Assistant Vice-President, Innovation, Partnerships and Entrepreneurship

University of Toronto; Toronto; On-site; CAD 150,000 - 200,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading North American university in Toronto seeks an Assistant Vice-President, Innovation, Partnerships and Entrepreneurship to lead a dynamic team in driving commercialization activities and fostering industry partnerships. The ideal candidate will have a strong track record in research administration and possess excellent leadership and communication skills. This position offers a competitive benefits package and opportunities for equity, diversity, and inclusion within a vibrant academic setting.

Benefits

Generous paid time-off

Medical and dental insurance

Life and disability insurance

Defined benefit pension plan

Tuition reimbursement

Qualifications

• Outstanding track record leading research administration and commercialization.
• Proven success in fostering industry partnerships within a research-intensive institution.
• Deep understanding of academic research and innovation.

Responsibilities

• Lead a high-performing team across the Innovation & Partnership Office.
• Strategic direction in growing commercialization and entrepreneurship.
• Expand funded research partnerships with industry/public organizations.

Skills

Leadership skills

Relationship-building

Analytical skills

Communication skills

Problem-solving skills

Education

PhD or equivalent experience

Job description

Overview

As Canada’s leading university and a global Top 20 institution, the University of Toronto (U of T) is leading life‑changing cross‑disciplinary research and innovation to address the world’s most pressing challenges. The University is home to an exceptional complement of faculty, librarians, and staff who work with vibrant students, postdoctoral researchers, alumni, and partners locally and around the world. Annually, the tri‑campus U of T community, together with its affiliated hospitals, attracts $1.54 billion in research funding.

The University of Toronto is a leading North American innovation engine for research‑based startups and a global leader in transforming ideas into products and services that improve the world. From applied AI companies emerging from proteges of Nobel Laureate Geoffrey Hinton, to industry partnerships with leading global companies, U of T is at the forefront of research‑based innovation and commercialization. The University was recently ranked #1 in Canada in the Pitchbook annual ranking of the Top 100 universities for entrepreneurs and is ranked among the top five in the world for university startup incubators. It houses a powerful network of 12 accelerators, engages over 600 industry partners, and has launched 1500 venture‑backed companies that have created over 20,000 jobs and secured over $14 billion in funding.

Role Summary

It is within this diverse ecosystem that U of T seeks a collaborative leader with deep expertise for the position of Assistant Vice‑President, Innovation, Partnerships and Entrepreneurship (AVP‑IPE). The AVP‑IPE will join a talented and highly integrated team within the Research and Innovation portfolio that values collegiality, mutual support and collective success, and is driven by advancing research, innovation and impact.

Reporting to the Vice‑President, Research, Innovation and Strategic Initiatives (VPRISI), the AVP‑IPE will lead a dynamic and high‑performing team across the Innovation & Partnership Office (IPO), University of Toronto Entrepreneurship (UTE) and University of Toronto Early‑Stage Technology (UTEST). They will provide strategic direction in growing commercialization activity and entrepreneurship, fostering and expanding funded research partnerships with industry and public/private organizations; and by providing essential and mission‑critical supports that will have broad economic and public impacts to the U of T community. The AVP‑IPE will play a pivotal role in strengthening and expanding the broader innovation ecosystem across U of T’s three campuses.

Responsibilities

The AVP‑IPE will lead a dynamic and high‑performing team across the IPO, UTE and UTEST. They will provide strategic direction in growing commercialization activity and entrepreneurship; fostering and expanding funded research partnerships with industry and public/private organizations; and by providing essential and mission‑critical supports that will have broad economic and public impacts to the U of T community. The AVP‑IPE will play a pivotal role in strengthening and expanding the broader innovation ecosystem across U of T’s three campuses.

Qualifications

The ideal candidate brings an outstanding track record leading research administration and commercialization, cultivating entrepreneurship, and fostering industry partnerships within a research‑intensive academic institution or large organization. They will possess excellent relationship‑building, interpersonal and communication skills, combined with strong analytical and problem‑solving skills, and proven success in realizing and promoting opportunities. Candidates must demonstrate the ability to lead within a fast‑paced, highly complex and increasingly global environment. The AVP‑IPE will possess a deep respect for and understanding of the breadth of academic research and innovation across disciplines at U of T and demonstrate the ability to cultivate respectful and collegial relationships within academic, industrial, government and business environments. They will possess a high level of emotional intelligence, be an inspiring leader to a talented team, and a champion for promoting equity, diversity, and inclusivity in all its forms.

Application Information

The University of Toronto has partnered with the leadership advisory firm Odgers for this recruitment. Applications are encouraged immediately and ideally by 11/09/2025 to Julia Robarts and Krutika Hotwani at https://careers.odgers.com/en-ca/job/30765. Inquiries or accommodations requests can be directed to [e-mail].

Benefits

The University of Toronto offers a generous compensation and benefits package. To learn more about our competitive benefits and additional rewards, including generous paid time‑off, medical and dental insurance coverage, life and disability insurance, defined benefit pension plan, health care spending accounts, and tuition reimbursement, visit https://people.utoronto.ca/careers/benefits/.

Diversity and Inclusion

The University of Toronto embraces diversity and is building a culture of belonging that increases its capacity to effectively address and serve the interests of its global community. U of T strongly encourages applications from Indigenous Peoples, Black and racialised persons, women, persons with disabilities, and people of diverse sexual and gender identities. U of T values applicants who have demonstrated a commitment to equity, diversity and inclusion and recognizes that diverse perspectives, experiences, and expertise are essential to strengthening its academic mission.