Manager, Partnership Development Jobs

Administrative Full-time New Position
Conestoga College is a leader in polytechnic education. Our career-focused education, training, and applied research programs prepare students for success, support industry and workforce needs, and promote economic prosperity throughout our region and across Ontario.
Reporting to the Director, Research Engagement, the Manager, Partner Development plays a leadership role in forging sustainable partnerships with key stakeholders, internal and external to the college, to support Conestoga’s Smart Manufacturing and Advanced Recycling Technology (SMART) Centre’s Technology Access Centre (TAC) business goals. Working collaboratively the Manager, Partnership Development contributes to and executes plans to optimize research funding/revenue opportunities, including fee-for-service and specialized training delivery opportunities, that align with TAC priorities.
Successful candidates will be required to conduct work within Ontario and must be available to work on campus as required. It is anticipated that this position will meet the needs of the department through a hybrid work arrangement with time on-site as needed.
Responsibilities

• Participates in virtual and in-person events, tradeshows, conferences, and meetings of strategic importance to the SMART Centre in order to network with potential partners and represent the business interests of the research centre
• Develops opportunities for applied research projects (funded and fee-for-service) with industry, community, and government partners in close collaboration with Conestoga Office of Research Services (ORS) and SMART Centre staff to ensure capability and capacity fit
• Gathers project requirements from potential partners including understanding their business, R&D needs, and budget constraints; develops a project brief and a high-level budget for potential partners with the advice of colleagues
• Monitors trends and opportunities with funders, government strategies, and industry and community partners to identify applied research interests and needs
• Works collaboratively to develop funding proposals and introduces industry partners to appropriate partners within the local innovation system
• Participates in planning, managing, and hosting events in collaboration with the ORS team, which attract private and public sector partners to college and speaks at external and internal events, conferences, meetings, etc. about SMART Centre research and innovation services and capacity
• Guided by the above engagement process, identifies prospective industry, community, and government partners with innovation needs that align with the capabilities of the SMART Centre, develops and qualifies those leads, and cultivates and maintains relationships with appropriate stakeholders within these organizations
• Accountable for achieving revenue/fee-for-service targets
• Provides outreach to local and regional industry through events and speaking engagements
• Facilitates research agreements in consultation with AVP Research and others as appropriate
• Works collaboratively with the ORS team on reports to funders, taking the lead on the industry outreach, partnership, and metrics sections of the reports where appropriate
• In collaboration with the Director, Research Engagement and SMART Centre leadership, develops a strategic plan and operational process for engaging with local and regional industry partners
• Provides input on technology and business trends in relevant areas of advanced manufacturing and recycling. Understands the applied research interests and needs of regional industry, community, and funding partners to inform development of college research strategy
• Identifies research and technical services opportunities, which will contribute to building SMART Centre research capacity, quality research experiences for students and financial sustainability for the TAC
• Liaises with ORS and SMART Centre leaders to develop and formalize a multi-year plan for partner and project on-boarding
• Works collaboratively with the team on reports to funders, taking the lead on the industry outreach, partnership, and metrics sections of the reports where appropriate

Qualifications

• Three-year Diploma/Degree in Business, Engineering, Science, or a related discipline is required
• Ability to think and act strategically to assess and mitigate risk, and to resolve complex problems with good judgement and diplomacy
• Experience in a post-secondary education institution, preferably a college, is also a definite asset
• Excellent communication skills are essential, with the ability to build strong formal and informal professional relationships and develop and maintain an effective network of research-related contacts in government, industry, and community
• Excellent judgement and comport themselves in alignment with the values of the college and represent the college in a way that reflects positively on the reputation of the college
• Ability to manage multiple projects simultaneously and effectively, within tightly prescribed timelines and within approved budgets is also essential
• Minimum five years of relevant experience in a partnership and/or business development role, building industry partnerships, ideally with technology-focused companies
• Experience in research and development or in a research-based setting would be considered an asset

Apply Now
|
Conestoga College is a leader in polytechnic education. Our career-focused education, training, and applied research programs prepare students for success, support industry, and workforce needs and promote economic prosperity throughout our region and across Ontario.
We thank all applicants but only those selected for an interview will be contacted. Conestoga College is committed to workplace diversity and provides accommodations to applicants with disabilities throughout the hiring process. If you require accommodation, please contact Human Resources via the Contact page.