Role Summary
Reporting to the CEO, the Director Strategic Partnerships & Growth is a seasoned business development professional with a track record of achieving a varied partnership base at a regional to national level. In this role they will plan, direct, and have oversight of revenue-generating activities that support specific Innovation Factory initiatives and objectives, stakeholder engagement, funding and ecosystem initiatives.
The role is responsible for building and maintaining strategic partnership management and facilitating ongoing engagement as it relates to partnerships Innovation Factory seeks out related to the organization’s sectors of influence, geographic regions and identified growth prospects. This is a critical leadership role to ensure ongoing success of all programs and initiatives at Innovation Factory of which partnerships play a critical role. In addition to management of a dedicated team, this role also ensures alignment with Marketing, Finance, Operations and Venture Growth to ensure the smooth delivery of Innovation Factory programs and integration with client offerings while keeping a vast array of partnership relationships strong.
This position is open to Canadian citizens or permanent residents of Canada only.
This is a senior leadership position that will work from both our Hamilton ON and Burlington ON offices. This is not a hybrid or remote position.
Core Responsibilities
Strategic Planning and Execution
- Develop and implement a comprehensive business development strategy aligned with the company’s growth objectives.
- Identify new market opportunities, emerging industry trends, and potential partner segments to drive business expansion.
- Collaborate with senior leadership, managers and where applicable other staff, to set revenue targets, performance metrics, and KPIs for business development activities.
Strategic Partner Acquisition and Relationship Management
- Identify, target, and establish relationships with prospective partners (primarily this will be private-sector).
- Evaluate, and manage status of existing relationships and reinvigorate as needed.
- Lead proposal development, negotiations, contract discussions, and delivery execution to identify and secure new collaborations and partnerships.
- Foster long-term partnerships by maintaining strong relationships with key partners.
Performance Monitoring and Reporting
- Responsible for KPIs based on organizational revenue generation targets.
- Visions and designs partnership tracking measurable metrics, revenue goals and growth, and other key performance indicators, ensures team alignment related to.
- Prepares regular reports for senior leadership and the board of directors, highlighting progress, challenges, and opportunities for growth optimizing strategies and tactics based on feedback.
Supervisory Responsibilities
- Recruit, onboard, manage and grow the strategic partnership team staff.
- Oversee design of strategic initiatives as well as the day-to-day management, and reporting relationships related to these.
- Build and maintain external relationships with partners in service of program delivery.
- Provides constructive and timely performance evaluations for direct reports.
- Handles discipline and termination of employees in accordance with company policy.
Duties/Responsibilities
- Builds and maintains relationships primarily with stakeholders, funders across Innovation Factory’s region and aligned to pursuits or initiatives.
- Identify and propose new programmatic offerings, based on strategic partnerships established through their relationship building.
- Establishes, implements, and communicates the strategic direction of Innovation Factory initiatives in alignment with direction agreed upon by IF leadership team.
- Work with the VP of Operations to manage and execute reporting and other requirements of our stakeholders, funders.
- Working with the VP Operations and Director of Marketing to establish program budgets and priorities as it relates to incorporating strategic partners into existing and new initiatives.
- Identify and build relationships with corporate partners to enable integration into Innovation Factory’s existing program portfolio and explore opportunities that lead to new program development.
- Takes a leadership position to ensure collaboration occurs with Innovation Factory divisions and departments, as well as external partners, to carry out the organization’s goals and objectives.
- Identifies, recommends, and implements new processes, technologies, and systems to improve and streamline organizational processes and use of resources and materials.
- Identifies training needs and ensures proper training is developed and provided to their staff.
- Performs other related duties as assigned.
Education & Experience
- A minimum of 10 years of progressive industry-related experience in various business development roles, including three years in upper management managing budgets and leading a team is required.
- Demonstrated operational excellence in previous work experience.
Required Skills
- Exceptional skills in relationship-building, negotiation, and strategic planning.
- Excellent verbal and written communication skills.
- Strong supervisory and leadership skills.
- Extensive knowledge of the principles, procedures, and best practices in the industry.
- Excellent organizational skills and attention to detail.
- Strong analytical and problem-solving skills.
- Proficient with Google for Business, Microsoft Office Suite, Adobe, and CRM systems.
Assets
- Degree or Graduate degree in Business Administration or Commerce, Engineering, or other post-secondary.
- Previous experience working in an entrepreneurial environment or in a business accelerator/incubator.
- Previous experience in advanced manufacturing, transportation.
- Previous experience and demonstrated success in writing grants.
- Previous leadership experience with a not-for-profit.
- Previous experience securing and managing grants and/or funding relationships.
About Innovation Factory
Innovation Factory (iF) is a not-for-profit business accelerator, providing entrepreneurs with business services, training, mentorship and strategic connections to help bring disruptive technologies to market, increase revenues, attract investment and create jobs.
Our mission is to be the primary catalyst for technology innovation in the greater Hamilton and Halton areas with a vision to make the region Canada’s fastest-growing innovation community and the first port of call for innovators. We will do this via direct 1-1 support for companies; creating partnerships, and building community. We will create an environment and culture that draws people into the region as a place to invest, live, learn, work and start businesses.
The Innovation Factory is committed to a fair and inclusive work environment. We are an equal opportunity employer that hires and attracts talent regardless of age, race, creed, colour, religion, national origin, ancestry, marital status, affectional or sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, disability, nationality, sex, status as a protected veteran or any other legally protected grounds and will not discriminate on these bases. Accommodation will be provided throughout the hiring process, as required. Applicants must make their needs known in advance.
For more information please visit http://www.innovationfactory.ca
