Executive Director, Startup Programs & Innovation Partnerships

UNB Geodesy & Geomatics Engineering; Fredericton; On-site; CAD 104,000 - 143,000; Full time

Job summary

The University of New Brunswick's J Herbert Smith Centre seeks an experienced candidate to lead startup program development. This role involves mentoring entrepreneurs, managing accelerator initiatives, and building partnerships within the startup ecosystem. An ideal applicant holds a master's degree and significant experience in venture capital and innovation management, with a robust track record in startup success.

Benefits

Health Insurance

Dental Insurance

Paid Time Off

Pension plan

Life Insurance

Disability Insurance

Tuition Aid

Wellness Programs

Qualifications

• 4+ years of experience in venture support and innovation management.
• Experience managing relationships with Venture Capital partners and corporate partners.
• Background as a successful startup founder with documented exits.

Responsibilities

• Develop and manage accelerator and incubator initiatives to support startups.
• Establish strategic goals and performance metrics for startup support programs.
• Supervise program staff and assure financial sustainability of programs.

Skills

Entrepreneurship

Venture Capital

Investment Strategy

Mentoring

Partnership Development

Education

Master's degree in business, Innovation, entrepreneurship, or a related field

Job description

Discover

The Opportunity

Fredericton, NB

Management and Operations

Experienced

Full-time

$104,794 - $142,823 / year

Competition Number: #045-25.26

Benefits

Health Insurance

Dental Insurance

Paid Time Off

Pension plan

Life Insurance

Disability Insurance

Employee Assistance Program

Tuition Aid

Wellness Programs

Closing Date: August 18, 2025 at 4:00 PM

J Herbert Smith Centre

The University of New Brunswick's (UNB) J Herbert Smith Centre (JHSC) supports entrepreneurship, innovation, and venture development among founders, researchers, and students. Broadly speaking, this position will lead the development and execution of programs designed to support startups through mentorship, strategic partnerships, and capital formation initiatives. The role will be responsible for enhancing the startup, innovation, and partnerships ecosystem within and beyond UNB.

What We Offer

Full-time | 3-year Term| Fredericton Location | On Campus

Standard Work Hours: Mon - Fri | 8.15 am - 4:30 pm |36.25 hours per week

Salary Range: $104,794 - $142,823 per annum

YOUR FOCUS

Reporting to the Chair, the ideal candidate will be a startup founder/co-founder with a strong background in venture capital, investment, fundraising, entrepreneurship, exiting companies, management, and startup ecosystem building, along with experience mentoring startups and securing strategic partnerships across public, private, and academic sectors.

Position Summary

• Develop and manage accelerator, incubator, and venture studio initiatives tailored to support startups and founders.
• Establish strategic goals/objectives, timelines, policies, and performance metrics for startup support programs.
• Support the program manager in customizing programming content to address common founder pain points, including market validation, fundraising, product development, and go-to-market strategies.
• Integrate workshops, expert mentorship, and external engagements into the program delivery model.
• Recruit members/participants (startups) to the accelerator programs.
• Act as the lead in the Global startup ecosystem for the JHSC.
• Recommend improvements and iterate on program design based on feedback and results.
• Develop and manage pre and post-program initiatives.
• Supervise program staff (Program Manager, Operations Coordinator, other staff as required).
• Assure the programs' financial sustainability through securing, managing/allocating the necessary funding.
• Collaborate in the selection of managers and other staff.
• Offer one-on-one and group coaching to startup founders and students, helping them navigate business strategy, fundraising, operations, and growth challenges.
• Serve as a trusted advisor for startups throughout their development cycle, from ideation through acquisition or scale-up.
• Assist founders in refining pitches, preparing for investor meetings, and pursuing public or private funding sources.
• Track progress and provide post-program support to ensure long-term venture success.
• Provide input into investment decisions, evaluations, and opportunity assessments aligned with program goals.
• Support capital formation efforts by preparing due diligence materials and investor-facing documentation.
• Analyze data to measure program outcomes, participant satisfaction, and long-term venture performance.
• Direct the opportunity for founders to meet with other founders and investors inside and outside Canada for possible investment.
• Identify and cultivate partnerships with corporations, venture capital firms, angel networks, government agencies, and community stakeholders.
• Facilitate collaborations that enable funding, pilot projects, mentorship opportunities, and talent pipelines.
• Represent the program and institution in external engagements, including conferences, panels, and networking events.
• Seek sponsorships or co-investment partnerships that expand the reach and impact of the program.
• Prepare, submit, and manage the appropriate applications and reports for external/government funding and the relationships with these partners.
• Oversee budget planning and expenditure.
• Expand the network to go beyond Atlantic and Central Canada through connections and prior relationships.
• Build a robust and inclusive startup ecosystem by engaging diverse stakeholders, including underrepresented founders, community partners, and global networks.
• Host recruitment events, demo days, pitch competitions, and startup showcases to promote visibility and collaboration.
• Support the development of outreach materials, campaigns, and digital content to attract applicants, mentors, and investors.
• Collaborate with academic and public institutions to enhance regional innovation capacity.
• Coordinate the work to be performed in different regions and departments, in alignment with the overall strategy.
  
  

What You Bring

• Master's degree in business, Innovation, entrepreneurship, or a related field.
• 4 or more years of experience;
• in venture support, leadership, and innovation management; as a manager responsible for overseeing staff, teams, personnel, or founders;
• in managing relationships with Venture Capital partners/peers, corporate partners, angel investors/networks, and startup accelerators (deep connections outside of the Atlantic Region is preferred);
• as a successful startup/venture founder/co-founder with documented "exits" (acquisitions), being part of the negotiations; in supporting companies/initiatives within marginalized communities and/or initiatives focused on positive social impact;
• securing and executing corporate partnerships with widely-known companies in different sectors;
• in supporting founders in securing capital, with a significant track record ($80 million CAD and above);
• in mentoring startup founders.
  

Additional Strengths

• Certified Scrum Master / Product Owner is considered an asset (demonstrates the candidate's ability to lead agile, iterative processes, which is essential for managing fast-paced startup programs, coordinating cross-functional teams, and delivering innovation initiatives efficiently and adaptively).
• Public speaking and facilitation experience