Associate Director, Aerospace Innovation

INNOVATE CALGARY

Calgary, Alberta

Innovate Calgary is a wholly owned subsidiary of the University of Calgary, supporting the University, its members and partners bridge the gap between discovery and creating economic and societal impact. We provide a unique environment for employees combining a flexible working environment with significant exposure to the breadth of Calgary’s and UCalgary’s growing innovation and entrepreneurial ecosystems.

We are currently accepting applications for the following position:

Associate Director, Aerospace Innovation

Position Overview

Located in Calgary, Alberta and reporting to the Senior Director, Innovation Hubs, this role will be instrumental in the successful development and execution of the Aerospace Innovation Hub's strategic initiatives. The Associate Director will be responsible for the setup and operations of the Aerospace Innovation Hub (AIH), as well as supporting the delivery of programming at the AIH. The role will also be the primary business development position to attract new members and partners.

Responsibilities:

1. Strategic Support:

   • Collaborate with the Senior Director, Innovation Hubs, to develop and implement the strategic vision of the Aerospace Innovation Hub
   • Provide leadership and support in executing key initiatives to achieve the AIH's goals
   • Foster a culture of innovation, collaboration, and excellence within the AIH

2. Business Development:

   • Develop and execute strategies to recruit new members and partners to the AIH
   • Attend events, participate in panel discussions, deliver presentations, and participate in boards that promote the growth and success of the AIH

3. Program Development and Management:

   • Oversee the day-to-day operations of programs within the AIH, ensuring alignment with the overall mission and objectives
   • Design and implement innovative programs to support early-stage aerospace startups, including mentorship initiatives, accelerator programs, and access to prototyping labs
   • Support running of AIH programming, including the Aerospace Accelerator

4. Stakeholder Engagement:

   • Build and maintain strong relationships with key stakeholders, including government entities, industry partners, educational institutions, and the broader aerospace communities
   • Collaborate with industry leaders and organizations to identify opportunities for partnership to support the companies incubated in the AIH
   • Represent the AIH at events, meetings, and collaborative forums

5. Community Development:

   • Support the creation of a vibrant and collaborative community within the Aerospace Innovation Hub
   • Work with the Community Manager to organize events, workshops, and networking opportunities to enhance the AIH’s community engagement
   • Demonstrate a strong desire for working relationships within the organization, stakeholders, community, and industry partners

6. People Leadership:

   • Provide leadership to direct reports and stakeholders with regular communications and direction to a professional team
   • Provide a collaborative, positive, and authentic leadership style and drive for results while collaborating across departments at Innovate Calgary
   • Establish a culture of workplace safety, ensuring a safe, secure, and compliant working environment

7. Educational Collaboration:

   • Work closely with educational partners, to strengthen the connection between hub activities and educational programs

8. Financial Oversight:

   • Contribute to the development and management of the AIH's budget, ensuring financial sustainability and responsible resource allocation

Qualifications

• Proven experience in a leadership role within the aerospace, defence or related technology sector, preferably within the innovation or startup ecosystem
• Technical understanding of aerospace technologies and general engineering concepts
• Well-established connections within the aerospace sector and/or the startup ecosystem are an asset
• Strong organizational and project management skills
• Excellent communication and interpersonal abilities
• Demonstrated ability to work collaboratively in a team-oriented setting
• Understanding of program development, financial management, and strategic planning

Education

• Bachelor's degree in engineering or a related field
• Master's, PhD, or equivalent experience is a plus; aerospace engineering is preferred

Additional Attributes

• The successful candidate must be legally entitled to work in Canada (Canadian citizen, Canadian Permanent Resident status, or valid open work permit)
• This position is located in Calgary, Alberta and the successful candidate must be located in Calgary or be willing to relocate to Calgary prior to commencing the role. On-site presence is required to facilitate successful operation of the Aerospace Innovation Hub.
• Ability to work in an environment of multiple deadlines and changing priorities
• Strong problem-solving mediation skills with the ability to exercise sound judgment to make decisions based on accurate and timely analyses
• High level of integrity and dependability with a strong sense of urgency and results-orientation

What We Offer

We believe in fair and transparent compensation. We provide a well-rounded and meaningful total compensation package designed to support your wellbeing and long-term success:

• Salary: The budgeted salary range for this role is $100,000 to $120,000 per year, depending on our assessment of your experience and qualifications.
• Health & Wellness: Comprehensive, employer-paid benefits including extended health, dental, disability, life insurance, a health spending account, and an employee and family assistance program.
• Retirement Savings: A competitive Group RRSP program with employer contributions of up to 5% in your first year, increasing to 8% after your first year.
• Paid Time Off: Generous paid time off including vacation, sick days, volunteering time, 12 recognized statutory holidays, plus our office closes annually from December 25 to January 1, providing additional paid time off without reducing your vacation balance.
• Mission-Driven Work: Join a highly engaged and purpose-driven team. You’ll work alongside people who are passionate about supporting research, innovation, and entrepreneurs tackling some of the world’s most pressing challenges.

How to Apply

Interested applicants are asked to forward their resume and cover letter to hr@innovatecalgary.com with Associate Director, Aerospace Innovation as the subject line.

We thank all applicants for their interest; however, only those selected for an interview will be contacted.

Application Closing Date:   August 15, 2025

Innovate Calgary is an equal opportunity organization committed to building and fostering a fair and inclusive community that values diversity and encourages respect for all. We welcome applicants across any race, colour, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability, protected veteran status, Indigenous status, or any other legally protected factors. We recognize the value of identifying and removing barriers for any applicants interested in participating in our programs.