City : Vancouver

Category : Full time

Industry : Educational Services

Employer : University of British Columbia

Staff - Non Union

Job Category

M&P - AAPS

Job Profile

AAPS Salaried - Business Development, Level E

Job Title

Director, Innovation and Strategic Partnerships

Department

BioProducts Institute | Dean's Office | Faculty of Applied Science

Compensation Range

$9,859.25 - $15,380.75 CAD Monthly

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.

Posting End Date

March 2, 2026

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

Job End Date

March 31, 2030

 

 

This position is expected to be filled by promotion/reassignment and is included here to inform you of its vacancy at the University.

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 BioProducts Institute (BPI), a UBC Global Research Excellence Institute (GREx), is a leading international research and innovation hub focusing on accelerating the adoption of bio-based materials and chemicals. It brings together researchers spanning the full spectrum of research from genetics to pilot scale bio-refineries to advanced materials research with the goal of establishing the Institute as the leading institution for scientific endeavors in bioproducts research, training, and education and the only Canadian entity capable of aligning and leading a globally-relevant scientific program that delivers a critical combination of science and technology, economic, social, and environmental advances into the bioeconomy space.

 

The Director, Innovation and Strategic Partnerships is the senior leader responsible for driving the business development strategy for the BioProducts Institute. This role focuses on cultivating high-impact industry research and partnerships, identifying and securing major research funding opportunities, and spearheading collaborative initiatives that position the Institute as a leading global innovation hub. The Director will proactively build and expand strategic relationships with external partners, leveraging these networks to generate sustainable revenue streams and ensure the long-term growth and competitiveness of the Institute through business and partnership development.

The Director’s portfolio includes leading outreach and relationship-building efforts locally, nationally, and internationally with industry, universities, government agencies, institutes, and other publicly funded organizations. The Director will drive strategic engagement between industry partners and BPI researchers, with a focus on identifying and securing joint research projects, programs, and funding opportunities. The Director will ensure that industry partners are actively engaged in research initiatives, maintain strong ongoing relationships, and foster entrepreneurial opportunities by supporting interactions among faculty, students, postdoctoral fellows, and institute members.

This senior leadership role requires flexibility to support regular evening and weekend commitments and serving as an emergency contact for the Institute when needed.It is also expected that the position requires travel to attend conferences, partner meetings, training, and other events as required to acquire and maintain proficiency in fulfilling the responsibilities of the position

Organizational Status
This position reports directly to the BPI Scientific Director and directly supports reporting to the VPRI and associated GREx Research and Innovation Council. The Director manages engagements between BPI, the University Industry Liaison Office, VP Research and International, Innovation UBC, and senior management in industry and government. The Director is the foundation of the leadership team of the Institute and co-leads BPI strategy and governance with the Director of Research Operations

Work Performed

1. Business Development and Strategic Planning  

• Provides strategic leadership in developing and implementing comprehensive strategy, goals, and priorities for BPI, as they relate to research partnerships, application of promising technology and establishment of BPI as a center that drives economic benefits for UBC, BC, Canada and internationally.

• Serves as key strategic advisor to the Scientific Director, developing and guiding the strategic plan for BPI’s research program. Provides high-level counsel on priorities, timelines, and implementation to ensure alignment with the Institute’s vision and long-term objectives.

• Co-leads institute governance, including agenda-setting for the Board of Advisors, decision implementation, and accountability for outcomes.

• Identifies and develops new strategic partnerships, while defining the framework and criteria to ensure the Institute’s sustained funding and growth. Responsible for the development of comprehensive funding and business strategies to meet criteria and advance BPI’s long-term vision and impact.

• Identifies trends, cultivates new ideas, explores and develops new business opportunities for partnerships/ventures that drive and contribute to BPI's long-term sustainability.

• Establishes, leads and directs complex, multi-stakeholder collaborations; identifying and problem solving to remove barriers to successful partnerships between researchers, collaborators, funding agencies, and external stakeholders.

2. Strategic Industry Partnerships & External Engagement

• Leads the identification, cultivation, and stewardship of strong, strategic relationships with industry, government, and academic leaders in Canada and internationally, where possible with leverage from Canadian funding agencies (e.g. NSERC, Mitacs, NRCan) to maximize impact. Advances partnerships that create high-impact opportunities for faculty, staff, and students, while catalyzing the exchange and dissemination of research knowledge and resources to amplify the Institute’s reach and influence.

• Strategizes and leads BPI’s engagements with European and Canadian partners through the Horizon Europe funding program for research and innovation, a program of immense strategic importance for BPI’s stakeholders within industry, academia and government.

• Establishes, implements and manages comprehensive leading-edge research programs and consortia of companies and research partners to leverage BPI’s scientific and technical capabilities

• Develops strategies to promote BPI’s mandate and programs in professional associations, bilateral business and cultural organizations, Canadian and international bodies associated with bioproducts research, and at international and national symposia and conferences.

• Provides strategic leadership for communications, marketing, and public relations to elevate the Institute’s profile, drive research collaborations, and engage industry, government, and academic partners locally and globally.

• Develops and oversees joint ventures. Liaises in the process of licensing promising applications and joint projects with industry, ensuring that the technology transfer is accelerated, economic impact for BPI and its researchers is maximized, and partner needs are balanced with BPI interests.

3. Financial Sustainability

·       Drives the development of long-term fundraising strategies, aligning research priorities with high-impact funding opportunities, and prepares business cases for major initiatives and shared infrastructure. Builds a diversified funding pipeline leveraging industry co-funding and government calls for proposals.

·       Leads institute-level fundraising campaigns in collaboration with Director of Research Operations to secure strategic investments from key government agencies.

 

4. Intellectual Property Strategic Management

• Collaborates with the Scientific Director and the UBC Technology Transfer office to establish an Institute level intellectual property development strategy. Identifies technologies and select projects best suited to advance through the technology transfer process and proof of concept phase.

• Manages the development, negotiations, and monitoring of complex agreements and contracts with industry partners.

5. Market Analysis and Assessment

• Assesses current and emerging markets for bioproducts and bio-based materials, translating trends into actionable business development strategies and ensuring industry insights inform decision-making across BPI

• Analyzes market and industry feedback to identify high-potential opportunities and applications, leading efforts with the research team to advance initiatives that drive global impact and elevate BPI’s reputation.

Consequence of Error/Judgement
The Director works with wide latitude in decision making and is required to exercise sound judgement in management, staffing, funding proposals, and the development of industrial relationships and networks. This is a key position in representing BPI to external groups. Incorrect decisions and/or judgement will directly affect the reputation of BPI and UBC towards the national and international research and business community and other key stakeholders. Errors could seriously jeopardize in the eyes of the public and government the credibility and reputation of BPI, its associated Faculties and Departments, and the University, resulting in missed opportunities, significant financial loss, damaged relationships and loss of credibility. Incorrect decisions would have a direct negative impact on current grant funding, and the continuance of funding.

Supervision Received
This position reports to the Scientific Director-UBC BPI. Work is performed independently under broad goals and objectives established by the Scientific Director. This position engages with BPI Deans, UBC VPRI, and other Faculties and units at the University and requires a high degree of executive, independent decision-making ability. 

Supervision Given
Manages M&P staff members the Research Grant Facilitator and the Project Manager and will be responsible for the recruitment and management. Also, at times oversees the work of supporting and/or administrative staff to assist in development of proposals for funding and commercialization projects.

Minimum Qualifications
Undergraduate degree in a relevant discipline. Minimum of nine years of related experience in a senior management position, 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

Postgraduate degree in science or engineering is preferred.. PhD in relevant discipline is an asset. A combination of working knowledge and experience in conducting research, directing research teams, and supporting collaborative multi-institutional research groups is an asset. Management experience in a research and development environment is preferred. Previous experience with advancing innovative technologies towards commercialization. Experience with patent application processes and building an IP strategy and portfolio. Experience identifying, building and maintaining relationships at senior levels in industry, academia, government and associations, in the local, national and international arenas. Strong understanding of business and diplomatic protocol, sensitivity to cultural differences and representative experience at senior levels in Canada and abroad required.  Strong communication and collaboration skills. Expertise in applying knowledge and experience, both technical and managerial, to complex, multi-faceted problems. Looks beyond existing methodologies and own discipline to define and resolve complex problems. Uses sound judgement in managing unexpected situations and competing or changing priorities. Proven ability to work effectively in an environment where powers of persuasion and the ability to nurture a sense of common purpose and cooperation are keys to achieving success. Ability to work a flexible schedule and travel nationally and internationally for work.