Associate Director, Innovation Partnerships

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Job Profile

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Department

Compensation Range

The Compensation Range is the span between the minimum and maximum base salary for a position. The midpoint of the range is approximately halfway between the minimum and the maximum and represents an employee that possesses full job knowledge qualifications and experience for the the normal course employees will be hired transferred or promoted between the minimum and midpoint of the salary range for a job.

Posting End Date

Note: Applications will be accepted until 11:59 PM on the Posting End Date.

Job End Date

At UBC we believe that attracting and sustaining a diverse workforce is key to the successful pursuit of excellence in research innovation and learning for all faculty staff and students. Our commitment to employment equity helps achieve inclusion and fairness brings rich diversity to UBC as a workplace and creates the necessary conditions for a rewarding career.

Job Summary

Innovation UBCs mission is to maximize the global impact of UBCs research for the economic and social benefit of the University the people of British Columbia and Canada. Its mandate is to recognize innovation and excellence in the development and commercialization of technologies and to negotiate and maximize effective partnerships with industry and government.

The Associate Director Innovation Partnerships is a senior position in Innovation UBC that leads the full cycle of partnership engagement from the identification and development of partnerships to the finalization of collaborative agreements ensuring that partner interests are aligned with UBCs research strengths and innovation priorities. This role will drive measurable results in external research collaboration strategic alliance development and public-private funding opportunities with an emphasis on large-scale high-impact initiatives.

Organizational Status

Internal: Reports to the Managing Director Innovation UBC. Collaborates with Associate Directors of Technology Transfer Sponsored Research and Entrepreneurship. Engages with UBC faculty Deans researchers and administrative units to promote strategic partnerships. Maintains effective communication and engagement with Development and Alumni Engagement at UBC.

External: Maintains and develops strong relationships with senior representatives from industry government and non-profit sectors. Serves as a key liaison and negotiator on behalf of The University of British Columbia. Leads on new initiatives and major business development opportunities.

Work Performed

Strategy and Planning:

• Leads the development and implementation of Innovation UBCs external partnerships strategy ensuring alignment with UBC Policies and innovation priorities.

  • Focus on large-scale strategic initiatives involving industry government and not-for-profit partners often through consortia of multiple organizations.

  • Leverage provincial and federal funding programs in public/private innovation models to improve the value proposition for industry and amplify impact.

• Holds accountability for the full lifecycle of industry and government partnerships from initial engagement through negotiation execution and ongoing stewardship of collaborative agreements on behalf of the University.

• Oversees environmental scanning activities to proactively identify funding opportunities and research alignment areas.

Operational Leadership:

• Manages a team of Partnership Managers with responsibility for recruitment goal setting performance evaluation and professional development.

• Develops and monitors key performance indicators (KPIs) to assess the impact and effectiveness of partnerships.

• Ensures coordinated internal processes across Innovation UBC units to streamline partner engagement and service delivery.

Business Development and Relationship Management:

• Serves as a senior relationship lead for high-value partnerships including consortia anchor industry partnerships and government collaborations.

• Working closely with Innovation UBC Sponsored Research group is accountable for the structuring negotiation and execution of complex collaborative agreements including multi-party and public-private partnership arrangements.

• Has signing authority on behalf of the University and consistent with University Signing Resolutions.

• Provides senior-level leadership in resolving complex issues and conflicts arising from active partnership agreements balancing legal financial academic and reputational considerations.

• Engages in partner discovery and outreach activities to build long-term strategic relationships.

Outreach Education and Representation:

• Represents Innovation UBC in national and international forums focused on university-industry collaboration and innovation.

• Prepares and delivers presentations to internal and external stakeholders.

• Promotes awareness of partnership opportunities and best practices within the UBC community.

Consequence of Error/Judgement

Decisions made by the Associate Director have significant financial reputational and strategic consequences for the University. Poor judgment could result in the loss of funding opportunities damage to UBCs reputation with strategic partners or exposure to legal or financial liability. The role requires a high degree of independence critical thinking and negotiation acumen.

Supervision Received

Works with a high degree of independence under the general direction of the Managing Director Innovation UBC. Strategic direction and priorities are discussed in consultation with the Innovation UBC executive team.

Supervision Given

Manages the Innovation Partnerships team including Partnership Managers and administrative staff. Provides strategic and operational guidance to staff and oversees external consultants and advisors as needed.

Minimum Qualifications

Undergraduate degree in a relevant discipline. Minimum of ten years of experience in sponsored research and technology transfer including several years in a management position or the equivalent combination of education and experience.

• Willingness to respect diverse perspectives including perspectives in conflict with ones own

• Demonstrates a commitment to enhancing ones own awareness knowledge and skills related to equity diversity and inclusion

Preferred Qualifications

• Graduate degree in science engineering business or law preferred.

• Demonstrated ability to develop and execute complex partnership strategies and agreements.

• Experience with Canadian and international innovation funding programs.

• Strong leadership and interpersonal skills with experience managing multi-disciplinary teams.

• Proven negotiation and agreement development skills.

• Working knowledge of sponsored research intellectual property commercialization and public-private partnership models.

• Commitment to equity diversity and inclusion in external engagement and internal operations.