Junior Manager, Research and Development
Toronto Pan Am Sports Centre Inc. is currently seeking a full-time Junior Manager, Research and Development to join our team for a 12-month contract.
This Junior Manager, Research and Development will play a key role in driving Toronto Pan Am Sports Centre Inc’s (“TPASC”) strategic growth by leading the research of new programs, business opportunities, emerging technologies and industry initiatives. The ideal candidate will also focus on the development and implementation of best practices for standard operation procedures, business development initiatives, and operational efficiency and effectiveness. They will also oversee surveys, feedback mechanisms and idea management, ensuring valuable insights are collected and utilized to enhance TPASC’s success.
The key accountabilities of the role include, but are not limited to:
Research and Analysis:
- Lead research initiatives to identify new business opportunities, market trends, and emerging technologies.
- Perform internal research on TPASC initiatives to ensure the organization remains a leader in the sport, recreation, and wellness space.
- Analyze and interpret data on key industry trends to inform strategic decision-making and identify growth opportunities.
- Carry out continuous research on the following industries to keep TPASC world-leading:
- Sport Facility Operations
- Sport Facility Management
- Programming (Sport, Recreation, Leisure & Wellness)
- Sport/Business/Facility Technologies and Innovations
- Sport Business Operations and Administration
- Execute detailed business research to establish and refine best practices for standard operating procedures, business development strategies, and operational effectiveness.
- Lead detailed product research to establish best options and industry leaders in the areas of fitness, field of play, and aquatics equipment.
- Perform ongoing research on the best technologies to enhance TPASC’s operations, programming, management, and leadership.
- Conduct detailed research and analysis on industry standards and innovation in Customer Service, Customer Sales, and Customer Experience.
- Monitor and evaluate new industry initiatives to ensure TPASC remains at the forefront of innovation and industry leadership.
Project Development:
- Collaborate with cross-functional teams to evaluate and prioritize potential Research and Development projects, ensuring alignment with TPASC’s organizational objectives.
- Develop feasibility studies and business cases for new projects and technologies.
- Monitor and report on the progress of research projects, identifying and addressing potential challenges or opportunities.
Best Practice Development:
- Conduct research, develop and document standard operating procedures to enhance organizational efficiency and effectiveness.
- Investigate and document product comparisons, options and functionality that might best service or solves business problems and objectives of TPASC.
- Research and document best practices in Customer Service, Customer Sales and Customer Experience.
- Benchmark operational and business development processes against industry standards to drive continuous improvement.
- Provide actionable recommendations to optimize workflows, reduce redundancies, and maximize resource utilization.
Surveys Feedback, and Idea Management:
- Design and implement internal and external surveys, questionnaires, and feedback mechanisms to gather insights from employees, customers and stakeholders.
- Manage the collection, analysis, and reporting of feedback, ensuring insights are translated into actional recommendations.
- Oversee platforms for idea generation and collaboration, fostering a culture of innovation within TPASC.
- Collaborate with relevant teams to implement and track the impact of ideas and improvements.
Stakeholder Engagement:
- Build and maintain relationships with industry professionals, academic institutions and technology providers to identify collaboration and partnership opportunities.
- Represent TPASC at conferences, seminars and networking events to share insights and remain updated on industry developments.
- Serve as a key point of contact for external stakeholders involved in Research and Development initiatives.
Strategic Research and Development Focus Areas
As a Junior Manager, Research and Development, you will focus on the following key strategic areas:
Internal Research & Development
- Lead internal research on TPASC initiatives, products, and technologies, ensuring that TPASC remains a global leader in high-performance sport, recreation, wellness, and fitness facilities.
- Design and implement strategies to embed a Technology Innovation Hub within TPASC’s day-to-day business operations, facility operations, and programming, fostering innovation in all aspects of the business.
- Conduct in-depth research on the fitness industry, exploring trends, equipment, programming, facility design, and innovations—including fitness centers, locker rooms, and auxiliary footprints.
- Continual research on the best technologies to enhance TPASC’s programming, operations, management, and leadership, ensuring operational efficiency and effectiveness.
- Collaborate with the IT Department and team to align quantitative work with qualitative research efforts across TPASC and the campus, ensuring that both operational and technological solutions are integrated seamlessly.
Examples of Focus Areas
- Example #1: Designing and implementing a strategy to embed a Technology Innovation Hub inside TPASC’s day-to-day business operations, facility operations, and programming to position TPASC as a world-leading high-performance sport, recreation, wellness, and fitness facility.
- Example #2: Researching the fitness industry to provide a detailed analysis of key trends, equipment, programming, design, and facility innovation, including fitness centers, locker rooms, auxiliary spaces, and programming elements.
External Research & Development
- Collaborate with other sport properties, universities, and research organizations to engage in special research projects, contributing new insights and solutions for TPASC.
- Oversee national case study competitions to find new solutions for TPASC’s specific challenges, and work with outside organizations to analyze and assess needs.
- Partner with National Sport Organizations (NSOs), Provincial Sport Organizations (PSOs), and other sport organizations to drive collaborative research and development efforts, ensuring TPASC remains at the forefront of industry trends.
What We Are Looking For From You:
- Bachelor’s degree in Sport Business, Sport Administration, Sport Management, or a related field. A master’s degree is preferred.
- 1-3 years of experience in a research, business development, project management, or related fields.
- Strong analytical and problem-solving skills with the ability to interpret data and provide actionable insights.
- Knowledge of industry trends, innovation methodologies and best practices in research and development.
- Proven ability to develop and implement standard operation procedures and process improvement initiatives.
- Proficiency in Microsoft Office, data visualization tools and survey software
- Excellent communication and presentation skills, both written and verbal.
- Strong organizational and time management skills with the ability to manage multiple projects simultaneously.
- Created and forward-thinking mindset, with a passion for driving innovation and organizational success.
- Ability to collaborate effective across diver teams and stakeholders.
- A Vulnerable Persons police record check will be required for the successful candidate.
Working Conditions:
- Full Time, primarily office-based with regular business hours. Occasional evening and weekend work required to attend events, meetings, or conferences.
- Ability to work in a sport and recreation facility, with regular interaction with partners, employees, and patrons.
At the Toronto Pan Am Sports Centre Inc. We Can Offer You:
- Opportunities for professional growth and career development.
- A collaborative, innovative, and supportive work environment.
- Complimentary Fitness Centre Membership.
- Invitations to corporate events and networking opportunities.
- Staff discounts on mobility equipment, clothing, events, and more.
How to Apply
Please submit your cover letter and resume detailing your relevant experience and qualifications, to the attention of Stephanie Battrick, Senior Manager, Human Resources by March 5, 2025.
E-mail address: sbattrick@tpasc.ca
About Us:
A legacy of the 2015 Toronto Pan Am and Parapan Am Games, Toronto Pan Am Sports Centre is operated by a corporation co-owned by the City of Toronto and the University of Toronto. The world-class facility was the largest sport new build for the Games and the largest infrastructure investment in Canadian amateur sport history.
Offering an extensive range of services, TPASC caters to a diverse community, including recreational groups, university students, fitness enthusiasts, and elite athletes. Our world-class facilities include two internationally sanctioned 50-meter, 10-lane pools, a dive pool, and dry-land training areas. We also feature a four-court gymnasium, rock-climbing wall, indoor running track, conditioning rooms, and studio spaces. Additionally, our state-of-the-art fitness center is designed to support both casual members and high-performance athletes alike.
Additionally, the Canadian Sport Institute Ontario (CSIO) is located in the Toronto Pan Am Sports Centre, offering leading-edge sport science and sport performance services. The facility first opened in September 2014 to a variety of users, including the University of Toronto community, City of Toronto programs, and high-performance athletes. For more details, you can visit their official website at www.tpasc.ca.
Toronto Pan Am Sports Centre Inc. is committed to creating an inclusive and diverse work environment and is proud to be an equal opportunity employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, ancestry, place of origin, colour, ethnic origin, citizenship, creed, sex, sexual orientation, age, marital status, family status or disability.
Toronto Pan Am Sports Centre Inc. will provide, on request, accommodations for disabilities to support your participation in all of our Recruitment Process.
We thank all applicants that apply, however only those being considered for an interview will be contacted.