VIDO
Project Manager
Description
The Vaccine and Infectious Disease Organization (VIDO), Canada’s Centre for Pandemic Research, is a world leader in infectious disease research and vaccine development for humans and animals. Located at the University of Saskatchewan in Saskatoon, Canada, VIDO is home to one of the largest and most advanced containment level 3 facilities in the world. To strengthen the preparedness for emerging infectious diseases we are currently expanding our infrastructure to include containment level 4 capacity, a GMP vaccine manufacturing facility, and a new animal housing facility. Our vision includes having the capacity to study any emerging disease in any animal model embracing a One Health approach to prevent emerging and re-emerging infectious diseases in humans and animals.
Reporting to the Director of Vaccine Development, you will be responsible for helping to create and manage a new network called the Canada Biodefence Network (CBN). The CBN is an initiative delivered through PRAIRIE Hub for Pandemic Preparedness, a multi-institution federally funded hub supporting pandemic preparedness research, coordination, and biomanufacturing readiness across the prairie provinces, with VIDO as a key partner. CBN is a new initiative designed to strengthen Canada’s preparedness and coordinated response to biological threats. The network will connect government agencies, academic researcher facilities, and industry across Canada to ensure rapid communication, shared capabilities, and resilient biodefence infrastructure.
We are seeking an experienced Project Manager to coordinate the development, launch, and early operations of this cross‑sector network. The Project Manager, while working with other PRAIRIE Hub members, will manage multi-stakeholder coordination, overseeing project timelines, tracking deliverables, facilitating the network governance structure, and supporting the design and implementation of the network’s operational framework.
Responsibilities include, but are not limited to:
- Build and maintain workplans, timelines, deliverables, decision/action tracking, and risk/issue management across multiple partners.
- Develop working relationships with military/national defence stakeholders and bring them together with academic, public health, government, and industry partners in productive working formats (organize stakeholder meetings).
- Set up clear roles, working groups, meeting cadences, and information flows to support collaboration and follow-through.
- Shape and run feasibility activities and deliver concrete outputs (structures, templates, minimum-viable approaches, and documented recommendations).
- Demonstrate good judgment and discretion: comfortable working in sensitive environments; understand confidentiality and appropriate information handling.
- Produce agendas, briefing notes, meeting summaries, decision records, and progress updates that support accountability.
- Track project expenditures vs allocated budget; support budget forecasting and grant reporting.
- Support data management, including development of a capabilities and capacity database.
- Participate in and support other Hub activities.
Education and Experience:
- Bachelor’s degree in public health, biological sciences, health systems, emergency management, public administration, or a related field
- Minimum 3 years of project management experience, ideally in public health, national security, scientific research coordination, or emergency management (multi-partner, multi-site, and/or cross-sector).
- Project Management Professional certification an asset.
- Experience convening stakeholders and following through with action logs, timelines, and deliverables.
- Experience supporting database or information-management initiatives (requirements gathering, governance, vendor coordination, data stewardship concepts, and associated security considerations).
- Experience working with defence, government, or public sector stakeholders, or in other sensitive/regulated environments an asset.
- Experience planning or supporting tabletop exercises or coordination drills (planning, logistics, documentation, follow-up) an asset.
Other Requirements:
- Comfortable handling sensitive information with discretion and sound judgment.
- Strong writing skills and experience preparing materials for stakeholders (briefing notes, meeting notes, progress reporting).
- Strong organization skills and comfort with simple tracking tools (Sheets/Excel/project trackers/shared drives).
- Familiarity with biosecurity, biodefence, emergency management, public safety, or related interagency coordination.
- Familiarity with life sciences, biomanufacturing, or diagnostics environments.
Status: Term – 2 years
Employment Group: Non-Union
Shift: Monday - Friday, 7.5 hours per day (37.5 hours per week); evening and weekend work may be required to attend to emergent situations. Travel may also be required.
Full Time Equivalent (FTE): 1.0
The successful applicant will be required to provide the following current verification(s) where 'Yes' is indicated below. Further information is available at: https://careers.usask.ca/tips-for-applying.php#Howtoapplyforaposition
Facility Access Screening including Criminal Record Check: Yes
Driver's License and Abstract Check: Not Applicable
Education/Credential Verification: Yes
Vulnerable Sector Check: Not Applicable
Interested candidates are asked to submit their application including a cover letter, CV, and the names of three references online.
Applications will be accepted until May 12, 2026. We thank all applicants for their interest; only those candidates selected for an interview will be contacted.
For more information visit: vido.org
The University believes equity, diversity, and inclusion strengthen the community and enhance excellence, innovation, and creativity. We are dedicated to recruiting individuals who will enrich our work and learning environments. All qualified candidates are encouraged to apply; however, in accordance with Canadian immigration requirements, Canadian citizens and permanent residents will be given priority. We are committed to providing accommodations to those with a disability or medical necessity. If you require accommodation to participate in the recruitment process, please notify us and we will work together on the accommodation request. The University of Saskatchewan’s main campus is situated on Treaty 6 Territory and the Homeland of the Métis. We pay our respects to the First Nations and Métis ancestors of this place and reaffirm our relationship with one another. Together, we are uplifting Indigenization to a place of prominence at the University of Saskatchewan.