Description

The Fields Institute for Research in Mathematical Sciences invites applications or nominations for the position of Director for a three- to five-year term (renewable once) commencing July 1, 2019 or as soon as convenient thereafter.

The Fields Institute is an independent research institute located on the University of Toronto campus, supported by nine principal sponsoring universities across Ontario. With over 4,000 visitors annually, the Institute’s mission is to enhance and advance mathematical activity nationally and internationally. Fields programs not only bring together leading researchers and students from Canada and abroad, but also promote collaboration and communication among professional mathematicians and the increasing number of users of mathematics—in the commercial and industrial sectors, and in the public sphere. See www.fields.utoronto.ca for more information.

Candidates should be active researchers in the mathematical sciences with high international stature, strong interpersonal and administrative skills, and have enthusiasm and a vision for the Institute.

A letter of application addressing the qualities above, together with a CV and names of three references should be sent here. Expressions of interest or nominations are welcome and can also be sent to this address. Women and members of underrepresented groups are particularly encouraged to apply. The Fields Institute is committed to creating a diverse environment and is proud to be an equal opportunity employer.

The Search Committee will consider dossiers on or about November 15, 2018. After that date, applications and nominations will be considered until the position is filled.

Director Search Committee:
Arvind Gupta, Chair, (Professor, University of Toronto)
Thierry Giordano (Professor, University of Ottawa)
Dusa McDuff (Professor, Barnard College)
Siobhan Roberts (Journalist and Author)
Mary Thompson (Professor Emeritus, U. Waterloo)
Michael Zerbs (Executive VP, Scotiabank)

Description

We are looking for an innovative, energetic, results-oriented IT professional with experience in current and emerging web technologies who can identify, develop, and deliver timely, top-quality service and technological solutions in support of the activities of the Fields Institute. Reporting to the Director of Computing Services, the Web Applications Developer and Technical Assistant (WADTA) actively provides services and support that are consistently excellent, professional, and friendly.

The mission of the Fields Institute is to enhance mathematical activity in Canada and internationally by bringing together mathematicians from Canada and abroad. The Institute supports research in pure and applied mathematics, statistics, and computer science, as well as collaboration between mathematicians and those applying mathematics in areas such as engineering, the physical and biological sciences, medicine, economics and finance, telecommunications and information systems.

Job Objectives

• help design and program online tools to improve the Institute staff's workflow and the experience of visitors attending activities
• interact with staff (with a wide range of ability levels) and assist them in using/learning technological tools
• improve the workflow and technological experience of all staff, gain insight from interactions with staff about what technical changes could assist them, recommend technical solutions, and provide assessments of the feasibility and potential impact of such potential changes
• assist in developing written documentation for staff

Qualifications

Education and Experience

• Bachelor’s degree or an acceptable combination of education and experience
• Minimum of 1 year's experience programming in a scripting language for a back-end web framework
• Experience working with web front-end technologies, including JavaScript, and experience in using CSS to implement web effects
• Familiarity with several different programming languages and web frameworks
• Experience working with databases and SQL coding, including at least one of Postgres, MySQL, or SQLite

Skills

• Demonstrated ability to teach and explain technical concepts, both orally and in writing.
• Demonstrated ability learning new language syntaxes and frameworks quickly and implementing algorithms in them
• Very good technical knowledge of how web applications operate, how front-end programs interact with back-end frameworks, and the comparative merits of different web frameworks

Other:

• Excellent written and oral communication skills
• Strong personal accountability and the ability to take initiative
• Problem-solving ability
• Efficient time management skills, practices, and habits
• Ability to keep pace in a dynamic environment with rapid changes in systems, hardware, user requirements and technologies.
• Ability to manage competing priorities flexibly and creatively
• Ability to re-prioritize and re-calibrate timelines of work in progress
• Ability to work independently
• Ability to take direction
• Team player with a disciplined, mature, professional approach

Application Instructions

Interested candidates should apply through Charity Village and submit:

1.  a cover letter (including salary expectations) and
2.  a curriculum vitae.

Application deadline is March 1, 2019.

Applications will be reviewed as they come in. It is in your best interest to apply as early as possible. Late applications will be accepted until the position is filled.

We wish to thank all applicants for their interest and effort in applying, however, only candidates selected for an interview will be contacted.

Description

Reporting to the Manager of Development and Communications (the Manager), the Members Liaison/Communications Officer (MLCO) will provide provide reception, member services, and communications duties, such as outreach, promotion, building stakeholder relationships, reporting, development, and fundraising in support of the mission and activities of the Fields Institute. The MLCO actively provides visitors, staff, and the Directorate with services and support that are consistently excellent, professional, and friendly.

Most critically, the incumbent will often be the "face" and first point of contact for the Institute and must make every effort to actively support the Fields Institute environment and its participants.



The MLCO will have a superior command of the fast-changing multi-channel/platform information ecosystem, including design and artistic abilities, and possess outstanding written and verbal communication skills to communicate concepts simply and clearly, engaging diverse communities and individuals.



The incumbent must at all times utilize effective interpersonal skills to support, assist, and clearly and effectively communicate with staff, activity organizers, Institute visitors, and the broader mathematics, statistics, scientific, and academic communities with which the Institute interacts.  

Fields Institute Mission

The mission of the Fields Institute is to enhance mathematical activity in Canada and internationally by bringing together mathematicians from Canada and abroad. The Institute supports research in pure and applied mathematics, statistics, and computer science, as well as collaboration between mathematicians and those applying mathematics in areas such as engineering, the physical and biological sciences, medicine, economics and finance, telecommunications and information systems.

Job Description

1. Support the Manager by:


• demonstrating personal accountability, integrity, and trustworthiness
• providing superb service to and actively fostering excellent relationships with Institute stakeholders
• understanding and supporting the mission of the Institute

2. Effectively communicate, utilizing a range of appropriate methods to:

• be aware of and report all significant developments or issues
• understand the attitude, interest, needs, and perspective of others
• share information with good judgment and give and solicit feedback

3. Manage competing demands and needs of the Institute by:

• 
exhibiting excellent organizational and time management skills and flexibility
• following and adapting to all relevant Institute procedures and processes
• communicating all process improvements to the Manager
• actively streamlining work and systems and improving efficiency
• actively resolving or avoiding duplication, wasted effort, and unnecessary "firefighting"

4. Communications Officer Duties

• Help produce, distribute or implement, as needed:
• annual report, quarterly newsletter (Fields Notes) and other reports.
• communications strategies or outreach campaigns to engage key audiences.
• announcements and online content.
• reports and newsworthy activities, including press releases, brochures, and fundraising and promotional materials.
• establish, build, and steward relationships with potential and current donors, including community members, corporations, foundations, and others.
• contribute to social media platform management (Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, LinkedIn).
• participate in ongoing projects and other duties as assigned by the Manager.

5. Members Liaison Duties


• Responsible for handling front office reception and administration duties, including greeting guests
• direct inquiries appropriately
• keep informed and up-to-date of all Institute activities
• answer or direct incoming phone calls to the Institute
• answer questions in a knowledgeable and professional manner
• sort incoming mail, log cheques, receive, and process couriers and mail
• prepare outgoing mail, maintain postage machine
• handle sales of Institute logo-ware and process receipts
• maintain kitchen area, supply cupboards, and reception area
• order catering supplies and set up tea break daily, Monday to Friday
• maintain reception and common areas clean and tidy at all times
• input registration and visiting members information into a database, retrieve and summarize information as required
• receive Institute members and provide Institute information and member services orientation
• set-up and close, as necessary, staff and visitor email, computer, and photocopy accounts
• maintain photo archive and board display of Institute visitors
• other duties as assigned by the Manager

Qualifications

Education:

• University Degree 


Experience:             

• Three years of relevant experience in an academic or non-for-profit settings
• Strong demonstrated working knowledge of Microsoft Outlook, Word, Excel, Content Management Systems (WordPress, Drupal, etc.)
• Good knowledge of Adobe InDesign. Working knowledge of Adobe Photoshop and Illustrator 


Other:

• Punctual with strong attendance history
• Strong attention to detail
• Ability to work well under pressure
• Ability to both take direction and work autonomously
• Ability to manage competing priorities flexibly and creatively
• Efficient time management skills, practices, and habits
• Flexibility to move in and out of different tasks as required
• Team player with a disciplined, mature and professional approach
• Excellent telephone manner

Application Instructions

Interested candidates should apply through Charity Village and submit the following:

1. a cover letter (including salary expectations) and
2. a curriculum vitae.

Applications will be reviewed on a rolling basis as they come in until the position is filled.

We wish to thank all applicants for their interest and effort in applying, however, only candidates selected for an interview will be contacted.