wide range of presentations and workshops. - Consults with other universities to establish best practices in research administration. Assets: - excellent project management, in depth knowledge of multiple granting agencies and multi-party complex budgeting experience, and analytical skills; - strong, demonstrated problem-solving, organizational and administrative skills; a service-oriented individual who has the ability to work independently as well as part of a team; - proficiency in multi-tasking; able to work under pressure with high volume and multiple deadlines; - strong oral and written communication skills, including the ability to edit and critique research applications, proposals and agreements; contract creation and negotiation experience; - experience reviewing or developing applications and proposals to the Canadian Institutes of Health Research, the Social Sciences and Humanities Research Council, and the Natural Sciences and Engineering Research Council Additional Information: This position has a significant focus on proposal development and review. Agencies include, but not limited to, the Canadian Institutes of Health Research, the Social Sciences and Humanities Research Council, the Natural Sciences and Engineering Research Council, the Canada Research Chairs program, the Canada Foundation for Innovation and programs offered through the Ministry of Colleges and Universities. How To Apply To apply for this job, please submit your application online. Employment Equity Statement McMaster University is located on the traditional territories of the Haudenosaunee and Mississauga Nations and within the lands protected by the “Dish With One Spoon” wampum agreement. The diversity of our workforce is at the core of our innovation and creativity and strengthens our research and teaching excellence. In keeping with its Statement on Building an Inclusive Community with a Shared Purpose, McMaster University strives to embody the values of respect, collaboration and diversity, and has a strong commitment to employment equity. The University seeks qualified candidates who share our commitment to equity and inclusion, who will contribute to the diversification of ideas and perspectives, and especially welcomes applications from indigenous (First Nations, Métis or Inuit) peoples, members of racialized communities, persons with disabilities, women, and persons who identify as 2SLGBTQ+. As part of McMaster’s commitment, all applicants are invited to complete a confidential Applicant Diversity Survey through the online application submission process. The Survey questionnaire requests voluntary self-identification in relation to equity-seeking groups that have historically faced and continue to face barriers in employment. Please refer to the Applicant Diversity Survey - Statement of Collection for additional information. Job applicants requiring accommodation to participate in the hiring process should contact: - Human Resources Service Centre at 905-525-9140 ext. 222-HR (22247), or - Faculty of Health Sciences HR Office at ext. 22207, or - School of Graduate Studies at ext. 23679 to communicate accommodation needs. Hybrid Work Language To ensure an ongoing and vibrant University community that meets the needs of our students, staff and faculty and supports the University mission, ability to work on-site continues to be a requirement for most University positions. The University is supportive of exploring flexible work arrangements that effectively balance operational needs and employee interests. Interview Experience At McMaster University, we believe in a comprehensive and inclusive interview process. Our interview methods encompass a variety of approaches that allow our hiring teams to provide a flexible and accessible experience for engaging with our candidates. Throughout your recruitment process at McMaster, you may be requested to participate in a variety of formats, that may include in-person, virtual or recorded interviews. If you have any questions as you move through the hiring process, please reach out to talent@mcmaster.ca or the HR contact associated with your position of interest. AI Statement McMaster and its third-party partners may use AI tools to screen, assess, or select applicants during the hiring process. Please note that currently our recruitment platform does not use AI nor is it part of our current recommended recruitment process.