Assistant Manager, Business Development

Socket.dev; Oshawa; On-site; CAD 77,550 - 96,939; Full time

Job summary

Durham College is seeking an Assistant Manager, Business Development to lead partnerships across its Digital Technology Applied Research Centres, including the AI Hub, CCSI, and MRC Studio.

The role focuses on identifying and securing industry and government collaborations, managing the full business development lifecycle, and building strategic relationships to drive revenue and research funding, reporting to the Director of Applied Research.

Qualifications

• Minimum 2-year diploma/degree in a business-related field.
• At least 5 years progressive Business Development experience.
• Experience in applied research, technology services, or related tech sector preferred.
• Familiarity with AI/ML tools, generative AI, and immersive tech is an asset.
• Ability to speak publicly and deliver engaging presentations to technical and non-technical audiences.

Responsibilities

• Identify, prospect, and secure industry/government partnerships across AI, cybersecurity, and immersive media.
• Lead proposals, RFP/RFI responses, and Statements of Work in collaboration with teams.
• Manage the full business development lifecycle and CRM data to enable revenue growth.
• Build strategic relationships with partners and funders to grow client engagements.

Skills

Business development

Public speaking

Forecasting

Time management

Education

Diploma or degree in Business-related field

Tools

Salesforce

Microsoft Word

Microsoft Excel

PowerPoint

Job description

Assistant Manager, Business Development

Digital Technology Applied Research Centres

COMPETITION NO. AD26-24

Band 9: $77,550 - $96,939

About Durham College

Durham College (DC) is a leading post-secondary institution that supports students to develop career-ready skills for the ever-changing job market. With a focus on experiential learning, led by expert faculty, through field placements, applied research, co‑ops and other hands‑on opportunities, DC grads are known for having the skills and knowledge they need to adapt to the ever‑changing workforce.

A leader in innovative teaching and learning, Durham College offers a wide range of market‑driven programs across multiple disciplines, including culinary management, farming and horticulture, business, IT, construction and trades, science and technology, health care, engineering, social and community services, media, art and design.

Our modern campuses in Oshawa and Whitby offer 145 programs – including six bachelor’s degrees and 11 apprenticeship programs – to more than 11,000 full‑time post‑secondary and nearly 3,000 apprenticeship students. In addition, we have more than 16,000 student registrations in professional and part‑time learning. More than 120,000 alumni represent the college, both locally and around the world.

DC has an estimated annual economic impact of more than $913 million on Durham Region and is proud to be an active and engaged member of the communities we serve by contributing resources and expertise to enhance social and economic well‑being through partnerships, investments and collaboration.

About the Digital Technology Applied Research Centres

Durham College’s Digital Technology Applied Research Centres are a portfolio of industry‑facing applied research centres advancing emerging technology adoption and innovation in Durham Region and beyond through workforce development, business and technical services and applied research services.

The AI Hub – operating as a Technology Access Centre, the AI Hub enables companies to leverage the full potential of artificial intelligence to improve productivity and business outcomes and/or take new commercial AI applications to market. We offer training, advisory and custom development to help companies adopt AI safely and effectively.

Mixed Reality Capture (MRC) Studio – The MRC Studio develops experiential applications that integrate motion capture, virtual reality, augmented reality, virtual production, and training simulation, creating solutions that increase an organization’s productivity and growth.

Centre for Cybersecurity Innovation (CCSI) – empowers companies to strengthen their cyber resilience. CCSI offers access to applied research services and leading‑edge education in cybersecurity to prepare for the ever‑changing and complex threat landscape.

Duties and Responsibilities

The Digital Technology Applied Research Centres require a dedicated business development professional focused on identifying, pursuing, and securing applied research partnerships with industry, government, and not‑for‑profit clients at local, national, and international levels. This role will be responsible for direct engagement with prospective partners, managing the full business development lifecycle, and cultivating strategic relationships to drive sustainable revenue and research‑funding growth across the three centres.

Reporting to the Director of Applied Research and working closely with the broader applied research leadership team, this role will proactively engage with existing and potential industry partners, funders, and collaborators to build awareness of the centres’ full range of capabilities – including artificial intelligence development, adoption, and integration; cybersecurity solutions; and mixed reality and immersive content production.

The position is accountable for stewarding a portfolio of client accounts across the engagement lifecycle – from initial conversation through advisory, custom development, and training engagements – ensuring opportunities are nurtured, converted, and grown into sustained, multi‑engagement partnerships through strategic relationship management, pipeline development, and continuous client engagement.

Business Development

• Develop and execute an annual business development plan with measurable goals and budget recommendations covering all three Digital Technology Applied Research Centres.
• Build and maintain a revenue generation stream, with annual financial and research‑funding targets provided by the Senior Managers of the respective applied research centres.
• Identify, prospect, and establish new client and partner relationships across the AI, cybersecurity, and immersive media sectors to expand market share and conduct sales presentations and discovery meetings with them.
• Proactively engage with clients and prospects to ensure they are aware of the full range of services across the AI Hub, CCSI and MRC Studio.
• Maintain and enhance relationships with strategic partners (industry associations, funding agencies, research networks) to explore joint business and research opportunities.
• Manage and analyze the sales pipeline, track opportunities, and maintain visibility on revenue and funding forecasts.
• Manage the sales pipeline using Salesforce CRM (or equivalent CRM platform), maintaining accurate client records, opportunity forecasts, and business development reports.
• Analyze pipeline performance, client feedback, and win/loss trends to continuously improve business development strategies.

Proposal Development

• Lead the preparation of proposals, RFP/RFI responses, funding applications, and Statements of Work in collaboration with technical, finance, and project teams.
• Coordinate proposal contributions from researchers, project managers, finance, and external partners to ensure timely, high‑quality submissions.
• Maintain a proposal library, including standard language, capability statements, past‑performance examples, and budget templates to streamline future submissions.
• Track proposal pipeline, hit rates, and post‑award conversion to support continuous improvement of bid strategy.

Strategic Market Engagement

• Support marketing and outreach initiatives that generate qualified leads and strengthen the centres' market presence.
• Develop business development tools, case studies, and sector‑specific materials to support client engagement.
• Identify industry events, speaking opportunities, and networking venues where the centres can enhance their market presence.
• Organize and lead facility tours, small‑scale events and virtual workshops for prospective clients, highlighting key offerings and capabilities of each centre.

Budgeting

• Prepare and monitor business development budgets, revenue forecasts, and research funding performance.
• Analyze market trends and sales performance to support strategic decision‑making.

Leadership and Strategic Contribution

• Participate in leadership meetings and contribute to strategic planning, business growth initiatives, and Go/No‑Go decisions.
• Participate in innovative conversations and ideas for growth across emerging technology domains.
• Share wins with the centres and the broader Durham College community.
• Organize customer and partner feedback sessions for management.
• Foster collaboration across the applied research centres by sharing market intelligence, client feedback, and business development successes.

Qualifications

• A minimum of a 2-year diploma/degree in a Business‑related field such as Marketing, Commerce, Finance, Office Administration, or Human Resources. A diploma or degree in a related technology field (Computer Science, Engineering, Information Systems) combined with relevant business experience will also be considered.
• A minimum of 5 years’ progressive Business Development experience, ideally in applied research, technology services, or a related technology‑driven sector.
• Working‑level knowledge of, and demonstrated experience with, artificial intelligence development, adoption, and integration. Familiarity with current AI/ML tools, platforms, generative AI and mixed reality use cases, and the practical considerations of enterprise AI adoption is considered an asset.
• Experience with immersive technologies (VR/AR/MR, game development) considered an asset.
• Experience in proposal development, including RFP / RFI responses, government and industry funding applications, and the drafting and negotiation of client‑facing Statements of Work (SOWs).
• Demonstrated ability to customize technology and research‑based solutions and to manage competitive bids end‑to‑end.
• Ability to speak publicly and deliver engaging and informative presentations to both technical and non‑technical audiences.
• Proficiency in Microsoft Word, Excel, and PowerPoint; familiarity with CRM platforms (Salesforce preferred).
• Project management experience.
• Forecasting and budgetary experience.
• Exceptional time‑management skills and the ability to prioritize across multiple concurrent opportunities.
• Adept critical thinking and negotiating skills.

Durham College invites applications from all qualified individuals. Durham is committed to fostering workplace diversity, and, provides accommodations to applicants with disabilities throughout our hiring process.

We thank you for your interest in employment with Durham College however, only those candidates selected for an interview will be contacted.

Job Competition closes at 7:00 p.m. EST on August 14, 2026.

Contact Us T:905.721.3073 [e-mail] C Wing, Second Floor - 2000 Simcoe St. N. Oshawa, ON

Land Acknowledgement
Durham College is situated on the traditional lands of the First Peoples of the Mississaugas of Scugog Island First Nation. These lands are covered under the Williams Treaties and rest within the traditional territory of the Anishinaabeg. We offer our gratitude to the Indigenous Peoples who care for and, through the treaty process, share the lands on which we live, learn, teach and prosper today.