Program Director, e-Auto Challenge Program

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The Role

Help bring research to life and drive your career forward with the National Research Council of Canada (NRC), Canada's largest research and technology organization.

We are looking for a Program Director to lead the e-Auto Challenge program.  

The NRC’s Challenge programs leverage NRC’s well-established assets (facilities, expertise, and networks) to to convene strategic, highly dynamic teams. Their goal is to address public challenges, Government priorities along with federal partners, and to stimulate business innovation. They bring together the best minds from academia, industry and government to deliver breakthroughs across the innovation continuum that matter to Canadians. 

The Program Director will report to the Vice President of the NRC’s Transportation and Manufacturing Division. The Program Director would be someone who shares our core values of Integrity, Excellence, Respect and Creativity.

The Government of Canada has made a series of strategic investments supporting the industrial transformation of the transportation sector and building a green economy to achieve net-zero greenhouse gas emissions by 2050. As the automotive industry transitions to Zero Emission Vehicles (ZEVs) production, Canada is solidifying its position in the electric vehicle (EV) and battery supply chain. 

Through this new Challenge Program, the NRC will collaborate with partners from the private and public sectors, academia and other research organizations (both domestic and international) to advance transformative, high-risk, high-reward research to transition the Canadian automotive value chain toward the next generation of ZEVs. The Program will improve the connection between growing NRC capabilities with top Canadian and international stakeholders, as well as SMEs to technical advice, assets, expertise and talent to translate technological innovations and products into solutions for Canadian industry. The knowledge and networking gained through participation in the program would help to ensure the long-term success of the Canadian ZEV market by supporting on-the-ground business innovation being performed by Canadian firms, especially SMEs.

The Role, Cont

As Program Director, you will develop the Program definition and approach in consultation with internal and external partners, and build and lead multi-disciplinary, collaborative research teams, to operationalize a program that will directly support the research and technology needs of the Canadian automotive industry and the broader innovation needs of Canada’s economy.

Under your leadership, the Program will bring together government, academic and business researchers. This will consist of a core team of dedicated research, technical, and program management staff drawn from a variety of the NRC's research centres and the NRC’s Industrial Research Assistance Program (NRC-IRAP). This program will build upon the expertise of over 50 NRC staff and NRC facilities across Canada. The program will also leverage over $20 million in Grants and Contribution to foster engagement with stakeholders from industry and academia.

To successfully do so, you will have experience as a researcher, stakeholder engagement, business development, leading collaborative research programs with large teams, and managing financial and human resources. You will have the experience and attributes required to inspire and lead collaborative programs and multidisciplinary teams with expertise in a wide array of disciplines such as batteries and their management systems, powertrains, new ZEV concepts and applications, as well as sustainable fuels. You will also need to demonstrate a significant knowledge of the automotive industry in Canada and internationaly with extensive experience in developing and leading collaborative industrial R&D in this sector. 

You will be part of the NRC's Transportation and Manufacturing Division, reporting directly to the Vice President, but you will be expected to work collaboratively with other Research Centres and IRAP Industrial Technology Advisors (ITAs) across NRC. You will also work with the NRC’s National Program Office (NPO), which is responsible for day-to-day administration and oversight of Challenge programs. In particular, you will collaborate with an NPO Innovation Investment Advisor who plays an impartial advisory role or ‘challenge function’ in the strategic oversight and delivery of Challenge programs and individual R&D projects. This is a unique opportunity to play a leadership role in advancing an automotive research platform that contributes to the transition from carbon-based combustion to ZEV supply chains while developing innovative solutions that can be commercialized globally by Canadian companies. As a result, you will have contributed to making a real difference in the lives of Canadians and garnering international recognition for Canadian innovation.

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 graduate university degree in engineering or in a science field relevant to the position. Preference may be given to candidates with a combination of science/engineering experience and business education.

In lieu of a graduate degree, an equivalent combination of education and experience may be considered. 
 

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

Experience

• Significant experience developing strategic program plans and the associated metrics for innovation oriented work.
• In depth experience working in the Canadian and international context around Program specific technologies: industries, forums, trends, the issues and dynamics that impact them and the engagement needed to keep this knowledge current.
• Extensive and recent experience in providing strategic advice and counsel to senior level executives including Presidents, Vice Presidents and/or other equivalent positions in the public or private sectors, on complex initiatives.
• Significant business experience within the relevant scientific and technological domains gained through experience with industry, government or other partnerships.
• Significant experience in establishing and managing partnerships, specifically with the automotive industry including contributions, terms of engagement, reporting and IP ownership.
• Significant and recently demonstrated experience in applying the principles, tools and practices of administrative, financial, and human resource management.
• Experience in leading, planning, monitoring and re-aligning studies, projects or strategic initiatives within a fast-paced and complex environment.
• Experience in designing and delivering strong impact presentations to various audiences.

Condition of Employment

Secret (II)

Language Requirements

Bilingual Imperative CBC/CBC 

Note: In the event that no qualified bilingual candidates are identified, the NRC may consider unilingual candidates who will be required to commit to achieving these levels within two years.

Information on language requirements and self-assessment tests

Assessment Criteria

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

Technical Competencies

• Knowledge of the NRC, and its mandate, programs and awareness of the characteristics and special requirements of an innovation program and scientific research environment.
• Expert knowledge of Research and Technology management, including strategic planning, in the context of a highly interdisciplinary; and multi-partner participation in mission-critical roles.
• Expert knowledge of the relevant field and its applications in a broad range of sectors, including current and emerging trends globally.
• Expert knowledge of the players, dynamics, and business models of industry sectors in which ZEV transition is applied including the entire supply chain as well as the related R&D fields nationally and internationally.
• Knowledge of policies and sound practices related to contract management, financial management, human resources, and procurement management.
• Knowledge of strategic marketing, and the practices and principles of negotiating and securing business and partnership relationships.
• Demonstrated ability to autonomously evaluate, manage and assume risks for large scale R&D projects.

Behavioural Competencies

• Inspirational Leadership (Level 3)
• Strategic Outlook and Alignment (Level 3)
• Drive for Results and Efficiency (Level 4)
• Leverage Collaborative Relationships (Level 3)
• Financial Management (Level 3)
• Client Relationship Management (Level 3)
• Industry Sector Knowledge (Level 3)
• Self-awareness (Level 4)
• Action management (Level 4)
• People Management (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 $150,435 to $180,450 per annum. 

NRC employees enjoy a wide-range of competitive benefits including a robust pension plan, comprehensive health and dental coverage, disability and life insurance, office closure at the end of December, and additional supports to enhance your well-being throughout your career and beyond.

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.