Assistant Director, Innovation & Entrepreneurship

About Us:

The University of Toronto Scarborough is a place of energy, enthusiasm and passion. Our commitment to inclusive excellence attracts the brightest learners, scholars and employees from around the globe. Our success has been made possible by the opportunity given to us by our Indigenous hosts to operate on their territory, and we cherish our continuing partnerships with these communities. The University of Toronto Scarborough is an exciting campus with unlimited potential. Join us on our journey.

The University of Toronto Scarborough is a place where diversity fuels innovation. Where ideas don’t stop at the borders of our beautiful, tree-lined campus. Discover our globally-renowned academic excellence, experiential learning opportunities, collaborative spirit and transforming research partnerships. As part of the University of Toronto, Canada’s leading research university and one of the top research universities in the world, conducting cutting-edge, world-class research is part of the University of Toronto Scarborough’s (UTSC) DNA. The Office of the Vice-Principal, Research & Innovation is responsible for enhancing the overall research profile of UTSC locally, nationally and internationally.

This search aligns with the University’s commitment to strategically and proactively promote diversity among our community members (Statement on Equity, Diversity & Excellence). Recognizing that Black, Indigenous, and other Racialized communities have experienced inequities that have developed historically and are ongoing, we strongly welcome and encourage candidates from those communities to apply.

Your Opportunity:

The Assistant Director, Innovation and Entrepreneurship provides the Centre for Inclusive Excellence in Entrepreneurship, Innovation and Leadership (CIEEIL) strategic, tactical, and highly professional leadership to advance the OVPRI’s strategic mission, and in particular its commitment to research and innovation. The Assistant Director reports to the Academic Director, CIEEIL with a dual relationship to the Director, OVPRI. The incumbent will work closely with the VPRI, the Endowed Chair in Inclusive Innovation & Entrepreneurship, faculty affiliates, and entrepreneurs-in-residence, and collaborates with academic administrators, faculty, and departmental and campus-wide research and innovation initiatives to:

• BUILD an ecosystem for innovation and entrepreneurship at UTSC, including building a brand with a distinct visual identity that immediately generates brand recognition, and, in so doing, facilitates interest and engagement and, in turn, new opportunities for collaboration, partnerships, and fundraising.
• CREATE a campus-wide entrepreneurial spirit that ignites new ideas and undertakings that have a positive transformative social impact by catalyzing the development of new policies, products, services, jobs, companies, and community initiatives that have a broad and deep real-world impact that benefits the lives of Canadians and many others.
• DIVERSIFY the opportunities for members of the campus community – students, faculty, staff – to realize their desire to develop and operationalize ideas for the benefit of society.
• PURSUE the intentional convergence of UTSC’s Campus-Linked Accelerators (CLAs) to help create a rich academic experience that can provide learners with the knowledge, skills and experience they need to succeed as innovators and entrepreneurs when they complete their programs of study.
• SEEK opportunities to support innovation-related initiatives led by iRISE’s research institutes and the innovation districts (e.g., the EaRTH, HeART, and Cultural Innovation Districts) and, in so doing, amplify UTSC’s reputation as a leader in inclusive excellence in innovation and entrepreneurship.
• SEEK opportunities for academic programming that will attract the “best and brightest students” with a diversity of backgrounds and from across the world to learn about becoming innovators and entrepreneurs.
• PURSUE and cultivate collaborations and partnerships with all sectors of society – academia, industry, government agencies, non-governmental(not-for-profit) organizations, and community to support innovation and entrepreneurial activities.
• CREATE opportunities for members of the campus community to connect with teachers, coaches, collaborators, partners, funders, and donors, thereby enable the full realization of the potential and ambitions of the UTSC research and innovation community and ensure the optimal impact on communities near and far.

Qualifications Required: 

I. EDUCATION: Post Graduate degree (Master’s or Ph.D.) or equivalent in education and experience.

II. EXPERIENCE: Eight to Ten years relevant experience within an academic, government and/or industry setting in accessing and implementing various funding programs which promote innovation, student entrepreneurship and-or research commercialization including company creation, early-stage financing, venture capital. Demonstrated experience in financial management. Prior staff management experience (unionized environment is preferred) and application of HR policies and practices. In-depth understanding of the post-secondary environment, and the entrepreneurship and innovation landscapes across the sciences, social sciences, and humanities. Demonstrated success with the implementation of new initiatives and processes. Demonstrated experience with program development, professional learning, service delivery and evaluation of those activities in a higher education context. Demonstrated experience in developing entrepreneurship and innovation initiatives around leadership. Proven effective leadership and participation in committee work.

III. SKILLS: Advanced knowledge of PowerPoint, Excel, Word. Demonstrated oral and written communication skills. Effective project management skills. Effective and efficient problem-solving skills. Demonstrated persuasion and negotiation skills. Ability to manage a complex set of competing priorities. Superb research, writing, communication, presentation, and interpersonal skills. High degree of political acuity and judgment, consensus building. Superior organizational skills in planning, project management flexibility and problem solver orientation.

IV. OTHER: Maintains a high level of professionalism. Ability to maintain strict confidentiality. Strong leadership and staff management skills. Superior ability to work independently and to be a strategic and creative thinker. Ability to deal with executives, faculty and senior staff in a manner which facilitates cooperation and consensus building. Ability to work independently with a high degree of initiative, discretion, and tact. Ability and willingness to work cooperatively in a challenging and dynamic environment. Ability to work under pressure. Excellent planning and supervisory skills. Demonstrated ability to work with a constantly fluctuating workload and to meet deadlines, Excellent writing ability and demonstrated ability to work with and gain the support of colleagues. Applicants are also expected to show evidence of a commitment to equity, diversity, inclusion, and the promotion of a respectful and collegial learning and working environment.

Note: A full job description is available from UTSC HR Office

Closing Date: 08/31/2023, 11:59PM ET
Employee Group: Salaried
Appointment Type: Budget – Continuing
Schedule: Full-Time
Pay Scale Group & Hiring Zone: PM 5 — Hiring Zone: $106,465 – $124,210 — Broadband Salary Range: $106,465 – $177,442
Job Category: Administrative / Managerial