Dean, Applied Research and Innovation

British Columbia Institute of Technology; Burnaby; On-site; CAD 164,000 - 237,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading educational institution in Metro Vancouver is looking for a Dean of Applied Research and Innovation to provide strategic leadership to advance applied research initiatives. Responsibilities include securing funding, negotiating collaborations, and leading operational planning. The role requires a Ph.D. and extensive senior management experience. With a competitive salary range from $164,805 to $236,907, this position offers excellent benefits and promotes a culture of innovation.

Benefits

Competitive pay

Minimum of twenty-five days of vacation

Extended health and dental plan

Defined benefit pension plan

Flexible hybrid work arrangements

Access to BCIT courses free of charge

Wellness and Employee Assistance programs

Complimentary fitness centre membership

Qualifications

• Ten years of relevant senior management experience.
• Proven experience in project management.
• Experience with research services environment or industrial innovation.

Responsibilities

• Provide leadership and strategic direction to Applied Research.
• Negotiate and promote collaborative opportunities.
• Source funding for research projects.
• Develop strategies to connect with industry partners.

Skills

Expert knowledge of research funding infrastructure

Leadership skills

Advanced presentation skills

Relationship management

Education

Ph.D. in engineering, science or a relevant discipline

Job description

At BCIT , putting people at the core of everything we do is paramount. This idea is the foundation of BCIT’s People Vision , which describes the Institute’s goals and priorities in respect to our people. In a complex and uncertain world, it’s vital our people feel valued, supported and connected. BCIT champions a culture of innovation and global progress through people’s imagination and creativity. With a competitive compensation package, great work-life balance, and career advancement opportunities, see why we’ve earned the title of one of BC’s Top Employers for over ten years running.

Position Summary

BCIT’s Applied Research department is seeking a regular, full-time (1.0 FTE ) Dean, Applied Research and Innovation. This position provides leadership and strategic direction to BCIT’s Applied Research and Innovation function, the Center for Applied Research and Innovation (CARI ) and the Applied Research Liaison Office (ARLO ). Works to advance Applied Research and Innovation initiatives by sourcing and securing funding for research projects and garnering support from business, industry and other sponsors. Negotiates and promotes collaborative opportunities, projects and arrangements for applied research with other institutions. Seeks opportunities to commercialize innovations and to identify, leverage and deliver revenue producing opportunities. Advances research activities in alignment with the Institute’s mandate to conduct applied research in support of BC’s economic development.

Duties & Responsibilities

SPECIFIC ACCOUNTABILITIES

• Participates as a member of the Provost & VP’s management team, providing input to development of the division’s overarching strategies that align with the Institute’s strategic plan, and sharing responsibility for achievements and success. Acts as a champion of the Institute’s vision, mission and values.
• Acts as a strategic advisor to the Provost & VP and AVP Academic on research matters, with emphasis on research policy development, advancing innovative research, identifying future opportunities, as well as working externally with industry, community partners, government departments, granting agencies. Reports on risks, opportunities, achievements, and key initiatives.
• Develops strategies and undertakes activity to increase engagement and connections between CARI , BCIT’s Schools and industry that further BCIT’s applied research goals, faculty engagement and student participation.
• Provides strategic and operational leadership to CARI , undertaking technical problem solving and sustaining research at BCIT . Ensures activities are selected and/or developed to advance the state-of-practice, serve the success of BCIT learners and to provide innovation for the BC economy.
• Leads strategic and operational planning for CARI in consultation and collaboration with the Directors of the research units within the Centre. Provides expertise, support and encouragement to researchers and research activities across BCIT’s schools.
• Prepares and recommends annual budgets and priorities for CARI , including the allocation of resources to projects, programs, and operating units. Ensures that the operational structures and focus for CARI remain relevant and current. Oversees the development and implementation of marketing plans for CARI and the preparation of an annual review of the departmental activities.
• Provides leadership and guidance to the Directors of the research units and ARLO and assumes overall accountability and responsibility for the achievement of agreed upon annual objectives for the various research areas. Monitors, reviews, and assesses performance against key performance indicators and implements adjustments and remedial action as necessary.
• Oversees matters related research funding, annual budgets and priorities including the allocation of resources to the various projects, programs, and operating infrastructure. Ensures delivery of reports required to meet statutory, government and funder regulations.
• Collaborates with the Deans, Associate Deans, Institute and School Research Committees, Facilities and other departments to further BCIT’s vision for Applied Research, CARI and ARLO consistent with the Institute’s Educational and Applied Research Strategic Plans. Ensures there is alignment between CARI and academic offerings. Champions student engagement with applied research and actively promotes applied research in the schools, ensuring close alignment and cooperation.
• Sources and secures project funding from business, industry, or research granting organizations both in Canada and abroad. Cultivates strong strategic relationships with industry, government, research organizations to advance and champion BCIT’s role as a significant contributor to the spectrum of research and to maximize the opportunities for BCIT to secure external research funding. Actively pursues revenue producing activities and opportunities for CARI , including identifying opportunities for commercialization.
• Fosters a culture of research excellence and innovation and encourages collaboration. Provides expertise, support and encouragement to researchers and research activities within and across BCIT’s schools. Functions as an internal champion and leader for ongoing efforts to increase faculty, staff, and student awareness and involvement in research activities.
• Advocates, advises and engages with internal partners, including academic leaders, faculty researchers, and students on applied research matters to create interest, identify and develop research opportunities, and overcome internal and external barriers for applied research to achieve maximum benefit to the Institute, industry needs to promote economic development.
• Represents Applied Research, CARI and ARLO internally and externally by delivering presentations to groups within BCIT , industry, universities, the public, government agencies, and to provincial, national, or international groups, committees, board and panels.
• Develops and supports BCIT’s connections with external organizations such as the Innovation Council of BC, the university/industry liaison offices, Polytechnics Canada, Colleges & Institutes Canada, BC Association of Institutes & Universities and other local, provincial, national and international organizations to advance BCIT’s involvement in applied research and innovation initiatives.
• Manages directly and indirectly reporting staff, overseeing and participating in the selection, coaching, mentoring, development, performance management and all other people-management practices.

QUALIFICATIONS AND REQUIREMENTS

• Ph.D. in engineering, science or a relevant discipline.
• Ten years of current relevant senior management experience, including experience in project management and the management of professional technical people in a research services environment or an industrial innovation setting.
• An equivalent combination of education and experience may be considered.
• Expert knowledge of the research funding infrastructure in Canada and ability to successfully compete for and negotiate research grants, industrial research contracts and other funding opportunities and initiatives.
• Advanced knowledge of science, technology, innovation and industrial research and development, such as engineering, biological sciences, computing, and health sciences or other industry sectors.
• Advanced leadership skills, with ability to direct, coach, develop and manage performance of reporting leaders, and to influence others at all levels across the Institute.
• Advanced presentation and communication skills.
• Solid organizational skills and a high degree of self-motivation and business acumen.
• Advanced presentation and communication skills.
• Advanced relationship management skills with ability to build productive, collaborative relations with a leadership team, staff, unions, and other internal/external partners.
• Demonstrates leadership in identifying and delivering on market opportunities in a similar role.
• Demonstrated ability to work closely with academic departments.

Benefits – Why you’d love working with us

• Competitive pay
• Minimum of twenty-five days of vacation
• Competitive employer-paid extended health and dental plan including access to a Health Care Spending Account of up to $500 if eligible!
• Defined benefit pension plan with employer contributions
• Flexible hybrid work arrangements available
• Access to most BCIT Flexible Learning courses free of charge
• Wellness and Employee Assistance programs
• Complimentary membership with free access to the Fitness Centre, Gymnasium, and more
• Eligibility requirements apply, benefits may vary depending on the employee group the position belongs to and whether the position offered is temporary or part-time. For more information on our generous benefits, click here !

BCIT is committed to the principles of equity, diversity & inclusion and to promoting opportunities in hiring for systemically oppressed groups who have been excluded from full participation at BCIT and the larger community. This includes Indigenous Peoples, women, racialized persons, persons with disabilities and those who identify as 2S/LGBTQIA+. All qualified candidates are encouraged to apply; however, Canadian citizens and permanent residents will be given priority.

Persons with disabilities who require accommodation for any part of the application or hiring process should contact us using our contact form. Please note that all applications must be submitted via the careers page portal. Applications submitted through the contact form will not be accepted. For additional information, please visit our frequently asked questions (FAQs) page and see how we hire .

The British Columbia Institute of Technology acknowledges that our campuses are located on the unceded traditional territories of the Coast Salish Nations of xwməθkwəy̓əm (Musqueam), Sḵwx̱wú7mesh (Squamish), and səl̓ilwətaɁɬ (Tsleil-Waututh).

Posting Category

Posting Category Management

Salary Range

Salary Range $164,805 - $236,907, with a control point of $206,006 per annum

Additional Salary Information

The Compensation Range is the span between the minimum and the maximum base salary for a position. The control point of the range represents an employee that possesses full job knowledge, qualifications, and experience for the position. In the normal course, employees will be hired, transferred, or promoted between the minimum and the control point of the salary range for a job, taking internal equity into account. Salaries above the control point may be considered for extenuating circumstances and must be approved by an external governing body.

Required fields are indicated with an asterisk (*).

• * What is the highest level of education attained? Successful candidates will be required to submit official transcript(s) from the granting institution for verification.
  • GED
  • High School Diploma
  • Certificate
  • Diploma
  • Associates Degree
  • Bachelors Degree
  • Masters Degree
  • PHD
• * How many years of experience do you have in this type of position?
  • 0-1
  • 1-2
  • 3-5
  • 6-9
  • 10+
• * All positions at BCIT require on campus presence at the applicable campus location(s). This means the successful candidate must be able to and willing to relocate to the Lower Mainland. Please select from the following that best describes your situation:
  • I currently reside in the Lower Mainland
  • I do not currently reside in the Lower Mainland, however I am willing and able to relocate if found to be the successful candidate
  • I do not currently reside in the Lower Mainland and I am unwilling to relocate
• * Given the posted salary range for this position, please indicate your salary expectation should you be the successful candidate for this position.

  (Open Ended Question)