Director, Enterprise Partnerships

Competition 2308

This position is part of the Association of the Academic Staff of the University of Alberta (AASUA).

In accordance with the Administrative and Professional Officer Agreement, this position has a comprehensive benefits package and an annual salary range of $83,998 to $139,998.

Working at the University of Alberta

The University of Alberta acknowledges that we are located on Treaty 6 territory, and respects the histories, languages and cultures of First Nations, Métis, Inuit and all FirstPeoples of Canada, whose presence continues to enrich our vibrant community.

The University of Alberta is a community of knowledge seekers, change makers and world shapers who lead with purpose each and every day. We are home to over 14,000 faculty and staff, more than 40,000 students and a growing community of 300,000 alumni worldwide.

Your work will have a meaningful influence on a fascinating cross-section of people — from our students and community members, to our renowned researchers and innovators, making discoveries and generating solutions that make the world healthier, safer, stronger and more just. Learn more.

Position Summary

This position is one of two Directors, Enterprise Partnerships, who work in the Strategic Partnerships Office (SPO) alongside an Associate Director, and reports to the Associate Vice-President, Enterprise. The Strategic Partnerships Office identifies and creates strategic partnerships with industry for the University of Alberta, both internationally and domestically, that bring high-value, revenue-generation opportunities to the University of Alberta, simultaneously advancing the institution's education, and research & innovation strategic imperatives.

The Director helps the SPO act as a one-stop-shop for industry providing companies a one-stop- shop, helping them connect to relevant U of A research groups, creating workforce development programming, and helping with accessing our facilities. The Director will identify high-value opportunities for partnership for the U of A, assessing and triaging incoming opportunities, working closely with various other units/offices on campus.

The Director will help coordinate, as best possible, key messages and strategy, when working with strategic industry partners. Ensuring coordination, communication, alignment amongst disparate university offices dealing with strategic corporate partners.

The incumbent contributes to the enhancement of the profile of the three Colleges by building and enhancing relationships with key national and international industry partners and supports revenue-generating activities for the Colleges. The Director is expected to maintain a close working relationship with the three College Deans to understand both University and College strategic objectives/plans.

Duties 

The Director builds partnerships for University of Alberta staff, faculty, and students with strategic external partners. The Director leverages domain expertise that are relevant for the College of Social Sciences & Humanities, College of Natural and Applied Sciences, and the College of Health Sciences to lead the relationship building between relevant University of Alberta members, and collaborators from industry, government, and the not-for-profit sector.

The Director supports:

• Academic and commercial partnerships for the three Colleges nationally and internationally.
• Maps of key opportunities and assets within the three Colleges to support presentation to partners on opportunities available at the Colleges and the University of Alberta.
• Business development activities including meeting with a variety of external agencies interested in partnering with the University of Alberta.
• University-wide collaboration with other offices to ensure that external partners can create interdisciplinary and university-wide opportunities in partnership.
• Delivery of programs that support University of Alberta members in leading practices in partnership development. This includes dialogue and decision making with University of Alberta members that enables the prioritization, maintenance, and growth of partnerships by understanding the strategic and tactical needs/expectations of both the University of Alberta and the partner organization.
• Helps position the Strategic Partnerships Office as a one-stop shop, a single-entry point for new industry partners to engage with U of A expertise for research, education, training, and use of campus facilities. It knows how to triage incoming opportunities by working with other important offices and units on campus.
• The Director centralizes strategic discussions with the most important economic development agencies in Edmonton and Alberta, such as, Edmonton Global, Edmonton Unlimited, Global Affairs Canada, Invest Alberta, and Invest Canada, among others.
• This position will also be responsible for organizing, in collaboration with other offices, high-level presence of the U of A at important industry conferences, locally, nationally and internationally. This includes initiatives such as President’s Business Roundtables on the International stage and U of A’s presence at conferences like Canadian Hydrogen Convention or Global Energy Show.
• The Director will be finding opportunities for revenue generation through partnerships with industry and leading the creation and submission of high-impact, high-value, multi- faculty proposals for partnership. This will be done by working in consultation and coordination with other important offices/units at the U of A.
• Supports industry engagement strategies and initiatives that advance strategic objectives of the Innovation Fund.

Qualifications

• Post-graduate degree in a relevant field, or equivalent professional designation preferred. Relevant experience working with scientists and administrators in an advanced research environment, and direct professional experience in business development with a strong network of industry, government clients either locally or internationally.
• Outstanding ability to speak and write clearly and persuasively. Demonstrated success in creating interdisciplinary and cross-sectoral teams and facilitating their work. Recognized as a manager- of-choice by current and former staff. Ability to actively listen to partners and faculty, identify areas of common interest, and to create a compelling case for partnering with the University of Alberta.
• Understanding of International Business Development. Ideally, a proven track-record of attracting industry opportunities globally to Canada.
• Exceptional organizational skills and ability to engage with and motivate a broad range of stakeholders. Excellent analytical skills and ability to solve problems in a creative and efficient manner are essential. Demonstrated experience in identifying and cultivating funded partnerships with academic and corporate organizations and research consortiums. Significant experience in business development, marketing, strategic planning, or management consulting with proven success in revenue generation. Understanding of government-sponsored research activities.
• Ability and proven experience working in a fast paced, results-driven environment with an ability to simultaneously engage multiple opportunities at once and understand how to prioritize. The successful candidate must be able to bring different parties/individuals together, create consensus and move important files forward through collaboration.