Job Description

Director, Business & Innovation

Position Overview

Global institute for Food Security is growing and as part of its expansion, it is seeking an experienced and innovative leader to serve as the first Director, Business & Innovation. Reporting to the Executive Director and CEO, the Director has the critical role of leading GIFS intellectual property strategy, identifying business opportunities and building relationships worldwide with industry, academia, and government partners which contribute to develop and deliver innovative technologies and tools that enhance the food production system and are environmentally, socially, and economically sustainable. As a critical member of the Executive Leadership Team, the successful candidate will lead and develop a team responsible for generating revenue through strategic collaborative grants, partnership investment, and fee for service, through GIFS technology platforms listed above. All program management across GIFS resides within the team led by the Director. As a member of GIFS’ Executive Leadership Team, and in close collaboration with both internal and external stakeholders, the Director will lead the execution of strategic plans and implementation of the institute’s external business development, commercialization, funding, and grant initiatives. Accountabilities Strategic Planning & Leadership

• Leads by example.
• Work with leadership to break down challenges and deliver results.
• As a member of the GIFS Executive Leadership Team, participate in the development and implementation of the strategic plan.
• Build a winning culture by creating an environment that empowers your team and others at GIFS to exceed expectations, champion continuous improvement, and emulate GIFS values.
• Manages the employee life cycle through activities such as: recruitment, retention and separations, orientation and onboarding, coaching and performance feedback, supporting professional growth, training and development, managing performance and addressing disciplinary matters.

Revenue Generation & Partnerships

• Increase revenue through the development and deployment of a strategic business development plan pursuing revenue through strategic collaborative grants, partnership investment, and fee for service through our technology platforms.
• Engage and digest key market drivers including regulatory proceedings, legislative activities, and technological and competitive trends.
• Champion business development approaches for long-cycle consultative partnerships, network development, and industry best-practice strategies.
• Identify strategic alliance partners and facilitate, develop, and nurture long-term sustainable relationships.
• Conduct and report on win/loss analyses through debrief interviews with clients.
• Negotiate contractual terms and pricing with clients with support from legal team.
• Support launches and ensure smooth transition of clients from contract to implementation.
• Drive process improvements where needed to improve quality and creativity in process.
• Negotiate and monitor research funding agreements, typically with technology transfer aspects, and other agreements (i.e., confidential disclosure and material transfer agreements).
• Develop strategies and lead special initiatives in establishing funding partnerships and communicate the impact and benefits of GIFS strategic initiatives with internal and external partners.
• Educate GIFS leadership to ensure they are well-briefed on strategic partnerships and major funding arrangements.
• Exercise leadership in business and research development by engaging with leaders and representing GIFS at an international, national, and local level to optimize opportunities and advance GIFS partnership and impact potential.
• Ensures knowledge is documented and seamlessly transferred to appropriate parties including efficient and effective management of a contract management system (end to end).
• Oversees reporting for external stakeholders.

Program Management & Technology Development

• Develop and implement relevant metrics for assessing progress of business and research development initiatives.
• Implement and achieve targets for revenue and business development activities.
• Develop and implement the process for translating technology developments into products for the institute.
• Manage through your team the implementation of programs, activities, and systems to support the projects’ leaders and researchers in fulfilling their responsibilities.
• Provide strategic and specialized business and research development counsel to the GIFS Executive and researchers.
• Collect, analyze and synthesize data related to the overall performance of GIFS and prepare reports to inform and modify the growth plan, as needed, to meet the overarching food security objectives of GIFS.

Intellectual Property

• Lead the intellectual property strategy for GIFS, including the licensing strategy, across the platforms and programs.
• Partner with Program and Platform Leaders to ensure IP strategies including capture, in-licensing and out-licensing are developed and executed.
• Serve on various internal and external committees and projects to provide expert IP advice.
• Provide knowledge translation support as the program evolves and generates outputs of relevance to external stakeholders (i.e., government and industry), communities and other end-users.

Other Important Parameters:

• Position reports to the Executive Director & Chief Executive Officer
• The position is supported by a team of 7 direct reports.
• Position location is in Saskatoon, Saskatchewan where the GIFS Head Office is located. Alternative locations will be considered with a compelling case assuring GIFS of the commitment to appropriate travel/presence in Saskatoon.
• Moderate travel is anticipated both nationally and internationally.

Candidate Profile Knowledge, Experience & Expertise:

• Experience building international relationships and managing international projects is required.
• Experience with research and partnership funding models and processes is required.
• Industry-focused business development and/or marketing experience along with a strong understanding of both academic and industry environments is required.
• Demonstrated experience and skill in building relationships among diverse constituencies and negotiating commercial agreements is also expected.
• Direct professional experience in the performance of research in industry, at a university or government and a demonstrated ability to bring the results of scientific research to the marketplace.

Personal Characteristics:

• Sound judgment, discretion, diplomacy, and professional integrity;
• Effective organizational skills and the acumen to handle complex situations and manage multiple projects with competing deadlines;
• Ability to establish and maintain the level of professional relationships that support exceptional collaboration;
• Ability to identify issues and develop and implement innovative and outcomes-oriented solutions;
• Ability to gather, analyze, and present information with fastidious attention to detail;
• Ability to work effectively in a diverse atmosphere; and a
• Sense of ownership and pride in your performance and its impact on the company’s success.
• Ability to build strong long-lasting relationships with key stakeholders.
• Team oriented and able to invest in the success of others.
• Ability to celebrate differences and encourage scientific openness and discussion.

Education & Experience:

• A Graduate Degree in a relevant subject area, with business experience and/or business-related education (such as an MBA), is required.

For confidential consideration as a candidate, or to suggest a prospective candidate, please contact:

Janet Wightman Managing Partner +1 306-751-0581 jwightman@krsearch.com

John Wright Managing Director +1 813-205-5135 jwright@krsearch.com

Meghann Salus Sr. Associate +13125433007 msalus@krsearch.com


Department: Global Inst for Food Security
Status: Permanent
Employment Group: Exempt
Full Time Equivalent (FTE): 1.0
Salary: The starting salary will be commensurate with education and experience.
Salary Phase/Band: Not Applicable
Posted Date: 8/17/2022
Closing Date: 9/26/2022
Number of Openings: 1
Work Location: May be eligible for hybrid work under the terms of USask's Alternative Workspace Guidelines
The successful applicant will be required to provide the following current verification(s) where 'Yes' is indicated below. Further information is available at: https://careers.usask.ca/tips-for-applying.php

Criminal Record Check: Not Applicable
Driver's License and Abstract Check: Not Applicable
Education/Credential Verification: Not Applicable
Vulnerable Sector Check: Not Applicable Please review the University of Saskatchewan's health and safety requirements for faculty, staff and students in consideration of the COVID-19 pandemic.

The University believes equity, diversity, and inclusion strengthen the community and enhance excellence, innovation and creativity. We are dedicated to recruiting individuals who will enrich our work and learning environments. All qualified candidates are encouraged to apply; however, in accordance with Canadian immigration requirements, Canadian citizens and permanent residents will be given priority. We are committed to providing accommodations to those with a disability or medical necessity. If you require an accommodation in order to participate in the recruitment process, please notify us and we will work together on the accommodation request. The University of Saskatchewan’s main campus is situated on Treaty 6 Territory and the Homeland of the Métis. We pay our respects to the First Nations and Métis ancestors of this place and reaffirm our relationship with one another. Together, we are uplifting Indigenization to a place of prominence at the University of Saskatchewan.