Director, Business Development

Position Summary

Reporting to the Assistant Vice-President, Business Development, the primary responsibility for the Director, Business Development is to deliver the OCI operating plan and represent OCI provincially to support industry partners, academic institutions, other government and not-for-profit partner organizations. The Director also manages their own programs or projects and are responsible for their outcomes (deliverables).

Key Responsibilities

The Director is expected to assume leadership and program delivery responsibilities, including, but not limited to:

Leadership

• Supervision and coaching of staff members, providing input into performance objectives. Mentoring of less experienced or more junior staff and taking an active role in recruitment of new staff as required,
• Actively participating in relevant business associations, technical committees and professional organizations to promote and grow OCI's network
• Leading key program activities (e.g. committees of volunteer groups (e.g. advisory or review committees) or serving on corporate committees (e.g. Research, Commercialization, and /or Talent Committees), making proposal presentations to investment and other committees, conducting project technical and business-case reviews, etc.)
• Tracking developments and keeping up-to-date on the latest technological and business developments within the province; including current knowledge of sector specific industry news, regulations and contacts
• Providing advice and support to other OCI support groups, e.g. Marketing / Communication and Finance groups on key initiatives.

Program Delivery

• Engaging and developing an understanding of the needs and wants of the business, investment, public sector and research communities.
• Building and maintaining the OCI network, including the identification and development of strategic partnerships to advance OCI business.
• Managing a client portfolio consisting of a number of projects that have a common aspect (e.g. geographic, technical, sectoral domain, etc.) or a more complex program. Dealing with the day-to-day aspects of working with stakeholders to develop appropriate proposals for clients; facilitating stakeholder interaction in respect to plans/activities; providing advice and guidance on appropriate budgets and leverage.
• Planning, developing and delivering in consultation with Marketing and Communications, knowledge and technology transfer events (e.g. workshops, seminars, regional network meetings) with an emphasis on business development.
• Accountable for the identification and development of information for OCI success stories in conjunction with the Marketing and Communications group.
• Identifying and developing potential opportunities where OCI can engage with the stakeholder community to create significant outcomes, including partnerships with a goal of developing additional sources of program funding.

Qualifications and Competencies

• Formal, specialized post-graduate education in Science and Technology and, or Business
• A minimum of 6-8 years of related experience.
• 3-5 years of people management experience.
• Account management experience with ability to broker and close deals.
• Superior project management skills with the ability to balance multiple stakeholders' needs and priorities.
• Demonstrated experience in a multi-party, collaborative project environment such as in product management, product development and/or systems sales.
• Highly developed interpretive and analytical skills.
• Ability to analyze a wide variety of businesses in multiple sectors, such as technology, software, cleantech, life sciences etc.
• Distinctive problem solving and analytical skills and impeccable business judgement.
• Strong communication and interpersonal skills.
• Impeccable work ethic, highly motivated and passionate, and clearly driven by success.
• Team player who can consistently accomplish critical organizational objectives on time.
• Strong ability to form and maintain good working relationships with diverse stakeholders.
• Unquestionable personal and professional integrity and ability to keep the best interests of OCI in mind at all times and represent the organization in all circumstances.
• Knowledge of the Ontario innovation economy including networks and programs, companies and associations.

Internal Contacts/External Contacts

• OCI staff at all levels
• Industry (from the CEO to the shop floor)
• Academic researchers, students, university research administrative staff
• University/college/hospital/government administration
• Government (at all levels, federal, provincial and municipal)

Working Conditions

• Frequent travel (30 - 70%) across Ontario.
• Participation required in non-office hour events such as networking meetings and workshops.

OCI is committed to creating a diverse and equitable environment and is proud to be an equal opportunity employer. OCI welcomes and encourages applications from people with disabilities. Accommodations are available on request for candidates taking part in all aspects of the selection process.