Program Manager- Advancing Canadian Water Assets (ACWA)

Job ID: 35225
Location: Main Campus
Updated July 03, 2025

We would like to take this opportunity to acknowledge the traditional territories of the people of the Treaty 7 region in Southern Alberta.

The City of Calgary is also home to Métis Nation of Alberta, Districts 5 and 6.

Description

The Advancing Canadian Water Assets Team in the Office of VP Research invites applications for a Program Manager. This Full-time Fixed Term position is for approximately 12 months (based on length of grant funding), with the possibility of extension.

Advancing Canadian Water Assets (ACWA) is a $38.5m facility focused on supporting research, development, piloting, demonstration and de-risking of leading-edge wastewater treatment technology, plus evaluation of associated receiving environment effects.  Its mandate is to facilitate the transformation of today wastewater treatment into tomorrow¿s innovative technologies for sustainable resource recovery and enhanced environmental performance.  ACWA is a partnership between the University and The City of Calgary.

Reporting to the Executive Director, the Program Manager is responsible for the engagement and ultimate delivery of client projects, including providing technical planning and guidance as needed. As a member of the ACWA team, to envision water and wastewater management of the future and provide insights into how ACWA can position itself for prominence in this field. The Program Manager will support the Executive Director in providing value to all stakeholders of the University water program. This role supports the Executive Director in the areas of Industrial Engagement and Business Development as required. As such, the Program Manager will need to juggle tasks for multiple projects and priorities effectively.

Primary Purpose of the Position: (Key purpose, functions, roles):

• Co-develop and support the implementation of the ACWA Pilot Program. This will include coordination with our partner The City of Calgary and the operation and maintenance of existing infrastructure and required modifications. This may include oversight of the O&M of the pilot test(s) equipment, test planning/scheduling/execution, writing operating procedures, organize and report on data, participation in reporting. Development of this program may include providing new insights and/or concepts for testing.
• Assist in securing additional partners to solidify ACWA’s long-term success.
• Employ existing assets and attract new ones as required, in order to grow and differentiate ACWA into an internationally sought-after facility for developing and de-risking new approaches for managing water, storm water, wastewater and related resources.
• Ensure that ACWAs facilities and infrastructure are operational and available to researchers, regulators and industry clients.
• Participates in the development and implementation of plans to achieve research-related goals, facility access, billing and fees, facility utilization, client projects, training, coordination, partnership development, outcomes measurement and reporting, and other duties.
• Assist in supporting academic and industrial grant applications. (NSERC CFI , IRAP, AI)  agencies).
• The PM will also be responsible for tasks that include site training for ACWA, helping researchers navigate security access and pass card applications, and helping researchers and students coordinate access to labs and the ACWA site.

Summary of Key Responsibilities (job functions include but are not limited to):

• Review invoices from The City of Calgary to ensure compliance with budgetary and reporting requirements.
• Familiarity with ACWA projects, their deliverables, and reporting requirements.
• Report on scientific updates as required by different granting agencies such as CFI, NSERC, liaise and effectively communicate with colleagues in the U of C Research Services Office, e.g., at year end, based on different funding agency requirements.
• Obtain (maintain) all required facility licenses.
• Order from and interface with vendors (equipment, consumables, warranties).
• Track shipments, receive deliveries (with associated record keeping), raise purchase orders, pay invoices.
• Provide overall familiarity and guidance with U of C rules and norms; navigate different possibilities with university administration when unconventional situations or questions arise, maintain effective communication with The City of Calgary Operations and Maintenance staff, particularly regarding maintenance issues at ACWA.
• Maintain clear and regular channels for communication with ACWA stakeholders, City staff and ACWA researchers/ customers.

Qualifications / Requirements:

• Degree in Engineering , Diploma in Engineering Technology or related technical field with preference given to mechanical or chemical disciplines.
• In-depth knowledge of the wastewater sector (municipal and industrial) preferred.
• 3 – 5 plus years¿ experience and knowledge of other disciplines, including water sciences and /or environmental practice and management, laboratory chemical analyses , technology de-risking and/or innovation.
• Have strong computer skills, interact comfortably with collaborators (including colleagues from utilities, industry and government), be people-oriented and enjoy working with graduate students and early / late career scientists.
• Ability to act decisively and to exercise a high degree of independence, initiative and judgment.
• The PM may represent the university in interactions with The City of Calgary, regulators and industrial partners, and therefore must have the highest level of integrity.
• ACWA is located in south Calgary and is not accessible by transit; access to suitable personnel transportation (or reliable alternatives) is necessary.

Application Deadline:  July 14, 2025

We would like to thank all applicants in advance for submitting their resumes. Please note, only those candidates chosen to continue on through the selection process will be contacted.

This position is part of the AUPE bargaining unit, and falls under the Specialist/Advisor Job Family, Phase 3.

For a listing of all management and staff opportunities at the University of Calgary, view our Management and Staff Careers website. 

About the University of Calgary

UCalgary is Canada’s entrepreneurial university, located in Canada’s most enterprising city. It is a top research university and one of the highest-ranked universities of its age. Founded in 1966, its 36,000 students experience an innovative learning environment, made rich by research, hands-on experiences and entrepreneurial thinking. It is Canada’s leader in the creation of start-ups. Start something today at the University of Calgary. For more information, visit ucalgary.ca.

The University of Calgary has launched an institution-wide Indigenous Strategy committing to creating a rich, vibrant, and culturally competent campus that welcomes and supports Indigenous Peoples, encourages Indigenous community partnerships, is inclusive of Indigenous perspectives in all that we do.

As an equitable and inclusive employer, the University of Calgary recognizes that a diverse staff/faculty benefits and enriches the work, learning and research experiences of the entire campus and greater community. We are committed to removing barriers that have been historically encountered by some people in our society. We strive to recruit individuals who will further enhance our diversity and will support their academic and professional success while they are here. In particular, we encourage members of the designated groups (women, Indigenous peoples, persons with disabilities, members of visible/racialized minorities, and diverse sexual orientation and gender identities) to apply. To ensure a fair and equitable assessment, we offer accommodation at any stage during the recruitment process to applicants with disabilities. Questions regarding [diversity] EDI at UCalgary can be sent to the Office of Institutional Commitments (equity@ucalgary.ca) and requests for accommodations can be sent to Human Resources (hrhire@ucalgary.ca).

Do you have most but not all the qualifications? Research show that women, racialized and visible minorities, and persons with disabilities are less likely to apply for jobs unless they meet every single qualification. At UCalgary we are committed to achieving equitable, diverse, inclusive and accessible employment practices and workplaces and encourage you to apply if you believe you are right for this role. 

We encourage all qualified applicants to apply, however preference will be given to Canadian citizens and permanent residents of Canada.