Manager, Industry Engagement

• 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 Science’s 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

• 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

• 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

• 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.

• 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.

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

• 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 company’s suitability as a research partner

• Conversant with industry’s 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

University of Waterloo