Manager, Research Services

 

PHSA Corporate

Vancouver, BC

 

The Manager, Research Services, develops and implements research policies to ensure appropriate alignment, standardization, and oversight of PHSA-wide research policy. They negotiate data access, standardization, and streamlining of the access and release of PHSA data, including electronic health record data. Reporting to the Chief Administrative Officer-Research (CAO-Research), the Manager gathers information from a broad range of sources, analyzes data and summarizes findings and/or proposes recommendations for improvements. The Manager plays a leadership role in strategic projects with multiple key partners to achieve strategic research objectives for the organization and strengthen the research institute. Recognized as a subject matter expert in research administration, the role provides strategic guidance to PHSA research institutes and programs on research policies, funding opportunities, research processes and operational improvements that strengthen PHSA's research ecosystem. Consults with academic institutions in support PHSA academic affiliations agreements to amendment, modify, or to draft new, legal agreements. The Manager drafts research guidelines, briefing notes, policy briefs and business cases for review and approval by the CAO-Research and PHSA Board. The Manager coordinates PHSA’s Research Conflict of Interest (COI) declaration process and provides information on relevant policies and processes through strategic advice, audits, and workflow improvements. Additionally, the Manager is responsible for supervising team members by hiring, providing direction and guidance, coaching, evaluating performance, disciplining, and recommending termination to CAO.

What you’ll do

• Negotiate internally to standardized, streamline and harmonize approaches to research policy, and procedures; access and release PHSA data for research and other secondary data purposes; and to resolve research operational issues including those related to HR and accessing electronic health records. Consult externally with organizations such as Health Research BC to influence adaptation of standardization, streamlining, and the access and release of data. Provide strategic guidance to PHSA research institutes and programs on research funding opportunities, research administration processes and approval pathways to support research excellence across PHSA.
• Provide leadership, technical expertise, and advice about PHSA’s polices and in the creation of operational processes that enable the access and release of PHSA Data for research and other secondary data purposes. Initiates and leads meetings with PHSA programs and services and research entity leaders or their delegates to provide communication tools and templates as appropriate for the audience. Develop communication tools, guidance materials and knowledge resources that support consistent research administration practices across PHSA.
  • Consult with institutions on amending and modifying existing legal agreements, or on drafting new agreements to support PHSA academic affiliation agreements. Work with communications and research community to develop and implement internal and external communication strategies advancing PHSA’s research mandate. Cultivate relationships within the PHSA community and work with research entities to strengthen implementation of research policy analysis and outcomes. Serve as a key liaison with academic partner institutions on strategic and operational matters related to research collaboration and affiliation agreements.
• Play a leadership role by identifying and mitigating risks, creating timelines, resources, tools, and solutions in various strategic projects of service plan commitments, research services, road maps, and collaborating with research institutes to strengthen the research institute and improve procurement across the research institutions. Lead initiatives that strengthen research administration processes and support implementation of PHSA research priorities.
• Research key topics and manage related processes/communications as directed by the CAO-Research. Compile information from a variety of sources including health authorities, international healthcare facilities/universities, publications and professional organizations. Conduct literature reviews on specific issues addressed in response to specific requests including guideline and policy updates. Work with corporate IT to analyze how researchers gain access to current business systems and generates ideas and formulates recommendations. Prepare the annual PHSA research metrics report and other executive reporting as required.
• Coordinate PHSA’s Conflict of Interest (COI) process and policy with guidance from the CAO-Research including working with PDHIS to improve the workflow and recommending modifications to the PHSA COI website. Support the annual research COI audit and other activities of the Research COI Committee that reports to the PHSA Board Research and Academic Development Committee. Work with internal and external partners to generate and provide strategic advice on PHSA policies and processes to comply with internal COI policy and external COI requirements. Administer the annual research COI audit and associated reporting requirements.
• Write, edit, present and deliver educational tools for PHSA research community, including senior researchers and department heads as directed by the CAO-Research. Write business cases, policy briefs, summary papers, board briefing notes, policies, and other documents related to project and research activities. Support knowledge translation initiatives and research communications that advance PHSA's research mandate.
• Develop and create internal online website pages and maintains external website pages relevant to the PHSA research community. This includes the review and update of online instructions, tutorials and notices, as well as identifying areas of communication and education that can be strengthened through the office. Identify opportunities to improve accessibility and usability of research information available to the PHSA research community.
• Draft and maintain training resources and provides in-person and on-line training to ensure that researchers fulfill granting agency requirements and any PHSA research policy requirements. Track compliance with training requirements as mandated by external granting agencies. Collaborate with PHSA research institutes and programs to promote ongoing research education and compliance with granting agency requirements.
• Provide leadership and supervision of staff through guidance, mentorship, performance management, retention, recruitment, discipline and make recommendations to the CAO on termination. Provide work direction to PHSA program and services research areas as appropriate and needed.

What you bring

 

Qualifications

• A level of education, training, and experience equivalent to a Bachelors’ degree in health sciences, life sciences, research administration   or a related discipline and a minimum of five (5) to seven (7) years of experience in   health research, research administration, health care policy or health care analysis within a complex health care or academic health sciences environment.
• Demonstrated knowledge of the historic and ongoing impacts of settler colonialism on Indigenous Peoples within social and health contexts. This includes significant understanding of Indigenous-specific mandates and a commitment to addressing and mitigating Indigenous-specific racism and discrimination. The role involves actively embedding Indigenous Cultural Safety and Humility into daily practices and fostering a diverse and inclusive team environment. Additionally, it requires practical expertise in engaging with diversity, promoting equity, and advancing inclusion (DEI) initiatives.
• Demonstrated practical knowledge and understanding of legislative obligations and provincial commitments relevant to Research Operations, based on foundational documents such as the Truth & Reconciliation Commission’s Calls to Action (2015), In Plain Sight (2020), BC's Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples Act (2019), United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples (UNDRIP), Reclaiming Power and Place: Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women & Girls Calls for Justice (2019), the Declaration Act Action Plan, Remembering Keegan: A First Nations Case Study, Anti-Racism Data Act, and the BC Human Rights Code. This includes understanding how these obligations intersect across the healthcare system and applying this knowledge to support team compliance and operational effectiveness.

Core Competencies

• Possesses a strong understanding of Indigenous-specific racism and broader systemic racism within the colonial health care structure. Demonstrates practical leadership in identifying and addressing barriers, promoting an environment of belonging, and ensuring Indigenous Cultural Safety. Actively engages in action-oriented practices to address Indigenous-specific racism and dismantle systems of oppression, while also confronting broader issues of racism and discrimination. Exhibits strong DEI and anti-racism skills to lead by example, fostering a culture of continuous learning, equity, inclusion, and belonging within their team.
• Knowledge of social, economic, political and historical realities of settler colonialism on Indigenous Peoples and familiarity with addressing Indigenous-specific anti-racism, anti-racism and Indigenous Cultural Safety and foundational documents and legislative commitments (the Declaration Act, the Declaration Action Plan, TRC, IPS, Remembering Keegan, etc.).

Skills & Knowledge

• Knowledge of the provincial and national health research funding environment. Demonstrated ability to prepare briefing materials for senior leadership and Board committees. Experience supporting research administration and facilitation within a complex health care environment.
• Demonstrated ability to collect and analyze data and produce reports. Demonstrated ability to assume and synthesize complex information and make succinct recommendations. Strong analytical, problem solving and critical thinking skills involving the use of research data. 
• Familiarity with REDCap, research methodologies, legislative review, and relevant databases of published literature.  Strong planning and project management skills; skill in managing several projects simultaneously. Demonstrated ability to self-manage and work both independently and as part of a team. Demonstrated aptitude for details and accuracy. 
• Demonstrated ability to operate related equipment including various word processing and spreadsheet software.  Skill in conducting legislative and regulatory analysis and critical literature searches on-line resources. Knowledge includes an advanced level of healthcare policy understanding.
• Strong interpersonal skills including tact, judgment, reliability, and respect to facilitate team work and interdisciplinary and inter-jurisdictional coordination.  Ability to communicate effectively verbally and in writing.
• Demonstrated deep understanding of their personal learning/unlearning journey in relation to Indigenous-specific racism and dismantling systems of oppression, as well as addressing racism more broadly. Able to articulate and share this journey to motivate and inspire others enhancing a culture of learning/unlearning and self-reflection.
• Demonstrated knowledge of the social, economic, political realities of settler-colonialism and impacts on Indigenous peoples in social and health contexts as well as knowledge and understanding of, and commitment to upholding legislative obligations and provincial commitments in the foundational documents: Truth & Reconciliation Commission’s Calls to Action (2015), In Plain Sight (2020), BC's Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples Act (2019), United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples (UNDRIP), Reclaiming Power and Place Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women & Girls Calls for Justice (2019), the Declaration Act Action Plan, Remembering Keegan: A First Nations Case Study, and the Distinctions Based Approach.

What we bring

 

Every PHSA employee enables the best possible patient care for our patients and their families. Whether you are providing direct care, conducting research, or making it possible for others to do their work, you impact the lives of British Columbians today and in the future. That’s why we’re focused on your care too – offering health, wellness, development programs to support you – at work and at home.

• Join one of BC’s largest employers with province-wide programs, services and operations – offering vast opportunities for growth, development, and recognition programs that honour the commitment and contribution of all employees.
• Access to professional development opportunities through our 2,000+ in-house courses including a range of experience level, profession-specific, or other essential training on Indigenous Cultural Safety; Indigenous-specific anti-racism; Diversity, Equity, Inclusion and accessibility, mental health and well-being, and more.
• Enjoy a comprehensive benefits package, including municipal pension plan, and psychological health & safety programs and holistic wellness resources.
• Annual statutory holidays (13) with generous vacation entitlement and accruement.
• PHSA is a remote work friendly employer, welcoming flexible work options to support our people (eligibility may vary, depending on position).
• Access to WorkPerks, a premium discount program offering a wide range of local and national discounts on electronics, entertainment, dining, travel, wellness, apparel, and more.

Job Type: Regular, Full-Time

Salary Range: $90,770 - $130,481 /year. The starting salary for this position would be determined with consideration of the successful candidate’s relevant education and experience, and would be in alignment with the provincial compensation reference plan. Salary will be prorated accordingly for part time roles.
Location: 1380 Burrard Street, Vancouver, BC V6Z 2K2
Closing date: Applications accepted until position is filled
Hours of Work: 08:00-16:00 (Monday to Friday)
Requisition #: 205101E

 

What we do

 

The Provincial Health Services Authority (PHSA) plans, manages and evaluates specialized health services with the BC health authorities to provide equitable and cost-effective health care for people throughout the province. Our values reflect our commitment to excellence and include: Respect people – Be compassionate – Dare to innovate – Create equity – Be courageous.

 

Learn more about PHSA and our programs: jobs.phsa.ca/programs-and-services

 

PHSA is committed to anti-racism and equity in our hiring and employment practices. With learning and compassion, we are addressing existing inequities and barriers throughout our systems. PHSA is seeking to create a diverse workforce and to establish an inclusive and culturally safe environment. We invite applications and enquiries from all people, particularly those belonging to the historically, systemically, and/or persistently excluded groups identified under the B.C. Human Rights Code.

 

One of PHSA’s North Star priorities is to eradicate Indigenous-specific racism, which includes ongoing commitments to Indigenous recruitment and employee experience as well as dismantling barriers to health care employment at every level. We welcome Indigenous individuals to apply and/or contact the Sanya’k̓ula Team (Indigenous Recruitment & Employee Experience) for support at indigenous.employment@phsa.ca.

 

Indigenous-specific anti-racism initiatives are rooted in addressing the unique forms of discrimination, historical and ongoing injustices, and exclusion faced by Indigenous peoples. These initiatives align with an Indigenous rights-based approach, recognizing the inherent rights and title of BC First Nations and self-determination of all First Nations, Inuit and Métis communities. PHSA is mandated to uphold legislative obligations and provincial commitments found in the foundational documents including the Truth & Reconciliation Commission’s Calls to Action (2015), In Plain Sight (2020), BC's Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples Act (2019), United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples (UNDRIP), Reclaiming Power and Place Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women & Girls Calls for Justice (2019), the Declaration Act Action Plan and Remembering Keegan: A First Nations Case Study.

 

Attention current employees of PHSA:

 

You must apply via your internal profile at http://internaljobs.phsa.ca.

 

The internal job posting expires on October 5, 2026 and will no longer be accessible. If the internal job posting has expired, please e-mail internaljobshelpu@phsa.ca with the six-digit job requisition number and your PHSA employee ID number to be considered as a late internal applicant. Please do not apply for the external job posting.

 

If you have not yet set up an internal profile, please e-mail internaljobshelpu@phsa.ca with your PHSA employee ID number to obtain your temporary password. Our business hours are Monday-Friday 8:30am-4:30pm, excluding Statutory Holidays and a Help Desk Representative will respond to you with 1-2 business days.

 

If you are not a current employee of PHSA and require assistance with your application, please contact the External Careers team at careers@phsa.ca.