Manager, Industry Engagement

At theUniversity of Waterloo we create and promote a culture where everyone can reach their full potential. As an employee you get support & opportunities that empower you to advance your career. Explore how we can bring big ideas to life together. The University is a welcoming workplace for those of all abilities interests and expertise. As part of our workforce you can do what you do best every day.

Learn more about our recruitment process.

Job Requisition ID:

Time Type:

Employee Group:

Job Category:

Employment Type:

Department:

Hiring Range:

Posting Information:

The internal deadline is January 15 2026 at 11:59pm.

This posting is for an existing vacancy.

Job Description:

Primary Purpose

The Manager Industry Engagement will identify interact with and engage industry partners in science research programs. The incumbent will work with senior Waterloo Science staff and faculty to identify and pursue prospects for increased or new engagement and to facilitate and ensure proper timely follow- up by the Faculty of Science with industry and other external partners. The incumbent will continuously serve as a conduit that can match and then meld industry needs with academic capacity.

Key Accountabilities

Establish and Maintain Relations with Industry Partners

Foster meaningful interactions that will lead to collaborative research projects and research chairs and other forms of partnership

Working with the Director develop and implement an ongoing business development strategy for the identification prospecting and stewardship of external partners leading to sponsored research activity or philanthropy with a focus on identified research priorities in the Faculty.

Build and increase the Faculty of Sciences profile in targeted areas of research expertise

Liaise effectively with management technical and administrative staff in companies of various sizes and sectors

Coordinate the participation of industry partners in the preparation of collaborative research proposals to aid in leveraging industry sponsored funding

Organize and host events to profile Science researchers and build connections with industry

Liaison on Campus

Work closely with the Associate Dean Discovery Innovation and Mobilization Director of Advancement and colleagues in the Science Research Office to further industry engagement on research programs and funding proposals

Collaborate with relevant parties as appropriate including research centres and institutes as well as the Office of Research Co-operative Education Marketing and Communications Graduate Studies and Advancement

Support for Strategic Research Initiatives

Assist the Director Advancement and others in facilitating faculty interactions with industry partners

Represent the Faculty of Science at targeted industry meetings and events

Organize and host events that profile Science researchers and aid them in expanding their connections to industry.

Assist with the management and interpretation of database information including key infrastructure assets and researcher expertise to support applications to strategic funding programs

Establish priorities among the numerous responsibilities and projects encompassed by the position.

Identify new partners for the EXCEL program leveraging these relationships for future strategic opportunities

Identification of Opportunities

Assess emerging trends determining prospective research opportunities

Liaise with government funding agencies including the Tri-councils Ontario Centre of Innovation and Mitacs and similar organizations to be aware of their existing and new funding programs

Liaise with members of the Kitchener-Waterloo innovation ecosystem including the Accelerator Centre Communitech and Waterloo Region Economic Development Corporation.

Data Collection and Analytics

Ensure compliance with all relevant University policies procedures and processes.

Collect and analyze relevant data to describe individual researcher achievements funding and success rate statistics.

Assist with the management and interpretation of database information including key infrastructure assets and researcher expertise to support applications to strategic funding programs.

Produce fact sheets and presentations that profile Science research and researchers.

Provide the Director with advice information and data related to upcoming funding opportunities to support decision making in the establishment of internal procedures.

Maintain contacts with the Office of Research and International and relevant funding agencies to ensure information provided and interpretation of guidelines to Science researchers are complete current and accurate.

Required Qualifications

Education

Bachelors degree required; Masters and/or PhD preferred; will consider technical degrees with exceptional relevant experience as indicated below

Experience

Minimum 5 years industry R&D experience preferably involving collaborative research with academia or equivalent combination of education and experience

Minimum 5 years experience applying or interacting with research funding programs and policies in Canada and Ontario (Tri-councils provincial agency)

Strong technical background and ability to quickly grasp new technologies at a high level

Experience with researching and analyzing corporate mandates to assess a companys suitability as a research partner

Knowledge/Skills/Abilities

Conversant with industrys research & development approach and able to translate to academic terms

Ability to match faculty competencies in scientific research areas with industrial demand

Demonstrated ability to build and manage effective partnerships with internal and external clients

Shows maturity tact and diplomacy at all times

Strong time management project management and problem-solving skills

Exceptional communication skills; written verbal and presentation

Confidence with cold-calling prospects

Demonstrates active listening and empathy

Skillful negotiation and mediation ability

Ability to work with confidential information

Detail orientation

Timely triage and response to unsolicited requests/inquiries

Team player also capable of working independently and proactively

Administrative skills: Word PowerPoint Excel Client relationship management (CRM) WCMS

Equity Statement

The University of Waterloo acknowledges that much of our work takes place on the traditional territory of the Neutral Anishinaabeg and Haudenosaunee peoples. Our main campus is situated on the Haldimand Tract the land granted to the Six Nations that includes six miles on each side of the Grand River. Our active work toward reconciliation takes place across our campuses through research learning teaching and community building and is coordinated within the Office of Indigenous Relations.

The University values the diverse and intersectional identities of its students faculty and staff. The University regards equity and diversity as an integral part of academic excellence and is committed to accessibility for all employees. The University of Waterloo seeks applicants who embrace our values of equity anti-racism and inclusion. As such we encourage applications from candidates who have been historically disadvantaged and marginalized including applicants who identify as First Nations Métis and/or Inuk (Inuit) Black racialized a person with a disability women and/or 2SLGBTQ.

Positions are open to qualified candidates who are legally entitled to work in Canada.

The University of Waterloo is committed to accessibility for persons with disabilities. If you have any application interview or workplace accommodation requests please contact Human Resources or ext. 45935.