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POSITION DESCRIPTION

POSITION SUMMARY

Reporting to the Vice President, Research Ops & Academic Partnerships, the Director, Strategic Partnerships will play a pivotal role in shaping and executing Vector Institute's strategic business initiatives, with a focus on building and managing funded partnerships and driving business transformation across the enterprise.

This position will be instrumental in advancing Vector's mission through strategic partnerships, innovative business models, and effective change management. This role is the first role in a possible new structure for the Vector Institute and is linked to a recently completed strategy refresh and focused on engagement with new partnership structures.

The structure of the role will change over time as the Vector Institute builds capacity and develops experience in this area. However, key responsibilities of this role will initially include the following:

KEY RESPONSIBILITIES

Strategic Partnership Management & Development (40%)

• Lead the development and execution of Vector's funded partnerships strategy
• Identify and pursue strategic partnerships and/or new funding opportunities that align with Vector's objectives
• Drive new partnerships (e.g., broader public sector, foundations, institutions) and cultivate emerging partnerships
• Provide non-technical support for large-scale, multi-million dollar strategic and/or institutional funding applications and collaborations, aligned with organizational objectives
• Develop and maintain relationships with key stakeholders across multiple sectors e.g., foundations, government, industry, institutions, and academia in support of Vector’s business development objectives
• Build sustainable revenue streams through diverse partnership channels

Partnership Delivery and Initiative Oversight (40%)

• Oversee the development and initiation of funded partnerships through all stages of the funding cycle, from preparation of a proposal to developing a funding agreement
• Develop and implement appropriate business practices and governance controls to effectively manage and administer the resulting funded partnerships in accordance with the Vector Institute’s policies and procedures
• Manage the objectives and reporting requirements of funded initiatives, particularly in a research context
• Establish metrics and KPIs for measuring partnership success and monitor funded partnership outcomes
• Develop impact statements and reporting collateral on funded partnerships for Vector’s annual report

Business Model Evolution (20%)

• Design and implement a business model for new funded partnerships working together with other programs and work streams
• Develop strategies and qualification for international engagements and expansion
• Establish necessary governance and oversight structures to enable new business models and international engagements
• Support the implementation of the new business model and expanded engagements

KEY SUCCESS MEASURES

• Success in establishing and growing strategic partnerships
• Achievement of partnership revenue and impact targets
• Effectiveness of partnership delivery and initiative implementation
• Progress on organizational transformation objectives
• Stakeholder satisfaction and engagement levels
• Development of sustainable business models
• Growth in philanthropic and sponsored research funding

PROFILE OF THE IDEAL CANDIDATE

• Master's degree or comparable work experience in Business Administration, Public Administration or Research Grant Administration, Applied Research Strategy, or a related field
• 8+ years of progressive leadership experience in strategic partnerships and/or business development
• Proven track record of building and managing complex multi-stakeholder partnerships
• Strong understanding of the AI/ML ecosystem and research landscape
• Demonstrated success in organizational transformation and change management
• Experience in business development, fundraising, and foundation partnerships e.g., advancement, philanthropy, or equivalent
• Experience in stakeholder management and executive communication, including building alignment on priorities amongst Senior Leadership Teams
• Comfort in operating within a matrix structure requiring ability to influence without direct authority
• Ability to priorities across multiple internal and external stakeholders and competing organizational objectives

At the Vector Institute we are committed to driving excellence and leadership in Canada’s knowledge, creation, and use of AI to foster economic growth and improve the lives of Canadians. We strive for greater inclusion in the programs and culture that we build by welcoming and encouraging applications from all qualified candidates. This includes but is not limited to applicants who are Indigenous, 2SLGBTQIA+, racialized persons/visible minorities, women, and people with disabilities.

If you require an accommodation at any point throughout the recruitment and selection process, please contact hr@vectorinstitute.ai and we will happily work with you to meet your needs.