About the Institute for Innovation and Entrepreneurship

The mission of Mount Royal Universitys Institute for Innovation and Entrepreneurship is to create transformative experiences that cultivate the innovative and entrepreneurial talent essential to Albertas continued economic prosperity. This is accomplished by delivering transformative community-engaged learning experiences. The Institute has been delivering on this mission for 14 years including the creation of the renowned LaunchPad student program the Trico Changemaker Studio and Scaleup and Growth Programs such as Growth Catalyst and ScaleUp Week. It is now taking on the important mission of supporting the vital transportation and logistics sector.

About the Transportation and Logistics Industry Programs

The Alberta logistics system is strong. It has been shaped by decades of investmentoptimization and operational excellence. The opportunity now is to grow that strength by connecting leadership innovation talent and strategy in ways that support long-term resilience competitiveness and impact. Powered by Mount Royal Universitys Institute for Innovation and Entrepreneurship these programs are being developed to help make that growth possible.

This is a rare opportunity to be on the ground floor of building a collaborative organization driven by a single outcome - impact.

About the Role

Reporting to the Executive Director this role owns the internal engine of the Programs. While the Executive Director focuses externally on partnerships sector leadership and ecosystem building the Associate Director ensures the operations run with precision. They oversee budgeting financial controls reporting milestone tracking and operational delivery. They ensure the Industry Programs meets all funder commitments including reporting and keep MRU leadership confident that the organization is disciplined compliant and high performing.

This is the role that translates ambitious strategy into reliable execution.

This is a full-time conditionally funded position working 35 hours per week and expected to conclude March 31 2029.

Responsibilities

Operational Leadership

• Design implement and continuously refine internal systems which keep operations coordinated efficient and predictable.
• Oversee day-to-day workflow of programs ensuring resources timelines and staff are aligned to commitments.
• Serve as the primary point of continuity across multiple programs and partners.
• Leverage influence and expertise to achieve goals rather than relying on formal authority.

Performance Management and Milestone Tracking

• Build and operate the KPI system that tracks all outcomes including individuals trained numbers companies engaged and job creation metrics.
• Ensure data collection systems meet funder requirements while minimizing burden on companies and staff.
• Lead risk mitigation planning especially around milestone-tied funding and indirect job creation expectations.

Financial Stewardship

• Lead and deliver budgeting forecasting cash flow tracking and financial reporting for the Centre.
• Ensure spending aligns with eligible cost rules milestone-linked funding and MRU financial policies.
• Develop proactive strategies to manage risks related to milestone-dependent payments and delayed reimbursements.

Funder and Institutional Compliance

• Own all reporting obligations to funders and internal MRU governance.
• Ensure the organization stays fully aligned with agreement terms auditability and documentation expectations.
• Translate funder milestones into internal operational plans and staff deliverables.
• Maintain professional relationships with peers at funders sensitive to their critical role in the project.

University Liaison

• Act as the organizations connective tissue with MRU finance HR legal and other institutional entities.
• Clear internal roadblocks to enable external partnerships and programs to move quickly.

Qualifications

• Education: Bachelors Degree required Masters Degree preferred.
• Experience: 5 years of experience in a financial or operational leadership role.
• Ability to build operating models manage budgets forecast track and report on financial performance.
• Excellent project management and risk mitigation skills achieving desired outcomes without hierarchical authority.
• Excellent interpersonal and written communication skills.
• Ability to build respectful professional relationships internally and externally.
• Evidence of an entrepreneurial mindset including identifying opportunities mitigating risk developing and launching solutions measuring results and iterating.

Salary: $98502.00 - $135930.00 per annum

Closing Date: Open until a suitable candidate is found

A cover letter and resume should be submitted in one .pdf document. Please title your .pdf document as follows: Last Name Requisition Number Document (ex. Smith 9999 ).