Job Description

Business Partner, Post-Secondary Investments & Emerging Technology (PSIET)

Alberta Innovates (AI) is seeking a Business Partner, PSIET responsible for managing the delivery of programs and initiatives to activate research, talent, and ecosystems & enterprise toward innovation outcomes such as knowledge creation, adoption, commercialization and translation of emerging technologies and highly qualified personnel in areas of strategic importance to Alberta. The Business Partner will help manage PSIET programs with the goal to increase connectivity of programs, services, and events within Alberta Innovates and around the province, driving impact for Alberta. Key responsibilities include grant program operation and contributing to program design and improvement, as well as organizing, planning, and facilitating the development of common processes, tools, and guidance documents, contributing to the effectiveness of the PSIET team.

Are you our next Business Partner, (PSIET)? You would be a good fit for this position if you:

• Have a passion for supporting the province\'s emerging technology innovation ecosystem, to ultimately connect inventors and other techies with the innovation funding, training, partners, employment opportunities, and other supports they require.
• Have experience navigating the dynamic landscapes of tech talent and industry-academic collaboration for emerging technology development.
• Have an exceptional ability to manage relationships with clients and partners while simultaneously executing multiple funding program lifecycles and track the results.

We are game changers.

Alberta Innovates is a provincially funded corporation with a mandate to deliver 21st-century solutions for the most compelling challenges facing Albertans. We do this by building on our province\'s research and technology development strengths in We are working with our partners to diversify Alberta\'s economy, improve our environmental performance and enhance the well-being of Albertans through research and innovation.

Our subsidiary, InnoTech Alberta, offers a diversified range of scientific engineering and technological research and testing capabilities, and the facilities to support technology scale-up. Our multidisciplinary team has the depth of experience to work across all sectors, from energy to health to food and fibre. InnoTech Alberta offers you access to research talent, technical expertise, and unique facilities that can help accelerate technology development that serves both the private and public sector.

Intrigued? Here\'s some more information about the position:

Reporting to the Senior Business Partner, Emerging Technologies, the Business Partner will work with PSIET leads in target outcome areas (primarily, Talent and Ecosystem & Enterprise, as well as Research) and across the organization to operationalize and execute initiatives and investments including managing programs, convening activities of reviewers, project advisors, and service providers and coordinating functions such as finance for reporting or marketing for content development. This role stewards the coordination and delivery of stakeholders, calls, ecosystem engagements and provides leadership and support to AI\'s programs. The successful incumbent will be accountable for (but not limited to) the following:

Program Management and Execution

• Contribute to the development of new grant funding programs or enhancements of existing programs and support the development, enhancement, and management of existing programs.
• Launch/relaunch and operate programs based on guidance from the PSIET lead for target outcome area and internal subject matter experts including, executing on communications plans, managing roles and responsibilities to deadlines, complying with quality requirements, leading information sessions, and other program launch tasks.
• Coordinate the development of program scope, guidelines, criteria, and associated documentation; prepare program progress reports, quarterly reports for management, keep documentation and program and financial reporting up to date.
• Develop and maintain communication processes with various stakeholders and committees to ensure timely and appropriate exchange of information; monitor progress of stakeholders, committees, or other resources to ensure accomplishment of agreed objectives.
• Contribute to the delivery of PSIET calls for proposals and programs; proposal advising activities for active applicants to PSIET\'s programs; and the support the proposal evaluation process by assembling, contracting, and providing guidance to expert reviewer panels.
• Lead scouting, outreach, engagement, coaching, and guidance activities for prospective applicants to PSIET\'s programs.
• Contribute to the debrief process for unsuccessful applicants and provide individual applicants with feedback on their proposals.
• Support development of value-added tools, policies, and procedures and their implementation in the spirit of continuous improvement for all PSIET activities.

Project and Portfolio Management

• Ensure funded projects meet objectives, deliverables, and maintain alignment with PSIET\'s mandate.
• Work with AB Innovates\' Grants team to establish project funding agreements and project plans between PSIET and recipients to ensure alignment of project outcomes with PSIET and AI Investments objectives.
• Monitor project status and report progress updates to the PSIET team, Executive Director or other leadership as required; manage project change requests.
• Review and assess project progress and final project reports.
• Coordinate project monitoring and change management processes for PSIET\'s portfolio of projects with the entire team of project advisors.
• Support EI, AI and PSIET project and regional advisors by providing guidance related to PSIET policies, procedures, and strategic considerations.
• Provide portfolio-related services such as responding to requests for information, conducting portfolio analysis, and compiling PSIET project status updates.
• Support the PSIET-Alberta Innovates service provider relationship by acting as a liaison, responding to administrative requests, and managing program/project budgets.
• Participate in project steering committees and maintain regular interaction with funding recipients.
• Participate in workshops, conferences, and other events on behalf of PSIET on an as-needed basis to advance initiatives.

Program Development and Strategic Initiatives

• Gather and analyze relevant business intelligence, industry best practices, global opportunities, market trends and emerging technologies to support the program design.
• Support program improvements and internal program processes.
• Support PSIET and department initiatives including service provider relations, events, and strategic proposals to external organizations.

Stakeholder Relationships

• Develop and maintain effective working relationships with internal and external stakeholders, including government, industrial associations, and other stakeholders to develop and implement effective emerging technology, research, and talent initiatives.
• Proactively identify and nurture key partnerships within ecosystem or with potential collaborators or funding partners.

Educational Requirement:

• Bachelor or higher degree in relevant area including Business/Public Administration, Innovation, Natural Sciences, or Engineering
• Project management courses, training, or certificate are an asset.
• Emerging technology knowledge, courses, and training are an asset.
• Knowledge of Alberta\'s post secondaries and talent development principles

Experience and Qualifications we are looking for:

• 3-5+years of experience in technology research and innovation and/or public funding/government program delivery
• Knowledge of tools, theories, project management principles, issues and economics of Alberta\'s emerging technology opportunities, Alberta\'s research environment and talent development in application to industry needs
• Proven experience in implementing and executing collaborative projects.
• Familiarity with Alberta\'s social, economic, environmental, and technological needs and priorities
• Good understanding of business and government processes
• Broad understanding of the Government of Alberta\'s and Canada\'s emerging technology and higher education related strategies, strategic business plans, policy frameworks and relevant legislation

Skills Required:

• Strong interpersonal skills and ability to build relationships with stakeholders, including staff, senior leaders, and external partners.
• Ability to facilitate and work collaboratively with internal and external stakeholders.
• Strong written and verbal communication skills
• Strong organizational and time-management skills, with attention to detail that reflects ability to perform and prioritize multiple tasks, competing agendas and meeting client demands.
• Ability to be tactful, diplomatic, and persuasive.
• Flexible and adaptable to the dynamic and changing environment.
• Strategic thinker and results oriented; ability to identify innovative solutions to complex issues.
• Proven analytical, critical thinking, and problem-solving skills.
• Ability to work both in a team environment as well as independently.
• Research, writing and editing skills.
• Project management skills
• Strong Microsoft Office skills
• Ability to travel as required.

Why Alberta Innovates?

We offer our employees opportunities to work on projects that will expand their skill sets while witnessing the visible impacts of their efforts. We value the development of our employees and create opportunities for working in capacities that allow new skills to be learned. We know that the wellness of our team is the most important part of our business, so we offer a strong benefits package and generous vacation and paid time off programs to promote work-life balance.

The final candidate will be required to undergo a security clearance. All interviewees must be able to meet the requirement specified in the Physical Demand Analysis. This document will be supplied during the interview process to the successful candidate. This competition will remain open until a successful candidate is found.

ALBERTA INNOVATES IS COMMITTED TO THE PRINCIPLE OF EQUITY IN EMPLOYMENT AND ENCOURAGES APPLICATIONS FROM ALL QUALIFIED INDIVIDUALS. WE WISH TO THANK ALL APPLICANTS FOR THEIR INTEREST. HOWEVER, ONLY THOSE INVITED FOR AN INTERVIEW WILL BE CONTACTED.

Employment Status: Term Position - 10 Months

Hours bi-weekly: 36.25

Location: Edmonton or Calgary

Pay Grade: C

Annual Salary Range: $76,000 - $104,500

Alberta Innovates