Project Manager II Spine Surgery Rsrch Group - Job Opportunity at Unity Health Toronto

Toronto, Canada
Full-time
Senior
Posted: August 21, 2025
On-site
CAD 96,054-120,078 per year

Benefits

Comprehensive healthcare coverage through Unity Health Toronto's employee benefits program
Professional development opportunities in cutting-edge neurosurgery research
Access to national and international research networks and conferences
Collaborative work environment with leading medical professionals and researchers
Opportunity to contribute to groundbreaking healthcare innovation and patient outcomes
Inclusive workplace culture promoting equity, diversity, and inclusion initiatives

Key Responsibilities

Lead strategic coordination and operational oversight of multi-million dollar neurosurgery research initiatives across Canada, serving as the central liaison between academic institutions, clinical sites, and industry partners
Drive project excellence through comprehensive planning, risk management, and resource optimization while ensuring adherence to strict regulatory compliance and funder requirements
Orchestrate national research meetings and represent Principal Investigators in high-stakes negotiations, demonstrating executive-level decision-making authority
Lead cross-functional teams including research assistants and coordinators, providing strategic guidance, performance management, and professional development opportunities
Spearhead research ethics applications, regulatory submissions, and contract negotiations, ensuring legal compliance and optimal terms for multi-site research operations
Develop and implement standardized operating procedures and quality assurance frameworks that establish best practices across multiple research sites
Manage complex budgets and financial negotiations with external institutions while maintaining fiscal responsibility and maximizing research impact
Drive knowledge translation through professional publications, presentations, and innovative communication strategies that advance the field of neurosurgery

Requirements

Education

Bachelors of Science degree or Masters in related discipline

Experience

minimum 5 years related research experience / multi-site research projects with at least 2-3 years of leadership and managerial experience

Required Skills

Proven experience managing budgets, timelines and team operations Experience relationship building with multiple stakeholders including clinical teams, researchers, administrative departments Demonstrated experience with research ethics submissions Experience with EMR systems and building EDCs Strong planning, organizational, and time-management skills Ability to manage complex workflows and meet deadlines across multiple sites Excellent written and verbal communication, interpersonal skills Ability to lead and facilitate team meetings and coordinate across diverse groups Proven supervisory and team-building skills Skilled in fostering inclusive and respectful workplace environments Experience managing complex, multi-site research initiatives Excellent organizational skills to manage multiple projects in a timely manner and flexibility to adapt to changing workload Strong problem-solving skills Able to work independently and as part of a team Ability to work under pressure and attention to detail
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Sauge AI Market Intelligence

Industry Trends

The healthcare research sector is experiencing unprecedented growth in neurosurgery and spine surgery research, driven by aging populations and increased prevalence of spinal disorders. Advanced surgical techniques, minimally invasive procedures, and AI-assisted surgical planning are creating demand for sophisticated research management capabilities. Multi-site clinical research is becoming increasingly complex, requiring project managers who can navigate international regulatory frameworks, coordinate diverse stakeholder groups, and manage substantial budgets. The trend toward precision medicine and personalized treatment approaches is driving the need for more comprehensive data collection and analysis across multiple research sites. Healthcare organizations are prioritizing equity, diversity, and inclusion initiatives, particularly in research settings, creating demand for project managers who can implement inclusive practices and ensure diverse patient populations are represented in clinical studies. The integration of electronic medical records (EMR) systems and electronic data capture (EDC) platforms is revolutionizing clinical research, requiring project managers with technical expertise to optimize data collection processes and ensure regulatory compliance across multiple sites.

Salary Evaluation

The salary range of CAD 96,054-120,078 annually is competitive for senior-level research project management positions in Toronto's healthcare sector. This compensation reflects the specialized nature of neurosurgery research, the multi-site coordination responsibilities, and the requirement for extensive regulatory knowledge. The salary is well-positioned within the Canadian healthcare research market, accounting for Toronto's cost of living and the premium placed on experienced research managers in specialized medical fields.

Role Significance

Based on the multi-site nature and comprehensive responsibilities, this role likely oversees a distributed team of 10-20 individuals including research assistants, coordinators, and administrative staff across multiple locations. The position involves matrix management of clinical teams, researchers, and support staff at various institutions throughout Canada.
This is a senior-level position with significant autonomy and decision-making authority. The role involves representing Principal Investigators in negotiations, managing substantial budgets, and leading cross-functional teams across multiple sites. The 'Project Manager II' designation indicates an advanced level within the organizational hierarchy, with responsibilities that extend beyond traditional project coordination to include strategic planning, contract negotiation, and regulatory oversight.

Key Projects

Large-scale clinical trials evaluating new spine surgery techniques and medical devices Multi-center comparative effectiveness studies examining surgical outcomes across different patient populations Regulatory submission projects for Health Canada and international health authorities Collaborative research initiatives with industry partners developing innovative neurosurgical technologies Knowledge translation projects aimed at implementing research findings into clinical practice

Success Factors

Exceptional stakeholder management skills are crucial for navigating the complex relationships between academic institutions, clinical sites, industry partners, and regulatory bodies. Success requires the ability to build consensus among diverse groups with potentially competing interests. Deep understanding of clinical research regulations, ethics requirements, and quality assurance standards is essential for ensuring compliance across multiple jurisdictions and maintaining the integrity of research operations. Strong financial acumen and budget management capabilities are critical for optimizing resource allocation across multiple sites while maintaining strict adherence to funder requirements and institutional policies. Leadership and team development skills are vital for building high-performing research teams, managing performance across distributed locations, and fostering an inclusive work environment that supports diverse team members. Technical proficiency in research systems, data management platforms, and regulatory submission processes is increasingly important as healthcare research becomes more digitized and data-driven.

Market Demand

High demand exists for experienced healthcare research project managers, particularly those with neurosurgery and multi-site research expertise. The aging population, increased healthcare spending on innovative treatments, and growing emphasis on evidence-based medicine are driving sustained demand for these specialized roles.

Important Skills

Critical Skills

Multi-site research management experience is absolutely essential as this role requires coordinating complex operations across multiple locations with varying regulatory requirements, institutional policies, and operational capabilities. Success depends on the ability to standardize processes while accommodating local variations. Research ethics and regulatory compliance expertise is crucial for navigating the complex landscape of clinical research oversight, including institutional review boards, Health Canada requirements, and international regulatory standards. Any deficiencies in this area could jeopardize research integrity and organizational reputation. Budget management and financial oversight skills are critical for managing substantial research funding, negotiating contracts with multiple institutions, and ensuring optimal resource allocation across sites. Financial mismanagement could result in funding loss and project termination. Leadership and team management capabilities are essential for building and maintaining high-performing research teams across distributed locations. The success of multi-million dollar research initiatives depends on effective team coordination and performance management.

Beneficial Skills

Advanced project management certifications (PMP, PRINCE2) would enhance credibility and provide structured methodologies for managing complex research initiatives, particularly when dealing with industry partners who expect standardized project management approaches. Clinical research certifications such as CCRP (Certified Clinical Research Professional) or ACRP credentials would demonstrate specialized knowledge and commitment to professional development in the clinical research field. Experience with specific therapeutic areas beyond neurosurgery, such as orthopedics, pain management, or medical device research, would provide valuable context for understanding broader healthcare research trends and methodologies. Regulatory affairs expertise, particularly experience with Health Canada submissions and international regulatory harmonization, would be increasingly valuable as research becomes more globalized and regulatory requirements become more complex.

Unique Aspects

This role offers exceptional exposure to cutting-edge neurosurgery research and the opportunity to influence the development of new treatments that directly impact patient outcomes and quality of life for individuals with spinal disorders.
The position provides unique access to a national network of clinical sites and research institutions, creating opportunities for professional development and collaboration with leading experts in neurosurgery and spine surgery across Canada.
The combination of operational management, regulatory oversight, and strategic planning responsibilities offers comprehensive experience that is highly valued in the healthcare research sector and provides excellent preparation for senior leadership roles.
Working within Unity Health Toronto's research environment provides exposure to diverse research methodologies, funding mechanisms, and partnership models that are applicable across various therapeutic areas and research domains.

Career Growth

Career advancement to director-level positions typically occurs within 3-5 years with demonstrated success in managing large-scale research programs. Progression to executive roles may take 5-8 years, depending on additional education, certifications, and leadership experience gained.

Potential Next Roles

Research Program Director or Manager overseeing multiple research initiatives and larger budgets Director of Clinical Research Operations at academic medical centers or pharmaceutical companies Senior roles in health technology assessment organizations or regulatory agencies Executive positions in clinical research organizations (CROs) specializing in neurosurgery or medical device research Consulting roles advising healthcare organizations on research strategy and operations

Company Overview

Unity Health Toronto

Unity Health Toronto is one of Canada's largest academic health science networks, formed through the integration of St. Michael's Hospital, St. Joseph's Health Centre, and Providence Healthcare. The organization is recognized as a leader in clinical care, research, and education, with particular strength in urban health, social medicine, and innovative healthcare delivery models.

Unity Health Toronto holds a prominent position in the Canadian healthcare landscape, ranking among the top academic health networks in the country. The organization's research enterprise generates substantial funding from government agencies, foundations, and industry partners, establishing it as a major player in healthcare innovation and clinical research.
As a Toronto-based organization, Unity Health Toronto benefits from access to one of North America's largest healthcare markets and a robust ecosystem of academic institutions, research organizations, and healthcare technology companies. The Toronto market offers extensive networking opportunities and career advancement potential within the healthcare research sector.
The organization emphasizes collaborative, multidisciplinary approaches to healthcare research and maintains a strong commitment to social responsibility and community engagement. The work environment is characterized by academic rigor, innovation focus, and a mission-driven culture that prioritizes patient outcomes and healthcare equity.
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