Advisor, Academic-Industry Partnerships Okanagan

Would you like to leverage your partnership research or innovation experience to strengthen the Okanagan region Do you want to be part of a mission driven organization shaping Canadas innovation future Do you thrive in collaborative environments where creativity continuous improvement and strategic thinking are valued Are you motivated by work that strengthens Canadas competitiveness and delivers meaningful impact for communities and businesses

At Mitacs we take a talent first approach to building Canadas innovation capacity. We connect researchers with organizations across every region of the country to help solve pressing challenges and accelerate economic growth. By enabling business academic collaboration and supporting the development of highly skilled talent we contribute to a resilient future ready Canadian economy.

Guided by our values Impact Integrity Collaboration Excellence and Talent we work with partners nationwide to advance research commercialization and innovation.

At Mitacs you become part of a team committed to empowering Canadian talent fostering meaningful partnerships and driving innovation that supports Canadas long-term competitiveness. If youre inspired by big ideas and passionate about creating national impact we encourage you to apply.

The Opportunity

As an Advisor Academic-Industry Partnerships (one-year contract with potential for extension) you will contribute to the development of research and innovation partnerships across the Okanagan and Thompson-Okanagan regions.

You will develop a strong understanding of the regional innovation ecosystem build productive relationships with academic and external partners identify partnership opportunities and help move those opportunities from initial discussion through project and application development.

Working with post-secondary institutions economic development organizations and industry and not-for-profit partners you will connect regional needs and opportunities with academic expertise talent and Mitacs programming. You will manage a varied portfolio of relationships and opportunities working independently while collaborating closely with colleagues across Mitacs.

The ideal candidate will reside in Kelowna and have access to an automobile as this role will require frequent engagement with ecosystem partners throughout the region.

Key Responsibilities:

• Develop and maintain relationships with post-secondary institutions industry not-for-profit organizations community partners and economic development organizations across the region.
• Build productive working relationships with regional post-secondary institutions such as UBC Okanagan Thompson Rivers University and Okanagan College including researchers students research offices and administrative stakeholders.
• Engage prospective and existing industry and not-for-profit partners to understand their research innovation talent and organizational needs.
• Identify opportunities to connect partner needs with relevant academic expertise student and postdoctoral talent and appropriate Mitacs programs.
• Introduce partners to Mitacs programming and provide guidance on program requirements project development and application processes.
• Support prospective partnerships from initial exploration through project and application development coordinating with internal Mitacs teams as required.
• Develop and maintain relationships with regional economic development organizations and other innovation ecosystem partners to increase awareness of Mitacs and identify potential partnership opportunities.
• Conduct outreach to prospective partners and follow up on leads referrals events and other business development opportunities.
• Represent Mitacs at regional meetings events and sector-focused forums.
• Support the development and implementation of regional engagement plans in collaboration with Business Development colleagues and regional leadership.
• Organize and deliver presentations information sessions workshops and meetings for academic and external audiences.
• Maintain regular contact with partners and provide responsive high-quality service throughout the development of a potential project.
• Monitor institutional priorities regional developments emerging sectors and partner needs and share relevant information with colleagues.
• Manage assigned opportunities and relationships establish priorities and seek guidance when opportunities involve significant complexity or strategic considerations.
• Collaborate with Mitacs Business Development Research Programs and other teams to support the delivery of high-quality programming and a positive partner experience.
• Maintain accurate and timely portfolio opportunity and relationship information in Mitacs systems.
  

Skills and Experience:

• An advanced degree or an equivalent combination of education and relevant experience in research innovation partnership development economic development business development or a related field.
• Experience building relationships in academic industry government community or not-for-profit environments.
• Experience coordinating or advancing projects partnerships applications or other opportunities involving multiple participants.
• Ability to listen to and understand partner needs and identify potential connections to research innovation or talent-development opportunities.
• Knowledge of post-secondary research environments and an understanding of the interests and needs of researchers students and institutional partners.
• Strong relationship-management and interpersonal skills.
• Strong written and verbal communication skills with the ability to communicate effectively with academic business community and organizational stakeholders.
• Strong presentation and public-engagement skills.
• Ability to organize work manage multiple opportunities and establish priorities in a dynamic environment.
• Ability to work independently while seeking input and collaborating with colleagues when appropriate.
• Ability to develop practical knowledge of Mitacs programs and clearly explain program requirements and partnership pathways to prospective participants.
• Adaptability curiosity initiative and a willingness to develop new relationships and explore new partnership opportunities.
• Strong attention to detail and the ability to support the development of complete high-quality project applications.
• Ability and willingness to travel regularly within the region to meet with partners and participate in events.
• Knowledge of written and spoken English is required in this role as the successful candidate will interact with colleagues clients and stakeholders located across Canada.
  

Additional Assets:

• Relationships within the Okanagan or Thompson-Okanagan research innovation economic development or industry ecosystem.
• Experience working with UBC Okanagan Thompson Rivers University Okanagan College or another post-secondary institution.
• Experience supporting academic-industry or other cross-sector partnerships.
• Knowledge of one or more sectors important to the regional economy.
• Experience with research funding project development proposal development or application processes.
• Experience engaging businesses not-for-profit organizations researchers students or community partners.
• Familiarity with customer relationship management systems or other tools used to track relationships and opportunities.
• Mitacs is committed to reconciliation with Indigenous communities across Canada. Lived experience or perspectives connected to Indigenous worldviews are considered strong assets.

Equity diversity and inclusion and reconciliation are strong commitments at Mitacs: Equity Diversity and Inclusion - Mitacs. We believe a diverse workforcecomprisedof individuals with different lived experiences ideas strengths and backgrounds (e.g. gender identities and expressions Indigeneity race abilities sexual orientation and other identities) are crucial to our success. We welcome everyone to apply and encourage you to connect with us if you require accommodations during the recruitment process.

Hiring Range: $65325 - $82745

Hiring and Salary Range Transparency

Typically employees are hired transferred or promoted within the salary range specifically between the minimum and midpoint in the hiring range. The salary range refers to the range of base salaries for a given position encompassing the minimum and maximum amounts. The midpoint of the range is positioned approximately halfway between the minimum and maximum indicating a fully qualified employee with comprehensive job knowledge and experience for the role. Only in rare and exceptional circumstances where a candidate has the experience skills and expertise that far exceed those for the position would we consider paying above the hiring range for this role.

Our recruitment process may use artificial intelligence (AI)-enabled tools to support activities. Any use of AI is subject to human review and all hiring decisions are made by a human member of our hiring team.

Required Experience:

Senior IC