Director, Multilateral Co-Innovation Programs and International Relations

Your Challenge

Great Minds. One Goal. Canada's Success.

We are looking for an experienced and dynamic Director Multilateral Co-Innovation Programs and International Relations for the Industrial Research Assistance Program. The Director would be someone who shares our core values of Integrity, Excellence, Respect and Creativity.

Working with clients and partners, the National Research Council Canada provides strategic research, innovation support, scientific and technical services to develop and deploy solutions to meet Canada’s current and future industrial and societal needs.

The NRC Industrial Research Assistance Program (NRC IRAP) is a critical component of the NRC with a clear mandate to support SMEs’ growth through innovation. The NRC IRAP has professional field staff that work with clients and give strategic advice to assist the firms with their overall development. The NRC IRAP also can provide financial support to these SMEs’ innovation projects.

As Director, Multilateral Co-Innovation Programs and International Relations you will contribute to the ongoing strategic direction of international engagement and lead delivery of Canada’s membership in the Eureka network. The successful candidate will lead and manage governance and operations for Eureka and other multilateral engagement, build positive relationships with critical stakeholders and contribute to competitiveness and growth of Canadian innovation SMEs via co-innovation aimed at international markets and Global Value Chain entry, as part of the broader SME journey.  The impact on Canadian SMEs is achieved through simplification of a complex ecosystem enabling preferred, co-funded, vetted access to partners and value chains through co-innovation in target economies and supply chains optimized for SMEs with the capacity to exploit this opportunity. 

As part of this new role, you will:

• Be the National Project Coordinator for Canada to Eureka; advise the High Level Representative to Eureka; Develop and execute strategy and program management for Canada’s membership in Eureka. 
• Identify and explore additional multilateral opportunities to support SME co-innovation. 
• Provide senior executive with advice and support on international protocol and decision making.
• Lead a specialized team that bridges innovative SME growth through co-innovation, international business know-how, STI ecosystem in Canada and foreign partner economies as well as governance / international relations understanding.

Screening Criteria

Applicants must demonstrate within the content of their application that they meet the following screening criteria in order to be given further consideration as candidates:

Education

A university degree, preferably in engineering, sciences, public or business administration, international relations, or other relevant fields.

Preference may be given to those with graduate studies in relevant fields.

For information on certificates and diplomas issued abroad, please see Degree equivalency

Experience

• Significant management experience including managing people in a participative and team-oriented environment, complex budget management, investment decision, project management and administration.
• Recent experience in implementing and delivering grants and contributions programs or demonstrated related experience in implementing new policy instruments with comparable complexity.
• Extensive and recent experience in providing strategic and operational direction to staff and in rolling out and facilitating multi-stakeholder initiatives.
• Extensive and recent experience at the Executive level in providing strategic advice and counsel to ministerial staff and senior level executives including Presidents, Vice Presidents and/or other equivalent positions in the public or private sectors, on complex initiatives.
• Extensive business experience in developing international partnerships and managing client relationships with private sector firms and government department.
• Experience in designing international strategies, developing opportunities and negotiating agreements within an innovation context.

Condition of Employment

Secret (II)
Frequent national and international travel will be required. 

Language Requirements

Bilingual Imperative CBC/CBC 

Information on language requirements and self-assessment tests

Assessment Criteria

Candidates will be assessed on the basis of the following criteria:

Technical Competencies

• Knowledge in developing and implementing leading edge international programs, practices and tools within an innovation organization. 
• Knowledge of the challenges facing SMEs in their innovation and commercialization efforts.
• Solid knowledge of the machinery of federal government in regards to implementation of grants and contributions programs.
• Demonstrated ability to lead, build and motivate individuals and teams to meet or exceed performance expectations.
• Expert negotiation skills in developing partnerships and collaborations from both within and external to an organization.
• Solid working knowledge of the Canadian innovation system, industrial needs, global trends and the NRC’s role.
• Extensive ability to prepare strategies, briefing notes and presentations for executives.
• Extensive knowledge of international STI organizations of potential benefit to NRC

Behavioural Competencies

• Inspirational leadership (Level 3)
• Strategic outlook & alignment (Level 3)
• Drive for results and efficiency (Level 3)
• Leverages collaborative relationships (Level 3)
• Financial Management (Level 3)
• Client Relationship Management (Level 3)
• Industry Sector Knowledge (Level 3)

Competency Profile(s)

For this position, the NRC will evaluate candidates using the following competency profile: Management Competencies (MG)

View all competency profiles

Compensation

From $147,118 to $176,471 per annum. 

NRC employees enjoy a wide-range of competitive benefits including comprehensive health and dental plans, pension and insurance plans, vacation and other leave entitlements.

The NRC Advantage

The National Research Council of Canada (NRC) is the Government of Canada's largest research organization supporting industrial innovation, the advancement of knowledge and technology development. We collaborate with over 70 colleges, universities and hospitals annually, work with 800 companies on their projects, and provide advice or funding to over 8000 Small and Medium-sized Enterprises (SMEs) each year.

We bring together the brightest minds to deliver tangible impacts on the lives of Canadians and people around the world. And now, we want to partner with you.  Let your expertise and inspirations make an impact by joining the NRC.

At the NRC, we know that diversity enables excellence in research and innovation. We are committed to a diverse and representative workforce, a safe and respectful work environment, and contributing to a more inclusive Canadian innovation system.  We welcome all qualified applicants and encourage you to complete the employment equity self-declaration questions during the job application process.

Please let us know of any accommodation measures required to help you to be assessed in a fair and equitable manner. Please note that the information you provide will be treated confidentially. 

Notes

• Relocation assistance will be determined in accordance with the NRC's directives.
• A pre-qualified list may be established for similar positions for a one year period.
• Preference will be given to Canadian Citizens and Permanent Residents of Canada. Please include citizenship information in your application.
• The incumbent must adhere to safe workplace practices at all times.
• We thank all those who apply, however only those selected for further consideration will be contacted.