President of the Innovation Centre
President of the Innovation Centre
St. John’s, Newfoundland & Labrador
Venor is proud to partner with our client, techNL, in their search for a President of the Innovation Centre. The nature of a physical innovation hub reflects creativity and fosters pioneering activity. It promotes exploration of collaborations, learnings, and collisions between businesses and the larger innovation ecosystem. Successful tech jurisdictions like Waterloo, Montreal, Boston and Silicon Valley have one thing in common – innovations centres.
In December 2022, the federal and provincial governments, together with techNL and industry stakeholders, announced $9.6 Million in funding to establish an Innovation Centre (IC) for remote operations in Newfoundland and Labrador. The establishment of this IC will build on exceptional levels of innovation, diversification, and collaboration. Multiple sectors and communities in Newfoundland and Labrador will benefit, including technology, energy, healthcare, mining, ocean, aquaculture, and fisheries. This IC will foster collaboration and technology growth to accelerate the development of the innovation-driven economy in Newfoundland and Labrador.
The President of the Innovation Centre role is critical to continue scaling tech innovation in the province, create a world-class ecosystem for remote operations and secure the province’s place as the most sought-after Canadian tech ecosystem, globally recognized for its collaborative community, diversity, and quality of life.
The President is a builder, collaborator, innovator, strategic and tactical thinker, communicator, and team player with an entrepreneurial mindset. This leader drives a culture of sharing, development, collaboration, efficiency, and efficacy, while maximizing opportunities for innovative people and companies of all sizes and stages in their development and growth cycle to facilitate, gather, optimize and engage in mutually beneficial ways.
This position will report to the Chief Executive Officer of techNL until a separate entity for the Innovation Centre is incorporated. The President will receive support from the techNL Innovation Centre Board Committee and the Innovation Centre Advisory Committee, which includes representatives of Energy Research & Innovation Newfoundland & Labrador, the Ocean Supercluster and Energy NL.
To lead the development of a world-class ecosystem of remote operations, the successful candidate will develop, with the techNL Chief Operating Officer, a strategic plan for the Innovation Centre, then successfully implement the strategic plan; refine and communicate the Innovation Centre’s vision, mission, values, and strategic priorities; develop a comprehensive suite of programming offerings that accelerate technology development, especially on remote operations; establish and maintain strong local and international partnerships; oversee day to day operations of the Innovation Centre (tenants recruitment/management, facility development – including initial construction, etc.); and ensure financial sustainability of the Innovation Centre (business plan implementation and development, oversee finances, develop annual budgets, etc.).
As the ideal candidate, you have a relevant post-secondary education with 10 or more years of career progression, or equivalent experience and education. You demonstrate an understanding of innovation space, policy, and programming as well as strong verbal and written communications and the confidence to build relationships and create value. You have fundraising (grant writing, etc.) and economic development experience. You make sound decisions and have strong stakeholder management experience and effectively and passionately communicate the organization’s mission and focus. Building relationships with current and future investors and other partners through your genuine passion for innovation is exciting to you. Knowledge and understanding of remote operations and/or technology commercialization are assets to this role.
techNL embraces a culture of belonging in the workplace. No matter who you are, where you are from, how you think, what you believe in, or who you love, your application is welcome. Diversity is appreciated and there is understanding that we all come from different backgrounds and different walks of life, bringing in unique perspectives and experiences. Applications from 2SLGBTQ+, Black, Indigenous, and People of Colour (BIPOC), women, newcomers to Canada, and people with disabilities are encouraged. If you require any accommodation in the application and interview process, please let us know.
If you are interested in this exciting opportunity, please contact Jessica Snelgrove at jsnelgrove@venor.ca, Craig Coady at craig@venor.ca, or Beverley Evans at bevans@venor.ca