Director, Innovation, Office of the Vice-Principal Research and Innovation

University of British Columbia · Kelowna · CA$10,460–CA$15,676/month (stated in the posting)

Apply on the company website

Job Title

Job Category

Job Profile

Job Family Group

Department

Compensation Range

The Compensation Range is the span between the minimum and maximum base salary for a position. The midpoint of the range is approximately halfway between the minimum and the maximum and represents an employee that possesses full job knowledge, qualifications and experience for the position. In the normal course, employees will be hired, transferred or promoted between the minimum and midpoint of the salary range for a job.

Job End Date

Posting End Date

Note: Applications will be accepted until 11:59 PM on the Posting End Date.

At UBC, we believe that attracting and sustaining a diverse workforce is key to the successful pursuit of excellence in research, innovation, and learning for all faculty, staff and students. Our commitment to employment equity helps achieve inclusion and fairness, brings rich diversity to UBC as a workplace, and creates the necessary conditions for a rewarding career.

Job Summary

The Office of the Vice-Principal Research and Innovation (OVPRI) provides leadership, strategic planning, and support for research, innovation, and creative activity on the Okanagan campus. This diverse Research & Innovation portfolio includes teams focused on strategic initiatives; internal and external research grants; sponsored research, technology transfer, and entrepreneurship (Innovation UBC); partnerships; and inter- and cross-disciplinary research. This position is a senior leadership role responsible for building and leading innovation, entrepreneurship, and industry partnership activity on the Okanagan campus, in close partnership with Innovation UBC’s university-wide technology transfer, sponsored research, and venture creation services.

The Director, Innovation champions a campus-wide culture of entrepreneurship among UBC Okanagan faculty, staff, and students, and serves as the Okanagan campus’s primary point of contact and advocate for Innovation UBC’s centralized technology transfer, sponsored research, and venture creation resources, ensuring Okanagan researchers and entrepreneurs are well served by, and bring an Okanagan and interior-BC perspective into, UBC’s university-wide innovation infrastructure. This position reports primarily to the Vice-Principal Research and Innovation and works in close, coordinated partnership with the Managing Director, Innovation UBC, Innovation UBC Associate Directors and other senior academic and administrative leaders, to ensure strategic alignment with the portfolio, university, provincial, and national priorities.

Organizational Status

Under broad direction, the position reports to the Vice-Principal, Research and Innovation, and collaborates with the Managing Director, Innovation UBC, to ensure close functional alignment with UBC’s university-wide technology transfer, sponsored research, and venture creation services. The position works collaboratively with leadership across the Research & Innovation portfolio, UBC Okanagan researchers and faculties, and central administrative units, including Finance, Human Resources, and Legal and Risk Management Services. This position is a member of the unit’s senior leadership team.

The position serves as UBC Okanagan’s principal point of contact and champion for entrepreneurship, technology transfer, and industry engagement, building relationships with regional and provincial innovation ecosystem partners (such as incubators and accelerators), federal and provincial innovation funding programs, investors, and industry. This position works closely with Innovation UBC to ensure Okanagan researchers and entrepreneurs are well served by UBC’s centralized innovation infrastructure, and to align policy, practice, and reporting across UBC’s two campuses.

Work Performed

Strategic Leadership & Innovation Ecosystem Planning

• Provides senior leadership for the development and execution of UBC Okanagan’s innovation, entrepreneurship, and commercialization strategy, ensuring alignment with institutional research priorities.

• Leads development of multi-year strategic and operational plans for the Innovation UBC portfolio on the Okanagan campus, translating institutional priorities into implementation roadmaps, resourcing plans, and measurable outcomes.

• Acts as a strategic advisor to the Vice-Principal Research and Innovation, and a close partner to the Managing Director, Innovation UBC, on emerging opportunities, risks, and priorities related to technology transfer, entrepreneurship, and industry partnerships as they affect the Okanagan campus.

• Tracks progress and outcomes of innovation initiatives, developing metrics (e.g., invention disclosures, licenses, start-ups created, jobs created, industry-sponsored research revenue) and reporting to support institutional decision-making and accountability.

Technology Transfer & Commercialization

• This position has primary responsibility for UBC Okanagan researchers for Innovation UBC’s technology transfer function, championing timely, effective delivery of invention disclosure intake, intellectual property assessment, and licensing support for Okanagan-based innovations, in close partnership with the Managing Director, Innovation UBC and the Associate Director, Technology Transfer.

• Advises inventors, researchers, and units on commercialization pathways, including licensing, spin-off company creation, and industry partnership options, in coordination with Innovation UBC.

• Identifies opportunities to strengthen technology transfer and commercialization services and outcomes for Okanagan-based research, and raises campus awareness of, and access to, Innovation UBC’s services.

• Partners with Innovation UBC on the development and stewardship of Okanagan-originated spin-off companies, including equity, governance, and conflict-of-interest considerations, in accordance with university policy.

Entrepreneurship & Venture Creation

• Builds and leads Okanagan-based entrepreneurship programs, incubation and acceleration supports, and experiential learning opportunities, in partnership with Innovation UBC’s Venture Building team, to foster a culture of entrepreneurship among UBC Okanagan faculty, staff, students, and alumni.

• Develops and delivers venture creation supports on the Okanagan campus, including seed and proof-of-concept funding opportunities, mentorship networks, and spin-off services, aligned with UBC-wide Innovation UBC programming, to help researchers and students move ideas to market.

• Builds and maintains relationships with regional and provincial entrepreneurship ecosystem partners, including incubators and accelerators, angel and venture capital networks, and economic development organizations, to expand opportunities for UBC Okanagan entrepreneurs.

• Represents UBC Okanagan, in coordination with Innovation UBC, in provincial and national entrepreneurship and innovation networks and initiatives.

Industry & Partnership Development

• Has the primary responsibility for negotiating industry-sponsored research contracts and other strategic partnerships that advance UBC Okanagan’s research and innovation priorities, in coordination with Innovation UBC’s Sponsored Research team where relevant.

• Identifies and pursues funding opportunities from federal and provincial innovation programs (such as Mitacs, the National Research Council Industrial Research Assistance Program (NRC IRAP), Pacific Economic Development Canada (PacifiCan), and the BC Knowledge Development Fund) to support innovation and commercialization activity.

• Builds and stewards relationships with industry, government, and community partners relevant to innovation, commercialization, and economic development.

• Collaborates with Research Services in the Okanagan on the negotiation of research agreements, intellectual property terms, and industry contracts relevant to the Okanagan campus.

Governance & Policy

• Advises the Vice-Principal and senior leadership on governance, risk, and accountability considerations related to intellectual property, commercialization, and conflict-of-interest matters.

• Supports the development and review of institutional policy related to intellectual property, technology transfer, entrepreneurship, and industry engagement, in alignment with Innovation UBC’s university-wide policy framework.

External Relationship & Stakeholder Management

• Builds and maintains effective relationships with local, provincial, and federal funding agencies, government bodies, industry, investors, and other external partners relevant to innovation and commercialization.

• Represents UBC Okanagan and the OVPRI in relevant institutional, sector-wide, and funder forums and working groups.

• Collaborates closely with the Managing Director, Innovation UBC, and Innovation UBC’s Associate Directors to align approach, share best practices, and ensure consistent service delivery across UBC’s two campuses.

Staff Management & Team Leadership

• Provides direct supervision to Okanagan-based managers and professional staff supporting the innovation, entrepreneurship, and industry partnership mandate, including recruitment, onboarding, goal setting, performance management, and career development.

• Leads, coaches, and develops UBC Okanagan personnel in matters of entrepreneurship, technology transfer liaison, and industry partnership professionals, building capability and supporting succession planning.

• Fosters a high-performing, inclusive, and collaborative work environment grounded in accountability, respect, and engagement.

• Ensures compliance with collective agreements, employment legislation, and institutional policies in all people management practices.

• Develops annual operational and resourcing plans and manages assigned budget(s), ensuring effective stewardship of institutional funds and sound financial accountability.

• Works collaboratively with other Directors and executive leadership in the OVPRI. 

Special Projects

• Leads special innovation projects and cross-portfolio initiatives on behalf of the Vice-Principal Research and Innovation, as assigned, including institutional strategic planning processes, policy development, and organizational change initiatives.

• Performs other related duties as required.

Consequence of Error/Judgement

The position operates in a complex, high-visibility environment where decisions affecting intellectual property protection, licensing, spin-off company formation, and industry partnerships have significant financial, legal, reputational, and institutional implications.

Errors in judgment could result in lost or compromised intellectual property rights, missed commercialization or licensing opportunities, unfavourable spin-off or licensing terms, damaged relationships with industry, investors, funding agencies, or Innovation UBC, or exposure to legal or conflict-of-interest risk. Poor decision-making may also negatively impact institutional reputation, researcher trust, and the successful development of UBC Okanagan’s innovation ecosystem.

Supervision Received

Works under broad direction from the Vice-Principal, Research and Innovation and collaboratively with the Managing Director, Innovation UBC for functional alignment on technology transfer, sponsored research, and venture creation matters, and significant autonomy and decision-making authority in the leadership of Okanagan campus innovation, entrepreneurship, and industry partnership activities.

Supervision Given

Provides direct supervision to Okanagan-based managers and professional staff supporting the innovation, entrepreneurship, and industry partnership mandate. May oversee cross-functional and project-based teams, and collaborates closely with Directors and staff in other OVPRI units, and with the Managing Director, Innovation UBC and their Associate Directors.

Commitment to Equity, Diversity, Inclusion and Reconciliation

All decisions and operations must align with the University’s commitments to equity, diversity and inclusion, and to truth and reconciliation with Indigenous partners. The incumbent must integrate these commitments into planning, daily practices and engagement with colleagues, communities and partners.

Minimum Qualifications

• Post Graduate degree in a related discipline. Minimum of eight years of related experience in intellectual property or technology transfer, or the equivalent combination of education and experience. 

• Willingness to respect diverse perspectives, including perspectives in conflict with one’s own.

• Demonstrates a commitment to enhancing one’s own awareness, knowledge, and skills related to equity, diversity, and inclusion.

Preferred Qualifications

• Master’s degree in a relevant discipline such as Business Administration, Science, Engineering, Law, Technology Management, or a related field.

• Demonstrated progressively responsible leadership experience in technology transfer, commercialization, entrepreneurship, venture creation, or industry partnership development within a complex organization.

• Experience leading strategic initiatives, organizational change, and cross-functional projects in an innovation or commercialization context.

• Senior leadership experience in a complex environment, preferably within a post-secondary, research-intensive, or technology commercialization organization.

• Direct experience as a founder, co-founder, or senior operator of a start-up or venture-backed company, with demonstrated success advancing intellectual property and building a business.

• Extensive knowledge of Canadian intellectual property, technology transfer, and commercialization practice, including patent and licensing processes, spin-off company formation, and conflict-of-interest management.

• Extensive knowledge of federal and provincial innovation, entrepreneurship, and commercialization funding programs, including Mitacs, the National Research Council Industrial Research Assistance Program (NRC IRAP), Pacific Economic Development Canada (PacifiCan), and the British Columbia Knowledge Development Fund (BCKDF).

• Professional certification or credential in technology transfer or licensing (e.g., Registered Technology Transfer Professional (RTTP), Certified Licensing Professional (CLP)) is considered an asset.

• Demonstrated experience building and scaling entrepreneurship programs, incubators, or accelerators, and developing relationships with angel and venture capital networks.

• Demonstrated understanding and knowledge of Indigenous Peoples in Canada, and their cultures, histories, and traditions. Ability to lead and make decisions informed by awareness of historical and contemporary Indigenous norms and standards relevant to the promotion and protection of Indigenous rights.

• Demonstrated experience in values-based leadership of strategic planning, program/project management, and enterprise-level initiatives.

• Proven experience leading complex, cross-functional initiatives and guiding organizational change in a large and matrixed environment.

• Experience supervising managers and/or professional staff, including responsibility for performance management, coaching, and team development.

• Experience working directly with senior leadership and contributing to executive-level decision-making and planning processes.

• Demonstrated ability to build effective partnerships across diverse groups, including faculty, researchers, industry, investors, government funding agencies, and central administrative units.

• Strong analytical, strategic thinking, and problem-solving skills, with the ability to operate effectively in complex and ambiguous environments.

• Ability to analyze and interpret various forms of data, determine implications, and implement recommendations.

• Exceptional communication, influencing, and relationship management skills, with the ability to build consensus and foster a collaborative, collegial working environment.

• Experience navigating federal and provincial government innovation funding landscapes and relationships is considered an asset. 

More jobs at University of British Columbia · Other jobs in Ubc Okanagan