Innovation Strategy Lead

Who We Are:

Ontario Centre of Innovation (OCI) was established in 1987 and is a leading not-for-profit organization that works with industry, academia, and government. OCI focuses on ensuring that the people of Ontario reap the personal and economic benefits of leading-edge research underway at our publicly funded universities, colleges, and research hospitals - research that can be transformed into technologies and services that enhance quality of life and help build a globally competitive, job-creating economy in Ontario.

Specifically, OCI supports the commercialization of academic intellectual property (IP), industry-academic collaborations, and the development and adoption of emerging technologies. This includes overseeing the execution of advanced technology platforms that will equip Ontario companies to compete in a competitive global digital economy.

We also support and invest in early-stage projects where the probability of commercial success and investment return on innovation are substantial. OCI's strong expertise in de-risking innovation helps attract private investors and other funders to new ventures, bolstering their success. We also contribute to the development and retention of talent to ensure that industry has access to personnel with the most advanced skills and knowledge and that highly trained personnel find opportunities to apply their expertise in Ontario.

OCI leads the Ontario Vehicle Innovation Network (OVIN) initiative on behalf of the Government of Ontario. OVIN builds upon Ontario's position as a world-leading automotive manufacturing and supply jurisdiction in addition to the large cluster of information and communication technology companies operating in the province. Ontario's high-quality post-secondary institutions, first class talent, innovative small and medium sized enterprises, and infrastructure to support entrepreneurship ensure that the province is uniquely positioned to capture the economic opportunity of the automotive technology and smart mobility innovation space and lead the global mobility transformation.

Through resources such as research and development (R&D) funding, talent development, technology acceleration, business and technical supports, and demonstration grounds, OVIN provides a competitive advantage to Ontario-based automotive and mobility companies - allowing Ontario to reinforce its position as a North American leader in transformative automotive technologies, as well as transportation and infrastructure systems.

The Opportunity:

Reporting to the Manager, Automotive and Mobility Strategy, the Innovation Strategy Lead is responsible for the development and execution of strategic initiatives related to the Ontario Vehicle Innovation Network (OVIN) portfolio within the automotive and mobility portfolio. The Innovation Strategy Lead will be a self-starter, driving ecosystem activities, strategic initiatives, and key program deliverables. The Innovation Strategy Lead will also identify strategic opportunities, areas of focus and growth for the portfolio as well as cultivating stakeholder relationships and partnerships.

Your Contributions:

• Research opportunities to renew or expand programs, partnerships and subject areas, developing these identified opportunities into compelling proposals and executing on new programs and/or initiatives.
• Manage portfolio development activities by advising on strategy, recommending solutions, fostering external partnerships, and responding to the objectives and priorities of the portfolio.
• Collaborate with staff and ecosystem partners, including government, industry, postsecondary institutions, and innovation hubs, to execute on projects and strategic initiatives to advance program goals and objectives.
• Identify opportunities to deliver initiatives to support portfolio activities and to collaborate with key stakeholders across the province and globally.
• Monitor external environment (i.e. government policy priorities, industry developments and best practices) for trends, issues and opportunities to support Ontario's automotive and mobility innovation ecosystem and respond to its needs.
• Liaise with various stakeholder groups across key initiatives, including project partners and government stakeholders for alignment with agreed upon deliverables and outcomes.
• Develop and deliver key portfolio content and externally facing documents including presentations, program information, news releases, and website content.
• Lead the efforts on funding applications including developing a narrative on the program and project managing all deliverables of the application, such as drafting budgets, working with partners on letters of support and overseeing all internals reviews.
• Develop and deliver relevant project updates as required by key stakeholders, ensuring high-quality deliverables which meet the satisfaction of project funders.
• Work with team to leverage research and findings to support the identification and execution of strategic initiatives that enhance innovation across Ontario's automotive and mobility sector.
• Develop and execute on marketing and promotional material, events, workshops, stakeholder engagement and outreach.
• Effectively design processes for engagement, communications, and project delivery, and actively supports program and/or delivery process improvements.
• Lead the development of briefings and other strategic documents that reinforce delivery of thought leadership and strategic insights.
• Collaborate cross-departmentally including liaising with Business Development, Research and Insights, Program Management, Marketing and Communications and Skills and Talent teams as required.
• Other tasks as required to support the organization and/or portfolio.

Your attributes:

• A combination of formal, specialized education and relevant work experience.

• Minimum 5 years experience in project management, consulting, strategy development, industry and stakeholder engagement/management, public policy and/or communications and marketing.
• Experience in complex strategic initiatives and projects with multiple partners and various types of stakeholders and in creatively to addressing unique or ambiguous situations and to find solutions to complex problems.
• Experience establishing and managing diverse stakeholder relationships (i.e. industry, government, internal) and defining and gaining stakeholder buy-in.
• Experience developing proposals and briefings.
• Ability to respond to changing priorities of the day and thrive in a challenging and dynamic environment.
• Excellent communication skills (listening, verbal, written, presentation preparation and delivery).
• Understanding of the innovation ecosystem, including the role that industry and academia, policy and planning, government priorities, and commercial endeavours play within this ecosystem.
• Automotive and mobility industry knowledge is an asset.
• Project management experience is considered an asset.

Your Strengths:

We seek candidates who are:

• Team players with highly developed interpersonal skills and the ability to work effectively and collaborate with people at all levels within the organization and externally.
• Demonstrate a high degree of initiative, efficient, organized and able to produce high quality work under pressure in a fast-paced environment, with the ability to manage numerous conflicting and changing priorities simultaneously.
• Ability to work with minimal supervision and take accountability to address obstacles and overcome barriers by identifying possible resolution options and alternatives.
• Intellectually curious about developments and trends in a sector.
• Able to demonstrate integrity and ethics in decision making and in relationships with colleagues and clients.
• Able to reflect and promote OCI's values through work with colleagues, clients and stakeholders.
• Embody OCI's commitment to equity, diversity and inclusion (EDI).

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.