Skip to Main Content
You are now in the main content area

Survey Research Lead

Department: National Institute on Ageing
Position supervisor: Director of Policy, National Institute on Ageing
Contract length: 1 year (renewable, subject to confirmation of funding)
Hours of work per week: 36.25
Position type: MAC
Rate of pay: $75,000 - $90,000 annual salary

About Toronto Metropolitan University (formerly Ryerson University)

At the intersection of mind and action, Toronto Metropolitan University is on a transformative path to become Canada’s leading comprehensive innovation university. Integral to this path is the placement of equity, diversity and inclusion as fundamental to our institutional culture. Our current academic plan outlines each as core values and we work to embed them in all that we do.

 

Toronto Metropolitan University welcomes those who have demonstrated a commitment to upholding the values of equity, diversity, and inclusion and will assist us to expand our capacity for diversity in the broadest sense. In addition, to correct the conditions of disadvantage in employment in Canada, we encourage applications from members of groups that have been historically disadvantaged and marginalized, including First Nations, Metis and Inuit peoples, Indigenous peoples of North America, racialized persons, persons with disabilities, and those who identify as women and/or 2SLGBTQ+. Please note that all qualified candidates are encouraged to apply; however, applications from Canadians and permanent residents will be given priority.

As an employer, we are working towards a people first culture and are proud to have been selected as one of Canada’s Best Diversity Employers and a Greater Toronto’s Top Employer for 2015, 2016, 2017 and 2018. To learn more about our work environment, colleagues, leaders, students and innovative educational environment, visit www.torontomu.ca, check out @TorontoMet (external link, opens in new window)  and @ECItorontomet (external link, opens in new window)  on X, and visit our LinkedIn company page (external link, opens in new window) .

About the program/department/team

The National Institute on Ageing (NIA) improves the lives of older adults and the systems that support them by conducting research, convening stakeholders, sharing information, shifting attitudes and advancing policy solutions and practice innovations. Our vision is a Canada where older adults feel valued, included, supported, and better prepared to age with confidence.

The NIA is a collaborative and cross-functional team of motivated professionals working to improve the lives of older adults. We completed a new strategic plan in 2024, which provides clarity on the intended impact of our work and sets the organization on a growth trajectory in order to expand our mandate nationally, engage more comprehensively with older adults, prioritize policy and systems change work and develop actionable solutions for the unique challenges that older adults face.

The NIA’s teams work collaboratively together in a predominantly remote environment, and we are housed within the Ted Rogers School of Management at Toronto Metropolitan University.

The opportunity

The Survey Research Lead plans, develops, leads and administers the NIA’s survey and quantitative research initiatives. The role ensures that the NIA’s survey-related initiatives accomplish their funded objectives and collaborates with multiple partners, both internal and external, to ensure these initiatives are relevant, innovative, and impactful. The Survey Research Lead also contributes to and supports the NIA’s communications, external activities, stakeholder relationship management, public appearances, media interviews and government relations activities related to the NIA’s survey and quantitative data initiatives.

Project Planning

• Plans, develops and leads the NIA’s survey and quantitative research initiatives, including developing the research agenda, establishing research priorities, developing new projects, leading the delivery of research deliverables in accordance with the requirements of funders and organizational priorities and working closely with internal and external stakeholders.

• Leads the development of proposals for new survey and quantitative projects as well as funding applications, in collaboration with relevant internal stakeholders.

• Participates in short- and long-range strategic planning and conducts the necessary research to gather relevant information regarding trends, issues and developments relevant to the NIA’s mandate, and presents these and any recommendations to the Director of Policy and other internal stakeholders to identify opportunities for future projects and partnerships.

• Keeps current on relevant provincial, federal and international ageing policy developments, trends and topics of interest, and participates in and supports NIA stakeholder and government relations efforts to ensure the NIA’s survey research initiatives remain relevant, timely, and impactful.

• Leads the preparation, coordination and submission of research ethics applications, amendments, renewals and related documentation, and tracks submissions, approvals and renewal timelines.

Research and data analysis

• Leads, monitors and conducts individual survey and quantitative data analysis projects, from project planning to implementation / delivery. Defines and develops project scope and objectives, timetables and deliverables. Identifies the necessary resources for the project, including equipment, space and other project requirements, project specific status reports, outlining anticipated issues and risks that may impact project delivery schedules and financial reporting.

• Conducts primary and secondary research through various methods, including literature and evidence reviews, evidence synthesis, expert and key subject interviews, data synthesis, and environmental and jurisdictional scans.

• Leads data-related tasks, including cleaning, coding, managing and analyzing raw survey data, including descriptive and inferential analysis, using Excel and statistical software as appropriate. Develops compelling visual representations of data.

Stakeholder engagement

• Develops and maintains positive relationships with funders and other supporters. Contributes to and leads (where appropriate) the development of formal and informal reports to funders and provides updates on their funded projects. Identifies partnership, collaboration and fundraising opportunities.

• Works with funders, partners and external stakeholders to effectively design and implement projects, including providing formal and informal updates and reports.

• Prepares and presents project updates and reports to internal and external partners and stakeholders as appropriate.

• Engages directly with funders and external stakeholders including day-to-day interactions and communications, and ensures that funders and partners receive updates in a timely manner.

Knowledge Mobilization

• Authors and leads the coordination and dissemination of communication and knowledge mobilization materials, including but not limited to reports, briefing documents, infographics, newsletter, website and social media content, and a variety of knowledge mobilization tools etc., to promote NIA survey and other research initiatives and insights.

• Works with internal and external stakeholders to develop communications strategies related to survey research and other NIA initiatives including key messages, and content of communications materials.

• Prepares presentation materials, presents and participates in sessions at conferences, meetings and events to showcase research findings where appropriate.

• Participates in media interviews on research findings where appropriate.

Project Management

• Employs established project management practices and techniques to ensure that project deliverables are achieved on time, within budget and in accordance with project and funding agreements. Establishes work plans, identifies required resources, timelines, milestones and deliverables. Monitors progress, identifies risks and issues and provides regular updates to key stakeholders.

• Supports project budget tracking, expense coordination and funder reporting as required, in collaboration with NIA operations, finance and leadership teams.

• Reviews and negotiates contracts as necessary and as appropriate in consultation with relevant Directors.

• Interfaces with other TMU and NIA departments to ensure that project, program and operational requirements are achieved. Manages risks and issues and takes corrective measures as needed.

• Coordinates contributions from research assistants, students or other project contributors as required.

• Participates in NIA activities, including providing administrative support where necessary and appropriate.

Qualifications

• Completion of a graduate degree program in social sciences, public policy, public affairs or another relevant field, with an undergraduate degree in a complementary or related discipline.

• A minimum of four years of experience in policy analysis and/or research.

• Experience working in a research, policy and/or advocacy environment related to ageing in Canada.

• Experience leading survey-based research projects, including developing survey questions, managing data collection, analyzing and interpreting data, and drafting reports that communicate research findings to a general audience.

• High level of proficiency in quantitative data analysis using Excel and/or other statistical programs.

• Experience managing or coordinating complex research projects and collaborative relationships with a variety of stakeholders.

• Demonstrated knowledge of the stakeholder landscape in the field of ageing in Canada.

• Effective oral and written communication skills to prepare reports, briefing materials and other documents.

• Strong project management, research, report writing, planning and negotiation skills.

• Excellent organizational, time management and coordination skills, with the ability to manage multiple competing priorities and meet deadlines.

How to apply

Applications should include a CV and cover letter in a single PDF and be submitted by email to info.nia@torontomu.ca with the subject line: Application - Survey Research Lead.

We thank all candidates for their interest; however, only candidates who are invited to an interview will be contacted.

Toronto Metropolitan University’s commitment to equity, diversity and inclusion

  • We encourage all First Nations, Metis and Inuit peoples or Indigenous peoples of North America, to self-identify in their applications. If you are an Indigenous applicant and require support during the recruitment process, please reach out to James McKay, Indigenous HR Lead at james13@torontomu.ca.
  • Toronto Metropolitan University is committed to the principles of the Accessibility for Ontarians with Disabilities Act (AODA), and aims to ensure that independence, dignity, integration and equality of opportunity are embedded in all aspects of the university culture.
  • We will provide an accessible experience for applicants, students, employees, and members of the Toronto Metropolitan University community. We are committed to providing an inclusive and barrier-free work environment, starting with the recruitment process. If you have restrictions that need to be accommodated to fully participate in any phase of the recruitment process, please reach out to to Human Resources: 
  • All information received in relation to accommodation will be kept confidential.