Associate Director, Sustainable Transportation Transit Research

JOB ID: J0626-0959

Classification: Temporary Contract Administration

Pay Band: 12

Pay Range: $106,420 – $153,021 per year

Campus/Location: Progress/Ashtonbee Campus (Hybrid)

Hours/Week: 35 (1-year contract)

Shift Schedule: Monday – Friday, 8:30 am – 4:30 pm

Posting Date: June 26, 2026

Closing Date: July 31, 2026

Hiring Range: $106,420 – $141,892 per year

Centennial College recognizes and affirms Diversity, Equity and Inclusion and Indigenous ways of knowing as central to the vibrancy and uniqueness of its learning and working academic mission. We strongly encourage applications from members of Indigenous communities and all equity-deserving groups including Women, Racialized, Persons with Disabilities, and LGBTQ+ communities.

We also recognize that Centennial is situated on the Treaty Lands of the Mississaugas of the Credit First Nation and pay tribute to their legacy as well as that of all First Peoples that have been and remain present here in Toronto. We recognize that First Peoples come from sovereign Nations and that part of understanding our responsibilities of residing on this territory are understanding the true history, circumstances and legacy of the Treaties signed here (such as the Toronto Purchase, Robinson-Huron Treaty and Williams Treaties) and including pre-contact Treaties and Agreements between sovereign Nations and that all peoples in this area are therefore Treaty people with obligations and responsibilities to all our relations.

Position Summary

The Associate Director, Sustainable Transportation Transit Research, reporting to the Dean, Centennial Innovates (Applied Research, Innovation and Entrepreneurship), brings strong credentials to the role in both academia and business, including high level of education, extensive work experience, including project and stakeholder management, and entrepreneurial background. This position is primarily responsible for the development and execution of externally funded research activity at the college. In particular, the Associate Director will be responsible for the management of applied research and innovation programs in transportation and transit innovation funded within the NSERC Mobilize Grant.

The Associate Director will drive and engage applied research and innovation, across and outside Centennial to fulfil the College’s vision (Transforming lives and communities through learning), mission, and strategic mandate. The incumbent takes strategic initiatives to develop the applied research portfolio, building stakeholder relationships especially during new project development, and working collaboratively with faculty, employees and students across the College, as well as external government, industry and academic partners. The incumbent also provides technical expertise and manages implementation of approved and funded projects in transportation related to and influencing the College’s strategic direction and changing business needs.

Responsibilities

This role provides applied research leadership by:
Being knowledgeable of research methodologies and process, and research ethics
Having strong general knowledge of technology and market trends and growth
Responding to economic and market trends and opportunities for highly qualified persons (HQP)
Maintaining close contact with industry associations and trade groups
Developing new internal and external partnerships and strategic alliances

The role is accountable for the initiation, planning, execution and completion of major programs related to stakeholder engagement across the College and in the community. The main responsibilities include, but are not limited to:

Program management over all phases of projects such as the initiation, planning, execution, monitoring and controlling, and closing,
Opportunity management including strategic planning and search for new partnership opportunities, defining new research projects, and applying for relevant funding,
Monitoring and controlling activities including project performance and progress review, risk analysis, variance analysis, cost control,
Contract management of project team members including faculty, students, consultants, third party contractors, service vendors and suppliers,
Stakeholder management including stakeholder analysis and classification (internal/external, leader/supporter/neutral/resistor, etc.), plan stakeholder management, manage and control stakeholder engagement.
Manage internal College research activity for the bus design innovation program with the TTC and Amalgamated Transit Workers Union (ATU)

Qualifications/Experience

PhD in Engineering or Sciences is required
9 years of relevant experience required, including experience leading applied research projects, research grant writing, and stakeholder and partnership development
Proven experience or subject matter expertise with transportation innovation projects
Expertise in the planning, design, development and execution of research projects
Knowledge of intellectual property and commercialization issues, legal clauses and agreements related to research, innovation and entrepreneurship
Specialized knowledge of research laws and regulations (e.g., Tri-Council Policy
Statement on Research Ethics, Responsible Conduct of Research)
Experience in program development and management; consulting and mentoring
Demonstrated strong proposal writing, presentation and communication skills
Sound decision-making skills, ability to work independently and take initiative to deliver impactful results.
Strong skills in client and stakeholder relationship building, and motivating and leading teams
Ability to organize and prioritize multiple tasks and meet competing demands
Well-rounded oral and written communication skills to engage and present to all levels of the College, College committees, external stakeholders and government representatives
Knowledge and experience in working effectively in a highly-diverse environment

Proof of credentials or equivalencies from accredited regional or federal post secondary institutions and/or their foreign equivalents will be required at the time of job offer.

When applying, your cover letter and résumé must include examples that reflect all of the requested skills and qualifications and must be submitted online by July 31, 2026 at 11:59 PM EST. Please quote Job ID J0626-0959. Misrepresentation of applicant information will be grounds for your exclusion from the competition or for dismissal should you subsequently be hired for the position. We wish to thank all applicants for their interest and advise that only those selected for an interview will be contacted.

We are committed to providing persons with disabilities equal opportunities regarding all employment activities, including access to jobs and accommodations during employment as required, in accordance with the Ontario Human Rights Code (OHRC) and the Accessibility for Ontarians with Disabilities Act (AODA).

Applications can be completed on our website.

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