Program Manager- Lab to Market SAIT Hub

sait.ca; Calgary; On-site; CAD 82,000 - 109,000; Full time

Job summary

An established industry player is seeking a dynamic Program Manager to lead the Lab to Market initiative. This role is pivotal in overseeing the implementation of a network that connects colleges and universities to foster entrepreneurship and innovation. You will collaborate with various stakeholders, manage a significant budget, and ensure the program meets its strategic objectives. This is a unique opportunity to shape the future of applied research and commercialization in Canada, working within a vibrant educational environment that values equity, diversity, and inclusion. If you are passionate about driving innovation and building relationships, this role is perfect for you.

Qualifications

• Undergraduate degree in business or related discipline required.
• Experience in project management, entrepreneurship, and research commercialization.

Responsibilities

• Oversee program delivery and manage relationships with stakeholders.
• Develop strategies to achieve training and mentorship targets.

Skills

Collaboration Skills

Budget Management

Stakeholder Management

Interpersonal Skills

Written Communication

Public Speaking

Time Management

Conflict Resolution

Negotiation Skills

Data Analysis

Education

Undergraduate Degree in Business

Master's Degree

Tools

MS Office

Data Analysis Programs

Job description

SAIT’s Applied Research and Innovation Services department helps partners conceptualize, prototype and deliver products to market. ARIS is on the leading edge of novel technology development. As one of Canada’s top applied-research colleges, SAIT has 50,000 square feet of specialized research labs, facilities, and full-time research staff who are solely dedicated to providing the services organizations need to take their products from concept to prototype.

The Opportunity

The position is a new, full time term position funded by the Natural Sciences Engineering Research Council (NSERC). Our institute is operating as one of eight hubs across the country in delivering entrepreneurship training and commercialization training which requires a full-time program manager to oversee. This model represents a distinctive approach to funding and collaboration across eight post-secondary hubs, and an identical position or responsibility does not currently exist. It is fully funded by the program.

The Program Manager - Lab to Market is responsible for the successful implementation and management of the College-University Lab to Market Network within the regional hub. Reporting to the Director Applied Research and Innovation, the Program Manager’s leadership will be instrumental in ensuring that the strategic objectives of the College to University Lab to Market Network are met through a collaborative team approach. This role involves significant internal capacity building and external relationship building with post-secondary institutions and the entrepreneurial ecosystem across their region.

The Program Manager provides program delivery and administrative leadership, supervision, and direction to facilitators, instructors, researchers, learners, mentors and partners. The role must be highly collaborative across the eight national hubs for the College-University network for entrepreneurship and research commercialization. The Program Manager will work collaboratively with the Program Manager of SAIT’s new Innovation Hub.

The Role

• Program Administration and Management
• Develop and implement strategies to achieve training and mentorship targets, ensuring program goals and participant outcomes are met.
• Lead program development through participation, engagement, promotion, and knowledge distribution, including events such as pitch competitions and demo days.
• Oversee and enhance program success by facilitating regional delivery, fostering ecosystem development, and ensuring alignment with national standards.
• Responsible for all tracking and reporting on budgets of approximately $500,000 per year.
• Execute program processes, protocols, and guidelines, ensuring adherence to Tri council and NSERC requirements.
• Ensure the program meets all project milestones, deliverables, and budgetary requirements.
• Sustain effective processes to capture, track, and resolve queries and complaints regarding the program.
• Generate high-quality reports and documentation for internal and external partners and public distribution.
• Act as a resource to learners, facilitators/instructors, and administrators on the application of program policies and procedures.
• Program Liaison Support
• Work collaboratively with the institution’s faculties, staff, and students to leverage research facilities and build new linkages to postsecondary and ecosystem partners for delivering Lab to Market programming.
• Collaborate on the development of the institution’s new Innovation Hub.
• Conduct needs analysis and consult with technology transfer offices at partner institutions to identify opportunities suitable for the Network’s programs.
• Plan and coordinate local and regional events, including conferences and networking sessions, in collaboration with co-applicant institutions and partners.
• Assist students in accessing innovation ecosystem connections and support services, fostering opportunities for mentorship and collaboration.
• Engage in discussions relating to program compliance issues, providing solution-based input and recommendations to the Dean.
• Develop and execute annual communications and outreach strategies tailored to regional needs and priorities.
• Facilitate meetings, workshops, seminars, and focus groups.
• Serve as the key link with select colleges and universities in the network regarding entrepreneurial initiatives in the region.
• Regularly act as a liaison between college stakeholders, post-secondary partners, government agencies, and the external entrepreneurship community.
• Project Management
• Provide administrative management of College-University Lab to Market Network projects, tracking progress, monitoring timelines, and reporting on budgets and deliverables.
• Keep their direct supervisor and National Director of the College-University Lab to Market Network appraised of issues and challenges.
• Create and maintain relationships with existing and prospective research partners, including government program providers, industry, community, and academic organizations.
• Maintain exceptionally strong relationships with program managers across the eight national hubs.
• Develop communications materials related to the unit's activities and deliverables for internal and external audiences.
• Efficiently manage organizational budgets and operational planning to maximize and leverage results under constraints.
• Metric Collection/Reporting
• Provide administrative management of College-University Lab to Market Network projects, tracking progress, monitoring timelines, and reporting on budgets and deliverables.
• Keep their direct supervisor and National Director of the College-University Lab to Market Network appraised of issues and challenges.
• Create and maintain relationships with existing and prospective research partners, including government program providers, industry, community, and academic organizations.
• Maintain exceptionally strong relationships with program managers across the eight national hubs.
• Develop communications materials related to the unit's activities and deliverables for internal and external audiences.
• Efficiently manage organizational budgets and operational planning to maximize and leverage results under constraints.

Qualifications

• Undergraduate degree in business or a related discipline required.
• Experience in Project Management, entrepreneurship, and research commercialization.
• Experience in building, developing, delivering, and managing new programs, with demonstrated expertise in facilitation and delivery.
• Experience conducting research and familiarity with research management and program and policy development.
• Experience in the review of applied research proposals, and the development of applied research projects.
• Demonstrated experience in applying for and managing research grants and reporting to funders (i.e. Tri-Agency- NSERC, SSHRC, CIHR).
• Marketing experience.
• Master’s degree is preferred.
• Experience working in a post-secondary institution is an asset.

Skills Required

• Strong collaboration skills with both internal and external stakeholders.
• Budget development and management skills.
• Ability to build and maintain relationships with internal and external stakeholders.
• Excellent budget management and reporting skills.
• Client relationship management/stakeholder management.
• Strong interpersonal skills.
• Excellent computer software skills (especially MS Office and data analysis programs).
• Excellent written and oral communications skills including public speaking.
• Excellent listening skills, conflict resolution, negotiation skills.
• Excellent time management and multitasking skills.

Job Classification: Project Coordinator

Salary Range: $82,189.64- $108,886.96

Hours per week: 37.5

Posting End Date: April 15th, 2025

About SAIT

SAIT is a global leader in applied education. Named one of Alberta’s Top Employers, we offer the chance to work with a purpose — preparing the next generation of industry leaders, entrepreneurs, advocates and explorers.

Building on our 100+ year history, we’re looking for innovative, bold and collaborative employees who embrace change and deliver world-class customer experiences. Your future starts now at SAIT.

Equity, diversity and inclusion (EDI) is essential to achieving SAIT’s vision to be a global leader in applied education. We encourage applications from women, Indigenous people, racialized people, people with disabilities, people from gender and sexually diverse communities, and/or people with intersectional identities. Learn more about EDI at SAIT.

At SAIT, we understand that experience comes in many forms. We’re dedicated to adding diverse perspectives to SAIT - so if your experience is close to what we’re looking for, please consider applying.

SAIT is committed to supporting persons with disabilities throughout the recruitment process. We will work with applicants to provide accommodations upon request to the Talent Advisor.

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