Executive Director, Western Research Parks
Top Benefits
About the role
Classification & Regular Hours
Hours per Week: 35
Salary Grade 19: $125,000 - $160,000, salary commensurate with expereince
This is a Regular Full-time opportunity with a comprehensive benefits package.
About Western
With an international reputation for success, Western ranks as one of Canada's top research-intensive universities. Our research excellence expands knowledge and drives discovery with real-world application. Western also provides an exceptional employment experience, offering competitive salaries, a wide range of employment opportunities and one of Canada's most beautiful campuses.
About Us
The vision for the parks is to be recognized globally as a model for interdisciplinary excellence for research translation, student engagement, and innovation. Western Research Parks is a wholly-owned subsidiary of Western University, and is intended to support the overall mission of the institution, acting as a convener and connector in the London ecosystem to support long-term sustainable economic growth to the benefit of the community and the institution. The Parks promote and support private and public-sector research and development, appropriate to the research activities and interests of the University and to the economic and social goals of the region, the province, and the country. Western Research Parks have a critical role and mandate to advance the Research mission of the University by creating opportunities for Startup companies, facilitating scale up facilities from the University’s research, and connecting existing Parks tenants into Western’s research strengths.
Responsibilities
The Western Research Parks is a vital asset of Western University and is at a critical point in its journey to realize its overall vision. The Executive Director will provide leadership within the Western Research Parks and will work in collaboration with Western Research leaders and the Parks’ Board of Directors to develop, implement and monitor processes that guide the team and maximize its overall economic and societal impact. The Executive Director is the key staff resource to the Board with respect to all initiatives and operations, and will lead the implementation of the current strategic plan, as well as the development of new strategic plans.
The role will reinforce and advance Western Research Parks’ local, national and global outreach, linking the local and global ecosystem with Western Research Parks and bridging connections to broader Western University stakeholders. The Executive Director will direct and manage the allocation and reporting of financial, human and physical resources in support of Western Research Parks’ operations. The role will identify opportunities for process improvements, and design and/or revise practices and policies for staff and tenants, with appropriate controls, to ensure that risks are mitigated. The Executive Director will identify existing and emerging knowledge-based sectors within the community, seeking out prospective tenants, assessing space requirements, soliciting offers and negotiating renewals. The role will grow and create more Western lead start up companies to participate in the research parks, and support the development of grant applications for large transformational grants to increase the Research Park’s impact.
Qualifications
Education:
- Master’s Degree in Science, Technology, Engineering or Mathematics (STEM) field; Masters of Business Administration is preferred
Experience:
- 7 years’ senior level leadership experience, managing staff and projects
- Experience negotiating contracts, including partner/developer agreements, construction agreements, tenant lease agreements, memorandums of understanding and other relevant contracts with similar scope and complexity
- Experience in economic development, property management and operations, real estate and/or financial management and planning
- Experience working and leading a board of directors and partnering or collaborating with a post-secondary institution is preferred
- Government relations experience considered an asset
Knowledge, Skills & Abilities:
- In-depth knowledge of best practices for assessing, developing and implementing new business development processes and procedures
- Knowledge of property management and real estate policies, and an understanding of the commercial real estate market with an emphasis on laboratory and Class "A" office space
- Knowledge of best practices in building a strong collaborative team and leading people
- Familiarity with the Association of University Research Parks, the International Association of Science Parks, International Association of Business Incubators and Accelerators or other relevant industry associations
- Ambitious with the ability to identify opportunities, develop action plans and set challenging goals in order to achieve desired outcomes
- Demonstrated ability to develop and maintain effective working relationships with staff, business, associations, community representatives, industry, universities and colleges, scientists and provincial and federal agencies
- Excellent understanding of legal and contractual issues and documents
- Strong marketing and communications skills with an ability to converse with, write reports for, and deliver presentations to all levels of the organization
- Ability to deal confidentially with information that has financial, political, regulatory and reputational implications
- Ability to provide solutions and ideas for improvement by using imaginative approaches where constructive thinking and innovation are required
- Critical thinking and analytical skills to assess complex research issues of concern to stakeholders, including the media and the public
- A well-defined sense of diplomacy, including solid negotiation and conflict resolution skills
- Ability to make decisions and recommendations that are clearly linked to the organization's strategy and goals
- Ability to promote individual growth by encouraging others to learn new skills and develop themselves
- Proven ability to make timely decisions and work effectively under pressure
- Intermediate computer skills in Microsoft Office with the ability to learn and use relevant software
Western Values Diversity
The University invites applications from all qualified individuals. Western is committed to employment equity and diversity in the workplace and welcomes applications from women, members of racialized groups/visible minorities, Indigenous persons, persons with disabilities, persons of any sexual orientation, and persons of any gender identity or gender expression.
Accommodations are available for applicants with disabilities throughout the recruitment process. If you require accommodations for interviews or other meetings, please contact Human Resources or phone 519-661-2194.
Please Note:
We thank all applicants for their interest; however, only those chosen for an interview will be contacted.
About Western University
With over 30,000 students and 300,000 alumni, Western is a leading research-intensive university and global community of individuals focused on making change in the world, today.
We welcome scholars from around the world to beautiful London, Ontario.
Executive Director, Western Research Parks
Top Benefits
About the role
Classification & Regular Hours
Hours per Week: 35
Salary Grade 19: $125,000 - $160,000, salary commensurate with expereince
This is a Regular Full-time opportunity with a comprehensive benefits package.
About Western
With an international reputation for success, Western ranks as one of Canada's top research-intensive universities. Our research excellence expands knowledge and drives discovery with real-world application. Western also provides an exceptional employment experience, offering competitive salaries, a wide range of employment opportunities and one of Canada's most beautiful campuses.
About Us
The vision for the parks is to be recognized globally as a model for interdisciplinary excellence for research translation, student engagement, and innovation. Western Research Parks is a wholly-owned subsidiary of Western University, and is intended to support the overall mission of the institution, acting as a convener and connector in the London ecosystem to support long-term sustainable economic growth to the benefit of the community and the institution. The Parks promote and support private and public-sector research and development, appropriate to the research activities and interests of the University and to the economic and social goals of the region, the province, and the country. Western Research Parks have a critical role and mandate to advance the Research mission of the University by creating opportunities for Startup companies, facilitating scale up facilities from the University’s research, and connecting existing Parks tenants into Western’s research strengths.
Responsibilities
The Western Research Parks is a vital asset of Western University and is at a critical point in its journey to realize its overall vision. The Executive Director will provide leadership within the Western Research Parks and will work in collaboration with Western Research leaders and the Parks’ Board of Directors to develop, implement and monitor processes that guide the team and maximize its overall economic and societal impact. The Executive Director is the key staff resource to the Board with respect to all initiatives and operations, and will lead the implementation of the current strategic plan, as well as the development of new strategic plans.
The role will reinforce and advance Western Research Parks’ local, national and global outreach, linking the local and global ecosystem with Western Research Parks and bridging connections to broader Western University stakeholders. The Executive Director will direct and manage the allocation and reporting of financial, human and physical resources in support of Western Research Parks’ operations. The role will identify opportunities for process improvements, and design and/or revise practices and policies for staff and tenants, with appropriate controls, to ensure that risks are mitigated. The Executive Director will identify existing and emerging knowledge-based sectors within the community, seeking out prospective tenants, assessing space requirements, soliciting offers and negotiating renewals. The role will grow and create more Western lead start up companies to participate in the research parks, and support the development of grant applications for large transformational grants to increase the Research Park’s impact.
Qualifications
Education:
- Master’s Degree in Science, Technology, Engineering or Mathematics (STEM) field; Masters of Business Administration is preferred
Experience:
- 7 years’ senior level leadership experience, managing staff and projects
- Experience negotiating contracts, including partner/developer agreements, construction agreements, tenant lease agreements, memorandums of understanding and other relevant contracts with similar scope and complexity
- Experience in economic development, property management and operations, real estate and/or financial management and planning
- Experience working and leading a board of directors and partnering or collaborating with a post-secondary institution is preferred
- Government relations experience considered an asset
Knowledge, Skills & Abilities:
- In-depth knowledge of best practices for assessing, developing and implementing new business development processes and procedures
- Knowledge of property management and real estate policies, and an understanding of the commercial real estate market with an emphasis on laboratory and Class "A" office space
- Knowledge of best practices in building a strong collaborative team and leading people
- Familiarity with the Association of University Research Parks, the International Association of Science Parks, International Association of Business Incubators and Accelerators or other relevant industry associations
- Ambitious with the ability to identify opportunities, develop action plans and set challenging goals in order to achieve desired outcomes
- Demonstrated ability to develop and maintain effective working relationships with staff, business, associations, community representatives, industry, universities and colleges, scientists and provincial and federal agencies
- Excellent understanding of legal and contractual issues and documents
- Strong marketing and communications skills with an ability to converse with, write reports for, and deliver presentations to all levels of the organization
- Ability to deal confidentially with information that has financial, political, regulatory and reputational implications
- Ability to provide solutions and ideas for improvement by using imaginative approaches where constructive thinking and innovation are required
- Critical thinking and analytical skills to assess complex research issues of concern to stakeholders, including the media and the public
- A well-defined sense of diplomacy, including solid negotiation and conflict resolution skills
- Ability to make decisions and recommendations that are clearly linked to the organization's strategy and goals
- Ability to promote individual growth by encouraging others to learn new skills and develop themselves
- Proven ability to make timely decisions and work effectively under pressure
- Intermediate computer skills in Microsoft Office with the ability to learn and use relevant software
Western Values Diversity
The University invites applications from all qualified individuals. Western is committed to employment equity and diversity in the workplace and welcomes applications from women, members of racialized groups/visible minorities, Indigenous persons, persons with disabilities, persons of any sexual orientation, and persons of any gender identity or gender expression.
Accommodations are available for applicants with disabilities throughout the recruitment process. If you require accommodations for interviews or other meetings, please contact Human Resources or phone 519-661-2194.
Please Note:
We thank all applicants for their interest; however, only those chosen for an interview will be contacted.
About Western University
With over 30,000 students and 300,000 alumni, Western is a leading research-intensive university and global community of individuals focused on making change in the world, today.
We welcome scholars from around the world to beautiful London, Ontario.