Director of Development, Convergence Centre

Position: Director of Development, Convergence Centre

Date: October 2009

1. General Accountability
In May, 2009, Algoma University received $16M in funding to construct a BioSciences and Technology Convergence Centre on the University campus. This venture is the result of long-term strategic planning on the part of the University, the Sault Ste. Marie Innovation Centre, and community-level partners to implement a multi-functional and multi-disciplinary education, research and technology space, where academic excellence in the sciences and entrepreneurial advantage intersect to drive innovation and commercialize research outcomes regionally and nationally.

The Director of Development, Convergence Centre (the Director) will be part of a team responsible for developing and implementing plans for the advancement of the Bio-Sciences and Technology Convergence Centre (BTCC). In particular, the Director will engage private sector partners and develop formal partnerships that ensure the direct involvement of companies in the research projects, activities and sponsorship of the BTCC.

By focusing on Sault Ste. Marie’s niche strengths and conducting market research to develop a solid understanding of private sector partners with strong aligned interest in these sectors, the Director will uncover and foster lasting relationships that will have ongoing benefit to the University and to the community.

The Director is responsible for providing development, technical and operational leadership within the Sault Ste. Marie Innovation Centre (SSMIC) specifically as it relates to a partnership with Algoma University for the sustainability and growth of the BTCC. This individual must be able to work effectively with a number of stakeholders including private sector companies, academic institutions and researchers as well as partner organizations including non-profits and industry associations.

Because the success of the BTCC relies heavily on attracting and interacting with external partners in industry and government, the Director will spend a significant portion of his/her time in this activity. The Director is responsible for interactions with research, technical and managerial personnel in external partner organizations as these relate to the BTCC. The Director will also be directly involved in identifying funding sources and developing funding applications of value to Algoma University and BTCC partners.

The incumbent is expected to work at an advanced level and be creative and innovative individually and with others in developing BTCC projects and partnerships; in developing an understanding of the various facets of the defined focus areas of the science and technology interests of the BTCC; in using this knowledge to be proactive in developing initiatives with groups both inside and outside the University; and in preparing various grant submissions. The incumbent is expected to have expert knowledge to assess issues related to this context.

2. Nature and Scope
The Director of Development, Convergence Centre is directly accountable to the Executive Director of SSMIC, and will also work in partnership with the Dean, faculty and project management/research personnel at Algoma University to ensure that the vision of the Convergence Centre regarding research and innovation is realized.

The Director demonstrates leadership in the following ways:
• Developing strategies to increase funding for the BTCC, attract new partners and drive growth
• Identifying and cultivating partnerships and research opportunities
• Identifying ways to improve communication and collaboration among Convergence Centre stakeholders and external partners and organizations.

3. Specific Accountabilities
The Director of Development:
1. Provides the leadership necessary to grow research and project activities in the BTCC.
2. Seeks and supports private sector companies in an effort to develop research and technology partners for and within the BTCC.
3. Thinks broadly to attract local and global private sector partners to participate in BTCC.
4. Works collaboratively with the Academic Dean and Associate VP Research at Algoma University and with the AU project development team to advance initiatives involving University faculty, Research Chairs and future graduate students;
5. Participates in a joint AU/SSMIC working group that addresses long term strategic planning for the BTCC and identifies specific projects that would benefit from collaboration;
6. Identifies grant opportunities for researchers interested in commercialization of research outcomes and facilitates the writing and development of grant applications for the BTCC that involve external partners.
7. Develops a network of partners in the private, government and academic sectors in order to identify areas of collaboration.
8. Supports the development of the BTCC facility and the activities within this Centre.
9. Will work with Algoma University to support the needs of research chairs, science faculty and students at Algoma University who will be located within the BTCC facility
10. Interacts with faculty supported by Tri-Council funding (i.e. NSERC, CIHR) who wish support to develop external partnerships in support of their research programs;
11. Develops strategy documents that help to guide the pursuit of niche opportunities and contribute to existing BTCC plans.
12. Completes status reports and updates for initial funding agencies (ex, FedNor and NOHFC).
13. Understands and maintains an up-to-date profile of activities within the BTCC
14. Manages two Development Officers that will support the activities of the Director and other BTCC clients and partners.

Deliverables
• Develop strategy for funding proposals for sustaining and growing the BTCC
• Participate in future funding requests for BTCC
• Develop plan to solicit new industry partners in BTCC
• Create a relationship with similar organizations in Ontario and North America
• Successfully manage staff complement of two Development Officers
• Work in partnership with Algoma University who will be managing the physical construction and assets of the BTCC.
• Work in partnership with Algoma University as they develop and manage science and technology-based academic programs in the BTCC and administer AU research initiatives including the Invasive Species Research Institute, the Health Informatics Institute, a future clinical research network, the NORDIK Institute (community driven research) and proposed academic programming in spatial statistical techniques for GIS technologies, to name a few examples;
• Assist in project management of the SSMIC-component of the BTCC construction project
• Provide support to lead individuals in the BTCC for
• Games for Health
• Health Informatics
• Geographic Information Systems
• Invasive Species
• Bio-Products
• Clinical Research
• Community driven research

Interested candidates should submit a resume and cover letter before November 27th to:


Lois Conyers: lconyers@ssmic.com
OR
Sault Ste. Marie Innovation Centre
1520 Queen Street East, NW 307
Sault Ste. Marie, ON P6A 2G4


We thank you for your interest. Only candidates being considered for an interview will be contacted.