Project Manager, Estonia Research Projects

Number of positions: 1
Location: University of Victoria
Reports to: Associate Director, Community and Government Relations
Salary: $80,000 - $90,000

Deadline for application: May 31, 2026

Position Summary

About ACET
Accelerating Community Energy Transformation (ACET) is a multi-partner international initiative accelerating the global push for resilient and equitable clean energy solutions through local, community-based collaborations.  

Established at the University of Victoria in 2023, ACET builds on three decades of knowledge and innovation developed by the Institute for Integrated Energy Systems (IESVic) with industry, nonprofit, government, and community partners.  

With support from the Canada First Research Excellence Fund, ACET is a partnership between Royal Roads University, University of British Columbia, Université du Québec à Trois-Rivières and Yukon University, led by the University of Victoria. 

About The Estonian Islands Energy Agency
Established in 2023, the Estonian Islands Energy Agency (EISEA) is a socially oriented non-profit operating on six islands in western Estonia: Saaremaa, Hiiumaa, Muhu, Vormsi, Ruhnu and Kihnu. EISEA helps local authorities, communities and businesses to implement projects aimed at more sustainable energy use and production, and which help reduce carbon emissions. 

The founding members of EISEA are the rural municipalities of the islands of Saaremaa, Hiiumaa, Muhu, Kihnu and Vormsi, the entrepreneurs’ associations of Saaremaa and Hiiumaa, the Saare Development Centre and the Tallinn University of Technology. EISEA’s activities are funded by the European Union’s LIFE programme, by EISEA’s founders and through the provision of various services. 

About the Partnership
ACET and EISEA have partnered to co-design and deliver applied clean energy research that benefits communities in Canada, Estonia, and Europe. This partnership is grounded in reciprocal learning and exchange, bringing together ACET’s research expertise with EISEA’s local knowledge and on-the-ground experience. Through this collaboration, both Canadian and Estonian partners contribute to and learn from each other’s contexts, approaches, and innovations.

About the Role
The Project Manager will be working to support the delivery of three initial research projects who will be developing research proposals on three themes (circular economy and biogas production, social acceptance and NIMBYism in relation to wind energy, and energy resiliency and distributed energy systems).  The project manager is a key role that ensures the effective coordination between multiple ongoing research projects with the goal of facilitating a strong partner and collaborator experience and advancing collaboration with Estonian academic institutions on horizon Europe applications. The project manager is empowered to anticipate opportunities, manage project risks, and coordinate the partnership governance structure.

Key responsibilities
Key responsibilities for this position include:

• In collaboration with project teams across the three projects including ACET Research Managers, Lead Researchers, Postdoctoral Fellows, Engagement Leads, and EISEA and Estonian representatives ensure timely delivery, progress tracking, budgeting, and reporting of all project phases.

• Develop and implement project management systems and processes in alignment with FIPPA (including information repository, Teams environments, and file management) and facilitate training across project teams
• Coordinate with the ACET Project Portfolio Manager and ACET Research Impact Officer to align documents and processes with other ACET projects and meet reporting requirements.
• Support the development of ACET project development templates, budgets, research ethics application
• Maintain strong relationships with Estonian and Canadian collaborators including academic institutions, industry partners, and organizational representatives
• Uphold and contribute to the ACET EISEA partnership governance structure
• Anticipate project risks and proactively initiate solutions in collaboration with ACET core team and research project teams
• Coordinate and contribute to the preparation and presentation of research findings and communications for technical and non-academic audiences
• Coordinate joint applications to Canadian and European funding streams including Horizon Europe
• Represent the project and ACET with integrity throughout the lifecycle of the project
• Ability to travel to communities within the project region as required
• Upholding ACET values related to Equity, Diversion and Inclusion, and safe and healthy workplaces

Skills and Qualifications
This position requires a level of education, training, and experience equivalent to a bachelor’s degree in engineering, social sciences, environmental studies, public policy and/or Indigenous governance, or a related field. A minimum of 5 years experience in project management, preferably in a research environment, is required. An equivalent combination of education, training, and experience may be considered.

Experience

• Demonstrated success managing complex multi-stakeholder engagement projects, and technical feasibility projects.
• Co-ordination experience in working with a small team of researchers.

• Proven ability to manage interdisciplinary research with technical teams in an academic environment and synthesize outputs for variety of stakeholders.
• Experience with milestone tracking and having accountability to multiple partners.
• Experience managing research budgets.
• Experience coordinating and contributing to funding applications in a research and/or community context.

Knowledge, skills and abilities

• Deep understanding of energy and energy transition technologies.
• Strong understanding of project management practices and methodologies, managing and tracking project status.
• Managing multiple research projects including budgets, timelines, and key performance indicators (KPIs).
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills tailored to diverse audiences—from technical experts to community members.
• Strong organizational skills, with the ability to balance long-term planning and short-term deliverables.
• Competency with project management and collaboration tools (e.g., MS Project, Teams, SharePoint, MS Suite 365).
• High emotional intelligence, cultural sensitivity, and ability to work across cultures, disciplines, and institutions.

Assets or preferences

• PMP or equivalent project management certification
• Proficiency in Estonian language

Working conditions

• This is a one-year, full-time position with the opportunity to extend based on project requirements, impact, and funding.
• Applicants must be able to work across time-zones (beginning at 7:00am PST).
• This is ideally a Victoria-based position at the University of Victoria; a hybrid-remote position in British Columbia, is a possibility depending on the candidate.
• Applicants must be permitted to work in Canada and be available to begin by July 1, 2026.

Accessibility and Equity Statements
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How to Apply
Please submit your application, including a cover letter and CV to [email protected] with subject line Project Manager – Estonia Research Projects by midnight on May 31, 2026.